Pump Frustration

marktype1

Well-Known Member
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75
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Insulin
Dislikes
Bad blood sugars, not being able to eat chocolate fudge cake.
Ok so after seeing a specialist who advised I am eligable for a pump due to my hba1c being slightly to high, I cant help but feel seriously frustrated trying to get one on NHS

I feel bad complaining about NHS due to all the stuff going on in regards to funding cuts but I just wanted to vent my frustration and ask for advice.

Initially the professor at my hospital told me I need to attend an ICE course. I told him I would not be able to commit to this because I am a teacher and can only have certain times off (holidays) therefore would not be able to book a week off to take the course. I was gutted to be fair because I would love to attend the ICE course as it would certainly clue me up a lot more about carb counting. Anyway, he then refers me to a pump clinic and says I need to attend for advice and then go from there. The appointments were on Tuesday mornings only and very booked up therefore I could not book one for half term.

I feel I have been going around in circles for the past year even trying to get an appointment which I admit, is down to me being very commited to my job. I realise health should come first but realistically, if I missed several Tuesday mornings in a row it would drastically impact on my students and I dont think my College would be very happy either.

Surely theres a way around this for people who have a career, such as evening appointments or something.

Any thoughts or experiences people?

Man just wants a pump yo!
 

noblehead

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Surely over the last year they could have fitted you in during some of the school holidays, perhaps if you can demonstrate that your carb counting skills are up to date they may let you off with attending the course, have a look at the following as it's an on-line carb counting course similar to what is taught on the likes of DAFNE:

http://www.bdec-e-learning.com/
 

CarbsRok

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4,688
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You don't have to go on a course to prove you can carb count, a dietician can assess you at an individual appointment.
 

marktype1

Well-Known Member
Messages
75
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bad blood sugars, not being able to eat chocolate fudge cake.
I dont have to go on the course any more just need to attend pump clinic but the appointments are so limited. Literally Tuesday mornings only. I have to call up tomorrow to attempt to book an appointment but its very likely I will wait until Easter at the earliest to get one whilst im off work.
 

Gaz-M

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health comes before work, Ive put work so much as a forefront and now reaping the not so good results

I,ll say no more on this but think what you want more your job which you need your health for or end results? which are not so good.

Put your HEALTH first
 
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marktype1

Well-Known Member
Messages
75
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bad blood sugars, not being able to eat chocolate fudge cake.
I appreciate what you are saying Gaz and I really wish I could but I have spent years getting to this point in my career and the way things are going in education, staff are easily dispencible and I have a family to provide for so I dont want to pee work off.

Its not really a big issue as in its causing serious damage by not being on the pump or I obviously would attend the appointments regardless of work. I would be under slightly bettter control with a pump hence why I am trying to get one. I just wish there were more evening appointments to cater for people who work.
 

tim2000s

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You don't have to go on a course to prove you can carb count, a dietician can assess you at an individual appointment.
I think this is very dependent on your clinic. Big sticking point for me too.

@marktype1, if you are in a position where it is going to affect promotion or threshold payments, I can understand your concerns. If you are not in a sensitive period, book the appointment and self certify a couple of days of sick leave at the time, or bite the bullet and just do it. Ultimately, it's your life, but if appointments are few and far between, then occasional Tuesday mornings really shouldn't be an issue.
 

noblehead

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I just wish there were more evening appointments to cater for people who work.

Yes it would be good if they were to make more provision for day & shift workers Mark.

But @Gaz-M is spot on when he says you need to put your health first, have you tried having a word with your employer to see if they can be flexible and allow you some time off to attend the appointments, if you do get approval for a pump it will mean you attending a few pre-pump training sessions anyway so you have to be prepared for this.
 
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