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Can I get a pump?

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Geri30

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Hi All

I am new to this forum and have been fascinated by the discussions that I have read.

I am an Type 1 IDDM that has been diagnosed for 22 years. I have managed to work hard to control my blood glucose levels and for the last few years, my HbA1c is maintained at around 7.5%.

I have been on the DAFNE course when it was first introduced 4 years ago and that enabled me to me more precise in my insulin treatment but I tend to overestimate the insulin and go hypo, especially when exercising, making my blood sugar fluctuate.

Is there any way that I can be eligible for a insulin pump? What else can I do to help myself?

Any advise and suggestions will be gladly received.
 
Hi Geri30,
Welcome to the forum.

I have bumped your post up and hope someone will reply.

Catherine.
 
Geri30 said:
Hi All

I am new to this forum and have been fascinated by the discussions that I have read.

I am an Type 1 IDDM that has been diagnosed for 22 years. I have managed to work hard to control my blood glucose levels and for the last few years, my HbA1c is maintained at around 7.5%.

I have been on the DAFNE course when it was first introduced 4 years ago and that enabled me to me more precise in my insulin treatment but I tend to overestimate the insulin and go hypo, especially when exercising, making my blood sugar fluctuate.

Is there any way that I can be eligible for a insulin pump? What else can I do to help myself?

Any advise and suggestions will be gladly received.
Click to expand...


Hi,

I'm also trying to get a pump at the minute :)

I did heaps and heaps of research, learning the possible con's aswell as the pro's i think is a good place to start!

Heres a site i found a while ago which has guidelines on how to qualify for a pump

http://www.input.me.uk/

Please note though not all doctors are as strict as this and i've heard and read stories of all kinds of people which don't technically fit the criteria but have successfully gotten a pump.

I did loads of research on pumps and the different ones that are available on the NHS, be weary of getting an american site and falling in love with one then finding it isn't available in the UK!

Then i just bit the bullet and asked my diabetes consultant if i could have one. he asked me why i wanted one... thats when i spat out what i'd researched and how certain aspects i thought would benefit me. he seemed impressed that i had reasons and backed up why so maybe thats a good tip for you!?

I have to get my hba1c down, (which i have as i did dafne 6 weeks ago) and also get on dafne and successfully carb count. (which i am) :)

I'm currently waiting to see him again (2nd july) to reel off my improvements and see what the next step is!

So i haven't actually got one yet but i guess the best advice anyone could give you is ASK!

You won't know what to do until you do :)

It sounds like a pump would definately benefit you, well i think it would benefit anybody who is willing to work for it

If your overestimating your insulin and having hypo's maybe it would help you to re-do dafne and get all refreshed as the pump definately needs accuracy to work well!

Or maybe even just speak to your dietician for ways to count carbs more accurately so your not overestimating as much, everyone does it occasionally!

A HBA1c of 7.5% is a good level to meet one of the criteria for a pump, if you read that website you'll see it says that you may qualify if you struggle to get your HBA1c below around 7.5% on just MDI.

I hope you do eventually get one if you get there and decide its definately for you but it is alot of work but hopefuly thouroughly worth it. i'll get back to you when i've had my appointment and let you know what my next step is to get closer to a pump myself!

good luck!
 
Hi

I have recently been referred for a pump due to constant hypos, there is a critira to meet. Have a look on the NICE website they tell you the critira you may have to meet. My consultant has put me on the list for a DAFNE course but said as i am carb counting i don't neccessarly need to do the course before i have the pump. I think the best thing you can do is ask you maybe surprised.

Tracey167
 
Hi, I have to choose my pump next month and yes their is a criteria for one, in West Essex you have to do the DAFNE course, this is a 1 weeks intensive course on everything, from carb counting to illness and well worth going on it, even though i did DAFNE 2 years ago i still cant get my Hba1c below 10.2, people like me and Tracy167 who have hypo problems are candidates for a pump, a pump isnt be all end all, you have to be prepared to work at it and make constant calls to get it right and when you do the results are good, just talking to a fella at the DAFNE review a month ago, he went on a pump and his Hba1c has dropped 1.2 since September to june, these things cost around £3000+ and not given out lightly, ive been pushing for one for 5 years and now my time has come to pick one next month.

Best of luck, but as Tracy167 says, check NICE webby out to see if you can get one.

oh a Hba1c of 7.5 is good and i have been told somewhere over 10 is a yes (thats me @ 10.2)

Best of luck

Daf :D
 
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