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Coming off my pump

Its like everything in life.... you have to take the good with the bad and always be prepared for the worst by keeping an insulin pen handy juist in case.

Personally, I get on fine using the flexlink in my upper tummy but use the tenderlink above bikini line. Rapid D was ok to begin with but started giving weird bg levels so I stopped using it for a while but had another go the other week and inserted it at the top back part of my arm and was ok but needed my partner to disconnect me from the tail part when having a shower as there was no way that I could disconnect myself and would need to use a vice to hold the tail end connector still while I used my other arm/hand to undo the connectors. I also found it painful to remove the steel needle set even with drowning it in LiftPlus so went back to Flexlinks again.

I must have a good look at the Vibe and see how this menu system works on it as it seems as though there's a lot of scrolling and button presses to do according to some who use it.

Re the Dexcom cgm...... I really wish funding for cgm was routine, as with basal/bolus continuing, more and more diabetics will get far better control using cgm to guide them instead of having to continually do finger pricks to keep their control ok.
 
I would love to get a cgm, but they are so expensive, I am not really in a position to get one. I have asked about funding, but its rare to get it. I did wonder if you can hire them for a month, just to help get your control better? I will have to ask next time I visit my clinic. Just wondering, how often other members get set failures, and ketones? As a pump user, is this something you have to put up with? I am currently waiting for an appointment, to see the rep from Animas, going to have some retraining, hoping I can find ways to avoid problems, and get my confidence back.
 
Jagger, I don't know if I understand your last question but I asked a CGM for a month (enlite- Medtronic ) last July when I was going on holiday. I paid for 5 sensors and I borrowed the transmitter.
It completely changed my quality of life that I decided I would have funded myself for the future.
Before paying with my money I decided to try if the NHS would have funded. I prepare a case- request with my hospital consultant and to my biggest surprise my request has been approved since September. So I have sensors paid till April 2014. My HbA1c has been the best ever in the last 20 years. So my suggestion is to try for a month if you like it. If yes make a request. I know it's a lottery but you never know.
I hope my experience can help.


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Hi Yes you can try them out for about 6 weeks if you want to. From what I remember you can put down a deposit and then get back your money minus the cost for the sets. Sets that are compatible with the vibe/G4 cost £186 for 4. It costs £500 for 4 sets and the transmitter to buy. The sets last 1 week according to the manufacturer but lots of people keep them on for longer to get their moneys worth out of them, up to you. It's my Christmas/birthday present from all my family and friends, I've just given up work and am now a full time student so can't afford it but am planning on keeping them in for longer to make it more affordable, budgeting around £50 a month. You wouldn't have to wear it constantly just when it will be most of use. To me it's definitely worth the price.
 
Just an FYI to this I will have had my sensor in two weeks Tuesday and yes the sticky is giving up slowly but the accuracy is fine. I don't suggest anyone do this it's a personal choice.


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