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Criteria

Sweetheart66

Well-Known Member
Messages
99
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Just been to see Consultant at local hospital and ended up walking out crying. Apparently I do not fit the criteria for an insulin pump and he wont even put in an application for me for funding.
 
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Yes I have asked GP to refer me to a pump friendly clinic for a second opinion
 
Dr I saw today said insulin pumps can make control worse! Said it could occlude in the night put me in DKA and I could end up in hospital!
 
So why did he say you didn't meet the criteria for a pump?
Also on what grounds do you think you qualify for a pump?
 
I was on MDI for only a month and then switched onto a pump due to my occupation. Looks like I fall under the travel through time zones or shift work.

There seems to be so many things you can use in your fight to get pump funding!
 
I suffer from dawn phenomenon but he said thats not enough of a reason. Im actually a nurse in the same hospital but I work days. I have painful neuropathy in my feet. Im 50 so is my age going against me?
 
Ive done the carb counting but the specialist nurses couldnt help with the dawn phenomenon. My hbA1c was 60 which he said was too low. Ive been getting hypos at work in the afternoons but he didnt seem bothered with anything I said. Im testing my bloods about 10 times a day especially when at work where it drops when we're busy
 
He said he didnt think I could cope with it and would end up going back on injections within a year!!! I only met him today how can he judge that?
 
Sweethear66 said:
Dr I saw today said insulin pumps can make control worse! Said it could occlude in the night put me in DKA and I could end up in hospital!
Click to expand...

Er, yes, in theory - in practice, that's very rare! Pumps have occlusion alarms for a start! I've been pumping 12 years and I've never had that happen.

Yes, a pump is only as good as it's user, but it can certainly sort out Dawn Phenomenon and reduce hypos.

It sounds like you were unlucky with the doctor you saw.
 
Yes I think I was. I have left a message with my GP asking to be referred to Addenbrookes for a second opinion. It is listed as a pump friendly clinic at Addenbrookes but they are in special measures due to finances. I think the money comes from elsewhere tho.
 
Hi @Sweethear66
I would recommend you get in touch with the lovely people at input -- they can help with guidance towards obtaining a pump.
they are all insulin dependant diabetics and are very supportive .
link http://www.inputdiabetes.org.uk/
 
Thank you. I have visited the site already but I have just sent them an email too.
 
Your age isn't against you, I'm 57 and been on the pump for 2 months now.
The reason i was put on a pump was due to the Dawn Phenomenon. Also maybe because my carb ratios on one of my time blocks was very high and i work shifts also.

As already mentioned you have to put work into pump therapy to get the best or even the basics out of it but as your a nurse i would have thought that your more than capable.

Maybe you could re study the guidelines for pump therapy and also if possible the reasons in your medical records as to why you've been refused an application coupled with why you need a pump.

The Dawn phenomenon i would have thought is a good enough reason for pump therapy.
Shift work and hypos at work is another good one although pumps won't illuminate hypo's they are an excellent tool to in that Basal patterns can be set to suit your work.

Good luck

Martin
 
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Age is certainly not against you I was 65 when I got my pump and I have been pumping for 18 months and it was life changing for me,I have been type1 for coming up to 55years.Don't give up and I hope you get your pump,good luck.
 
I'm now 58, been IDD since 1970, been pumping for just over 4 years. The main reason I moved to a pump was to combat overnight hypos and dawn phenomenon. It was the best move I'd ever made (other than getting my own CGM). Don't give up.
 
well the NICE criteria are online so take that as a base and build a base of info to get yourself a pump. sadly the nhs cannot fund everyone but look up the sites mentioned, look at NICE, talk to your gp and nurse. A case can be built over time to get you the pump if you need it.
 
The nurse suggested increasing background insulin to help dawn phenomenon but I ended up having hypos in the middle of the night.
 
They suggested setting my alarm for 4 or 5 am and injecting a few units of novorapid but that doesnt seem to be a long term solution. Since being told I did'nt fit the criteria I suppose thats what I will start doing from tomorrow
 
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