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Do I meet the criteria?

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victry77

Well-Known Member
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Hi, had my annual review last week and the consultant was concerned about my hypos and diagnosed me with impaired hypo awareness. She just came right out and asked if I had ever considered a pump. She wanted to refer me to the consultant DSN who runs the pump clinic for a trial. I said OK then.

However, I am kinda surprised that I would be a pump candidate. The doc was mostly concerned that it's not until I'm in the mid- 2 range that I start to get awareness and even then it's usually quite vague and I can function perfectly normally (which is obviously not normal).

I just wondered, though, that even if the doc puts my name forward can I still get refused on the grounds that I don't meet the right criteria?
 
Victry, if you have been diabetic for a number of years and have also been trying to control yr bg levels tightly, then unfortunately hypo awareness starts to get variable.

You do meet the NICE criteria for a funded pump so dont worry about that score as anxiety can also be used. In the meantime, try to use a different target for yr bg before you eat meals and allow for a rise to be about 3mmol. 7mmol is a good before eating target and allow for bg to rise to 10mmol 2-3hrs later. That should help for your awareness of a hypo to kick in when your bg levels drop to 3.4mmol and not the 2mmol level that you currently get. So in other words...reduce your insulin.

Not sure how long it will take for the funding application to be agreed as some CCGs fund quickly and some others take a bit more time. Plan to wait about 4 to 6 months so start to get to grips with how everyone copes with a pump. Most things pump related have been discussed on the forum and there are other forums as well that all chip in, so most problems get answered.

Hope this helps....look after yourself esp if you drive...
 
Hi, thank you both for your replies. I basically wondered that despite the Endo recommending I should consider having a trial, would I be assessed first to see whether I am actually really suitable? For example, would it be a case of "Oh well, try this first or that first" before looking at going on a pump.

None of my hypos have are classed as severe of disabling but the Endo was more concerned that I seem to be able to function perfectly normally when I'm in the midst of a low (in the 2 range). That's why I wondered that because I'm not having hypos that need anybody to help me or are adversely affecting me, would they consider me suitable?

IHs ~ I did explain to the doc that I have tried on several occasions to run my levels higher but this always seems to result in them swinging way too far the other way and I get far more of a panic on when I see my numbers in double fingers rather than hypo figures.
 
The fact that you only get vague hypo awareness symptoms in the 2's would be a cause for concern, if they went much lower you probably would need a third-party assistance, this you could argue at least warrants you to be suitable for a pump.Just my thoughts Victry :)
 
victry77 said:
Hi, thank you both for your replies. I basically wondered that despite the Endo recommending I should consider having a trial, would I be assessed first to see whether I am actually really suitable? For example, would it be a case of "Oh well, try this first or that first" before looking at going on a pump.

None of my hypos have are classed as severe of disabling but the Endo was more concerned that I seem to be able to function perfectly normally when I'm in the midst of a low (in the 2 range). That's why I wondered that because I'm not having hypos that need anybody to help me or are adversely affecting me, would they consider me suitable?

IHs ~ I did explain to the doc that I have tried on several occasions to run my levels higher but this always seems to result in them swinging way too far the other way and I get far more of a panic on when I see my numbers in double fingers rather than hypo figures.
Click to expand...
Everyone has a pre-assesment before going on the pump but if both your nurse and doc have said you should consider one then yes you do meet the criteria!
 
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