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getting a pump
- Thread starter Niamh1
- Start Date
Rokaab
Well-Known Member
Hate to say it, but unfortunately it's not as easy as just wanting one, you generally need a very good reason, most T1's do not get one as they are very pricey.
You will either have to prove your control cannot be controlled with pens (even with that it still took me years to get a pump) or you need mitigating circumstances - I had been diabetic for 40+ years when I got my pump
You will either have to prove your control cannot be controlled with pens (even with that it still took me years to get a pump) or you need mitigating circumstances - I had been diabetic for 40+ years when I got my pump
D
Deleted member 527103
Guest
In my experience (and it varies from CCG to CCG), you need to talk to your diabetes team and provide them with proof that
- you understand how to carb count (a DAFNE-type course is often a pre-requisite)
- you are willing to invest the additional time and effort into learning and tuning the pump for you
- you can articulate what it is about a pump that would make your diabetes management better. What would you do differently with a pump that you cannot do with MDI?
- you are confident enough with MDI that if a pump fails you can revert back under stressful circumstances. It is rare for a pump to fail but it is never at a convenient time and usually a stressful experience.
"I work in childcare so my sugars play up" is not enough. Remember a pump is just another mechanism to give you insulin. Unless you know how to use a pump, your sugars will play up just as much.
- you understand how to carb count (a DAFNE-type course is often a pre-requisite)
- you are willing to invest the additional time and effort into learning and tuning the pump for you
- you can articulate what it is about a pump that would make your diabetes management better. What would you do differently with a pump that you cannot do with MDI?
- you are confident enough with MDI that if a pump fails you can revert back under stressful circumstances. It is rare for a pump to fail but it is never at a convenient time and usually a stressful experience.
"I work in childcare so my sugars play up" is not enough. Remember a pump is just another mechanism to give you insulin. Unless you know how to use a pump, your sugars will play up just as much.
I mentioned an insulin pump at the end of March this year and next Monday I have my pump start appointment on the Medtronic 780G. I qualify due to having frequent hypos despite having the best control
Honestly expected it to be hard process and I could already see myself getting ready to fight for it.
I was misdiagnosed T2 in December 2017 and re diagnosed T1 LADA Feb 2020. Got the Libre sensor in December 2020 and now moving to a pump. I’ve got mental health issues, issues with food and chronic pain and my blood glucose is constantly low despite steadily lowering my basal from 36units to 22 in the past month and find myself skipping a dose every 24 hours and still not having spikes and still struggling with hypos. I’d have a look online and see if you qualify according to the NICE Guidelines. You can Google NICE GUIDELINES for insulin pumps.
You’d also need a hospital consultant if you don’t already have one to put the application forward for funding a pump if you don’t already that is.
Hope it’s not too difficult for you x
Honestly expected it to be hard process and I could already see myself getting ready to fight for it.
I was misdiagnosed T2 in December 2017 and re diagnosed T1 LADA Feb 2020. Got the Libre sensor in December 2020 and now moving to a pump. I’ve got mental health issues, issues with food and chronic pain and my blood glucose is constantly low despite steadily lowering my basal from 36units to 22 in the past month and find myself skipping a dose every 24 hours and still not having spikes and still struggling with hypos. I’d have a look online and see if you qualify according to the NICE Guidelines. You can Google NICE GUIDELINES for insulin pumps.
You’d also need a hospital consultant if you don’t already have one to put the application forward for funding a pump if you don’t already that is.
Hope it’s not too difficult for you x
“you can articulate what it is about a pump that would make your diabetes management better. What would you do differently with a pump that you cannot do with MDI?”
This bit here is extremely important, for you even more than them. Mind you, I’m in the US. and am unfamiliar with your process in the UK (assuming that’s where you are) but I’d expect them to want to see a detailed record of your blood sugar readings and a pattern of highs and/or lows that dosage adjustments or different insulins can’t be expected to address. That’s how you can make your case if in fact you have one.
This bit here is extremely important, for you even more than them. Mind you, I’m in the US. and am unfamiliar with your process in the UK (assuming that’s where you are) but I’d expect them to want to see a detailed record of your blood sugar readings and a pattern of highs and/or lows that dosage adjustments or different insulins can’t be expected to address. That’s how you can make your case if in fact you have one.
