• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

HBA1C too high

symer001

Member
Messages
12
Location
Kent
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I was given an insulin pump from my children's diabetes clinic over a year ago. I am now moving over to the adult clinic and they have 100's more patients to see and do not fund pumps.

My hba1c has been running high and I'm worried my pump will be taken away. I look after myself and always do my best but the doctors dont see an improvement in my hba1c. I really love the freedom I have on the pump and it has had a positive impact on my life and I really wouldn't get by without it. Is it possible for the doctors to take it away? I don't know if they just say that to scare you so your try harder to keep levels down.
 
Dont worry, it is entirely up to u if u keep it or not.. I chose to stay on certain insulin because i was scared to try something new.. Im now on it and cant keep my levels good . I excersize i eat less and nothing out if it.
 
I don't know of anyone who has had their pump taken away. I do remember having to sign something when I got my pump which said that it remained the property of the health authority or something similar. I asked about that and was told it was so they could 'take pumps back if they had to' but I think it was just a change in their policy not something they were looking to do.

I suppose it's always possible though, but probably more for people who 'can't be bothered' and waste the opportunity.

I hope the move to the adult clinic goes ok. It can be a big change, but hopefully there will be some good people there to help and support you :)
 
I was given an insulin pump from my children's diabetes clinic over a year ago. I am now moving over to the adult clinic and they have 100's more patients to see and do not fund pumps.

My hba1c has been running high and I'm worried my pump will be taken away. I look after myself and always do my best but the doctors dont see an improvement in my hba1c. I really love the freedom I have on the pump and it has had a positive impact on my life and I really wouldn't get by without it. Is it possible for the doctors to take it away? I don't know if they just say that to scare you so your try harder to keep levels down.
Hi Rae,
if the adult clinic doesn't support pumps then you need to be transferred to a clinic that does.
Have you taken the basic steps of doing basal testing to see what's happening in that dept.

Buy yourself pumping insulin (amazon) to help you use your pump correctly as well.
Obviously if you are not using the pump to it's full advantage and not achieving the goals set for keeping the pump then you could be on some very sticky ground.
On the other hand if you are achieving then they can not take the pump away.

What exactly have children's/young adult clinic taught you or helped you with regarding your pump?
 
don't know of anyone who has had their pump taken away. I do remember having to sign something when I got my pump which said that it remained the property of the health authority or something similar. I asked about that and was told it was so they could 'take pumps back if they had to' but I think it was just a change in their policy not something they were looking to do.

I had this with a complete and utter *itch of a DSN where my pump came from even though my A1c was 6.2 she hated the fact I proved her wrong about using animal insulin in a pump and made my life hell. This time she went to far and 3 complaints were made by various other consultants and my GP regarding her failure to sign the paperwork for a new pump. I saw a consultant from a different county who said it was illegal to refuse funding and wrote a stinking letter to the CCG telling them they were open to legal action. He had no problem with me seeing him once a year or recommending the continuation of pump funding.

Whilst this was being sorted my GP practice bought me a new pump and sent the bill to the CCG plus 6 months of supplies.
I now have my funding paid by one county and charged back to my county CCG. Added bonus my GP doesn't have to go round in circles and waste his time trying every 4 years to get the pump renewed and I don't have the worry either nor that vindictive baggage of a dumb silly nurse who had far to much power for her own good.
 
Hi Rae,
if the adult clinic doesn't support pumps then you need to be transferred to a clinic that does.
Have you taken the basic steps of doing basal testing to see what's happening in that dept.

Buy yourself pumping insulin (amazon) to help you use your pump correctly as well.
Obviously if you are not using the pump to it's full advantage and not achieving the goals set for keeping the pump then you could be on some very sticky ground.
On the other hand if you are achieving then they can not take the pump away.

What exactly have children's/young adult clinic taught you or helped you with regarding your pump?


I've never been on a dafne course but I had a childs carb counting lessons. I have been quite independent and weigh out all my meal and I have attempted basal testing (get terrible headaches when I dont eat, so these test can be difficult!) I dont understand where im going wrong because there is no pattern. I can eat the same meal and one day be high, then the next have a low, so its very difficult to adjust.
 
I've never been on a dafne course but I had a childs carb counting lessons. I have been quite independent and weigh out all my meal and I have attempted basal testing (get terrible headaches when I dont eat, so these test can be difficult!) I dont understand where im going wrong because there is no pattern. I can eat the same meal and one day be high, then the next have a low, so its very difficult to adjust.
You need to basal test, make sure you drink plenty of water after all the test only lasts 6 hours at the most :) Start with night testing first the day time is a lot easier then. You don't have to do it all at once either :)

My basal never stays the same it changes from month to month. If you go high after a meal have a think of why whilst you have a temp basal running to bring your blood sugars down. Do you bolus at least 20 mins before you eat?
 
I've never been on a dafne course but I had a childs carb counting lessons. I have been quite independent and weigh out all my meal and I have attempted basal testing (get terrible headaches when I dont eat, so these test can be difficult!) I dont understand where im going wrong because there is no pattern. I can eat the same meal and one day be high, then the next have a low, so its very difficult to adjust.


Just miss one meal at a time and don't go too long without eating, if you drink plenty of fluids (plain water preferably) you should avoid the headaches and will make it more manageable.

Have a look at the following, it explains how you should do a basal test in different time frames:

http://www.salforddiabetescare.co.uk/index2.php?nav_id=1007

Do purchase the book Pumping Insulin as it really is a must read.
 
Back
Top