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How to get a pump?!

kirstiemarie91

Well-Known Member
Messages
59
Type of diabetes
Family member
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all,

Not posted in a while, my husband was diagnosed in April with T1 and this site literally got us through the first couple of weeks and then it all got easier, we couldn't have done it without you guys though :')

So, here's the thing, Mike's GP referred him for a pump, saying he would breeze through the process and would definitely be allocated one (quite a lot to promise!) We went for the appointment in Manchester and Mike was told he couldn't have the pump because he is doing well and his sugar is under control. He's also been told that he has to go on a weeks course where he meets other T1's?? (If anyone has info on this I would massively appreciate it!)

I don't really understand this, it's fantastic he is doing so well and his average BS is around 7 but it's not 'easy', he just works insanely hard to keep it under control and it seems that he is being punished for it.

Please don't think bad of me, I know some people massively need a pump, probably more than Mike does, it just upsets me that he can't have one .
His diabetes is under control-ish but he is still quite depressed and down about it all.

Any advice from you lovely people
Kirstie xx
 
Money is the problem. If Type 1 patients can achieve good HbA1c results (whether it involves a lot of hard work or not) then they won't spend the money on giving them a pump.

I was having what I regarded as poor control for over 20 years but, as my HbA1c was not too bad for most of the time, they weren't too interested. They only started thinking about the pump when I could only achieve a half decent HbA1c when I was also having lots of hypos.

It is probably a DAFNE course he's to go on. He'll learn how to count carbs properly and adjust insulin doses for different amounts of carbs. There will be lots of useful information, not only from the professionals but also from other Type 1s.

It's understandable that Mike is feeling down. His diagnosis will have knocked him for six, and it will take him a while to get used to and accept his new way of life. . . It took me about 2 years to totally accept it!

I hope this helps a little bit. I think the course will be a good idea and will be helpful.
 
I think the course will be a DAFNE couse where he will be taught (kind of) how to count carbs, this is needed before you can get any kind of pump, also a pump is alot more work than injections, not sure How he will go about getting a pump to be honest if the control is good.

See what others suggest first on here and maybe someone will be able to advise alot better than me
 
Thank you both so much for replying, means a lot I'll pass that all on to Mike, he really appreciates your help and thank you for being so understanding x
 
Almost certainly they are referring to the DAFNE course it is taught in a group session.

Your husband Mike might fit the ABCD (Association of British Clinical Diabetologists) criteria which a consultant can use to request funding for a pump, here is some information from INPUT which explains what comes under the ABCD recommendations:

http://www.inputdiabetes.org.uk/alt-insulin-pumps/is-it-provided-by-the-nhs/
 
i had to fight hard for the pump 3 and half years but finally got somewhere when the dietitian sent me to pump therapy after my appointment.

I must now see a consultant but they told me not to use the pump till i see him, but i'm back on my pump from today as the nurses give me the go ahead

check out the nice guidelines that can help with seeing if he fits for the pump other then that i'm sorry they wouldn't give him one when he got told he would

we call the course Daffyd in wales and its a brilliant course to learn to adjust to carbs and other things =D
 
Thanks very much, I'll have a look now thank you!
 

I'm glad you got sorted! 3 and half years is a long time!
Thanks so much for the info really appreciate it!
He's just down really because he literally works so hard to control his sugar and he often says "Maybe I should just stop caring and let the number go out of control." This is obviously short lived, he doesn't mean it, just gets so frustrated!!

Thanks so much for your help, I hope you have an awesome 2016!
P.S. Wales is the greatest place in the world!
 

the consultant didn't want me on the pump see if he can see a pump specialist nurse and say to them that it will give him more flexibility in work, help him with his needle phobia ect play on it as much as you can >.<

I think Wales sucks but what part of wales do you like?
 

I think that's going to be the next step the consultant was so unhelpful, I'm sure it'll get sorted

Llandudno is my favourite, I'd happily more there! It's just so peaceful and the people are so nice! I live in Macclesfield and it really does sucks!
 
haha i'm from south we don't like to speak about the north here
Macclesfield i had a few friends from there =p
consultants are pain in the butts my dietician just stuck me on the next pump therapy course a day after my appointment and i signed a thing saying they can't take it of me for 6months and if i prove my sugars are good on the 28th then he be proud
 
I didn't know there was a feud between the south and north I think you're all great! Haha!

Macclesfield is so small, too small!

That's amazing, what an ace dietician! Do you prefer the pump??
 
kirstiemarie91 said:
I didn't know there was a feud between the south and north I think you're all great! Haha!

Macclesfield is so small, too small!

That's amazing, what an ace dietician! Do you prefer the pump??
Click to expand...
im on a second pump and handset and was not to use it till i see the consultant or till January 4th but i told the nurses wouldn't it be best for me to use it now so i can record and do changes when they open back up but overall its more flexable for me as i was doing 10 injections a day
 
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