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Insulin pump questions?
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<blockquote data-quote="dowuchyalike" data-source="post: 290916" data-attributes="member: 32924"><p>Hi there</p><p></p><p>You've asked quite a few questions there, so I'll attempt to answer each one in turn.</p><p></p><p>1. Yes, pumps are available on the NHS. I think I'd be right in saying that the criteria for getting them differs between primary care trusts; however, as a general rule if your control is especially bad and you've already exhausted other possibilities, then you are considered a good candidate for pump therapy.</p><p></p><p>2. I don't think there's such a thing as waiting times (but I could be wrong). In my own situation, I was obliged to attend a course (1 day a week for 4 weeks) aimed at teaching carb counting and insulin dose adjustment to type 1s on all therapies. The understanding was that if after the course I still wished to pursue pump therapy then an application would be made to the PCT for the funding required to supply me with the pump. From my initial enquiry with my diabetes nurse to actually getting the pump, I think the time period was about 10 weeks. </p><p></p><p>3. As for 'risks', well, thankfully, there are not too many to worry about. Sometimes issues with cannulas or tubing can prevent insulin getting through and you may go a short time without receiving any insulin but many pumps are programmed to detect these problems and alert you accordingly. Having said that, there have been occasions when I've had high blood sugars after inserting a new cannula or when I'm on the last day of use of an existing one. Such problems are seemingly unavoidable but most of the time you're only talking about elevated glucose for a couple of hours, which is unlikely to have any serious implications for long term health if your overall control is good.</p><p></p><p>4. If anything, a pump will increase your need to test blood sugars. Most come with the ability to provide 'bolus advice' based on presetting them with details of your insulin sensitivity; however, they take into account your blood sugar at the time, so basically you have to test in order to take advantage of that facility.</p><p></p><p>5. There is no operation involved. The pump sits outside your body and can be kept in a pocket or in one of the many carrying solutions that are available. You apply a small cannula to a fleshy area of your body (usually abdomen or upper/outer buttocks), then the pump tubing connects to the cannula at one end and the pump itself at the other. </p><p></p><p>6. Pros for most people are better control, increased lifestyle flexibility and, of course, the removal of the need for injections. The fact that you can bolus in a public place without drawing any attention to yourself is a real godsend.</p><p></p><p>Cons might be the fact that the pump is attached to you all the time. You might find this a problem at nighttime or when engaging in certain activities. Personally, I think these are minor issues when compared to the benefits that the pump provides. </p><p></p><p>6. I have no idea whether you can arrange to buy one direct from a manufacturer. I'd guess not, knowing the health and safety laws in this country, but again, I could be wrong.</p><p></p><p>7. No costs whatsoever to the pump user. The primary care trust pays for all consumables, including batteries. This is certainly my experience but other pump users may have different experiences.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="dowuchyalike, post: 290916, member: 32924"] Hi there You've asked quite a few questions there, so I'll attempt to answer each one in turn. 1. Yes, pumps are available on the NHS. I think I'd be right in saying that the criteria for getting them differs between primary care trusts; however, as a general rule if your control is especially bad and you've already exhausted other possibilities, then you are considered a good candidate for pump therapy. 2. I don't think there's such a thing as waiting times (but I could be wrong). In my own situation, I was obliged to attend a course (1 day a week for 4 weeks) aimed at teaching carb counting and insulin dose adjustment to type 1s on all therapies. The understanding was that if after the course I still wished to pursue pump therapy then an application would be made to the PCT for the funding required to supply me with the pump. From my initial enquiry with my diabetes nurse to actually getting the pump, I think the time period was about 10 weeks. 3. As for 'risks', well, thankfully, there are not too many to worry about. Sometimes issues with cannulas or tubing can prevent insulin getting through and you may go a short time without receiving any insulin but many pumps are programmed to detect these problems and alert you accordingly. Having said that, there have been occasions when I've had high blood sugars after inserting a new cannula or when I'm on the last day of use of an existing one. Such problems are seemingly unavoidable but most of the time you're only talking about elevated glucose for a couple of hours, which is unlikely to have any serious implications for long term health if your overall control is good. 4. If anything, a pump will increase your need to test blood sugars. Most come with the ability to provide 'bolus advice' based on presetting them with details of your insulin sensitivity; however, they take into account your blood sugar at the time, so basically you have to test in order to take advantage of that facility. 5. There is no operation involved. The pump sits outside your body and can be kept in a pocket or in one of the many carrying solutions that are available. You apply a small cannula to a fleshy area of your body (usually abdomen or upper/outer buttocks), then the pump tubing connects to the cannula at one end and the pump itself at the other. 6. Pros for most people are better control, increased lifestyle flexibility and, of course, the removal of the need for injections. The fact that you can bolus in a public place without drawing any attention to yourself is a real godsend. Cons might be the fact that the pump is attached to you all the time. You might find this a problem at nighttime or when engaging in certain activities. Personally, I think these are minor issues when compared to the benefits that the pump provides. 6. I have no idea whether you can arrange to buy one direct from a manufacturer. I'd guess not, knowing the health and safety laws in this country, but again, I could be wrong. 7. No costs whatsoever to the pump user. The primary care trust pays for all consumables, including batteries. This is certainly my experience but other pump users may have different experiences. [/QUOTE]
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