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Letter in post today - pump approveD

Riri

Riri

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,174
Location
Mid Wales
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
The conservative party, people who are cruel to animals and aggressive people
I came home lunch time to find a letter to say that I'm having my new pump fitted on the 30th august - really chuffed about this. I've been waiting since April but by the sounds of things that isn't all that long a wait. My only concern is that I have a 2 week holiday in Greece planned from 13th September - to me this sounds far to close to the pump fitting and that maybe I should ask my nurse to re-schedule for beginning of October. The only trouble is I don't want to come over as hesitant about it and jeopardise having a pump all over again. Do fellow pumpers think it's wise for me to ask for a new date - I'm anxious aboutn my diabetes and hypos at the best of times! After all that, I am totally thrilled about having a pump approved.
 
Hi

If you postpone yr pump start date till you come back from yr holiday, you might find that you will have to wait longer as it won't be just yr dsn that will need to fit you in, it will also be the pump rep too.

Not sure what other pumpers will say, but I would be inclined to take the pump, start with it and then if you don't feel ok to go on holiday with it, disconnect and go back to injections. Leave the pump at home and then re-connect again after the holiday.

Remember to get insurance for the pump. You can get it covered on your household contents insurance for a small extra premium.

What pump are you getting?
 
hia - thanks for quick reponse. I'm getting the newest Medtronic pump. When you switch back to injections is this quite a straightforward process? As you can tell, I'm a bit nervous about it all.
 
Hi

As long as you've kept yr bg monitoring books for injections with the bg results, insulin dose - carb ratios etc , then switching from pump to injections shouldn't be too much of a problem. It's when you switch the other way as you've got to take into account the effect that any MDI basal might still have.

I was ok with it all as on the day I switched to the pump I left off my morning MDI basal and just gave myself a few units of bolus and then started the pump with basal and bolus going at lunchtime.

Do you use Lantus/Levemir or other basal twice a day or just once at bedtime?
 
Hi, I had my pump fitted a week before I went to the USA...and had no problems. I did have to adjust o time zones etc, but to be honest, travelling, for me, so soon after starting my pump helped me, as it made sure that I asked all teh questions I needed...and remembered all teh answers.

I would go for it. Don't put it off in case they have a re think!

make sure you...

Find out the helpline number, and how to ohone it from a abroad.
Take with you lots of spares for your pump, and laso your pens etc...just in case.
Get a letter to put in your pass port, that explains to airport officials about your pump.
Ask about what to do when swimming, going through the metal detectors etc atthe airport.
Get as much practice as you can with canula changes etc.


Like I say, I had no problems, and was not due to see the nurse again for a few months anyway. She was available for phone calls, but this will be the same if you are in Greece as whether you are sat at home.

My advice would be to go for ot...have a plan B, ie go back to injections in teh back of you mind, but do not plan to use it unless you have to.

Happy holiday.
 
Hello - very useful comments. I'm on 1 injection of levermir taken at midday every day. I've written to my nurse as well and if she is confident about it then reading your comments I should be fine. As you say there's always MDI to fall back on for 2 weeks if I have problems. Thanks again.
 
Update - my nurse has confirmed that there are 3 pumps being fitted at the end of August and also another few at the beginning of Ocotber. She has slotted me in for early Oct now. All your advice above is very useful and will be noted for future hols so thanks again for responding all. I'm starting to look forward to my souvlaki, stifado and stuffed courgette flowers already :) even better when I know I'm getting the pump on my return home. I'll let you know in due course how things settle down with a pump fitted.
 
Great news about the pump Riri! :D

Nigel
 
Riri said:
I came home lunch time to find a letter to say that I'm having my new pump fitted on the 30th august - really chuffed about this. I've been waiting since April but by the sounds of things that isn't all that long a wait. My only concern is that I have a 2 week holiday in Greece planned from 13th September - to me this sounds far to close to the pump fitting and that maybe I should ask my nurse to re-schedule for beginning of October. The only trouble is I don't want to come over as hesitant about it and jeopardise having a pump all over again. Do fellow pumpers think it's wise for me to ask for a new date - I'm anxious aboutn my diabetes and hypos at the best of times! After all that, I am totally thrilled about having a pump approved.
Click to expand...

Hi Riri, first of all congratulations on your pump approval that's wonderful news! I got approved in February and could have gone in the week after to have it fitted, but I too went on holidays early March so I asked my DSN if it could be fitted after my holiday and she was absolutely fine with that!

I would recommend asking for it, as in my first few weeks I did have a few problems with cannulas going wrong and stuff, and if you're not all that familiar with everything yet it can cause a bit of stress, especially when you're on holiday and don't have the opportunity to contact your DSN whenever you need them! I'm sure they won't mind :)
 
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