No support

[noblehead]

I'm so clumsy too, so think wireless may be better. Although haven't found anyone who wears a wireless one so don't know if there any good!!

There are quite a few of us on the forum who use a tubeless pump, like @himtoo I use the Omnipod Pump and can highly recommend it (if offered one), there's also the Cellnovo:

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetic-products/pumps/cellnovo-insulin-pump.html

 

[Meghalton]

There are quite a few of us on the forum who use a tubeless pump, like @himtoo I use the Omnipod Pump and can highly recommend it (if offered one), there's also the Cellnovo:

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetic-products/pumps/cellnovo-insulin-pump.html

hi hun --please please don't be depressed --i would take it away for you or trade places if it could help but I know sadly all I can do is send my biggest [[hugs]] and support to you.
i am using an omnipod ( wireless) because i too am clumsy and didn't want wires to get in the way
The omnipod is brilliant - you don't really even know it is attached.

Have either of you heard about the freestyle libre?! That looks good! Thanks for the advice xxx will look at the other ones too xx

 

[noblehead]

Have either of you heard about the freestyle libre?! That looks good! Thanks for the advice xxx will look at the other ones too xx

I've got one, started using the Libre at the start of January but I'm taking a break from it at the moment, might order the sensors again in April.

 

[Meghalton]

Whatever pump you go for (if you decide to go for one), the sets are the key thing. I chose my pump as much on the sets that you can get for it as the pump itself. I'm not sure what choice you'd get if you had an Omnipod, but I found the sets Animas tried to get me to use with my Vibe weren't the best for me. So I chose my own.

It's also important where you put the sets. The only time I've had bruises was with my first pump when I used my tummy. Niw I use my thighs and bum and have never had a bruise using them. I'm slim too, so I think that makes a difference.

Diabetes can be depressing because it's there all day every day, but don't let it steal your enjoyment of life. I try to keep it in a box - control it and think about it when I need to, but not ponder over it or let it stress me. Think about all the good things in your life and don't dwell on the diabetes.

And you're not alone here There are lots of great people here who can help and support you

I didn't ever try it on my legs or bum, so that's probably a great idea, I have more fat there! I try not to let diabetes effect my life but I am going through a tough time. I am finding it hard to control my blood pricks and that doesn't help, just need a change and some support- which is why I'm considering the pump. I'm glad to meet everyone on this forum, it has helped me a lot.
It's great hearing everyone's experiences xxxxxx thank you x

 

[Meghalton]

I've got one, started using the Libre at the start of January but I'm taking a break from it at the moment, might order the sensors again in April.

What is it like?! Do you have to do blood pricks too? And have I got it right in thinking it's no needles but sensors?! Xx

 

[noblehead]

The sensor is worn on the arm, it inserts automatically and is painless. You still have to do finger bg tests to check the accuracy, also the DVLA won't accept the libre readings so you still have to do a bg test before driving.

 

[Meghalton]

The sensor is worn on the arm, it inserts automatically and is painless. You still have to do finger bg tests to check the accuracy, also the DVLA won't accept the libre readings so you still have to do a bg test before driving.

So it's not a pump but it reads your blood glucose constantly?! I was thinking it was a pump! Silly me!

 

[noblehead]

So it's not a pump but it reads your blood glucose constantly?! I was thinking it was a pump! Silly me!

Have a look at the Freestyle Libre website, it explains what it does and has a few video guides to show how the sensor is applied and how the Reader picks up the sensor readings:

http://www.freestylelibre.co.uk/

 

[loafhead]

Hi all! I just wanted to rant about how I feel no support for my diabetes is given by nurses or doctors. Maybe this is just because I am seeing the wrong medical staff, but sometimes I feel I know more then them. Feeling very low.

Hi Meg you have my sympathy. I experienced the same thing. I had a great diabetes specialist team in Manchester and then moved house and as a result had to go to my GP and their diabetes specialist nurse (who was not a specialist) The thing you can do is complain to your GP practice manager and also go elsewhere/find a new GP. I too want a pump and my local hospital (5 mins walk away) isn't funded the same as a hospital 7 miles away, so I changed GP as they were terrible and my new GP who has no diabetes specialist asked me which hospital I wanted to be referred to. I chose the one 7 miles away, which although inconvenienced me due to travel is better funded and more supportive. Pumps are not freely handed out, you need to show either no grasp of control (which is a false logic) or that you need it more than multi injections due to the NICE criteria. Because my control is good on multi injections I still can't get a pump, but I can be considered due to lifestyle needs. I don't know where you live, but maybe find some people on here from your area and see if they know where is best to go.

 

[Meghalton]

Hi Meg you have my sympathy. I experienced the same thing. I had a great diabetes specialist team in Manchester and then moved house and as a result had to go to my GP and their diabetes specialist nurse (who was not a specialist) The thing you can do is complain to your GP practice manager and also go elsewhere/find a new GP. I too want a pump and my local hospital (5 mins walk away) isn't funded the same as a hospital 7 miles away, so I changed GP as they were terrible and my new GP who has no diabetes specialist asked me which hospital I wanted to be referred to. I chose the one 7 miles away, which although inconvenienced me due to travel is better funded and more supportive. Pumps are not freely handed out, you need to show either no grasp of control (which is a false logic) or that you need it more than multi injections due to the NICE criteria. Because my control is good on multi injections I still can't get a pump, but I can be considered due to lifestyle needs. I don't know where you live, but maybe find some people on here from your area and see if they know where is best to go.

Thanks for the comment xx I will have to try the hospital out and see if they are supportive. Otherwise I'll try somewhere else. I don't know anyone in this area but would be nice to meet another Diabeto! Xxx

 

[Meghalton]

Well the hospital was a disaster and I feel worse off then i did before!

 

[himtoo]

Well the hospital was a disaster and I feel worse off then i did before!

you still have all of us
do you feel like telling us what happened at hospital ?

 

[Meghalton]

Hi @himtoo
When seeing the consultant I said I wanted to talk about the omnipod and also my control. The consultant put me off getting one as he said they wouldn't be able to afford it for an adult. He also told me I was out of date and that I was dealing with my diabetes wrong.... But instead of telling me what to do to change this, he just told me how out of date I was. He said usually people split their long term insulin but then he didn't say how I could do it. Not only was I left feeling very unsupported, I now feel like it's impossible to get a pump.
There was more that the consultant said that made me feel awful. It wasn't the kind of experience I was hoping for!!

 

[himtoo]

ok thanks for letting us know.
my immediate advice would be to get in touch with the Diabetic nurse at the hospital and explain what the consultant said to you about "being out of date" with treatment and get her to clarify what things you could be doing and actually give you a plan and help to put into action..

on the pump and funding issues -- that could be a problem if they don't have funding.

are you living in an area where there is more than 1 hospital ?

 

[GazKllok]

I have used the OmniPod for about 2 years now and when my diabetes nurse told me recently that they might cut the funding for it, I freaked out.

I was never a fan of pumps because of the tubing involved, but when I came across this type of pump i just went for it. I have to say that it's absolutely changed my life. It gave me so much freedom. First month I found it difficult to adjust but since then I just love it. Combined with the FreeStyle Libre that I use, I can not do so many things that I would dread doing before, i.e a week of snowboarding just recently, diving (although FreeStyle libre not suitable for that depth), etc.

It is a bit weird when going swimming, as you'll have people as what's that thing, but i found ways to make jokes about it i.e it's a wifi router, or the newest mp3 player, etc. but other than that it's great.

 

[Meghalton]

ok thanks for letting us know.
my immediate advice would be to get in touch with the Diabetic nurse at the hospital and explain what the consultant said to you about "being out of date" with treatment and get her to clarify what things you could be doing and actually give you a plan and help to put into action..

on the pump and funding issues -- that could be a problem if they don't have funding.

are you living in an area where there is more than 1 hospital ?

Thanks for the reply! I did in fact get in contact with a nurse and now I actually have a DSN! She has given me advice on splitting my long term insulin and so I'm doing that currently. I think they are also setting me up on the DAFNE course, which should be great too. It took me ages to get to talk to someone that could help me, but finally I got there- thank god I've stayed motivated enough to do something about it! I'm struggling with splitting my insulin as I have just changed jobs and it's all a lot of new things. Having hypos and feeling unconfident about treating it infront of new people. Hopefully I will get use to everything soon xx

 

[himtoo]

excellent @Meghalton

thrilled for you -- keep us updated on how you get on

you can PM if you have anything pressing -- am about most of the time.

take care
all the best !