Pump for Teenager

[jackie-e]

As a parent of a child (well teenager) who was diagnosed two years ago, diabeties is scary to the best of us watching from the sidelines but to be the one who is diagnosed must be devastating, although every body says don't let diabetes rule your life.

You are constantly aware that you cant just eat what you want or enjoy a meal out with out thinking how much insulin do i need with that, my daughter bless her coped or so we thought fantastically with it at the time but two years on she is struggling with depression, anxiety, although it may not be totally down to the diabeteies, this has played a major part in the questions 'why me' will i lead a normal life, have a family etc.

Rachael wanted to maybe try the pump but somebody has told us it would cost £3000, i would pay this gladlly (but if this illness is not her fault then shouldn't this be part of her choice pump or pen based injections) without a cost implication??

 

[maryrachel]

Pump for Teenager.

Jackie I would look into the pump if i were you. About 4 years ago I asked my GP surgery for a pump. I was told no as my control was too good. They only offered it to those with bad control or children. I have since moved to a different city and I have now been told that I can be considered and am currently going through the process now. As your daughter is a teenager I would say she has a very good chance and it is covered by the NHS. However, from my experience it does seem to differ from authority to authority.

Good luck

 

[jopar]

Jackie-e

You don't say actually how old your daughter is..

Sadly Yes if you decided to self-fund insulin pump thearpy, then you are looking at £3000+ for the pump (every 4 years) the consumables cost around £100-£150 per month...

I would check out NICE guidelines, to see how she fits into the criteria they set out for funding (her anxiety, it wouldn't suprise me if laying behind her anxiety is a fear of hypo's which is part of the NICE guideline creteria as it effect quaility of life) Also have a word with INPUT (easy found with google)...

I wouldn't listien to some-one else opinion to whether or not you daughter is suitable or fits the criteria for pump funding, as it may well be that your clinic is more pump friendly than most... So you need to be asking the clinic/consultant to find the lay of the land...

It may be that your clinic isn't that friendly and it may be wiser to seek a referal to another hospital (INPUT can help here) diabetic clinic... It may be that like me you may have to battle to obtain one, I had to battle for 2 1/2 years to get mine... But again INPUT and us on here will help you and your daughter to build her case to prove she needs one...

My doctor surgery DSN when I mentioned to her that I was interested in pump... She looked at me, and said pumps in our PCT where as rare as hens teeth and she doubted that I would be able to have one... Hence the reason why she had never suggested or put patients forward for consideration, She was gobsmacked, but very pleased for me when I got my funding she now is willing to suggest pump thearpy to other patients who she feels will benefit..

And if she suggests it to some-one and they aren't too sure then I'm more than happy to met with them if the want to know more about pumps thearpy...

If she wants to try one, then ask you never know they might say yes but if they say no, then you know what case you need to build or even move to another clinic to obtain one..

Good luck

Tell your daughter... That even though she is diabetic she has as much chance of becoming a mum as all her peers.. They might not be diabetic but they still got to hope that they can find a partner alongside whether mother nature is going to bless them or not...

 

[Angelicus]

I was diagnosed aged 9years with insulin dependent diabetes. I am now 26 and leading as normal life as any of my friends, includng the going out, socially active and yes, even drinking too. People often have a alot of misconceptions about diabetes. I've spent the last 16years trying to put some of those right. It's not an easy task, especially with interferance from the media.

I started using a pump just a couple months ago, and my own experience has been a positive one. Having said that, I have heard of people going back onto injections because they didn't feel the pump was for them. I'm with jopar on the fact that you shouldn't let what other people say influence your decision. Ask at the clinic, talk to your daughter and do the research. Of course, the bottom line will be Rachaels decision, since she is the one who will be living with it.

Personally, I was against the pump when I first read about it. I was worried about infection mainly. I've not had the best track record when it comes to illness. I tend to pick things up easily. However, now I've got a pump, I find managing illness so much easier. I even managed to stay home last time I was ill! (just). But having said that, I would never promote as a miracle solution. The pump is a LOT of hard work. Some days I still struggle with my blood sugar and calculating carbohydrate correctly.

My best advice would be to think about it carefully and make sure you're completely satisfied with what you choose. Good luck with it, and if Rachael wishes to get intouch with me about anything relating to diabetes, I'd be happy to give her my email address.