Pump Process

[SweetCheeks]

Hey just discovered this forum & so glad I Hav My consultant has recently mentioned the possibility of me gettin an Insulin Pump & I havn't got a clue about wot will happen next :?
Can some1 fill me in on the process i'd go thru in getting considered for a pump & r there any conitions impossed on gettin 1plz. My hb1c has never been stable but always above 10 :shock:
Im 29yrs old & considering plannin for a famiy so Im interested in a pump for that reason but I also hav Addisons disease which requires me 2 take steroids :roll: The steroids make my blood high & I sometimes need 2 dbl the dose which in turn shoots my bg thru the roof landin me in hospital
Is there any1 out there with the same prob & if so has the pump helped U.

Oh 1 more thing,does the process of gettin a pump involve any stays in hosp for assessment or anythin? Thanks in advance x :mrgreen:

 

[CarbsRok]

y

 

[SweetCheeks]

CarbsRok,thanx for ur reply.I am currently on 30mgs HC in Morning & 10mgs in Evening I take florinef too :? Not a lrg dose but when dbling my steroids for sick day rules,my bg rises very kwikly, resultin in me havin ketones & vomiting!! I hav previously done the DAFNE course but never found any good advice on how 2 adust my insulin according 2 my steroid intake!! Ive spoken 2 my consultant & he also says he cannot advise me on how much more insulin 2 take whilst on the higher dose of steroids,as my bg is obviously sensitive 2 them Unfortunatley I hav no immune system & Im constantly pickin up infections,meanin i hav 2 increase my steroids quite often :roll:

Im not 2 sure where i'd find the Guidelines U mentioned is there any chance U can possibly send me a link plz!!! I understand that havin Addisons Disease with a pump wil b a lot of work but Im willin 2 do anythin 2 make my life better,so I can do the things I wish in life

Thanx Again

xxx

 

[iHs]

Hello Sweetcheeks

I know zilch about Addisons but from looking at yr first message the fact that yr consultant thinks that a pump will benefit you means that in fact you dont really have to do anything but wait. The consultant will make the application for pump funding on your behalf so you wont have to plead for a pump by looking to see if you meet the criteria set by NICE. Your consultant obviously thinks that you do meet it. There is a link to the Nice criteria within the Pump section of this forum.

Not sure if you will need to see a dietitian as youve already done a DAFNE course but you will need to see a pump dsn who will arrange for you to see an insulin pump rep who will show you their pump and how it all works etc.

Dont know how long it will take for your PCT to fund the pump but lots of hospitals now have diabetics on pumps within 6 months of the application being made.

 

[CarbsRok]

y

 

[SweetCheeks]

Thanx for all r replies,CarbsRok ive just noticed i made a typin error,im on 20mgs HC in mornin soz! I ws diagnosed with Addisons 16yrs ago The reason i hav never altered my basal insulin is that I av never been given any guideines on doin this & would not wish 2 do so without them as i get no warning signs of hypos,so do get very nervous about doing so!!! As for the effects of steroids,i hav already suffered with damage 2 my bones,iam currently waitin 2 find ot if i hav osteoporosis Bt dont kno anythin about the other condition mentioned!!! Im gonna go off & chek out the link U posted.Thanx again for a ur help

 

[CarbsRok]

y

 

[Debloubed]

HI Sweetcheeks, are you nervous about increasing your basal without guidance? if so, why? is it just because you are not used to doing it? or because you are frightened of hypo's if you increase? with a pump you will have to be confident to adjust dosage on your own, and that is the beauty of having the pump in the first place, it allows you to have such tight control. I know hypo's are scary and I know that increasing any kind of medication without 'official' help is scary but you have the knowledge you have learned on DAFNE so you are well equipped! as already advised, just a little at a time, no more than 1-2 units at a time and test like mad (set your alarm in the night if you have to!) so you know where you are at Good luck with it!

 

[jopar]

You say that you have hypo unawearness, perhaps looking into a CGM would also be very helpfull for you? Has your diabetic team got one that they loan out? Even if only for a couple of days at a time

It is a shame that your diabetic team haven't taught or encourage you to tackle adjusting your basal insulin, as this would be benifical to your ability to control your diabetes, and it is a move that you would have to take if you went onto the pump... The pump might actually give you more confidence in doing this though as you can change it a lot easier and with quicker effect than with making adjustments with injected basal insulin, which you have to sit back and wait to for a couple of days to see the true result..

 

[SweetCheeks]

Hey Thanx again for all the help,im nervous 2 adjustin my insulin coz ive never been given any advice on how 2 do so with regards 2 steroid treatment,but also the fact that i hav no signs of hypo!! I didnt even kno if it was my B.I or My Q.I that i shoud increase so thanx for al the advice, i shall test it out the next time im needing dbl steroids I understand that I would need 2 b confident wif insulin in order 2 b usin a pump properly but i would think that i'd b given guidelines 2 do so :?
Jopar,wot is a cgm???Never heard of it??

Thanx for all the help

xxx