Pumps? CGM? no clue!

[kendod666]

I've been type 1 for coming up to 5 years. I'm 38.
My control has just started to slip, as I hypo awareness.

People have thrown about the terms pump and cgm etc.

I have no idea what a pump is? What a cgm is?
I am really at the bottom of the spectrum in regards to understanding what the above are. What would be suitable?

I've heard people mention funding? Which I don't understand.

My diabetic nurse has referred me to the diabetic team in the Royal Liverpool hospital, in relation to a chat around some of the above.

Could anyone point me to an idiot's guide around any of the above?

 

[c3400550]

Insulin Pump Therapy is an alternative to multiple daily injections of insulin. A sophisticated pump continuosly releases insulin in to your body meaning good-bye injections! It helps your blood sugar react more normally to food/drink and physical activity and many studies show improved blood glucose control with the use of a pump. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) means no more finger pricking and normally gives you readings every few minutes or so, allowing you to spot trends, and also see what happens to your levels through the night.
To be approved for either of these you'll need to meet the NICE specifications which your local NHS care quality commission will use to determine suitability.
Both CGM and insulin pumps can be quite costly, which explains the long winded process to getting approved.

Hope this helps

 

[kendod666]

Thank you very much for your time in replying. That is a very good explanation. Much appreciated.

Is there a way to find out local guidelines before this meeting do you think?

I'd love to be more clued up on the criteria before hand.

 

[c3400550]

Search Google for 'NICE insulin pump' and follow the first link, it's the full gov guidance for insulin pumps.
Search for insulin pumps on the diabetes.co.uk website and also Google search for INPUT, a charity which offers help and information to people looking at getting a pump.
For CGM, the Freestyle Libre just got approved by the NHS (I spoke to my Consultant 2 weeks ago and I move from finger pricking to CGM next week) so I'd say bring it up at your meeting at the hospital and ask whether you'd be suited for the Libre system.

Take a look at the libre website, it explains it quite well. I spent about a month with them fitted at the start of this year for a medical trial and they did me wonders!