referral for a pump

[diabeticmum]

I have just had my diabetic review, and my doctor has finally agreed to refer me to see the hospital consultant for a pump. I know this is just the beginning, but would appreciate any support and advice, on anyone who has been successful in obtaining one. I am type 1, and although my control isn't terrible, last hbac 6.9, I don't feel I am control of my condition. My sugar levels during the day are up and down, I do not feel I have the control I want, I have to do at least 10 tests a day, and so many things seem to affect the control I have. The last time I spoke to the diabetic nurse, she said I would make an ideal candidate for one, I want to be prepared for when I do see the consultant, any advice would be very appreciated.

Many thanks

 

[sugar2]

Hmmm,well, being ona pump doesn't reduce the amount of testing I have to do...but it does mean that I can manage my control better...but youstill hae to check!
The reason I gort a pump (officially) was becasue of my frequesnt (at least once a day) hypos.
Once refered, I had to have a meeting with teh dietician, and prove that I was already carb counting and adjusting my doses accordinly, then have a meeting with the nurse, who made it very clear that I was very, very very lucky to be considered for a pump (griited teath through that one!) and that was it.

I guess a pump would benefit most type 1s, and they have to make sure that they are giving them to those who would get most benefit, therefore, it is your medical condition, but also your life style (diabetes lifestyle you understand!!) that they assess.

 

[diabeticmum]

Thanks for replying, I do have quite a few hypo's each week, I had to have an ambulance out on one ocassion. I know that getting a pump is not easy, and I am prepared for that. I have other issues that affect my diabetic control, and I am going to mention this when I see the consultant. I do not calorie count, but would be prepared to do so, and take any course offered if that what it takes. I am also concerned about long term damage and complications, and if using a pump could prevent this? I feel quite trapped by my diabetic regime, having to eat at set times, and also having to eat extra snacks to avoid hypo's. This is something which I find annoying, I really would like to have the control, rather than the diabetics deciding on what I do!

 

[sugar2]

Its teh carbohydrates you ahev to count..not teh calories!
I just noticed what your user name is. I have young children too, and this was another reason for me getting a pump, as looking after children is not easy, especially if ou are having frequent hypos. Once I got refered, teh rest wasn't too bad.

If you are not carb counting, then this is the first thing to try. There is an online course somewhere in the links section that helps, although actually attending a course would be better. They teach you how to alter your insulin doses to match what you are eating. It may be, that this is all that is needed to improve your control, and I guess they will certainly leave it a bit after doing such a course, to see if any improvements have been made. It helped me...but my complete paranoia about complications etc, meant that I was afraid to go "high"..but did spend a lot of time being hypo.

I actually found that the nurse at the GPs was good at getting me on the course...I have to see her once a year, but my diabetes care is tehrough teh consulant at teh hospital.

Good luck!