Type 1 for 27 years

[GingerNinjaInc]

Hello

I just want to ask some fellow diabetics as to how they went about getting a CBM and or insulin pump. I've never been great at controlling my diabetes to the point where I've had multiple eye surgeries and I've got CKD etc I've recently got a lot better with testing and carb counting my meals but every time I've seen or spoken to a doctor about getting these things to help me I've been told "they're only for people with good control" or "we'll see in a few months" only to be told the same thing when I go back again. I can't afford to pay for these things so is it purely about the NHS wanting to keep costs down etc or something I'm missing as I'm currently testing my blood up to 6/7 times a day and injecting between 3 and 6 times a day

Any advice would be helpful.

 

[MeiChanski]

Hello there, welcome!

No, I think it depends on where you live in England and Wales and the CCG you are in. For example: where my parents live in SE London, very very few people have the libre sensor and pumps due to the lack of funding. Where I am now, it’s more accessible.

I’ll post a link here about the criteria for one. https://jdrf.org.uk/information-sup...therapy/can-i-get-an-insulin-pump-on-the-nhs/

You’ll need to do a carb counting course in order to be considered for one. That’s only one hurdle, then after you need to wait 6 months after your course. It may be that your hospital is not supportive of insulin pump therapy, so I know a few people including myself have changed hospitals or asked for a second opinion from our consultants. (Only your consultant can approve funding for pumps and sensors)

Have you asked for a second opinion? I know they need to see some level of commitment from you.

Finally, I’m sorry for the trouble you’ve been through with diabetes. You can start off by speaking to your team to see if you can do a carb counting course - either DAFNE or their own variation of it. I don’t know how it is with COVID 19 so it might be difficult to get a spot to do it, they do it twice a year.

Sending you a socially distant hug, best of luck to you.

 

[In Response]

I recommend reviewing the NICE guidelines for Libre. This is available if you Google.
For example, it recommends a pen average of more than 8 finger prick tests per day.
I used this to get my Libre.

 

[Jaylee]

Hello

I just want to ask some fellow diabetics as to how they went about getting a CBM and or insulin pump. I've never been great at controlling my diabetes to the point where I've had multiple eye surgeries and I've got CKD etc I've recently got a lot better with testing and carb counting my meals but every time I've seen or spoken to a doctor about getting these things to help me I've been told "they're only for people with good control" or "we'll see in a few months" only to be told the same thing when I go back again. I can't afford to pay for these things so is it purely about the NHS wanting to keep costs down etc or something I'm missing as I'm currently testing my blood up to 6/7 times a day and injecting between 3 and 6 times a day

Any advice would be helpful.

Hello & welcome to the forum.

"Only for people with good control?" Would you like to swap specialists?
Yeah, I lucked out trying to get one too but I only got some mumble only about 20% of diabetics are eligible. (Regarding the flash monitors.)

However, I did find this for you. Which may possibly help in your quest?
I sincerely hope you have better luck than I did.
https://jdrf.org.uk/information-sup...h-glucose-sensing/can-i-get-libre-on-the-nhs/

 

[Seacrow]

This is just so location and consultant dependent its not funny. I've never been on any form of diabetes course, but got a pump and the Libre within a few weeks of expressing an interest.

My advice? Persuade your doctor that its going to make a difference. Once you have a pump you can argue that you need the glucose monitoring to get the full benefit from the pump.