Hi. I’ve been told that I’m eligible for an artificial pancreas (hybrid closed loop system of pump + glucose sensor). I’ve been using Freestyle Libre glucose sensors for many years now, and my hba1c results have been constantly too high despite trying so hard to get them down.
About 3 months ago I was invited to a group session at the diabetes centre at my local hospital, for going through the available closed loop systems available (combinations of pump and glucose sensor). Up until this point I didn’t know I was actually on any kind of list to get one, but they announced at the session that if you’re there then you’re on the list, so to speak. It was a lot to take in so not sure exactly what they said. Having seen what the systems do, I’m certain that they will help me dramatically improve my blood glucose control. They seem to be perfect for helping with things I can’t easily control and regularly make me lose control. On asking how long it will be before I actually get the system, I was told, “could be weeks, could be years”. We were each given a piece of paper asking what pump/sensor combo we wanted, and we handed them in and that was that.
So now several months later, I’m starting to think, “did they manage to collect my form, could they read my writing, etc”, and most importantly, “am I actually on the list?”.
So my question is… As I’ve been eligible for the system for about 3 months now, how long will I be waiting to actually get one?
I appreciate that it could be a complicated answer, but I have literally no idea what determines how long I wait, or even what or who I’m waiting for. And is there anything I can do to speed it up? Would it be rude of me to call my diabetes centre and ask them? I appreciate I’m not the only diabetic in town, and they did tell us that they couldn’t even call us individually to tell us about our eligibility because they’re so busy. I feel like a cure for my chronic illness is just around the corner but I’m locked in a dark cell waiting for it with nobody to talk to about it.
To make me more worried, my regular diabetes clinic appointment has been postponed from 5 months away to 10 months away, and I’m really hoping I’m not waiting 10 months to have them say, “I don’t see you on the list”.
I’d appreciate any insight on what affects the length of time before I might get one.
Btw I’m type 1 for about 30 years now, since my late 20s.
About 3 months ago I was invited to a group session at the diabetes centre at my local hospital, for going through the available closed loop systems available (combinations of pump and glucose sensor). Up until this point I didn’t know I was actually on any kind of list to get one, but they announced at the session that if you’re there then you’re on the list, so to speak. It was a lot to take in so not sure exactly what they said. Having seen what the systems do, I’m certain that they will help me dramatically improve my blood glucose control. They seem to be perfect for helping with things I can’t easily control and regularly make me lose control. On asking how long it will be before I actually get the system, I was told, “could be weeks, could be years”. We were each given a piece of paper asking what pump/sensor combo we wanted, and we handed them in and that was that.
So now several months later, I’m starting to think, “did they manage to collect my form, could they read my writing, etc”, and most importantly, “am I actually on the list?”.
So my question is… As I’ve been eligible for the system for about 3 months now, how long will I be waiting to actually get one?
I appreciate that it could be a complicated answer, but I have literally no idea what determines how long I wait, or even what or who I’m waiting for. And is there anything I can do to speed it up? Would it be rude of me to call my diabetes centre and ask them? I appreciate I’m not the only diabetic in town, and they did tell us that they couldn’t even call us individually to tell us about our eligibility because they’re so busy. I feel like a cure for my chronic illness is just around the corner but I’m locked in a dark cell waiting for it with nobody to talk to about it.
To make me more worried, my regular diabetes clinic appointment has been postponed from 5 months away to 10 months away, and I’m really hoping I’m not waiting 10 months to have them say, “I don’t see you on the list”.
I’d appreciate any insight on what affects the length of time before I might get one.
Btw I’m type 1 for about 30 years now, since my late 20s.
