Does anyone who lives in Britain have an Insulin pump for their insulin?

Question

I want to know the requirements needed to be put onto one, thanks.

Answer 1

Yeah I do. Best thing to plug is the dawn effect - do your blood sugars go ridiculously high in the mornings n then drop suddenly, regardless of all you do to try to stop it? This isn't our fault it's cos our bodies produce hormones early morn that affect our bloods. Pumps are great for this as we can program a high basal rate for this period so that our bloods are far better controlled.

The other major thing is if you have a lot of bad hypos, with poor hypo recognition, but be carefull - you don't want them to think you're just thick! If you go down that road explain that you're really worried about them n constantly checking bloods but your blood sugar drops too quickly n before you know it you're having a bad hypo. Be carefull not to bend the truth too much cos they'll put you on a continuous glucose monitor to check your story!

Also, if you're of the right age, I'd say you're thinking about pregnancy - not soon but in the next 5 years, n want to get good control well in advance of this.

You need to demonstrate that you are well motivated and determined to improve your control and that you understand a lot about diabetes already but recognise that you need help - so go with the "I've tried everything but it just doesn't work" attitude, keep a good diary with lots of tests and highlight where your problems are. Ask for help with carb counting if you've not already had some - say you wanna try to improve your control any way you can n that you're more than willing to give carb counting a try 1st (you'll feel like it's wasting time but you'll need to do it before you go on a pump anyway so don't worry!).

I did all of this except wasn't too strong on the hypo stuff - only really found out about that from other people after I got my pump. Pumps are a lot of work - I mean A LOT lol! My doc is really horrible n expects me to test my basal rates all the time despite everything else going on in my life! Basal rate checks involve fasting for upto 14 hours at a time and checkin your bloods every 2 hours (even during the night) for that period - they really suck! There's also the phycological stuff - didn't think I'd have a problem and really wanted a pump cos my control was bad, but to be honest think getting a pump was part of the reason my man (who I'd lived with for 4 and a half years) left me n am really self consious of it, esp now I'm dating again - I really didn't expect to feel like this but actually feel like a freak cos of it :(

But saying all that there's no way I'd go back to injections! My control is so much better now, I can eat what I want when I want (as long as doc's not on my back for basal rate tests!), feel healthier, almost no hypos! (I used to get a lot!). Guess it's a bit of a love-hate relationship really! But you give it everything you've got! I hope you'll get one! If ya wanna chat about it any time email me - I don't know much other people with pumps so I'd love to spk to you! Good luck xxx

Answer 2

I've been using an insulin pump (Continuous Insulin Infusion System) since November 1998.

You'll need to speak with your diabetologist/endocrinologist and make him/her aware that you're interested in being considered for a pump. You'll then have to convince them that you're able of using one correctly ... i.e., how, and why, you need to make adjustments to your insulin dose; what to do if the pump should malfunction; show that you're able of counting the carbohydrate content of foods, etc.

They're not quite as simple as fitting it and letting it run. It won't sort everything out for you, but believe me, it's been the best thing that's happened to me since I was diagnosed diabetic back in 1980-81.

Of course, there'll be other diabetic patients that also wish to utilise a pump system, and financial resources within the NHS are stretched to say the least. The doctor, therefore, would have to use judgement on who is most likely to benefit from using one.

I wish you the best of luck.

If there's any further information I can offer you, please do email me. (Click on my photograph, and you'll see that you can contact me via email that way.)

Answer 3

you need to consult your doctor or disbetic nurse they should be able to help you set it up and show you how to use it. failing that do a goole search on manufacturer then contact them for instructions

Answer 4

I don't but my mum does.