aymes
Senior Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Some of you on here will know that for a long time now I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to get on a pump. Last time I met with the consultant there was a glimmer of hope but that has since led to nowhere.
My main reason is that I don't meet the NICE criteria. Previously I was having a lot (4 or 5 a day) of hypos but have since got those under control and don't get many now. My last a1c, 6 months ago, was 7.5. I suspect this may have gone up for my next reading on 2nd November, although I doubt this will reach the 8.5 NICE want. So I seem to be stuck somewhere in the middle between not getting the control, I feel, is tight enough and the, somewhat arbitrary levels suggested in the guidelines.
I am however convinced that I would hugely benefit from a pump and that, ignoring the guidelines, I should be a strong candidate. When I meet with the consultant on the 2nd I'm going to try to plead my case again and think I'm going to go equipped with a letter detailing my case so I don't forget anything. I want to include the points below but I'd appreciate any opinions of anything I've left out or misunderstood, any tips etc.
- I appear to increasingly be suffering from the Dawn Phenomenon. My levels seem to stay very steady over night then climb around 6am, I have pages of test results to back this up. On MDI I can see no way of practically tackling this.
- Most likely as a result of the above my a1c seems to be climbing. I am so motivated to want to sort this, have really done my research and am willing to put in so much work and so am reluctant to have to wait until my a1c is even higher before I can have access to the tools I need to get it under control.
- I am a runner, currently doing half marathons but hoping to tackle marathons next year. I really think a pump will benefit me to achieve these ambitions. My job involves erratic hours and planning exercise is difficult. Having the opportunity to work with various basal levels be a huge advantage as at the moment my only real option is to eat before exercise. I always find that my weight increases as my running fitness improves which is frustrating and quite frankly unfair! This is the point in particular where I'd appreciate any input around whether the pump would be a real benefit or not.
- My job is quite varied, including delivering training, running events and a lot of travelling. Eating is usually on the move and injecting can be trickly depending on the circumstances. It's not uncommon for me to either not eat, to avoid the need for an injection, or snack without always injecting straight away, meaning high levels. I do think a pump would be of real benefit in these situations.
Any feedback, or suggestions how I could make my case stronger, would be appreciated! I think maybe my case rests more strongly on lifestyle factors than clinical (although that is there too) which is why I'm struggling to get a yes. Also planning to contact John at Input for advice!
My main reason is that I don't meet the NICE criteria. Previously I was having a lot (4 or 5 a day) of hypos but have since got those under control and don't get many now. My last a1c, 6 months ago, was 7.5. I suspect this may have gone up for my next reading on 2nd November, although I doubt this will reach the 8.5 NICE want. So I seem to be stuck somewhere in the middle between not getting the control, I feel, is tight enough and the, somewhat arbitrary levels suggested in the guidelines.
I am however convinced that I would hugely benefit from a pump and that, ignoring the guidelines, I should be a strong candidate. When I meet with the consultant on the 2nd I'm going to try to plead my case again and think I'm going to go equipped with a letter detailing my case so I don't forget anything. I want to include the points below but I'd appreciate any opinions of anything I've left out or misunderstood, any tips etc.
- I appear to increasingly be suffering from the Dawn Phenomenon. My levels seem to stay very steady over night then climb around 6am, I have pages of test results to back this up. On MDI I can see no way of practically tackling this.
- Most likely as a result of the above my a1c seems to be climbing. I am so motivated to want to sort this, have really done my research and am willing to put in so much work and so am reluctant to have to wait until my a1c is even higher before I can have access to the tools I need to get it under control.
- I am a runner, currently doing half marathons but hoping to tackle marathons next year. I really think a pump will benefit me to achieve these ambitions. My job involves erratic hours and planning exercise is difficult. Having the opportunity to work with various basal levels be a huge advantage as at the moment my only real option is to eat before exercise. I always find that my weight increases as my running fitness improves which is frustrating and quite frankly unfair! This is the point in particular where I'd appreciate any input around whether the pump would be a real benefit or not.
- My job is quite varied, including delivering training, running events and a lot of travelling. Eating is usually on the move and injecting can be trickly depending on the circumstances. It's not uncommon for me to either not eat, to avoid the need for an injection, or snack without always injecting straight away, meaning high levels. I do think a pump would be of real benefit in these situations.
Any feedback, or suggestions how I could make my case stronger, would be appreciated! I think maybe my case rests more strongly on lifestyle factors than clinical (although that is there too) which is why I'm struggling to get a yes. Also planning to contact John at Input for advice!
