Just been told I'm approved....now what??

[swinno90]

Hi,

I've just been told by my endocrinologist that the MDT panel approved my referral for a pump.

Wondering those who have a pump can let me know what happens next or the process they went through.

My DNS advised that the waiting time could take eight months... But not sure if that's to be approved or to actually get my pump.

Any help or advice is appreciated

 

[Inka]

The next stage will probably be choosing a pump @swinno90 You could try getting ahead of things by finding out which pumps are on offer so you have a chance to research them beforehand. You might also be invited to an appointment with others where you can handle some of the pumps.

Welcome to the forum 🙂

 

[swinno90]

Thanks @Inka ... Brilliant so guessing this means I'll be getting my pump sooner than 8 months

I just had it in my head from what my DNS said that I'll go to panel and it'll be a while before I'm top of the list but the fact we did all the things I can do before trying the pump might bump me up the list haha.

I'm just stumped ATM what pumps my clinic supply but seen some YouTube vids about T-slim, omnipods and medotonics x

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome to the forum and congrats on getting approval for a pump.

Do you know which pumps your clinic supports. Some clinics only offer one or two whilst other clinics offer a choice from several more.
If you know which ones they offer, then start doing some homework and research all the different features each pump offers. Are there particular features that you really want? I believe You Tube can be quite good for tutorials on pumps with people demonstrating how their pump works. Do your clinic offer a group session where you can go and talk to the reps and see and get hands on with the relevant pumps that are offered?

 

[rebrascora]

I see I am just far too slow at typing! 🙄

 

[helli]

Hi @swinno90
From reading this forum over the years, I think the best way to answer your questions is to ask your DSN at the answers vary from clinic to clinic. We can guess what will happen and what pumps are on offer but it will just be telling you what happened for us in our clinic which may be completely different for you and your clinic. For example, I got my pump within 2 months of satisfying the criteria (for me, this included attending a DAFNE-type course) and was told nothing about the approval process.
My DSN will respond to emails (although she may take a few days) so I would try asking that way. But again, different clinics and different communication channels. How were you told about your approval? Was it a face to face with your endo or was it via email/snail mail? They should not mind if you follow up and ask for more information such as

1. what are the next steps?
2. now you have MDT approval, how long until start pumping?
3. what pumps are available so that you can do some research in preparation?

 

[swinno90]

Hi @helli,

Thanks for that advice really appreciate it and will send over them questions to my DNS.

I saw my endocrinologist for another clinic I attend today and it was just sheer luck it was the same Dr who does my diabetes appointment.

He let slip that the DMT panel had gone out before lunch and I was approved... So guessing I wasn't supposed to find out yet haha.

I'm gonna set up an email to my DSN letting her know he told me and not sure what happens next

 

[SB2015]

I look forward to hearing how you get on and what choices are available to you. I would definitely opt for one that gives you the option of looping.

 

[swinno90]

Thanks @SB2015 I'll keep the page posted

Unfortunately me and my DNS agreed probably best not to go on a closed loop as have signs of maculopathy and sudden changes like a closed loop may shock my system and cause the issue to deteriorate

 

[SB2015]

Thanks @SB2015 I'll keep the page posted

Unfortunately me and my DNS agreed probably best not to go on a closed loop as have signs of maculopathy and sudden changes like a closed loop may shock my system and cause the issue to deteriorate

That it is an interesting response from your DSN. The only thing that looping has done for me (apart from sleeping a lot more) is improving my TIR so much better control with a lot less work. I am not clear how that would be a shock to the system. I would be tempted to go back and ask for clarification over that, unless I am missing something.

I look forward to hearing how you get on.

 

[nonethewiser]

Hi,

I've just been told by my endocrinologist that the MDT panel approved my referral for a pump.

Wondering those who have a pump can let me know what happens next or the process they went through.

My DNS advised that the waiting time could take eight months... But not sure if that's to be approved or to actually get my pump.

Any help or advice is appreciated

Together with dsn we looked at choice of pumps but at time had my heart set on tubeless pump which was Omnipod, after that it was start day which took around 3 hours at clinic going through pump settings & such, whole process took 3 months from approval but that was 13 years ago.

Don't stress, although we are all individual i had my basal rates sorted after a week keeping bg mainly in range. Some say pumps are hard work but I've never found them to be.

 

[PhoebeC]

Together with dsn we looked at choice of pumps but at time had my heart set on tubeless pump which was Omnipod, after that it was start day which took around 3 hours at clinic going through pump settings & such, whole process took 3 months from approval but that was 13 years ago.

Don't stress, although we are all individual i had my basal rates sorted after a week keeping bg mainly in range. Some say pumps are hard work but I've never found them to be.

Very similar for me, it was a little longer, but I think around 6-7 months. I found my first pump the omnipod very easy.