hello I have previously looked at the Learning Zone but new to this forum, seems I need a different login for the forum as my Learning zone login was not recognised ? I have type 3c pancreatogenic diabetes which came about 3 months after my pancreas started to fail. initially I was diagnosed with Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and had all the symptoms that entails: pain, failure to absorb food and consequential malnutrition, finally was given PERT - digestive enzymes and then suddenly suffered a DKA and was admitted to emergency ward. A week later I left hospital and it has been a steep learning curve, dealing with erratic BG, trying to manage carb counting and correction, trying to manage the PEI, and all problems associated with incurable cancer which I also have. I use the Libre sensor which is a great improvement on repeated finger pricks, but my sleep is very disturbed, sometimes high BG which seems to rise in the night and other times sudden lows - seem to come out of the blue. trying desperately to put on weight and regain lost muscle but nervous about snacking as it impacts on already unpredictable BG changes. can anyone advise about insulin pumps (patch type) and whether I would qualify, and whether it would make life a little less onerous and upsetting. thank you
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- Thread starter AmeliaJ
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trophywench
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Hi Amelia - welcome to the club no-one applied to join!
Who is overseeing your diabetes - your GP or the hospital Diabetes Clinic? Hopefully, the latter. If so and so if you ask your clinic, they will be able to advise you 'officially' about a pump. A pump (whether 'patch' or 'tubed') doesn't do everything for us, it still needs lots of input from us. However - because the basal rates of insulin delivery can be adjusted hourly, it can help a great deal to iron out things like regular nightly highs and hypos. We still have to calculate carbs in food and drink and calculate plus deliver the correct amount of insulin to cover that via the pump at the correct time ourselves and it never becomes exactly easy, but with time doing it, does become easIER.
Who is overseeing your diabetes - your GP or the hospital Diabetes Clinic? Hopefully, the latter. If so and so if you ask your clinic, they will be able to advise you 'officially' about a pump. A pump (whether 'patch' or 'tubed') doesn't do everything for us, it still needs lots of input from us. However - because the basal rates of insulin delivery can be adjusted hourly, it can help a great deal to iron out things like regular nightly highs and hypos. We still have to calculate carbs in food and drink and calculate plus deliver the correct amount of insulin to cover that via the pump at the correct time ourselves and it never becomes exactly easy, but with time doing it, does become easIER.
thank you for your reply and encouragement which is appreciated. I have a diabetes clinic at hospital here in Guildford. I will get some advice about it, I get the impression that the patch type is easier than the tethered one.
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
It can be easier for some people - an Omnipod is bigger than the cannulas for tubed pumps though, so if you've got a small body/poor absorption areas (so I need to change mine every 2 days instead of the usual 3) you have less options where to stick em!
Ok, I am small and I guess they need to be applied to an area with some fat ?
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Main thing is, not too near any bone - too close and it ruddy well hurts! I'd say a well padded area, so I spose 'fat' - but yes basically! Anyway, you can apply for a dummy Pod (just the one) so you can see the physical size of them - they aren't able to have any insulin within them so no chance of an actual dummy run.
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Welcome to the forum @AmeliaJ
Yes, as you have discovered the Learning Zone and Forum use completely different log-in systems, so you need an account for each. Sorry about that!
Good luck with your quest to access appropriate tech to support your diabetes management.
You might want to call the Diabetes UK Helpline (0345 123 2399 Mon-Fri 9-6) for some advice and support. I wonder if different areas/hospitals may have different amounts and complexities of hoops to jump through for type 3cs to fit T1 criteria for access?
Yes, as you have discovered the Learning Zone and Forum use completely different log-in systems, so you need an account for each. Sorry about that!
Good luck with your quest to access appropriate tech to support your diabetes management.
You might want to call the Diabetes UK Helpline (0345 123 2399 Mon-Fri 9-6) for some advice and support. I wonder if different areas/hospitals may have different amounts and complexities of hoops to jump through for type 3cs to fit T1 criteria for access?
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