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Where have you been all my life?

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PumpUpTheJam

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi all

Somehow, after being diagnosed T1 in 2004, I have only just discovered this forum!

I am 31 and finally starting to exert some proper control on my diabetes after taking part in DAFNE last year and now in the line for a pump

Are there any parts of this site that you think are 'must read' or any info available that can help improve my relationship with diabetes?

Thanks in advance for any replies and have a great day!
 
Hi and welcome.

More to the point.... where have you been!! Seriously though I am pleased you have found us at last as the forum is a gold mine of knowledge and lived experience and practical tips as well as friendly support. I really don't know what I would have done without the good people here during my 4 years with diabetes. I have learned more here than from any other source, including DAFNE, although that was good.
I find that I have learned the most from reading other people's posts but I pose a question myself every now and again when I come across something that I haven't read about. Sometimes just reading about other people's difficulties helps you to join the dots with something similar which has been posing a problem for you.

Wishing you lots of luck with your conversion to pump therapy. Hope it all goes smoothly. I see from your other thread that you have a choice which is nice but can also be a bit overwhelming, having to make such an important decision. That said, I think there is no one perfect pump for anyone and whatever you get will probably be amazing and a little frustrating and it is just a question of finding a way to work around the frustrating bits. Diabetes is frustrating anyway, but from what people say, I am sure a pump will reduce the overall frustration.
 
I'm amazed you didn't know about it but there again, if you never joined Diabetes UK (so you get the magazines) or even accessed its website for info on this that or the other, cos you never felt the need, perhaps you wouldn't.

I realised when doing my local version of the dose adjustment for normal eating course (based on BERTIE cos the local CCG wouldn't provide sufficient funding for dafne training for the staff let alone DAFNE delivery to patients) that despite having had Type 1 for 30-ish years, being able to carb count and dose adjust and also being on an internet forum - in truth I was gobsmacked at my lack of some now considered fairly basic knowledge. Once you had T1, and hadn't yet dropped dead, the NHS always just assumed you already knew this that and the other. I may have known the other, but just not that! Took me 49 years to get a ketone meter and strips for it ......
 
trophywench said:
I'm amazed you didn't know about it but there again, if you never joined Diabetes UK (so you get the magazines) or even accessed its website for info on this that or the other, cos you never felt the need, perhaps you wouldn't.

I realised when doing my local version of the dose adjustment for normal eating course (based on BERTIE cos the local CCG wouldn't provide sufficient funding for dafne training for the staff let alone DAFNE delivery to patients) that despite having had Type 1 for 30-ish years, being able to carb count and dose adjust and also being on an internet forum - in truth I was gobsmacked at my lack of some now considered fairly basic knowledge. Once you had T1, and hadn't yet dropped dead, the NHS always just assumed you already knew this that and the other. I may have known the other, but just not that! Took me 49 years to get a ketone meter and strips for it ......
Click to expand...
To be fair, I think my parents did join when I was diagnosed back in 2004 but I never did when I started "taking care" of myself

I have found in the past few years my local NHS funding wise for diabetes care is brilliant, but it is still frustrating to know that we remain in a postcode lottery for this sort of care
 
Our 'bit' were far, far later in allowing normal people to have insulin pumps AND the CCG insisted 100% that nobody at all was allowed to have one unless they'd completed the course - all day on Monday 10 - 4 for 4 weeks. No alternative offered back then no idea now. They offered one pump only then too.

Main thing here anyway is that no question will be regarded as silly !!
 
Welcome to the forum @PumpUpTheJam

Good to hear you are joining the cyborg contingent.

Hope the transition goes smoothly - let us know how it goes, and keep asking questions. You may well have one or two! :D
 
PumpUpTheJam said:
To be fair, I think my parents did join when I was diagnosed back in 2004 but I never did when I started "taking care" of myself

I have found in the past few years my local NHS funding wise for diabetes care is brilliant, but it is still frustrating to know that we remain in a postcode lottery for this sort of care
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum. Glad that you have found us.
Do you know which pump you are going to get? There will be someone in here using whatever you choose and plenty of general experience to tap into. Fire away with any questions that arise.
 
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