Diabetes- insulin pumps

[cabbageandribs1875]

anyone on .net have experience of insulin pumps ? i was through at the Royal infirmary all last week doing something called the 'DAFNE' course http://www.dafne.uk.com/ , normally diabetics have to do this course before even being considered for an insulin pump and even then it can be a 2-3 year waiting list at your own diabetic clinic, the reason for getting the pump along with doing the Dafne course is because it's part of a study, which is partly funded by the pump makers(Medtronic)/NHS/ etc, and considering this pump is actually a top of the range one(sells for £3K, with running costs of approx £150/month) it's a pretty strict criteria for getting the funding for one of these things, although the scottish parliament 'donated' a million quid towards funding at the beginning of this year, basically trying to get a high uptake of pumps for toddlers/teenagers who are diagnosed, so just in the first week of use, i've went from 5 injections(damn sore ones as well) each day....to just one little injection every 3 days(hardly feel a thing as well) so, anyone else have one of these superb high-tech things ? :greengrin

[The_Exile]

Good luck mate :aok:, I've been on the pump waiting list for over 3 years now and not heard a peep, I'm on the transplant list for an islet cell transplant so probably won't be needing one soon.

[cabbageandribs1875]

Good luck mate :aok:, I've been on the pump waiting list for over 3 years now and not heard a peep, I'm on the transplant list for an islet cell transplant so probably won't be needing one soon.


wow, good luck with that one m8, the main man at the ERI came in for a wee chat to us on that course, eventually getting around to the topics of islet cell transplants and stem cell research etc, i honestly wish you all the best :agree: keep me posted :greengrin

[Hibrandenburg]

anyone on .net have experience of insulin pumps ? i was through at the Royal infirmary all last week doing something called the 'DAFNE' course http://www.dafne.uk.com/ , normally diabetics have to do this course before even being considered for an insulin pump and even then it can be a 2-3 year waiting list at your own diabetic clinic, the reason for getting the pump along with doing the Dafne course is because it's part of a study, which is partly funded by the pump makers(Medtronic)/NHS/ etc, and considering this pump is actually a top of the range one(sells for £3K, with running costs of approx £150/month) it's a pretty strict criteria for getting the funding for one of these things, although the scottish parliament 'donated' a million quid towards funding at the beginning of this year, basically trying to get a high uptake of pumps for toddlers/teenagers who are diagnosed, so just in the first week of use, i've went from 5 injections(damn sore ones as well) each day....to just one little injection every 3 days(hardly feel a thing as well) so, anyone else have one of these superb high-tech things ? :greengrin

Would interest me on an update of this post mate. Did you get one and how has your experience been? My 10 year old has just been diagnosed with Type 1.

[The_Exile]

Hi mate, I've had a pump for the last 4 or 5 years, I was originally going to get an islet cell transplant as I had lost hypo awareness (back now thankfully) but they opted to give me a pump in the end. They are absolutely life changing and along with the Libre sensor it makes managing the condition a doddle. I was diagnosed at aged 7 and it was difficult injecting a few times every day at that age, looking back it would've been much easier on a pump so that's great your wee one will be able to take advantage of having one. It'll take a while to get to grips with everything as pretty much everything the wee one does will require a bit of maths to work out how much insulin to take, how much to dial back by etc, all trial and error and some days just seem crazy for no apparent reason, good luck and happy to answer any questions.

[Hibrandenburg]

Hi mate, I've had a pump for the last 4 or 5 years, I was originally going to get an islet cell transplant as I had lost hypo awareness (back now thankfully) but they opted to give me a pump in the end. They are absolutely life changing and along with the Libre sensor it makes managing the condition a doddle. I was diagnosed at aged 7 and it was difficult injecting a few times every day at that age, looking back it would've been much easier on a pump so that's great your wee one will be able to take advantage of having one. It'll take a while to get to grips with everything as pretty much everything the wee one does will require a bit of maths to work out how much insulin to take, how much to dial back by etc, all trial and error and some days just seem crazy for no apparent reason, good luck and happy to answer any questions.

Thanks for the reply TE, it's early days and we're still learning so your reply is very useful. We've got the Libre and it's very reassuring to be able to simply check and monitor his BG without having to draw blood every time. The specialist treating him has advised against a pump at this stage and considers the best option is the Libre together with the pens. My boy has no inhibitions about injecting himself and thankfully has taken to it like a fish to water. It's been a rough two weeks as a parent but we're gradually finding our feet.

[cabbageandribs1875]

my apologies hibrandenburg i've only just noticed your post, i'l get back in a few hours...:greengrin

[Hibrandenburg]

my apologies hibrandenburg i've only just noticed your post, i'l get back in a few hours...:greengrin

No worries chief, we're off for a weekend away anyway. Will catch up later :thumbsup: