How many years

[christine62]

How many years do you have to have diabetes for to get a pump I dislike the highs and lows latest HB1AC is 7.7

[Dollyrocker]

It's not really done that way, it will depend very much on your PCT and you have to meet the NICE criteria in order to be considered. Have you spoken to your consultant about it?

I've been diabetic 17 years and got my pump a year ago, some PCTs give pumps to newly diagnosed children, it all depends on your personal circumstances and what's available in your area

[everydayupsanddowns]

NICE have published guidelines which most PCTs use to determine suitability/funding for a pump. From memory these are something like:

1. A1c above staying 8.5 despite the use of modern analogues, carb counting, education courses etc
2. Attempts to reach target A1c means the patient has recurrent and/or severe hypoglycaemia which in itself (or fear of which) affects quality of life.

Essentially it seems to boil down to whether or not you can keep your A1c under control without permanently running the risk of being hypo (losing warning signs and so on). The second point is obviously open to interpretation by the team involved and their overall stance on pumps - to some extent this leads to a bit of a postcode lottery

[Pattidevans]

In addition it's hard work, seems to me having listened to everyone on here, that it's a lot harder work than basal/bolus.  It's only as good as the effort that's put into it and you have to understand a lot about your own body but the rewards can be greater.

[Dollyrocker]

Exactly that Patti. A wise person one said to me 'a pump is only as good as the person operating it' and that is so true. It's made a massive difference to my life and healtyh though I'd definitely say the effort is worth it

[Chas C]

A friend of mine's son received a pump after about 12 months from diagnosis.

I got mine this year after 42 years (mind you not sure we had pumps that long ago).

I'd agree with the other posts - its only as good as the user.

[nytquill17]

Somewhere there was a picture of some of the early insulin pumps...they looked like a jet pack you would strap onto your back!

[christine62]

Thank you for the replies I am lucky as I am under the care of the RBH team which is out of my area my consultant and I agreed it could be an option but I have implanted hard wear ( medical expression ) one being an implanted medical medtronic device when I asked about a pump consultant did not say no but I mentioned about my device and he thought it may interfere and vica versa but I contacted the Royal London and they have said it will be ok. Alas I do not get any hypo warnings and do not treat a hypo at 4.00 but just keep a check it does not go lower before I was diagnosed my BG was always 4.7 as I have various hospital and GP notes and this was constant I have discovered that the low carb does see me hypo but then I do seem to hypo early am even if gone to bed with a 7.0 BG result I must say since keeping on low carb my evening meal highs are under control many thanks I will keep on plodding on but do not like the hypos my bedtime has been 5.3 even which is good but not sure if  I should a small snack to stop the lows.