[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

gctest50 · 27-06-2014 7:17pm

Patent expiry fun

The company said last month its once-a-day insulin injection was better than Lantus in controlling patients’ blood sugar,

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/health-pharma/eli-lilly-wins-european-backing-for-generic-version-of-sanofi-s-lantus-insulin-1.1847757

cocker5 · 28-06-2014 1:52pm

stinkybum wrote: »

Do you mind me asking how much you spend a month on it and what the initial outlay was. I used my friends one once for a few weeks and it did me the world of good. I'd consider paying for it if I knew how much.
If you want to PM me, thats fine.

Really sorry for the late reply I'm only just seeing your post now - apologies...

IMO and my husbands (he's the user of the dexcon etc ) it's worth every penny.

The initial outlay was €2.7k to be honest but here's what that bought him:

The transmitter, receiver (screen with readings etc) leather case, and 16 sensors so sensors for min 16 weeks but I'm going to be honest and say most of his sensors last him min of 10 days his current sensor is on day 14 and not a bother!

So they last longer than the 7 day claim.

He's get 4 sensors for £250, but they last min 6 weeks... Works out about €70 per sensor - expensive but IMO worth it for piece of mind etc.

I have a full list of prices for the place we get them in the uk I can pm them to you if you want?

cocker5 · 30-06-2014 11:01am

stinkybum wrote: »

Do you mind me asking how much you spend a month on it and what the initial outlay was. I used my friends one once for a few weeks and it did me the world of good. I'd consider paying for it if I knew how much.
If you want to PM me, thats fine.

Sent you a pm with prices / info etc - best of luck...

CramCycle · 30-06-2014 5:04pm

http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2014/06/18/db14-0513?papetoc

Haven't accessed the full paper but it seems to be implying that your insulin sensitivity is changed with temperature change acclimatisation. I thought this was accepted for years as many type 1s experience sudden and continuous hypos while going on holiday, and changes to insulin regimes in different seasons (not tremendously applicable in Ireland).

Alanstrainor · 03-07-2014 5:02pm

Another minimed insulin pump bites the dust, wish I had kept track how fast these pumps fails. Once a year is around what I experience; it's pretty worrisome really. But to be fair to medtronic, the pump failed at 12:30 today, called at 1, and by 2:30 a courier had popped out to my house with a new pump. Only problem is that I had told the medtronic support agent that it needed to be delivered to my office address, which they assured me it would...oh well.

gctest50 · 03-07-2014 7:47pm

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Another minimed insulin pump bites the dust. Once a year is around what I experience; it's pretty worrisome really............

I hope their pacemakers are a bit more reliable :eek:

The_Conductor · 04-07-2014 6:59am

gctest50 wrote: »

I hope their pacemakers are a bit more reliable :eek:

No moving parts....... the pacemaker that is.......

Alanstrainor · 04-07-2014 9:22am

gctest50 wrote: »

I hope their pacemakers are a bit more reliable :eek:

I know...and it's always more or less the same reason for failure, all dating back to 2006 and it's the motor. They've had basically the same pump, almost unchanged since 2003/4 and yet the motor is still absolute rubbish. I understand that these devices run 24/7, but given the cost, that's no excuse. I'm going to write someone an angry letter.

LoTR · 07-07-2014 1:34pm

Hello,

I am new to Ireland. I have type 1 diabetes and use insulin pens (injections.) I have applied to the Long Term Illness plan to get a booklet that would give me free insulin...but there seems to be a delay, and they are not sure where my application is.

The concern is that within two weeks I will run out of insulin, and if I have not received the booklet by then, I am not sure what to do. Does anyone know if I can buy insulin at the pharmacy with the prescription my doctor gave me, without the booklest? Does anyone know roughly the cost?

Thanks.

CramCycle · 07-07-2014 1:55pm

LoTR wrote: »

The concern is that within two weeks I will run out of insulin, and if I have not received the booklet by then, I am not sure what to do. Does anyone know if I can buy insulin at the pharmacy with the prescription my doctor gave me, without the booklest? Does anyone know roughly the cost?

Thanks.

You can definitely buy it with a prescription from the Pharmacy, that's what I had done when we moved back from england after being away for awhile. Depending on the pharmacy, and how in depth the doctors note is, smaller pharmacies may give you the insulin if local on the basis that they know you and that they can just stockpile the claim till it comes in, hopefully not too long.

I would however ring up your local LTI issuing centre and explain to them the situation and your concern, light a match under them so to speak, it should not take that long TBH.

graflynn · 08-07-2014 11:54am

LoTR wrote: »

Hello,

I am new to Ireland. I have type 1 diabetes and use insulin pens (injections.) I have applied to the Long Term Illness plan to get a booklet that would give me free insulin...but there seems to be a delay, and they are not sure where my application is.

The concern is that within two weeks I will run out of insulin, and if I have not received the booklet by then, I am not sure what to do. Does anyone know if I can buy insulin at the pharmacy with the prescription my doctor gave me, without the booklest? Does anyone know roughly the cost?

Thanks.

Hello, if this happened to me I would first call the Long Term Illness section in your area (use this to find the telephone number). It usually only takes approx. a week to get your prescriptions approved (all going well) and you still have two weeks left.

You may have already done this but there is no harm in ringing again; make yourself a tiny nuisance.

If they have indeed lost your application then go back to who ever signed your application (your GP or clinic) and try and get a copy of the original and present it in person (if you can) to the Long Term Illness Section with an explaination of you urgent it is.

I usually find that they people working in the HSE are reasonable but sometimes human error happens and the patient suffers.

If you can't get your LTI in time go back to your Healthcare professional for advice, there are always options. If they don't give you insulin then you are going to end up as an inpatient and you are just saving them the trouble of an ambulance and the A&E space.

Hope you're settling in well to Ireland, apart from the neverending strife of having to deal with the HSE :rolleyes:

LoTR · 08-07-2014 2:17pm

Thanks, yeah, I called them again, and seems like they finally found the application and will be sending the book.

RobbingBandit · 09-07-2014 1:59pm

Just started Exenatide a couple of weeks ago, on my second dose last night and got a lot of blood coming out on removal of the needle, little painful but no side-effects so far, was looking on-line and seen it is available in a 60 does pen form, anyone know is this available over here?

gctest50 · 09-07-2014 5:52pm

RobbingBandit wrote: »

Just started Exenatide a couple of weeks ago, on my second dose last night and got a lot of blood coming out on removal of the needle, little painful but no side-effects so far, was looking on-line and seen it is available in a 60 does pen form, anyone know is this available over here?

seems to be :

AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) Ltd
College Park House, 20 Nassau Street, Dublin 2,
Telephone: +353 1 609 7100
Fax: +353 1 679 6650
Medical Information Direct Line: 1800 800 899 Freephone
Medical Information e-mail: medical.informationuk@astrazeneca.com
Customer Care direct line: +353(0)1 609 7100 Supply & non-medical enquiries
Medical Information Facsimile: +44 (0)1582 838 003

http://www.medicines.ie/searchresults.aspx?term=byetta&searchtype=AdvancedSearch

.

CramCycle · 09-07-2014 6:02pm

What pump will lI get based on the following order? Answers on a postcard.

3ml Reservoir mmt 332a

MIO infusion set 60 cm MMT 943

NOVOrapid 10 ml vials

All I can figure out is that it is Medtronic

RobbingBandit · 09-07-2014 7:39pm

gctest50 wrote: »

seems to be :

.

Thanks will discuss with my GP and Consultant tomorrow.

graflynn · 10-07-2014 12:11pm

graflynn wrote: »

Hello everyone,

I'm in the process of getting the dexcom CGM for my animas vibe pump. I've been told that I need to order the sensors directly from animas but I think that they might be available on the lti.

Is anyone out there getting their CGM sensors through the lti?

Thanks in advance.

Just got an update regarding my CGM. The clinic I attend don't have much experience with insulin pumps or CGMS and this has been a serious disadvantage with regards to the form filling and writing the requests for HSE funding. But I haven't given up yet.

I did talk to my Animas rep this morning and he said because I'm an existing pump user I could self fund the CGM.

The starter pack which includes a transmitter and 4 sensors costs E600, after that I would need to buy 1 box of 4 sensors per month costing E220. Plus, I would be entitled to a 20% refund on the MED1 scheme.

I can even organise a trial before I purchase (really wish I'd known that months ago). So that's where I'm at.

Hope this helps others out there.

Transmitter clips into place inside a plastic sensor pod that’s attached to the adhesive and sensor. The transmitter wirelessly sends your sensor-measured glucose readings to your pump.

Sensors are inserted underneath your skin with the help of an introducer needle and held in place with adhesive)

cocker5 · 10-07-2014 10:40pm

graflynn wrote: »

Just got an update regarding my CGM. The clinic I attend don't have much experience with insulin pumps or CGMS and this has been a serious disadvantage with regards to the form filling and writing the requests for HSE funding. But I haven't given up yet.

I did talk to my Animas rep this morning and he said because I'm an existing pump user I could self fund the CGM.

The starter pack which includes a transmitter and 4 sensors costs E600, after that I would need to buy 1 box of 4 sensors per month costing E220. Plus, I would be entitled to a 20% refund on the MED1 scheme.

I can even organise a trial before I purchase (really wish I'd known that months ago). So that's where I'm at.

Hope this helps others out there.

Transmitter clips into place inside a plastic sensor pod that’s attached to the adhesive and sensor. The transmitter wirelessly sends your sensor-measured glucose readings to your pump.

Sensors are inserted underneath your skin with the help of an introducer needle and held in place with adhesive)

Do u mind if I ask what brand of CGM you were quoted above for?

My husband self funds the Dexcom and he pays more than that - starter pack was over £1,000 that was for transmitter and receiver... No sensors
His sensors cost him £250 per month and yip it's all GBP prices...

CramCycle · 10-07-2014 10:51pm

cocker5 wrote: »

Do u mind if I ask what brand of CGM you were quoted above for?

My husband self funds the Dexcom and he pays more than that - starter pack was over £1,000 that was for transmitter and receiver... No sensors
His sensors cost him £250 per month and yip it's all GBP prices...

I presume its the Dexcom as she mentions the Animas rep, from working in science I find you can often get quite disparaging costs in the same company from different country reps (we often would order from another country to save money when I was a researcher). They are usually happy to sell around the local distributor if its a one to one sale, but i could be wrong and Gra has just got the quote of a lifetime by accident.

cocker5 · 11-07-2014 9:39am

CramCycle wrote: »

I presume its the Dexcom as she mentions the Animas rep, from working in science I find you can often get quite disparaging costs in the same company from different country reps (we often would order from another country to save money when I was a researcher). They are usually happy to sell around the local distributor if its a one to one sale, but i could be wrong and Gra has just got the quote of a lifetime by accident.

Cramcycle…..Thanks a million for your reply, its much apprenticed.

Yeah I agree we have no choice but to purchase it through advanced therapeutics in the UK and here’s the prices they sell it for :

DexCom G4 Receiver Kit £975.00 (ex. VAT)

(Includes receiver (results displayed in mmol/l), transmitter,
DM Studio software, charger and travel adaptors, user manuals,

PC down load cable)

G4 7-day Sensors (pack of 4) £250.00 (ex. VAT)
Replacement Transmitter (lasts 6 months) £325.00 (ex. VAT)
Delivery charge £20.00 (per order)

He did contact the aminas rep, and I do think they are cheaper, but they won’t / cant supply to him until he gets the pump (hopefully early next year) etc.
Hopefully in early 2015 when he gets the pump he will be able to buy directly from the Animas rep….. even if its self-funding

graflynn

If you are getting the Dexcom you won’t be disappointed, my husband finds it excellent, it’s a massive help , especially of you are very active and on the go.
While sometimes the reading can be a little out i.e. if your rising very quickly etc., it may be out by 10&% or 15% (max), it’s still very reliable.

Just giving you the heads up on the placement of the sensors…
For the first 4 months he would position the sensors around his stomach area which was grand, but he decided to try another area, so he tried the back of his upper arm and he found the readings very very accurate – just something to think about.

Plus when he puts the sensors on his tummy area it usually last 10 – 12 days per sensor… but on his arm it lasted 20 days with very accurate reading up until the end J

Also the transmitter doesn’t need to be covered over etc. as long as you “click” it into place correctly (it’s very easy) its waterproof. My husband goes swimming etc. and no bother at all. Plus covering it with tape could affect its transmitting if that makes sense J

after 5 days of wearing the sensor we do place a clear skin plaster (I can get you name and size if you need it they are 60 cents each in a chemist), we could a hole so the transmitter isn’t covered and its great keeps it on for the rest of the life of the sensors etc., it’s a very fine clear plaster so it’s not obtrusive etch

Best of luck with it, if you go ahead let me know what you think J

CramCycle · 11-07-2014 10:42am

cocker5 wrote: »

He did contact the aminas rep, and I do think they are cheaper, but they won’t / cant supply to him until he gets the pump (hopefully early next year) etc.

I can't understand why, presuming its a separate unit (and not a CGM attached to the pump), what are the chances you could BS and say you have the pump already? That's a huge chunk of dosh over a non issue, they all make commission, I am quite surprised they wouldn't work around the issue.

Sorry to hear your getting screwed over on it.

As a matter of interest on the sensor in the arm, is there any increase in discomfort or is it virtually unnoticeable?

graflynn · 11-07-2014 10:43am

cocker5 wrote: »

If you are getting the Dexcom you won’t be disappointed, my husband finds it excellent, it’s a massive help , especially of you are very active and on the go.
While sometimes the reading can be a little out i.e. if your rising very quickly etc., it may be out by 10&% or 15% (max), it’s still very reliable.

Just giving you the heads up on the placement of the sensors…
For the first 4 months he would position the sensors around his stomach area which was grand, but he decided to try another area, so he tried the back of his upper arm and he found the readings very very accurate – just something to think about.

Plus when he puts the sensors on his tummy area it usually last 10 – 12 days per sensor… but on his arm it lasted 20 days with very accurate reading up until the end J

Also the transmitter doesn’t need to be covered over etc. as long as you “click” it into place correctly (it’s very easy) its waterproof. My husband goes swimming etc. and no bother at all. Plus covering it with tape could affect its transmitting if that makes sense J

after 5 days of wearing the sensor we do place a clear skin plaster (I can get you name and size if you need it they are 60 cents each in a chemist), we could a hole so the transmitter isn’t covered and its great keeps it on for the rest of the life of the sensors etc., it’s a very fine clear plaster so it’s not obtrusive etch

Best of luck with it, if you go ahead let me know what you think J

Thank you so much for all that info. I'm happy to hear that I could, possibly get 20 days out of a sensor. And yes, its the Dexcom G4® PLATINUM CGM system but I don't need to buy the receiver as the Animas Vibe insulin pump is also a receiver. The telephone number for Animas is IRE 1800 812 715 if you want to give them a call about buying your sensors from them.

One more question for you; the rep mentioned that the transmitter would only last 6 months, have you had to replace yours yet?

Thanks again for all your information; it's been great, Grainne

Meauldsegosha · 11-07-2014 11:19am

Hi is anyone using the new Optium Neo? I got one in April from the diabetic clinic and it was working fine until a few weeks ago. I have found lately that the test strip area has become very sensitive. If I move the test strip even slightly when putting to my finger to it, it won't work. Sometimes I have to use 4 or 5 strips before I get a reading.

Anyone else having issues?

Yakuza · 11-07-2014 6:27pm

Anecdotal evidence (many posts on Diabetes FB groups) would suggest the Neo isn't as good as its predecessor; wildly varying results when compared to other devices. I sent off for one as a box of strips had an extra wrapper inviting us to get it, but I've held off on using it so far, based on what I've read.

gctest50 · 11-07-2014 10:04pm

Meauldsegosha wrote: »

Hi is anyone using the new Optium Neo? I got one in April from the diabetic clinic and it was working fine until a few weeks ago. I have found lately that the test strip area has become very sensitive. If I move the test strip even slightly when putting to my finger to it, it won't work. Sometimes I have to use 4 or 5 strips before I get a reading.

Anyone else having issues?

Just post it back to them with a little note - might help them solve the issue of it being less than useless

GLUCOSE METER TESTS :

http://www.skup.nu

.

Eurovisionmad · 16-07-2014 12:02am

CramCycle wrote: »

What pump will lI get based on the following order? Answers on a postcard.

3ml Reservoir mmt 332a
MIO infusion set 60 cm MMT 943

NOVOrapid 10 ml vials

All I can figure out is that it is Medtronic

It seems to be a Medtronic (Minimed) Paradigm insulin pump, the larger 3ml size one rather than 1.5ml.

CramCycle · 16-07-2014 1:02pm

Eurovisionmad wrote: »

It seems to be a Medtronic (Minimed) Paradigm insulin pump, the larger 3ml size one rather than 1.5ml.

Cheers, five more days till I confirm it, anything to be wary about on my first day with the pump?

Rucking_Fetard · 16-07-2014 4:06pm

gctest50 wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK9F221JF48

BlackEdelweiss wrote: »

http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/17/google-health-smart-contact-lenses-diabetes/?ncid=rss_truncated

Google and Novartis join forces to produce smart contact lenses

On Monday, Novartis announced an agreement with Google to license and commercialize contact lenses that measure the patients' glucose level, which were first unveiled by Google X team back in January. The lenses consist of a tiny sensor and antenna, measuring the glucose level through tears.

Google described the electronics used as "so small they look like bits of glitter" and stated the antenna is thinner than a human hair. The electronics used are placed between two soft layers of the contact lens and can transmit data wirelessly to other devices. The prototype can assess glucose levels every second.

Novartis Chief Executive Joe Jimenez stated this technology can also be used to improve eye health and this kind of advancement is a step towards going beyond traditional treatment techniques. Novartis is now hoping to produce the first prototypes for research and development purposes by early 2015. The financial details of the deal are not yet known, but Jimenez believes the smart contact lens technology will generate considerable new revenues for Novartis.

Not often the stuff you'll read about actually arrives.

Usually "in 10 years" stuck in there somewhere. This *should* be along *soon*.

Eurovisionmad · 16-07-2014 4:40pm

CramCycle wrote: »

Cheers, five more days till I confirm it, anything to be wary about on my first day with the pump?

Can't think of anything massive, it won't be perfect of course to start so lots of testing, and be careful around door handles

Rucking_Fetard wrote: »

Google and Novartis join forces to produce smart contact lenses

Not often the stuff you'll read about actually arrives.

Usually "in 10 years" stuck in there somewhere. This *should* be along *soon*.

In fairness with Google behind stuff it almost always enacted upon, I suppose a few billion in the back pocket helps

CramCycle · 21-07-2014 9:06am

For the type 2s: http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/one-injection-reverses-diabetes-symptoms-without-side-effects

Getting my pump today so haven't fully read through it yet

gctest50 · 21-07-2014 9:19am

CramCycle wrote: »

.......
Getting my pump today so haven't fully read through it yet

Sweet !

CramCycle wrote: »

Cheers, five more days till I confirm it, anything to be wary about on my first day with the pump?

You won't have any basal/background insulin any more so if it gets disconnected/stops etc the little ketones will appear quickly

Bring along your ordinary day-to-day diabetes stuff as normal ( cos of ^^^^ )

Make sure its primed right to the end and all the air is gone before you stick it in ya

If you see blood in the little tube near the needle after sticking in you - congrats you've probably found a blood vessel - try again

You'll probably need less of an insulin bolus for the same amount of food - beware of hypos till you suss it

graflynn · 21-07-2014 11:36am

I know I shouldn't discard any progress being made on the Bionic/Artificial Pancreas but this would definitely get me way more excited.

Innovative Encapsulated Cell Replacement Therapy Product for Type 1 Diabetes

graflynn · 21-07-2014 11:40am

This lady, IMO, will be one to watch in diabetes advocacy in the future. She has appeared on almost every blog I read and lots of National news programmes & papers in the US since she won the Miss Idaho title last weekend.

http://missidahoorg.blogspot.ie/2014/07/wow-wow-wow-where-do-i-even-start-i.html

Eurovisionmad · 23-07-2014 6:07pm

So CramCycle, how's life as a robot?

CramCycle · 23-07-2014 10:29pm

Eurovisionmad wrote: »

So CramCycle, how's life as a robot?

Odd, really can't feel it but my son noticed it today and has started to try and remove it. I get anxious about the time my lantus is due and I am working on the bolus, bloods are running high in the afternoon but steady at all other times. The bolus wizard is great for my simple mind although I have edited the dosages consistently based on how I normally react to certain foods.

Went racing tonight with no issues, like the wireless meter that loads my blood sugars to the pump so I can't err there either. Makes pattern tracking far easier.

Definitely a thumbs up from me despite my anxiousness on occasion.

CathyMoran · 01-08-2014 8:04pm

Latest Hba1c was 32 or 5.1 in old units - pity that I have brittle type 1 due to having a total oesophagectomy a few years ago and I do work hard to look after it but happy with this - I want to be around to see my young children grow up.

Alanstrainor · 05-08-2014 2:59pm

CathyMoran wrote: »

Latest Hba1c was 32 or 5.1 in old units - pity that I have brittle type 1 due to having a total oesophagectomy a few years ago and I do work hard to look after it but happy with this - I want to be around to see my young children grow up.

And here I am delighted at my hba1c being 7.1! That's ridiculously good! Congrats!

gerrybbadd · 07-08-2014 1:04pm

Hey guys.

I've finally got an appointment in Sligo General after having my care transferred from Vincent's over 12 months ago. Sligo are requesting that I have bloods done prior to going in.

Does anyone know if there is a drop in clinic to have bloods done in Sligo General by any chance? Vincent's used to have a system where they would give you the required baggie things for the different blood tests to bring with you. Then just take a ticket and queue for your test!

Also, If i go to a GP to have the blood tests done, should these tests be free, or will I be looking at the €50 standard GP Fees?

Thanks guys!

Eurovisionmad · 07-08-2014 2:27pm

gerrybbadd wrote: »

Hey guys.

I've finally got an appointment in Sligo General after having my care transferred from Vincent's over 12 months ago. Sligo are requesting that I have bloods done prior to going in.

Does anyone know if there is a drop in clinic to have bloods done in Sligo General by any chance? Vincent's used to have a system where they would give you the required baggie things for the different blood tests to bring with you. Then just take a ticket and queue for your test!

Also, If i go to a GP to have the blood tests done, should these tests be free, or will I be looking at the €50 standard GP Fees?

Thanks guys!

I go to my GP, I've never been offered the opportunity to do it in the hospital. In my GP's practice, whoever's free be it the nurse or the doctor takes the blood and they charge €30 rather than the full €50.

graflynn · 08-08-2014 10:51am

gerrybbadd wrote: »

Hey guys.

I've finally got an appointment in Sligo General after having my care transferred from Vincent's over 12 months ago. Sligo are requesting that I have bloods done prior to going in.

Does anyone know if there is a drop in clinic to have bloods done in Sligo General by any chance? Vincent's used to have a system where they would give you the required baggie things for the different blood tests to bring with you. Then just take a ticket and queue for your test!

Also, If i go to a GP to have the blood tests done, should these tests be free, or will I be looking at the €50 standard GP Fees?

Thanks guys!

Sligo General may have a phlebotomy (a place where all they do is take bloods) clinic where it can done for free. The diabetic clinic would be able to tell you if the hospital has such a thing.

gerrybbadd · 08-08-2014 10:52am

graflynn wrote: »

Sligo General may have a phlebotomy (a place where all they do is take bloods) clinic where it can done for free. The diabetic clinic would be able to tell you if the hospital has such a thing.

Thanks graflynn - I couldn't think of the name of the place (phlebotomy). Must research that now!

Preset No.3 · 09-08-2014 2:43pm

Can I assume that the option for the pump is not available on the LTI?

Meauldsegosha · 09-08-2014 5:16pm

Preset No.3 wrote: »

Can I assume that the option for the pump is not available on the LTI?

As far as I know the pump (and/or ancillary equipment) is available on the LTI. But you have to be approved for it by your diabetic consultant to get it on the LTI. The waiting list is long and you have to be in good control of your diabetes.

graflynn · 10-08-2014 12:06pm

Preset No.3 wrote: »

Can I assume that the option for the pump is not available on the LTI?

The first thing you can do if you want to get an Insulin Pump is find out if your Diabetes Clinic runs a pump therapy programme. A Diabetes Clinic has to have specialist staff to treat patients on insulin pumps and not all clinics have this. If your clinic doesn't have an insulin pump therapy clinic for adults (I assume you want one for yourself and not a child?) then they can't offer you a pump.

If your clinic does have an insulin pump therapy programme then the next step is to convince them how you would benefit from being on a pump. They have to assess your compatibility for it. The best way to convince them is to search online and use all the pump companies sales pitches. Also, use what other people have said about how much they love their pumps.

Once your clinic applies for the pump for you the funding comes through fairly quickly and the wait comes from the clinic having all the necessary resources available at the same time to provide your pump training.

My advice to anyone looking for a pump is to do a lot of homework about why you want one and then find a clinic that has an Insulin Pump therapy programme relevant to you. I live in the West so I know that UHG have an adult pump clinic but beyond Munster I couldn't tell you. A lot of the Dublin hospitals offer pumps too but I couldn't be sure which ones.

Hope this helps.

P.S. HSE funding for pumps has loosened up considerable in the last 2-3 years and they are much easier to get.

CramCycle · 11-08-2014 9:20am

graflynn wrote: »

My advice to anyone looking for a pump is to do a lot of homework about why you want one

+1 on this, it is not as simple as I had thought it would be even after all my homework had been done. 30 years of injections is a hard habit to break and my control has worsened in the first three weeks. My biggest issue so far is something hitting against the cannula and myself not noticing until my bloods start spiking. My son in particular loves to kick me exactly where the cannula is inserted. The third night in a row it stopped working I was nearly throwing it in the bin. I took it out for half a day and went back to injections. Finally seem to be hitting my stride this week but the second week where i was already exhausted from our son deciding sleeping was not his thing, and getting ketones for the first time I remember, having it kicked, caught in seat belts, getting hooked on a bag of turf etc.

As a matter of interest, does anyone insert it anywhere other than there abdomen? could you put it on your arm or leg with an ipod style holder for the pump itself?

gerrybbadd · 11-08-2014 9:35am

CramCycle wrote: »

+1 on this, it is not as simple as I had thought it would be even after all my homework had been done. 30 years of injections is a hard habit to break and my control has worsened in the first three weeks. My biggest issue so far is something hitting against the cannula and myself not noticing until my bloods start spiking. My son in particular loves to kick me exactly where the cannula is inserted. The third night in a row it stopped working I was nearly throwing it in the bin. I took it out for half a day and went back to injections. Finally seem to be hitting my stride this week but the second week where i was already exhausted from our son deciding sleeping was not his thing, and getting ketones for the first time I remember, having it kicked, caught in seat belts, getting hooked on a bag of turf etc.

As a matter of interest, does anyone insert it anywhere other than there abdomen? could you put it on your arm or leg with an ipod style holder for the pump itself?

Wondered this myself - I'm not a pump user. Would it be possible to insert into the buttocks? (not meaning to be funny here, genuine question!):o

cocker5 · 11-08-2014 10:45am

CramCycle wrote: »

+1 on this, it is not as simple as I had thought it would be even after all my homework had been done. 30 years of injections is a hard habit to break and my control has worsened in the first three weeks. My biggest issue so far is something hitting against the cannula and myself not noticing until my bloods start spiking. My son in particular loves to kick me exactly where the cannula is inserted. The third night in a row it stopped working I was nearly throwing it in the bin. I took it out for half a day and went back to injections. Finally seem to be hitting my stride this week but the second week where i was already exhausted from our son deciding sleeping was not his thing, and getting ketones for the first time I remember, having it kicked, caught in seat belts, getting hooked on a bag of turf etc.

As a matter of interest, does anyone insert it anywhere other than there abdomen? could you put it on your arm or leg with an ipod style holder for the pump itself?

Not sure if this helps but my other half uses a CGM and he has the sensors etc, while the Dexcom recommends you only place it on your belly area, he prefers the back of his arm works perfectly, readings are generally bang on. Now i know its wireless etc but the sensor is till like the pod for the pump only it sticks out a lttle more etc.

Have you tried place a protective skin over it? like a breathable, clear, patch this will ehlp keep it in place and reduce movement etc.

but you could try in the back of your upper arm with like an iphone holder etc, seems like it could be a good idea?

cocker5 · 11-08-2014 10:47am

gerrybbadd wrote: »

Wondered this myself - I'm not a pump user. Would it be possible to insert into the buttocks? (not meaning to be funny here, genuine question!):o

its inserted for 3/4 days a tme, with a small tube attached, how would you sit down, put your trousers on etc? plus with your buttcoks and walking there would be too much movement.... so the pod wouldnt stay in place

CramCycle · 11-08-2014 10:58am

cocker5 wrote: »

but you could try in the back of your upper arm with like an iphone holder etc, seems like it could be a good idea?

Most of the time it holds in place, just wondering would it be possible to do somewhere else, might try the back of my arm and the pump in an ipod style case next. Probably have to have the cable coming down my arm though and the pump on my wrist for boluses though. Will think it over. Probably end up looking like a 60s/70s BBC sci fi adventurer as I punch in things to my giant oversized wrist band.

Dick Dastardly · 11-08-2014 9:19pm

Cramcycle,

I've been approved for one and am waiting (a long time) to get hooked up so doing bits of research - have seen plenty of youtube videos of different pump users inserting them into arms, thighs etc - presumably all locations have different absorption rates and I'm guessing each manufacturer will have a recommended location - same way they recommend stomach for mdi's?
BTW - I used to inject into my calf muscle - don't know why I got to injecting there - but when I moved to my stomach as a result of dafne my daily ratio dropped by 66% - some of which was counting discipline, but I'm convinced some was muscle versus fat. Hope it works out. Stick with it!

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