I gave her a potted history of the last two years (I've not really been in contact with the DSNs much for a very long time), the improvements I been able to make and the challenges and issues I still face. We talked hypos, warning signs, fear of driving, fasting and overnight levels, gym visits and everything in between. I explained my lingering uncertainty with the whole idea of pumping which some of you will know all too well. I've been bleating on about it for years.
Essentially it comes down to this - having got as far as I can with MDI, I am at the point where I see it as a clumsy, slightly imperfect way of mimicing the action of a pancreas. Pumping, on the other hand, is an incredibly subtle, but still slightly imperfect way of mimicing a functioning pancreas.
However I am convinced that more problems would be solved than created, and the lingering doubts I have will never go away except by experience.
So...
LJ has suggested that she recommends to my consultant that I begin insulin pump therapy (I have requested a Paradigm Veo to give me the option of self-funding the CGM facility whenever I need/can afford it). If the recommendation and funding is approved it is possible I could be pumping before Christmas.
I'm unexpectedly excited about it, and if I'm honest, just a little bit scared.
Now to get hold of a copy of Pumping Insulin: Everything You Need for Success on a Smart Insulin Pump by John Walsh
Update: Look Sir, Droids!
Yes yes yes yes yes! :D
ReplyDeleteYou're totally right that your doubts won't go away until you've tried it. And I PROMISE they will.
I think I might be more excited than you, haha! Throw any questions my way :)
yay, yay, yay! :) i have been pumping with medtronic for 14 years, and i love them, and my pump. we can't get the veo here in the us. the fda has issues with the low glucose suspend feature. sigh.
ReplyDeleteand if you do self-fund the cgm at some point, you'll get the new sensors, too! i'm totally jealous. hopefully the new sensors will be approved in the us soon.
keep us posted on how things are going!
Crumbs Jess, with the number of US members of the D-OC sporting pumps and CGMs (a combo that is as rare as hen's teeth in the UK) it's easy to forget that there are things we can get over here that you guys don't have access to. Crazy!
ReplyDeleteHi Mike,
ReplyDeleteHave you seen:
http://www.c8medisensors.com/index.aspx
Sounds interesting as there are no consumables.
Bob
Just had a looked up the device and it does look interesting, though as with all new tech there will doubtless be a period of 'settling in' if/when it becomes available. But if it delivers on its promise (optical CGM with no consumables) it could be HUGE.
ReplyDelete