MagicMum.com

I would ring them again in Jan, with the start of a New Year, new budget etc. If there's more than one nurse, can you try a different one or contact the consultant directly? Do they have an email address on the hospital website by any chance?
Don't show any doubt that you want the pump. Concentrate on getting your name down and ask all the questions after you are on the list or when it comes in, so they believe you are motivated and really want it as I'm sure you are not the only one wanting one. Continue to phone them re your bs, be a pest- especially if you are having bad lows -they may be forced to re-assess the situation.
Just a shot but, your old consultant in the UK wouldn't be able to help you get one, would he?
Sorry to hear this has happened it's sounds like you are gonna have to fight for it and keep at them like RedB, you do have a really strong case for getting one.

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How the hell did I miss this - all the posts - the thread went off my shagging post-list thingy.

E, i'm FURIOUS for you - my god I am bulling mad. WTF were they thinking offering you one, pushing you to get one and then withdrawing. They must have known the funding was going to be withdrawn, they get warnings. I know because Beaumont told me which ones were going to be pulled way in advance.
I'm so sorry honey xx

Ok - now we have to find a way around this.
A few options spring to mind:

DS told me you can buy your own - they cost about 3.5k but the only problem with that is that the cost doesn't cover support and training. However, i'd be very surprised if the clinic didn't offer to do this anyways considering their horrendous screw-up.

Would you consider changing hospital. I know Beaumont are still giving them out, two of the girls from my DAFNE course are getting theirs in the next couple of months.

There is a blokey in the Beacon who does them privately. He's a bit of a dick but I was on the verge of turning to him when Beaumont were screwing me around.

Spud had one that didnt work out for her before her transplant. I wasnt able to take it off her but maybe she still has it?

I've seen them for sale on ebay (okay - sort of a joke).

I'm so so sorry honey - thats totally ridiculous and really really unfair.

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Mammy to the Monster, born 30th December 2007 at 30+2, weighing 1.29kg

Mammy to the Farticle, born full-term on 11th June 2012, weighing 4.14kg

No, I think it'd take as long to get an appointment somewhere else and for them to re-assess her and suss out if she's motivated etc to have one. I'd thought of suggesting my clinic also, but I think she'd be better to hang on there- they are not saying they won't give one but just to wait a bit.
If you can buy private E that could be an idea, and you can claim tax back on 20% of the cost.......

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Can't afford to buy privately.
Plus I think I wouldn't even have been considering one if they hadn't offered it to me as a solution - especially with the gastroparesis functionality..

Will come back later, feeding time so I can't concentrate

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And this must be the prime of life..
P.Larkin.

I just experienced my first diabetic hypo coma last night. It was horrible. My poor DH got such a fright. He said he woke up to me shaking and frothing at the mouth & he tried to wake me up but he coudnt so he ran down stairs and got the hypo kit and he said when he was trying to inject me I kept slapping him away... I don't remember any of it. Only waking up sitting on the edge of the bed, with a fresh pair of PJ's on as he said Iwas soaking with sweat and he had to change me & he had to change the sheets... Son anyway when all that drama calmed down and we were both settling back to sleep Kate came in to our room vomiting - AWFUL NIGHT altogether

I think I know what caused the severe hypo though. I normally have a bedtime snack but when I checked my GS they were 11.2 so I decided shit their high I won't bother having anything to eat....Its a horrible fright

Anyone else eperience these coma hypos before???

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You poor thing Dutchie, thats an awful shock for you.
Thats not a coma hypo because you regained consciousness when your bs came back up, but you must have been awfully low for the seizure I hope you're okay today, and that your muscles aren't too sore. Can you trace backwards and see does it have a source? I have had a good few of these types of night hypos - as has ALMum afaik.
Big to you today.

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And this must be the prime of life..
P.Larkin.

Hi,
Dutchie your head must be wrecked. How are you feeling now? I read your post earlier but didn't get a chance to reply, all hell broke out, DS2 has a vomiting bug/ear infection and started getting sick just after I answered the phone. I've now cleaned him, the sofa floors etc and put on the first wash. Of course DH is out- why do these things happen when he's out?
Anyway, yeah I've had bad hypos like that as a teen and early 20's on Insultard, it's made me v nervous about night hypos since. I had a bad one on one of our first romantic weekends away where I had to be spoonfed breakfast in my pyjamas by my now Dh at the breakfast table in a B & B when I came round I was morto but DH had to do it cos we'd no food in the room! and he still married me! (was just testing him really).
I was thinking of your hypo though, and here's my tuppence worth:
I think you may be on too much long acting as it shouldn't drop your sugars by more than 1-2mmol from bed til morn fasting. You shouldn't need a snack but if you do snack then you should need quick acting for it. It sounds like the snack is bringing you up high for a few hours early morn then the long acting insulin dropping you so your morn bs are ok, masking the fact that the long acting is too much.........
Maybe you should phone your nurse and see what they say. and definetly set your alarm for the next few nights for an hour or too before the time DH noticed you were low and do a bs.
E, any more thoughts on what to do?

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Dutchie, hope your feeling alright now. You must be exhausted (this i found most with the bad hypos). I think Al could be right re the long acting, if i remember correctly from DAFNE a night time hypo means reduce the long acting insulin unless other pointers indicate another reason. I have had two of those hypos where i had to get glucagon, first time on my pregnancy with DD1 (mum administerd) second time i fell down stairs on third pregnancy and between them mum and noel administerd before we went to hospital, third time I was pregnant with ds2 (noel administered). I have been a nuisance to my family at times. Thank god no need since and ds2 is going to be 9 in feb.
The exhaustion afterwards used to kill me and the terrible headaches from I think the glucagon and over treating hypo.

Thanks girls for ur replies its great to know that I'm not alone.

I reduced my nighttime levemir before bed. Was so wrecked all day y'day. I just could'nt stop going over and over in my head what in hell happened to cause that hypo!! I did'nt increase my levemir at all lately... but will do a 3am check as ALMum suggested over the next few nights. Although just after remembering that I'm heading down to Killarney with the girls for a sez on Sat/Sun... shit hope it does'nt happen when I'm at the hotel - now that would be embarrassing ... Its just not nice at all to be so out of control of your own body I don't want to tell my Diabetes nurse in case they might admit me ??

Anyway thanks again for your support.

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I doubt they would admit you for a once off, but it would go on your record and if you have another might cause probs with keeping your drive licence and insurance ....but one off is ok, best to get it sorted for your sake. Are you feeling hypos ok in the day?

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Ok , another question occured to me Dutchie, any chance your pregnant? any severe unexplained hypo i had was because i was pregnant.
Id prob check the 3 am ones myself for a few days before mentioning it to nurses and see if i could see problem. id be afraid of the driving licence thing too , dont think they'd admit you, i was admitted once buut that was cos i fell down stairs as well. Hope your feeling better today

How are you now Dutchie
can i check something with ye ladies, if a bg is high teens and twenties for a number of days am i right in thinking this would indicate a need for insulin and not just glucophage or the like (tabs to treat type 2 diabetes , insulin resistence)?
Not myself, just a story i have overheard and open mouthed at

Good morning girls

I'm feeling a lot better now thanks DM. Although I look like shite right now. Had E at the Dr yesterday for conjunctivitis and woke up this morning to a big red watery eye myself . Coupled with a blocked nose & scratchy throat I'm a right sight for sore eyes Oh & I got my AF too y'day so that rules out pregnancy DM Think I'd die with fright if that happened to me though DM as DH got the snip done. We'd end up suing the Dr if that happended

If BG were running high over a number of days that in my own personal opinion I would say insulin is needed but it might be difference for Type 2's??? I'm not 100% sure but it would be my number one guess anyway?

E - how are you feeling now? I hope ur feeling a bit better now

Almum & Redb hope all is well with you ladies

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Sorry I've not been on at all guys, sort if hibernating. Am on the bus on the way into my first appt. I am SHITTING myself. fingers crossed.

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Mammy to the Monster, born 30th December 2007 at 30+2, weighing 1.29kg

Mammy to the Farticle, born full-term on 11th June 2012, weighing 4.14kg

Oh gawd I know. The first appt is always terrifying!! But your bloods have been brilliant so they won't have much to give out about??!!!!! Which clinic are you heading into?

Good luck anyway!!

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Rotunda again. BP was brilliant, 130/69. Couldn't believe it. Waiting for Byrne (gnnnnnnffff) and the "baby doctor". Why can't they just say Obstetrician? Might sneak off for a coffee.

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Mammy to the Monster, born 30th December 2007 at 30+2, weighing 1.29kg

Mammy to the Farticle, born full-term on 11th June 2012, weighing 4.14kg

Best of luck Red - just hold steady now

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And this must be the prime of life..
P.Larkin.

How did you get on? Glad you've taken the first step I'm sure you were fine

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I'm cut and pasting this from my blog cos it took me an hour to write out. The appt went better than my wildest hopes. I'm totally delighted with myself!! Whoohhhhhooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

First appointment over and done with. And what a huge relief, you've no idea.

Mammy stayed over last night as Gordon is in Puerto Rico, lucky sod. I wasnt so much nervous about staying in the house on my own as I was about having a hypo in the house with just Isabella and Bessie to notice me lying on the ground unconscious. Also, my appointment this morning was at 8am so Mammy stayed over last night and brought Isabella to Montessori this morning. She then valiantly fought rush hour traffic to meet me there. Sitting in the waiting room (Ticket No 18), I sat beside two older Mams and immediately joined them in the weekly lambasting of the diabetologist. Woohhoooo! Immediate satisfaction. They were delighted that I was all geared up to put the wagon in her place. I spent a good hour in bed last night practising what I was going to say when she started on me. We all had a good fest of "she's not going to intimidate me" etc and were comparing baby weights and A1c results before long. Went for my bloods and weight, height BP etc, I was talking my head off I was so nervous but my BP thank goodness was only 130/70. Huge relief.

I pottered off for a coffee, met Mammy and then queued up for Round 2.

I was pretty quickly called into the Room of Doom (the Diabetologists interrogation cell) by a lovely if slightly fierce woman who told me she was the Registrar. She went through all my levels, naturally focussing in on the few highs. I explained all my Basal rates and how and why I raised my levels over the last few weeks. She had me explain my diary layout (which unlike the standard hospital one allows for me to record my carbs and any basal/bolus/ratio changes), declared it sufficient and clear and then told me that Dr B wouldn't be happy with the two fasting 5.5's I had in the last 10 days. I was very calm but clear and said that I wasn't going to chase down a one-off, but if I saw a pattern of 5's or 6's, I'd happily raise my overnight basals. I also said I wasn't going to risk an unnecessary and possibly dangerous hypo to change my doses after one night and that as it was clear to her that I knew how to adjust my levels and doses according to DAFNE principals she was just going to have to leave me to it.

She started off the "you know how important it is to have good levels...." spiel but was quickly quieted when I said I was very clear about the risks - which was why I'd tried so hard to get my levels so stable in the first place. She had a flicker of a smile at that point. I also said that I didn't think any judgement could be made on my ability to manage my diabetes until my Fructosamine and HbA1c test results were in. She nodded, agreed and sent me on my way and said she'd see me in 4 weeks, unless I had any issues before then. FOUR WEEKS!!!!!!! I nearly fell off the chair at that point. I've just been told to go home and manage my diabetes myself, just to call in if I need help. Makes a *small* change from my last experience of "Go home and pack a bag, you havnt a clue what you doing so we're admitting you. We're going to try sort you out but your baby will probably die anyways". So I danced out of the room rejoicing with Mammy that I'd bascially just WON!!

Within a couple of minutes I promptly called to see the Obstetrician. She was a lovely lovely woman who swiftly gave me a scan and confirmed my dates. YAY!!! Beanie is measuring by my dates now, a nice strong heartbeat, all good. Mammy got to see the heartbeat and she could even see it without her glasses LOL!! She went through all my medical history with a fine tooth comb, everything that happened last time and what I felt were the issues and what was missed. She wrote a long list of things she was going to do (check my Isabella file for test results etc) and ring Beaumont for something else. She wants me to have the triple test and a few other tests as I'm "older" but as these have to be done at 11wks, she'd be able to do them herself.

She said I had a slightly increased chance of PET/HELLP this time but that she saw no immediate flags. She said if I expect an early delivery, I can only be happy with a 37wk delivery. I said that I really would prefer a planned CS rather than a failed induction and another traumatic emergency section. She said she saw no reason I wouldn't get that, especially as I want to get my tubes tied at the end of it. We laughed and chatted through the whole visit and she said that she was very pleased with my knowledge and preparedness and that she would look forward to seeing me in 2wks for my private testing.

So all in all - it was a much better visit than I could have possibly have hoped for. I've been so unbelievably stressed and upset about everything that its a bit strange to have won the first round.

I think I'll leave it a while for it all to sink in. LOL!

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Mammy to the Monster, born 30th December 2007 at 30+2, weighing 1.29kg

Mammy to the Farticle, born full-term on 11th June 2012, weighing 4.14kg

Redb Im delighted it went so well for you

Thats brilliant Redb well done!!!! Delighted for ya hun xx

Any ms yet?

My morning bs are shite now again. I'm over cautious going to bed at night. DH has to travel to spain for 4 nights at the end of the month and I'm absolutely SHITTING myself thinking about being on my own

Enough shit talk about me hope everyone else is keeping well

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That's great news Redb, sounds like you were well prepared and ready for 'em. I think we all adapted a different approach 2nd time round and it was a lot easier. Really wow on the 4 wks though, that's fab....your bs must be v good!! What did she say in relation to being pregnant and on the pump?
I remember my consultant putting his big red X through my 5.3 fasting bs also, he insisted I increase insulin which I did only to go low (as expected) and then high as a result. You are dead right to accept 5's for fasting, I think, anyway. Although maybe you can change your basal by a really tiny amount........I was on injections at the time and 2 units extra has a big effect on me.
Dutchie, you'll prob be terrified for ages after that experience. When DH is away set your alarm and maybe leave it run a little higher for just those 4 nights to be on safe side?

DM, in relation to yur friend, they'd have to do a blood test to tell. Nowadays they can test for specific antibodies and levels of a particular protein (I think its Cysteine?) to distinguish between T1 and T2 in older people. Only T1 have antibodies.
She could just need more tabs or a change in type. My Gran is Type 2 only and her bs would go up to late teens on some occassions- last time when she was on steroids in was >20.

E, how are you this week? Have you decided what to do?

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Dutchie, i used to be petrified about hypos during night before the DAFNE, I actually set the alarm for 3 am every night while i was doing it as i was staying in b and b two nights and my cousins the other two and was so afraid id get hypo. Could you do this? its a pain but reduces the worry
Almum, thanks for that will wait and see how it goes for him.
Hope all are well and happy

Quick q - anyone know how many CHO in a custard slice???

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Mammy to the Monster, born 30th December 2007 at 30+2, weighing 1.29kg

Mammy to the Farticle, born full-term on 11th June 2012, weighing 4.14kg