Insulin Pumps

Hi Novorapidboi!
I am actually having more than seven injections most days and doing at least 7-8 tests most days with the odd extra 2:00am. I thought that all this Dafne stuff was being "studied" certainly in Australia it is nearly always in the form of trials to check efficacy etc. If we all eventually go on to pumps what does that say about Dafne? Are we "failures" or "super successes" as far as the efficacy of Dafne is concerned?? Or is Dafne the transition phase. I understand you guys in Britain have to have done Dafne before you get your pump. Is this true?
Helen

Prett much yes, or something similar, DAFNE is one of many educational schemes that basically teaches you about counting carbs, ratios etc with extras like sick day rules, driving, etc......

DAFNE does work, its just that some, like me suffer from dawn phenomonon or increased sensitivity, and thats where the pump would come in handy as it programmabe while you sleep and delivers very small doses.....

I wont be alive the day all diabetics go on a pump, I dont think..........

Pumps dont suit everyone, I mean if everyone was on one then no doubt control would be perfect, but it would probabaly be better than that of a non diabetic, and that for me is not the way I want to look upon my condition...

I assume in australia pump therapy is totally seperate of dafne or any other training.....

I am constantly surprised when talking to other diabetics the number of them who have not heard about Dafne. I did my course in july 2008 (a work colleague had been referred by her Endo and spoke very highly of the protocols). I understood that there was funding available to run a trial and I was part of that trial. The hospital where I did the course (Mater) no longer offers the course but the Royal Brisbane is currently funded to run Dafne courses. Judging from this forum it seems Dafne is more pervasive in Britain...or at least that is how it seems to me.

I have been a diabetic for more than half my life and am amazed at how far we have come. I had an aunt (diabetic) who "lived" on boiled cabbage in the 50's and look where we are now. Roll on stem cell research! I want nothing less than a CURE!

Helen

lol......nothing less...........

Yep the pump is just until the cure!

I think the only way forward is ginetics to be honest............stem cell research, as I understand is the utilizing of cells that can essentially turn into any cell and perform any function.........

Then what?

Our own antibodies will still be instructed to attack the newly formed cells...........short term yes, cure no........:-(

So how long till you find out about the pump...

Also what is the healthcare system like in australia, I though similar to the UK......(maybe hoping to immagrate one day...lol)

Where do I start with the health system?

This has not been a good year for me. The diabetes, cancer diagnosis followed by fairly serious surgery, non healing incision and now the pump issue. All up I am out of pocket about $1100 for Dr visits and I spend about $150-$160 a month on medication, strips, needles etc. The actual hospital stay (1 week) was completely covered by my health fund. I have been a member since my early 30s and currently pay just less than $2500 a year. I am hoping they pay for the pump in its entirety. First visit to the Diabetes Educator (necessary to get the pump) will cost $200 and I am not sure how much I will be able to claim. Conservative estimate for the whole year will put me out of pocket between $5-6000.

As I am a retiree (but not a pensioner) once I reach $1126 out of pocket expenses for Dr visits I will get 80% of what the Dr charges back. I have a visit scheduled for 11/11/2010 to get a certificate entitling me to drive. It will (hopefully) be endorsed with "recognises hypoglycaemia...fit to drive". The Dr will charge $66 and I will be out of pocket about half of that. if I reach the threshold before then I will get $52.90 back. Roll on 2011 and the cure by whatever avenue!


So basically we have two platforms...universal health care (Medicare) for all Australian citizens ( and extras! I am assuming you Brits come under the Medicare umbrella but I could be wrong). Then if you want to be able to choose your own Dr, go to the dentist, optometrist etc you join a health fund. There is a tax deduction if you have private health insurance. If you are really sick you get into the public system very quickly but if you require non urgent treatment (eg hip replacement) you are put on a waiting list that can mean a very long wait. Get your pump before you come!

I will hopefully know more on 18/11/2010 but I am being fairly aggressively pursued by a pump manufacturer who is offering to walk me through the process and iron out potential glitches. heaven protect me from sales persons!
Helen

So it is the same as here pretty much....

The NHS provides free healthcare for all (Medicare), and if you want it faster or something more specialised you go private (health fund- some kind of insurance or money up front).........

Theres not many people that I am aware of that have paid for their own pump or went through privately, that I know of in the UK, no doubt there has been.......

It seems really pricey for you, could you get it free, but have to wait, and who pays for all the things that come with the pump, canullas, tubing etc..........

I don't think you can get one free as the injection routine is adequate. You occasionally see appeals for funds to enable children to go on pumps. The individual pays for the "accessories" but they are subsidised by the govt. Goodnight..test and off to bed. Helen

Yes i had to do DAFNE before i fitted the criteria for a pump , but doing dafne and then getting the pump have been the 2 best things i have done for my diabetes , i have NEVER had such good blood sugars in all my 30 years as a type 1 diabetic .