Hey well, i had a appt with my endo and he mentioned getting me a funded pump.

I have always said no to the idea of the pump but Im having trouble with rollercoaster blood sugars and this is not lending well to my TTC journy.

My questions are just about what its like to be attached to one of these 24/7. IM 27, will having a pump interfere with my choice of clothes, how i interact intimately with my parter? Odd questions, i know, but these are things people dont talk about! I can ask the specialist about the ins and outs of a pump but not questions about what its actually like to live with one, iykwim

I have no personal experience but i understand from a friend that has one it can be disconnected for a short time i.e when one goes bathing, and unertakes other activitis, IYKWIM

Personally, if i was in your shoes i would say yes please, with both hands outstretched.

I've been pumping for 9 years and dread the day when it might all come to an end.
I also recieved a funded pump but it only lasted 4 years and I had to then buy a replacement ($7500). I am now on superannuation, with no spare $$$, but make myself afford the consumables.
Before committing yourself to pumping, checkout the price of consumables...I spend approx. $60 per week on mine.
Being attached 24/7 has never worried me, but everyone is different; what suits someone like me might not suit you.

I detach from my pump, although it's water-proof, when I'm showering, with no detrimental affects. Not all pumps are waterproof, so if you enjoy swimming, this is a thing to watch out for.

Wearing the pump in bed is no problem, you get used to it floating around the bed, I pin mine to my nightie. I always detach before intimate moments, mainly to avoid hypos.

My pump doesn't interfere with my choice of clothes as there are a number of accessories you can put your pump in and "hide it away". It's something you have to get used to, but it's no big deal.

My doctor recommended pumping to me as a better way to overcome my "brittle diabetes" and to try and get some hypo control....it isn't 100% better, but I am not having anywhere near as many as I was when on MDI's.

For what it's worth, the pump has improved my life 1000% and I can't speak highly enough about pumping...BUT....it's not for everyone. If you are unsure, ask for a trial period before you make a final decision - you won't really know until you've had a shot (no pun intended!).

I hope this answers your questions. Good luck with whatever you finally decide!

Thanks Bridie. The consumables part of it was one thing that was worrying me a little but in reality if i can afford to spend money on clothes and socialising I can afford to spend money on pump consumables. Well, thats what i figure anyway.

Im not much of a swimmer, except in summer so thats ok.

I would say my diabetes has become more 'brittle' over the last few years and harder to control. My last Hba1c was 7.6, up from 7.3 and 6.8 and i need to get it under 7 for ttc.

Ive heard of women hiding it in their bra? My clothes can be rather form fitting too, but if it were to be a problem Id need to get over it because my health comes first and if I can get funding for a pump then yea, ill go for it.

Anyone else with wisdom?

I've been pumping for 10 years. First, I had a loaner a a pre-con. The day my boy was born, the hospital put their hands out and said please return it. I was aware that they would do so so I'd actually sourced one from overseas. When that one eventually gave up the ghost, I was inconsolable. I went back to MDI and, what a surprise, my blood sugars were totally unmanageable. And I was back to waking up every night at 3am with a hypo. I trialled a few pumps from different companies and then, unbeknown to me, my DD (bless her little heart) bought one for me.

To me, it's the difference between using the equipment they use for micro-surgery and a sledge hammer for the same operation.

Like Birdie, I detach to have my shower. As she pointed out, it is meant to be waterproof but leaving it on doesn't allow for much freedom of movement in the shower.

And I have it floating around in bed too. Only since I don't wear a nightie to pin it to, it really does float around.

I tend not to detach for intimate moments unless I know I'm at risk of a hypo.

I don't have enough bust to get away with stuffing it down my bra so I tend to stick with clothes with a waistband. I have invested in a couple of pouches and bands to house it but I have the version that graphs your glucose levels so the last thing I want to do is hide it out of sight.

Hope this helps.

Well i got a phone call yesterday from the diabetes center and Ill have an appointment in the next month to assess my suitability for pump funding YAY!!

Great news KC.

Wonderful news KC!
I bet you're excited, if a little apprehensive? Just take things easy and it should all fall into place for you. Don't forget to let us know how you get on please.

Of course I am also having a catch up tomorrow with one of the specialists responsible for my care when I was in hospital with my first immuno condition when i was seven. I sent him and email to get some answers as i dont know the full story as to my lack of pancreas and how this affects me now, soim excited about that. Also, he has contacts that may be abel to help further with my funding

Im apprehensive yes.. For sure! But my control is very quickly deteriorating so im looking forward to it..

Hey KC how about an update?

This is the latest release from Pharmac. It asks for pricing on Pumps and Pump supplies although they haven't agreed to funding them yet. A step closer though.
http://www.pharmac.co.nz/2011/08/26/RFP%20Diabetes%20Products%202011.pdf