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Geoff
09-19-2006, 03:21 PM
Hi all. Today I had my annual review, my first one. All went well my HbA1c was 6.0 I have been around this mark for the last nine months 6.2, 6.0, 6.1, 6.0, I can not brake through into the five’s. My cholesterol was 4.2, and my lipids are in the normal range, my eyes are ok, I could even read the bottom line on the eye chart!!

My examination was conducted by the chief endocrinologist so I was in good hands, he was very complimentary about my BS control, everything was going great until I asked some pertinent questions about managing my condition, I asked him if he would support me in going on to an insulin pump? His reply was a firm no! As my control was too good, ( pumps are only given to diabetics here in the UK that do not have good basel control of their diabetes ) and that he would never be able to raise support for financing the running cost of the pump with the National Health Service. A figure of £5000 pr year, ( approx $9500) So the only way to get one is to let my control go to the dog’s??

Some other info I gleaned from him was that symlin will be available in the UK within the next two years, then he stopped and said that my time was up, I had used up my allotted 15 mins, and come back and see me in six months time. Well fifteen minutes was a lot better than the 8 minutes I normally get from my GP!!:proud:

Stuboy
09-19-2006, 03:33 PM
sounds like you've been doing well :)

i can't beleive pumps cost that much!!

Geoff
09-19-2006, 03:37 PM
Hi Stuboy,

Yes thats the ballpark sum. Thats why we don't get a look in her in the UK

am1977
09-19-2006, 05:48 PM
Congrats on a good visit and great A1c.... :top:

kgm0612
09-20-2006, 07:17 AM
Great A1c.........congratulations!

I hate it when I read where a doctor will NOT approve a pump for someone because he/she feels the patient is in good control of their diabetes. It should not be up to the doctor..........it should be up to the patient who has to live with this disease 24/7, 365 days a year.

I had great control and terrific A1c's before pumping. What I didn't have was the freedom to eat or not eat when I wanted to. Thank God my endo was all for a pump when I asked him about it.

Karen

RUFC_MD
09-20-2006, 03:19 PM
Congratulations on the great A1C's.

That is exactly what I have read about insulin pumps here in the UK. Because we don't pay for healthcare here (other than through our taxes!) they will not give pumps to people unless someone is REALLY struggling with their control. "It is not cost efficient".

Cyborg
09-20-2006, 03:28 PM
Congratulations :congrats:

Funnygrl
09-20-2006, 04:35 PM
Congrats!

Do you only see your doctor and get an a1c once a year?

Tatermom
09-20-2006, 04:37 PM
Great job on your review!! Seems like doc is punishing you for doing the right thing. Sorry about that.

Cyborg
09-20-2006, 05:50 PM
The guidelines in the states for an a1c are once every 6 months if your diabetes is controlled, every 3 months if not.

Geoff
09-22-2006, 02:34 AM
Hi Funnygrl.

Has you can see my control is very good, but I still have my HbA1c done every 3 months.