[Keezheekoni]

So, since I haven't posted in awhile, I thought I'd update...

My last appointment with the UWDCC was on Oct. 2nd. The nurse told me that though I was showing great control (remember my hourly bg checks?), they were going to push me back on getting the pump. So, instead of the end of October like they changed their minds to after my second appointment, now they're changing their tune once again. I left the office more pissed than I've ever been in my entire life! Oh, then they told me that they have decided not to "support" the Cozmo pump, so to forget that altogether. I said something to the effect of, "But I'm the one paying for it, so why should you care which pump I get?" The response was something like, "Well, it's our licenses on the line when we put you on a pump, so we get to decide which pumps we'll support. Too bad if you don't like our decision." To which I said, "Go f*** yourself bi***!" And walked out.

Okay, so I was a little incensed.

So, I go to my PCP doctor and tell her that I've had it with the DCC and want to be referred elsewhere. She goes ahead and does the referral, but then that endo wants to see all of my records and blood work for the last year before she'll even consider seeing me. WTF?!? Fine, whatever. I call them today to see if she'd looked at my records yet, and apparently my PCP forgot to send them my blood work history... GRRRR! I feel like I'm never going to get my pump.

Because of a bunch of medical issues I've had in the last 2 months, my control has been nil. I'm finally getting over the multiple internal infections, but even still I'm waking up at 110 (when I'm in control I'm normally around 88 in the AM).

I emailed the Smiths rep in my area and told him about what was going on at the UWDCC, and he's very disappointed. I told him what the nurse had told me and he was surprised because apparently last week he had dinner with Dr. Hirsch, and Hirsch felt really good about the Cozmo... so he's going to try and find out what's going on now. In the mean time, he suggested I ask my PCP to fill out the SMN and then set up training with him. I'm fine with that, but when I asked my PCP the last time to fill out the SMN, she told me that she's not "allowed" to prescribe pumps. I'm seeing her on Friday for another pro time check, so I'll ask once again...who knows, maybe she'll change her mind. She wants me on a pump, so I don't understand the whole "not allowed" thing...

Anyway, I'm still ticked. I still have crappy control because of my lengthy illness. And my house is a mess... <whine>

[middnite03]

ok, any chance of seeing a real doctor? it sounds like a case of the "keystone dr's" there. cozmore can't just point you in the direction of a endo who will help you? when I wanted on a pump, my endo would not because he did not like pumps..... after 1 call to minimed, they gave me the name of an endo, when I called for an appt, I was told new patients had to wait up tp 2 months for an appt, I called minimed back, after 10 mins on hold, I had an appt 3 days later, and the day I got there she was signing my letter to get the pump, had it 1 week later....

try pushing cozmore a little harder, or maybe give minimed a call they seem to get things done fast...

[Gordonm]

I never understood the not allowed or you are going to use this type of pump. Just who is hooked up to this, you or them. I basically told my Dr. I was going on the pump and which one I wanted. He agreed and did all the paperwork. Never questioned anything. I had the reps get in touch with him and the ydid most of the work for me. Mine was very easy to get.

Sorry to hear of all your problems. It will be worth it in the end.

[Keezheekoni]

Well, hopefully within this week sometime I'll be either seeing the new endo or I'm going to force my PCP to order it for me...whether she's "allowed" to or not. LOL I'm tired of waiting, darn it! LOL

[kgm0612]

This really upsets me! Why is it doctors think they know what's best for us? What gives them the right to say you can or cannot go on a pump, and which one you HAVE to go on?

Good luck, Rikki. I hope you're able to get the pump YOU want real soon! Keep us posted.

Karen

[JediSkipdogg]

Originally Posted by kgm0612

This really upsets me! Why is it doctors think they know what's best for us?

Because they went to college for about 6 years for a degree?

Originally Posted by kgm0612

What gives them the right to say you can or cannot go on a pump, and which one you HAVE to go on?

That would be cost and insurance company pressure. I ripped off my last insurance company with a new pump. I was with them for only 12 months exactly and ordered a pump and a years worth of supplies and strips with them. I believe at that location they paid $500 a month for a single person. That means that insurance made $6000 off of me, just enough to cover the pump and NOTHING else. So, I was a lose lose situation for them.

Also, a pump IS NOT for everyone and believe it or not, people do go on pumps and then quit after 2 months. Therefore, again, making an unneeded insurance expense. So, doctor's are the control methods in that instance. Think of it as a checks and balance system.

As for why doctor's say which ones to choose, it's because of which ones they know. I doubt many doctors would prescibe the Nipro (something like that) for many people. Why? Because I doubt many on here have even heard of it, therefore, doctor's can't help you wiht pump problems if they don't know the pump. There may also be a function on one and not another that is very helpful and they like telling people ot use.

Not disputing with you, just explaining why it's the way it is.