I think the world will look different in January with the likely introduction of the Lilly pump and the likely introduction of the Big Foot pump. More competition is by far better.
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Forgot about that… Will integrate with dexcom.
Details for those interested, from 2018 article.
https://diatribe.org/sneak-peek-lillys-automated-insulin-delivery-system
So by that I take it you mean the slow-onset type a lot of adults get, where they sometimes go for months or years without insulin, frequently because they’ve been misdiagnosed as type 2. Understood, makes sense.
But it’s not the case that LADA is one thing, and distinct from something else called T1. I kinda get in a snit about this, so forgive the mini-rant, because slow-onset is not the only pattern exhibited by people who get it as adults. I don’t know if there are any formal studies or statistics, but just anecdotally around here it seems like a significant number of us had a rapid, acute onset as adults. In my case it seems to have been kicked off by a nasty flu virus I had one fall when I was 27, got over it in mid-October, but shortly thereafter started getting weird symptoms of something else and by late-November I was really sick with what turned out to be as they said back then, “juvenile” diabetes, even though I’d just turned 28. My doctor explained that they were trying to change to this new “type one/type two” terminology to clarify that you could get it at any age; the “juvenile” thing was a misnomer. But it hadn’t been ratified yet, so it says “juvenile type” on my record.
But the whole thing about the “T1/T2” terminology is that it doesn’t seem to have worked, which is what my rant is about. The whole POINT was to eliminate the age distinction around “type one,” and instead it ends up getting used as a synonym for “juvenile.” The crazy thing is that even medical professionals—PCPs as well as RNs—do it. So people with the slow-onset (as well as some with the rapid-acute version) get misdiagnosed as T2 and put on pills-diet-n-exercise because “You can’t have type one, you’re too old.”
Not to rant at you @EGreen76, just one of those perennially sore topics. I’m really glad to hear you’re on the right treatment now!
@DrBB I didn’t take it as a rant at me. I totally understand where you’re coming from. I HATE that it’s an assumption that if you’re Dx’d at 27 that you’re Type 2 because you’re “an adult” and it’s called adult onset. I was told I was “pre-diabetic” when I was being tested for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and once diagnosed was put on Metformin (that’s how they “treat” PCOS along with birth control). It MIGHT have been a year later that I was told I had full blown diabetes. They changed me off the Metformin and put me on something else…I can’t think of the name of it but it was in pill form. It still wasn’t lowering my A1C enough so they put me on Lantus with it. Eventually they took me off the pill and put me on Novolog but the percentages in dosing were way off. I was taking A LOT of Lantus…and not much of Novolog. Now that I’m back on a pump I’m glad to be off the Lantus. I swear that medication makes me gain weight. Maybe it’s only in my head, but I’ve put on 8 pounds since going back on it.
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@BradP - I’m interested in learning more about the OmniPod. The rep for my area called me this evening. Too bad I had talked my PCP into writing out an order to Medtronic to get me started back on my pump before I heard back from her - or I’d have been begging them to prescribe OmniPod knowing what I know now about my pharmacy benefits!!! I forwarded the information that the Rep sent me to my PCP’s email address, and then I sent her a message over the portal to tell her to check her email. I’m anxious to see what she says on if she’ll swap me. Man, I’m becoming a regular pain in the butt to them! Between my unexplained dizziness and chest pressure and my trying to get my diabetes under control…they are hearing a LOT more from me than normal. I’m usually a very quiet patient until there’s something going on. And right now it’s too much all at once. I go see a cardiologist tomorrow about my chest pressure and dizziness.
My first endo was a dictator and only prescribed Medtronic pumps and Dexcom CGMs. He also insisted on programming them his way and didn’t teach anything about them other than the standard education provided by the vendors.
After listening to the JuiceBox Podcast, I found a new endo that worked with me as a team and I asked to try the omnipod which he was fine with. I got a free PDM and box of 10 pods free for being a Medtronic customer as part of switch program. Not sure if that still exists or not. I fell in love with Omnipods and would never go back to tubed.
Some insurance companys allow the Omnipod under your prescription side, often with 0 copay, so might want to check into that. Unfortunately mine does not, so I have a $2,500 deductible and 20% copay under DME. Insulet who makes the omnipod approved me for a slight discount due to my low income, so that helped some.
I wish you good luck with whatever you decide.
@BradP - My first dealings with an Endo put a damper on me using an Endo for anything. I was immediately placed on a Medtronic Pump - was never asked. The Medtronic guy that did my “training” programmed all my numbers. I had no idea how to go into settings or anything.
As I’ve previously mentioned in this post I came off ALL diabetic meds (insulin, pump, Lantus, etc) for about a year due to costs. I was new…this time I’m even newer and dangerous because I’m taking the time to research all I can. I did not take it serious before. I had a CGM that talked to my pump. I bolused when my BG was high and that’s it. There was no brain work. Therefore, I let it do it’s thing and didn’t question it. I think I went from a 10 to a 7.5 A1C, which my PCP thought was good…but could be better. This last time - back in March when I decided it was time to get this under control my A1C was 11. I was showing signs of DKA and probably should have gone to the hospital (but this is about the time COVID became a thing and I didn’t want to be caught dead in there. I was dealing with a small town Dr who didn’t even want to attempt to treat me and was just going to refer me to an Endo and be done with it. I raised hell about that and they put me on Metformin (all that does is upset my stomach. It doesn’t touch my numbers - like eating too much candy). I bitched again, they gave me Lantus. I can’t remember what weak dose they put me on, but it obviously wasn’t enough. So they got another strongly worded message that they needed to put me on fast acting insulin and I needed test strips for my meter - otherwise put me on Freestyle Libre. I REALLY think they hated me by this point (because they still love my husband…he was recently diagnosed Type 2 - they gave him Metformin and put him on a Freestyle Libre at his request). They called in strips and Novolog U100 to be taken on a sliding scale.
I went back to my PCP in Gallatin who had my records previously of what ratio of insulin I was on and we could at least get me started there. I was put on 10units of Novolog before each meal/snack, 15u of Lantus in the mornings and 50u of Lantus at night. I FINALLY started seeing some better movement of my numbers. We weren’t perfect with them, but I was back under 200 a lot. Then my company decided it was time to physically go back into the office to work instead of working from home. (just great…) so I talked to my Dr. about putting me back on my pump. I had the supplies (full 3 months) but I had already talked them into precribing me the G6 with an InPen at that moment in time. They understood my position about not wanting to dose at work or be checking my blood sugar every 2 hours to do a correction dose. So we urgently got me back on the pump (within 2 business days) between the Dr. faxing to the Rep, the rep contacting me to set up training and me going on the pump.
My health issues started for me on May 8th before I went back on the pump. I walked about 10 feet and started staggering like I was drunk into the kitchen. I was on lunch from work. I couldn’t regain control and I fell backwards landing on my elbow and my back so hard that it knocked my glasses off my head. I refused to go to the ER (still Pandemic going on - not chancing it). I went to my PCP on the 11th. She fussed at me and said she was calling the ER to let them know I was coming…so all that trying to avoid it…and it’s where I ended up anyway. They checked everything. Everything came back fine and said it was Peripheral Vertigo and to use a walker for stability, take Mexclizine and follow up with my Dr. if no better. It took me until the next days to get the medicine filled from the ER. I found it was making me sleepy and the dizsziness wasn’t going away and I was having some pressure in my heart. PCP decided she didn’t think it was Peripheral Vertigo. Cant remember what she called it, still had Vertigo on the end. She referred me to Physical Therapy and a Cardiologist. Went to physical therapy the same day - PT said I may have a condition that is rare that is called Vertebral Artery Occulsion. Saw heart dr end of last week. He doesn’t feel like it’s anything related to my heart, but he put me on a monitor to wear until Tuesday of this week (man that thing itched!!! It even left marks on me) and I have to have an Endocardiogram on this coming Monday. I follow back up with him on the 9th and am supposeed to return on the 10th.
After about 2 weeks with the pump back on, I received a call from the Omnipod rep from my district. I had been looking at one before I decided just to go back on Medtronic. I couldn’t EVER get ANY information regarding their pumps or if I’d even be eligible so needless to say I was rather irritated when she called with such an awesome deal because it meant having to talk to my Dr. to change me around again. I got approved for it day before yesterday. Talked to them on the phone and confirmed shipping address for PDM. PDM should be here Monday. Pods should be here tomorrow. I’ve been reading and researching for a while now. I’m looking forward to not being tethered to the pump any longer. I’ll really enjoy it more when they create the Pod that seemlessly works with the G6 since I don’t understand programming language and I don’t think I can LOOP with the DASH anyway.l
I am using a 630g within dexcom g6. My bloodsugars are pretty good but, that’s with me doing all the work. I take carbs when I am low, I correct when I’m high. I wanted the tslim, but it doesn’t look like I will get it soon as I have to wait until my 630 breaks down before I can get it from the government. They will buy a pump for you if it is 5 years old and broken. I was looking into an upgrade. It totally makes sense to have a pump that can be updated just like a smartphone. Hopefully Tandem has an upgrade program. I am going to call them on Monday.
My endo was always good explaining why my pump needed to be replaced. Last time a sticky button that lead to lows.
I do the same with medtronic 722 pump diyloop on android. Tidepool is just far behind.
So back when the old minilink transmitters were out before guardian. They look exactly the same however.
I went ahead and soldered the contacts of a dexcom 4 Sensor so I could plug my minilink transmitter into the dexcom sensor.
I did this with parts from a dex sensor and an enlite sensor some hot glue and solder.
It actually worked well but was a little cumbersome. And not waterproof. Unless I used over tape.
The dexcom sensor creates a tiny charge that was put through the transmitter and calibrated on my Medtronic 522.
It worked very well and much more consistent than the enlite. However I had to calibrate it twice a day because of the requirements of the pump.
I bet this is still possible to manage with the g6. Because the medtronic still uses the isig voltage to calibrate the sensors. However I don’t have a medtronic transmitter to try it. I’ll post pics of it if I can find them.
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Since the summer heat has come I am finding that automode is keeping way too low than what I am used to. I am also finding the guardian 3sensors are not being as accurate as when I first started on them. I don’t know how much more my body can take. I just wish that these stupid sensors were as accurate as dexcom’s. I find in the last 2 days they get really goofy. They are say they are a 7 day sensor but imo the data they give are only good for 5 days. I have to constantly pick my finger when it tells me I am low. I am going to have to make some changes if things don’t get better. I haven’t tested my basal rates since the winter so if I go back to dexcom my control might not be so good. I might have to give up on automode all together. Dexcom’s sensor didn’t give inaccurate readings on the last few days. Why can’t medtronic do what the others have? Ughhhh it is so frustrating! Thanks for letting me vent.
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I think I figured out what was happening. I had a gastroparesis flare up about 1 week ago. My digestion must not have been working properly. Now that I am feeling better my sugars are more consistent.
I use the 670G pump and Dexcom G6, both by choice. Guardian sensors gave spastic, inaccurate and non-actionable results. I prefer the Medtronic pump because I can change reservoirs in public when the reservoir is empty and I can see any air in the reservoir. My one caveat is none of automated systems is acceptable to me due to high targets, tepid response to high sugars and low basal insulin. 3 units/day basal (basal tested) leaves almost nothing for to correct hypos by stopping basal.
Insulin saving tip for Medtronics pumps: use the last bit of insulin in old reservoir to fill the tubing on the next reservoir.
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