Hi everyone I recently found and joined this site and I appreciate the community and insight as I do not know any type 1 d’s.
I was originally diagnosed as a type 2 and at the time did not know I should be following up with an endo (who I think would have helped a lot at the time). Pills and diet did not help and after I thought I had no control, I stopped managing and went into dka. My a1c was 22.8... I know insanely high and not something I am proud of. I heard "you should be dead" a lot.
Here I am four months after being diagnosed as type 1 with mdi and I am looking for more control and data. Plus sneaking off to the bathroom to give myself a shot gets old.
My endo believes I am ready for a pump as my most recent a1c was 5.6 and I meet their other conditions. I want to get an OmniPod as it is tubeless and I currently wearing the dummy pod.
I was also asked if I want a CGM. As a computer programmer, I want as much control, data and charts as possible. With my insurance paying at 100% (maxed out this year) for pump & supplies and potentially CGM device & supplies, it seems like the right thing to do.
I know insurance companies don't approve just approve all CGM's, but it seems like it is the natural progression for type 1's, especially to protect one's self from lows. I worry about going low when exercising or eventually my awareness dropping (I can sometimes tell when I'm at 80).
I have gone pretty low before even acting before testing as I didn't know how long I would have (sweating, extremely tired, blurred vision). These episodes are very frightening.
So should I try to get a pump & cgm at the same time?
I appreciate your feedback and wisdom everyone. :-)
I read this post and was compelled to respond because I see that you were diagnosed about 4 months ago. If you brought your A1c from 22.8 to 5.6 you are doing an incredible job!! I too was misdiagnosed as type 2. There are many like us here.
If you are a computer programmer, then you will navigate through these gadgets easily. You could hook up to the pump first and then after a month hook up to the CGM. That way you get to know the pump before you add in the other. But you could have them try to get you both at the same time since it has the potential to be covered 100% by your insurance now. I was on the pump for about 5 years before the CGM became available. Some of the alarms can be annoying, especially during the calibration period. Changing some settings or turning the alarms off until you get use to how the whole thing works together. That helped me when I was adjusting to it. And you will get charts and graphs out the wazoo!! Good luck!!
I’d recommend learning one device at a time. First the pump, then the CGM.
They’re different devices with different purposes. The pump delivers medicine in prescribed increments. The CGM only provides information - and not always accurately. Even if you get the Minimed system, they don’t work together - they just talk to each other. They need human intervention to approach anything like working together.
This is not to say it’s impossible to learn how to use both at the same time. But it seems to me that it might get frustrating if you’re expecting them to sync together and make your control or treatment easier. I think it would be more efficient to learn to use the pump and then to add on the CGM as an adjunct.
It sounds like you are well informed by your endo and learning on your own. I think if you think you are ready, go for it! Expect a definite learning curve for both the pump and the CGMS. But also remember, especially with the CGMS, if you find it is too much at one time, you don’t have to wear the sensor till you are ready. Good luck!!
Too fast? No. It sounds good. I have been on shots since I got diagnosed 8 years ago. I never liked the idea of a pump. Until recently. I want more control. I let my emotions get in the way all these years and I will finally be pumping really soon, then CGM. Too fast seems better than too slow like me. Good luck!
More and more insurance companies are recognizing the important of CMG technology and pumps. My insurance approved both without need for a Letter of Medical Necessity. My plan covers 90% after the $200 deductible is met. The insurance companies are coming around to the fact that better control now means spending less on treatments later. Now that I have a CGM, I don’t know how I lived without out it before.
Your progress has been spectacular. Well done! Impressive.
Congrats on getting down to 5.6! I think you will find the pump a lot more convenient, especially in the social situations that you describe. That transition is pretty smooth, so jump right on that.
CGM is amazing, but it is also frustrating until you optimize your alerts, find the best insertions sites/angles, and come to terms with its limitations. That doesn’t mean you can’t try to get it approved now, and set it aside temporarily if you become overwhelmed. But that will also depend on your insurance, coverage varies a lot. Mine will only approve it for people with hypo unawareness or ADA standards of glycemic control, but the requirements for some companies are becoming less stringent. It’s definitely worth looking in to. You’ll get all the data you can handle, that’s for sure!
A cgm is not panacea, nor is the pump. However, I was diabetic for 17 years before I got mine and my mistake was waiting. I suggest both to all diabetics i meet.
