I dont know if this is out of instinct or what- haha but I am really pushy when it comes to getting newer meters and newer pump technology to keep myself healthy and encouraged, but when I want something that I think will work for me, I get pushy about it. My endo wasn’t putting any of her patients on the omnipod, but i just had a feeling it would be perfect for me. So, today I met with the rep. It was perfect for me. I loved it. No tubing. perfect. I’m just curious if this is normal behavior haha or if I just take it too far? I feel like a huge part of being diabetic is feeling encouraged. And sometimes I get encouraged by getting a new BG meter, or a new pump after a few years. Anyway, I want to hear your thoughts!
I like new toys to play with, too. In 20 years, I’ve had lots of different meters, a couple of different pumps, and now a CGM. I’m lucky because my doc has always cooperated. Not all docs are so cooperative. But I agree with you, having a new toy can bring back some of the motivation when the old routine is just a drag.
hmmm, ok, my thought… only you can know what works for you. Your endo can only make recommendations based on their knowledge and understanding, but as knowledgeable and informed as she may be, at the end of the day what really counts is what works for you. We are all different, d effects each of us all differently, blah blah blah, lol, we all know that. If you aren’t aggressive about your d management, who is going to be? Do your homework, talk to as many people as you can, then make an informed decision based on everything you know, yet never forget to also listen to your heart. It’s you who will be living with your pump, not you endo, nor anyone else. And remember, have F U N rockin’ whatever you ultimately decide on.
I’m way into patient advocacy. So few people are advocates for patients, that I’m all for you being your own advocate. Also, I’m SO with you there on how getting a new meter or pump or whatever is encouraging. This disease is tedious and can get boring very easily, so anything new that switches things up a bit is nice to break up the mundane. 
Totally normal!!! With D, there are very few things to get excited about. New technology that makes our lives easier is exciting, even if it seems weird to other people. Anything that keeps you motivated is good!!!
Your endo is nuts. Every technology has ups and downs and a learning curve, it’s up to the doctor to inform the patient but for the patient to make the decision. If they can’t help you, then they need to refer you to someone who can!
Hello Michelle:
The tools are 100% irrelevent I’m afraid.
If our habits are mistaken, in error then the technology whatever it is will not matter at all. Guess wrong and the carb coverages must be corrected. Don’t callibrate and I don’t care what the CGM says it will not be good data However, if new toys is what keeps your focus, ok, sure why not to a certain degree at least.
Given the cost of the newest tools, it is NOT likely you’ll be able to flip to the newest toy every time something comes out. Insurance is not friendly that way.
Stuart
TOYS ARE FUN, DONT LISTEN TO STUART!
IF THEY KEEP YOU HAPPY, THATS ALL THAT MATTERS
Why shouldn’t you push for the newest and best technology out there? You go girl! Nobody is going to take care of you but YOU. Way to be on top of things.
I totally agree with everyone else! Go for whatever works for you, and don’t listen to anyone that tells you anything different! I too love the toys & gadgets and I agree that they help with staying on top of things and help keeping “The Beast” under control.
It’s YOUR life and YOUR health. Go give 'em hell for all of us!
I’m just jealous of your Red meter! There only seems to be sliver ones around here
Hello Michelle:
Nothing wrong with disagreement ; ) , makes all of us consider our views, examine our opinions, thoughts. Good stuff. My point was not that insurance won’t pay for truly necessary equipment. My point was they will balk (hard) if every year, every two years (or sooner) you tried to flip to the newest prettiest, latest “gizmo”, solely because it is new.
Consider if a pump is functioning, a year old, two and there’s no “medical necessity” for the brand new one… not a prayer they’ll keep springing for them, over and over and over, solely because its “new”, and you want it. A case has to be made for why some newest gizmo is necessary…
That was my point,
Stuart
For the amount of money they make off people, you should be able to get what you want WHEN YOU WANT IT! Damn Corporations.
Hello Tom:
But is “I just want it” a sufficent reason?
If any of us wanted to manually test our BG 10, 20, 30 times a day, “just because” it motivates us, or simply makes us “feel in control” or something else is that enough reason for someone to refer us to some new doctor who will proscribe XYZ because solely we “want it” ?
Stuart
Hello Michelle:
Its a perspective I don’t understand?
A new meter makes you WANT to test? Some new CGM device makes you want to use it?
How’s that work please??? I’d like to understand your perspective better, if you will permit me of course?
Stuart
I believe it is actually. Anything we can do to take control of our health is worth it, in my opinion. If you get a tool “solely because we want it” we will probably use it more, and like using it more, which again in my opinion, gives us more information to stay on top of our own condition.
my daughter is on the omnipod. 2 years ago when we went to the pump class at the hospital, there was vendors for all the pumps on the market. Our endos nurse was giving the class, but after the class, we gravitated towards the omnipod table. So simple, so easy! I wanted it even more than my daughter! I’m not diabetic! The rep from insulet was great, but i was upset when we learned our insurance did not have a contract with omnipod. I called every week, i really wanted the omnipod for my daughter. My husband tried to get me to consider, another pump, because of the cost difference. I really wanted omnipod!!!
Our rep for insulet was able to get the product to a medical supply company that has a contract with our insurance company, thank goodness! Even with pod failures and pdm problems, i must admit omnipod is awesome.
Sounds good, but not realistic. My objection to insurance companies over a single-payer system is that insurance companies are in it for the PROFIT, and if they buy everything for everybody, they will not make a profit. That’s why Type 2’s on insulin, who could REALLY use pumps, are usually denied. Not that it isn’t a medically necessary treatment, but the Type 2 population is so big (even if only counting those on insulin), it would cut into the insurance companies’ profit. In Natalie’s utopia, we would cut the profit motive out of medicine!
while i admire your moxie, i do worry about what would happen if people took this view too far. part of the reason that america has such inefficient health outcomes is because people get a lot of treatments they don’t need. as much crap as i will get for saying this, i encourage you to put yourself in the shoes of an insurance company. diabetes is already expensive to treat, and it becomes worse if people feel compelled to get treatments that are not medically necessary. you are externalizing the cost of your “encouragement” onto other patients, without the commensurate benefits in health outcomes (and reduced costs) that justify technologies like CGMs or pumps. i am not anti-CGM or anti-pump, but i am anti-waste, especially when individuals do not bear the cost of that waste themselves. or, put another way, it’s a lot harder for diabetics who need expensive, state-of-the-art technologies to justify them when others who don’t need them use insurance to subsidize them.
and to be absolutely clear: i think insurance companies often act irresponsibly, and i think it’s criminal that a lot of people lack access to basic healthcare, but i don’t think people are entitled to any treatment they want unless they have a good reason it’s medically necessary or would materially improve health outcomes.
You have T1, a very tricky disease to manage, so you can have whatever helps. Just my opinion.
I totally agree with you - anything that keeps you engaged in managing your BG. Keeping someone fully engaged in their treatment will always result in a materially better outcome. If new technology gets you there, then you should utilize it whenever possible within reason.