Sarah Howard
Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Manager of Marketing at T1D Exchange.
Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.
I Never buy anything “sugar free!”
Translation: “loaded with chemicals!”
Yes
NO—not sure how this showed up!
See comment below!
Once in a while – pancake syrup is great. Most others are too sweet for me. I’d rather use a little regular ketchup.
Funny you should ask. I have had T1D for 7 years and my order for a Tandem pump is in final review with insurance providers. It should be shipping next week. So the next time you ask this question my answer will be Yes not No.
Switched from Tandem x2 with control IQ to OmniPod 5 in June.
Much as I complain, I can’t imagine not having a pump. Wish my four-shots-a-day labradoodle could have one, too!
Yes, since 1998. Used Medtronic pumps until approx 2016. Now using Tandem X2, plus Dexcom G2 Control IQ CGM.
Same here I used the Medtronic for several years. Now using the Tandem and I absolutely hate it!!
Yes. My son started pumping at age 20 mos, two months post dx. He’s ten now.
Omnipod with Loop. Insurance won’t cover the intro kit for Omnipod 5 or I would switch to it.
Far too expensive at the moment, not possible even if I wanted…..
I did for 25 years…my Insurance changed and I no longer could afford it. I kinda like not having to worry about the pump.
tslim
I am working on getting an Omnipod 5, but insurance is being difficult…Medicare…
Had an omnipod Medicare says part D. Copay with donut hole cost prohibitive. Happy on MDI. Had an Medtronic’s pump but hated it.
I’m currently on a “pump vacation” after nearly 25 years of using one. I just extended my vacation b/c my a1c has not changed under MDI & I’m enjoying not being tethered.
I did not know about pumps until the late 1990s. That was more than 50 years after my diagnosis in 1945. I thought I had good control in the 1990s, and my doctor (a GP) agreed. I did notr start pumping until 2007. Then I discobvered what good control really was! I have a picture of a lady using an old pump in 1978.
I knew a lady who used a “pump” in 1983. At the time, she was one of my best friend’s aunts. My friend moved away and we drifted apart- no interweb back then.
Have used a pump since 1998, insulin since 1955. Since I had been giving numerous correction boluses the last couple days to stay in range, before deciding I had to raise my basal rates for my current hopefully-temporary increased insulin need situation (simple activation on already programmed menu of basal rate profiles), I have been really appreciating avoiding extra injections. CIQ will help when the need for lowering comes, and I will able to do it with just the quick acting without having to deal with long-acting insulin.
Tandem x2 with Control IQ and Dexcom G6. They help me stay 80% time in range and an A1c of 5.9. Better than I could do manually.
Bob — Ditto for me for all things you said except the A1c. Mine is 6.4 and trying to achieve 7.0 because of instability issues (imbalance and falling over). ツ
No. Although I hear good things about pumps, it just doesn’t seem worth the nuisance (expense would be covered by insurance so it’s not a factor), AND being in California I always travel with extra insulin supplies in case of earthquake. If I’ve got to have the insulin kit with me at all times (and available for MDI), it is just easier not to also have to bother with a pump. Moreover, with a CGM (which is wonderful), I’d have to have two devices stuck to me all the time if I had a pump. So long as I can keep my A1c where it is supposed to be for someone my age (and the CGM certainly helps), the expense and nuisance of a pump just doesn’t seem worth it. If they ever manage to come out with a truly fast-acting insulin for pumps, I might reconsider, but even the fastest now is so far from the behavior of pancreas-produced-and-delivered insulin that a pump seems a very far cry from being non-diabetic. And of course they can clog.
My feelings exactly!!! 70 years on syrings, and doing fine!!
In January changed to MDI via InPen. Also have IPort so one injection site changed every 3 days. Working well for me. Just came back from two weeks in Italy. No problems. Use Frio paks for travel. So happy not to be tethered to a pump.
Thank you for commenting! Your set up sounds very interesting to me. I will have to research the IPort! 🙂
33 years for me one of the first Medtronic users very futuristic then. This changed my life from upwards of 9 injections a day to a more normal existence.
My daughter wears omnipod. I am a CDCES and familiar with several insulin pumps.
I started using a pump before they were available in USA, I believe it was made in Britain also used, filled a special glass syringe, fitted with screw drive plunger and you turned a dial on exterior of pump 1/2 turn for .5 units a full turn for 1 unit. next was Auto Syrenge, I believe the next was made by Lilly, not much bigger than my current Tandem X2. the first pumps, you had to dilute insulin with saline to the strength you needed. I may have missed one, not sure right now.
The Tandem is so far advanced from those pumps of old and getting even more so.
Pumps have certainly come a long way from those old days as have the different insulins available
Already answered at top
I was diagnosed in 1992, started with a Minimed 506 pump and Velosulin in 1993. It was quite a battle getting insurance to cover it. The insurance agent told me if I couldn’t give myself injections because both my hands were amputated, they would send a nurse to my house every day to give me my injections because that would be cheaper. Before I got my pump, I was a slave to NPH, which had me crashing during my commute almost every day. I’m sure today’s insulins make injections much easier, but I still love being able to modulate basal rates with my Tandem t:slim.
BG crashing, not car, that is 🙂
Neither my wife and I, T1d for over 45 yrs each, never the desire to use a pump.
Diagnosed April 1985. Started my first pump in May 2005 and it changed my life and probably saved my life. I had a number of severe lows prior to getting the pump. Living alone, the ones that happened as I slept were terrifying. After getting that first pump, even though CGMs weren’t around yet, I finally felt secure going to bed each night. When Medtronic introduced their CGM that used the pump as the receiver I got it and that was even better. I have not been off a pump for over 17 years now, not ever for a day.
Dx’d in 1976 and resisted using a pump until 2011….so sorry I waited so long! It’s been a game-changer and I NEVER want to return to MDI! Started with Medtronic and switched to Tandem T:slim X2 with Control IQ in October 2020. Last A1c was the lowest EVER at 5.8. Life is GOOD!
Been pumping since 2001. I’m on my 5th Minimed pump and cant wait for the 780G
Yes, many years ago , when they first came out.
Once in a while, depending on where /what I’ll be using it.
Been using pumps since they first came out, they have gotten better and better over the years. I am now using a Tandem X2, soon to change from Basal IQ to Control IQ
not currently but i have ordered one and it is on the way
oops, i said “other”, but I was answering the wrong question. Yes, I use the medtronic 630
Yes. 16 yrs with Medtronic. Medicare only covered Dexcom for me. Just switched to omnipod 5 with Dexcom.
No. 50 years on MDI. I do use a Libre for CGM.