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    • 14 hours, 49 minutes ago
      Jeanne McMillan-Olson likes your comment at
      If you have been hospitalized for a reason unrelated to T1D and you were alert during your hospital stay, were you allowed to manage your own insulin dosage? (If you have been hospitalized for reasons unrelated to T1D multiple times, please select the option that describes your most recent hospital stay.)
      The hospital made me disengage my pump and promised to monitor my BG. After 10 hours with an incorrect basal my BG was high and going up. No nurse or doctor was available to administer insulin. I finally reinstalled my pump and forced the hospital to acknowledge that they could not monitor my BG. After appealing to the hospital Board, after my stay, they started using CGM's in all the wards for diabetic patients.
    • 14 hours, 50 minutes ago
      Jeanne McMillan-Olson likes your comment at
      If you have been hospitalized for a reason unrelated to T1D and you were alert during your hospital stay, were you allowed to manage your own insulin dosage? (If you have been hospitalized for reasons unrelated to T1D multiple times, please select the option that describes your most recent hospital stay.)
      During my hospitalizations for cardiac issues, my endocrinologist (who does not do hospitals) told the attending endo that I was capable of managing the diabetes. I was allowed to mange pump and CGM without any problems. For one stay, I had a pump-using T1D nurse. This was the premier cardiac hospital in the western part of my state, so their handing of diabetes may be more advanced. There are two rules for handing the type 1 diabetic in a hospital setting. 1) Never separate the Type 1 diabetic from his or her insulin. 2) Let the expert in the room handle the diabetes. And bring your own supplies, because the hospital will not have pump supplies, CGM replacements, or your insulin.
    • 15 hours, 41 minutes ago
      Jan Masty likes your comment at
      Have you (or your loved one with T1D) been diagnosed with retinopathy?
      No retinopathy... But AMD both eyes last 2 years...No treatment available... Unable to wright... bareley able to read only large type... use the talking guy hideing in my computer to read for me... Almost 91 years OLD.... 70 years T1D...
    • 16 hours, 8 minutes ago
      mojoseje likes your comment at
      During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
      I didn't have a stopwatch out, but it was about 12 to 15 minutes. There was a lot to go over (new devices, etc.). I probably got everything I needed, but, for some reason, I always feel rushed at this office.
    • 16 hours, 21 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
      It was so long ago, I don't remember...
    • 17 hours, 13 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
      It was over 20 minutes but since my Endo has me so well Regulated (A1c 5.4 - 5.6) even Medicare is allowing a Visit every 4 Months. Dex 6 and Tandem CIQ is my Cure!
    • 17 hours, 20 minutes ago
      Judy Hampton likes your comment at
      During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
      My A1C is normally in the 5 to 6 range also, but I am lucky to have an Endo who answers any questions I may have and discourse on new technologies. He also checks my feet and eyes. He spends up to 40 minutes with me. I have been T1D for 59 years and have been through a pregnancy (hellish) also. I still have many questions about this disease and it’s effects on the rest of my body as I am very active.
    • 17 hours, 42 minutes ago
      Patricia Dalrymple likes your comment at
      During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
      I believe if you have good control and your A1C's prove it, maybe 10 to 20 minutes is enough. My A1C's are in the high 5's / low 6's so my session is usually complete within minutes tops, but there are probably other patients that should require a little more time from their endo to get them on a 'well managed' A1C path.
    • 17 hours, 44 minutes ago
      cynthia jaworski likes your comment at
      During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
      I believe if you have good control and your A1C's prove it, maybe 10 to 20 minutes is enough. My A1C's are in the high 5's / low 6's so my session is usually complete within minutes tops, but there are probably other patients that should require a little more time from their endo to get them on a 'well managed' A1C path.
    • 17 hours, 51 minutes ago
      Anneyun likes your comment at
      If you are an adult with T1D, how much has type 1 diabetes affected your thought-process and decision to have/not have children?
      I was diagnosed at age 12 and I don’t remember anyone talking to me about having or not having children. I married at 23, had an unplanned pregnancy that began when I was 24. I was not seeing an endocrinologist at the time (in 1979), but my OB doctor sent me to one. Both of the doctors made comments to me about maybe ending the pregnancy, but my answer was a definite NO!!! It was a hard pregnancy without the better insulin and technology that is available today. I went into labor approximately 6 weeks before my estimated due date. Since a Caesarian had been planned, no one had explained anything to me about going through labor, so that took longer and was harder on me than it should have been. Anyway I delivered a 7 pound, 11 ounce boy. He had jaundice and a slight heart murmur at first , but that cleared up after a short stay in the hospital. My son is 42 now and bloodwork has indicated he will not become a T1D. Same with his 2 children. That was my only pregnancy. I am now 67.
    • 19 hours, 16 minutes ago
      Joan Fray likes your comment at
      During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
      It was so long ago, I don't remember...
    • 1 day, 10 hours ago
      TS likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      InsulinPumpers.com does a great job of distributing supplies to those in need.
    • 1 day, 14 hours ago
      jo likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I have decided to give them to my endo's office. They have a nice supply closet of donations, that they give to people in trouble. Since i have had to dip in that closet once, I now know how important that can be.
    • 1 day, 14 hours ago
      jo likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      InsulinPumpers.com does a great job of distributing supplies to those in need.
    • 1 day, 15 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I tried to donate them to my healthcare system but was told they were not allowed to take them. I tried a couple of other places- same story so I now will have to put them in the garbage
    • 1 day, 15 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I'm still looking for someone to give them to.
    • 1 day, 15 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I would love to learn of places to give/donate supplies!
    • 1 day, 15 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      My other was gave them to the Endocrinologist office to give to people who needed them
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Trina Blake likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I have decided to give them to my endo's office. They have a nice supply closet of donations, that they give to people in trouble. Since i have had to dip in that closet once, I now know how important that can be.
    • 1 day, 17 hours ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I have decided to give them to my endo's office. They have a nice supply closet of donations, that they give to people in trouble. Since i have had to dip in that closet once, I now know how important that can be.
    • 1 day, 17 hours ago
      Richard Wiener likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I would love to learn of places to give/donate supplies!
    • 1 day, 18 hours ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I gave insulin to a friend for her cat who used the same as I did.( she also checked with her vet).
    • 1 day, 18 hours ago
      pru barry likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I gave insulin to a friend for her cat who used the same as I did.( she also checked with her vet).
    • 1 day, 18 hours ago
      pru barry likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I have given most to my doctor to give to someone in need. Some I gave to my chiropractor for his son.
    • 1 day, 18 hours ago
      Sue Martin likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      My unused diabetes supplies like meters, that I was given but don’t use, just sit in a drawer. I wish there was someplace to send them. Any ideas, folks?
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    Do you dispose of used needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharps in a dedicated sharps container? For this question, “sharps container” includes heavy-duty plastic containers such as an empty laundry detergent bottle or plastic coffee container.

    Home > LC Polls > Do you dispose of used needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharps in a dedicated sharps container? For this question, "sharps container” includes heavy-duty plastic containers such as an empty laundry detergent bottle or plastic coffee container.
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    How useful is the time in range measurement to you as a tool for assessing your T1D management and making changes to your routine?

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    In what year were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?

    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 Marketing Manager 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.

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    26 Comments

    1. Ahh Life

      I struggle with this question.

      Often is my answer. The ones that are used.

      The unused are usually disposed of in normal trash. The thinking being is they pose no risk of Aids or disease to sanitation workers. Is this line of thing correct or warranted?

      3
      1 week ago Log in to Reply
      1. Andrew Aronoff

        Per the reply by jo above, the person that gets stuck doesn’t know the material is clean. Any sharp, used or not, is best disposed of per your local policy. In France, where I live, sharps containers are distributed by the pharmacy and, once full, any pharmacy is obligated to accept them. If the sharp is unused and not expired, the pharmacy can submit it to a professional channel for recycling.

        2
        1 week ago Log in to Reply
    2. Lawrence S.

      I always dispose of all of my sharps in a dedicated sharps container. It is safe for others. Over the years, I have seen and heard stories about people who have stepped on, or found sharps at beaches, around land fills, and just on the streets.

      2
      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    3. Yaffa Steubinger

      I use a large, empty, plastic coffee container and when full, I duct tape the lid to it and toss in garbage.

      1
      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    4. Lori Lehnen

      Our town provides free sharps containers as well as a bin at the town hall to dispose of the sharps containers.

      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    5. jo

      I put all of my diabetes supplies in a heavy duty laundry detergent container and bring it to the medical collection drop off where I live. I had an Uncle who was a sanitation worker and he got stuck many times by syringes. It doesn’t matter to the person getting stuck that the pen needle or the syringe was never used or that you don’t have any diseases, because they don’t know that. When ever he got stuck he had to go through a protocol of different shots and tests. So I am always very careful.

      8
      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    6. Marty

      Putting sharps in the regular trash is not allowed in my area. I use a large dedicated sharps container under my bathroom sink with pre-paid return shipping. I’ve been working on filling it up for ~12 years. I understand that some local pharmacies and hospitals accept sharps but I’ve never investigated further. I seal nonmedical sharps, like broken glass or razor blades, in a tough plastic container before adding to my regular trash. I don’t want to hurt anyone.

      2
      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    7. George Lovelace

      I’ll be glad when Dexcom releases the G7, I’ve been using a 5 Gal. Sharps container and filled 2 of them with G6 Injectors

      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    8. Judith Marged

      I used to use a container and take it to my doctor’s office or pharmacy. The doctor retired and the new doctor won’t accept the containers. The pharmacy is also no longer accepting containers. But, I also no longer have a need for the containers.

      I use Afrezza as my quick acting insulin, so there are no needles to dispose of. For my basal injections, I use the BD Autoshield Duo. After use, the needles are self-contained in the device itself, so they can be safely disposed of.

      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    9. Joan Benedetto

      Yes, as you described, then taped shut, marked “Sharps”. This is on directing of our county’s waste management company.

      2
      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    10. S Hernandez

      Amazon sells these cute travel sharps containers that I have in my daily diabetes supplies. I have used a heavy duty laundry container in the past.

      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    11. Cristina Jorge Schwarz

      I collect in any thick plastic container. Then I follow my state’s law to wrap in tape to secure the lid, mark with SHARPS. it can then go in the regular trash.

      3
      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    12. Chrisanda

      Everything except lancet needles. For those I reattach the safety cap and throw in trash.

      1
      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    13. William Bennett

      Used a 2-liter club soda bottle back when I was on MDI. With a pump, I use that snazzy tubular container my single malt scotch* comes in. It’s not perfect, but lid stays on really tight, the tube is heavy cardboard and not penetrable, and none of my D stuff would be very easy to poke yourself on accidentally–you’d have to work at it.

      *Balvenie Doublewood, 12 year-old.

      3
      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    14. ConnieT1D62

      I use empty plastic flip-top Clorox wipes containers. I write SHARPS on the side and top with permanent maker. When full I seal with heavy duty tape and drop off at local medical waste collection site affiliated with nearby hospital.

      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    15. Amber Lathrop

      My community has a sharps container exchange program through the fire department. I drop off my full container and get a new empty one.

      1
      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    16. Jeannie Hickey

      All needles get cut with dog nail clipper & dropped into Sharps container. Syringes (no needle) get tossed into plastic trash.

      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    17. Pauline M Reynolds

      I throw lancets, G6 sensors, and autofills in the trash, put syringe needles in the autofill container and cap it, Hmmm. Maybe I should do differently?

      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    18. Joan Johnson

      I use a BD Safe-Clip. It is small, holds many clipped needles, and allows me to dispose the syringes in the regular trash since they have no needles.

      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    19. Molly Jones

      I have never put the Dexcom sensor inserter into the sharps container. I just spent some online time looking into to how to accomplish this task and will start to do so.

      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    20. Jim Andrews

      My infusion sets come in a plastic container that snaps closed. The syringe needle goes into it and goes in the trash.

      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    21. KarenM6

      I dispose of all needles (even if not used) in a “sharps container. The state I live in requires that I use a said sharps container (with all the proper labelling, etc) and it can _not_ be thrown in the trash. I either have to use a service (like Stericycle) or drive to the dump that accepts medical waste a few times a year.
      The Dexcom G6 inserters are the the hardest. I whack them open with a hammer and just put the needle device thingy in my sharps container. (This was the recommended solution I received from a fellow T1D.) The rest of the plastic stuff has to go into the trash.

      1
      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    22. Mark Schweim

      My only sharps are the infusion set inserter needles and my Dexcom sensor inserters. Both of those are designed with packaging that IS QUALIFIED AS self contained approved sharps disposal container local law says can go in trash.
      My syringes used to fill pump cartridges have needles that I remove , but I haven’t gotten rid of them in years and can’t afford expense of proper disposal so plan on taking them to work to toss into the sharps disposal container they have in the bathroom.

      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    23. Linda Pease

      I put in a box and then burn it in a burn barrel til all is gone

      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    24. RegMunro

      I return all used needles to the pharmacy for waste management

      1
      1 week ago Log in to Reply
    25. Lisa McBride

      Although our pharmacies sell the containers, they don’t take them back once filled and our town has no plan for how they are to be disposed of. So, sadly, it is pointless. PA is way behind in proper recycling and waste management measures.

      7 days ago Log in to Reply

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