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Does your T1D healthcare provider suggest new medications or devices that they think would be beneficial to your T1D management during your appointments?
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I may already be on the best medications and devices available to me.
I wouldn’t say that my T1D healthcare provider OFTEN suggests medications or devices that they think would be beneficial to my diabetes management, but they do SOMETIMES suggest options available to me. (I was privileged to be the first person, in the area that I live, to be offered CSII (Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion, or pump technology) to help control my diabetes. This was after my endocrinologist attended a diabetes conference in the United States where a former Miss America, Nicole Johnson, was demonstrating a Medtronic/MiniMed insulin pump. He asked her for more information on how these pumps work, mentioning that I had extreme difficulty in controlling my diabetes, with me spending as much time in hospital as I was at home when I was taking multiple daily injections (MDI). On his return to the UK, he offered me the opportunity to ‘trial’ the pump, which I accepted. This was in 1989.)
I think my healthcare providers learn about new medications and devices at about the same time that I do. This wasn’t the case when I was first diagnosed, pre-internet. Back then, I always looked forward to seeing my CDE because I knew I’d come away with something to make my life easier/better.
I had to answer “other” because I just got a new endo after my other one retired so I’ve only met with him once. Too early to discuss new technology or medications.
Generally, no, my healthcare provider does not suggest new medications or devices. However, it is not often that new meds/devices become available. Most things are dependent upon my quarterly blood tests. Recently, my Endo put me on statin drugs when my bloodwork showed high cholesterol over a six month period. Otherwise, I am usually the one who asks about new devices about which I have heard or read.
I’m almost always more informed of the reported advancements in T1 treatments than my doc. So I usually bounce ideas off the doc for his input.
I am on the Dexcom, I’m not on a pump though. I am LADA so I have very high insulin resistance, so I use a lot of insulin & there’s just not a pump that would be efficient for my amount of insulin. I’ve tried to get Afrezza, but every Endoc I bring it up to won’t prescribe it. Even though I bring them evidence that it doesn’t cause lung cancer when you’re not a smoker. So frustrating that we can’t agree on that course of treatment.
Sorry to hear of your difficulties getting affrenza, it’s a handy addition to treatment. Keep trying!
Yes, but I wouldn’t say often. They’ve made suggestions as I struggled to control my numbers: pumps, CGM, thyroid medication, Reclast for my bones. Medicare approves a new pump every 5 years, not very often. I’ve been stable for years and both doctor and I are satisfied, but I’m sure they’d make other recommendations if they saw the need.
I am my own advocate. I read about new devices and always investigate side effects of any new medication before starting. I usually bring up but then have good discussion with Endo before making decisions.
not anymore, and I am happy about it! Most of the time they were recommending things that had been recently pitched to them by a pharmaceutical salesperson or a durable medical supplier. The doctors would give patients the “free samples” and it was often not the best fit, then after the “free” supply ran out, the prices were exorbitant. Maybe it still happens, but I haven’t seen it for a while.
My provider indeed recommends new devices and treatments, but “often” is not correct. Only as they are available.
I have a new endo and have only seen her once for a long, introductory visit. So, not yet!
We usually initiate conversation about devices that we want to switch to or try.
Occasionally my Dr brings something new up, sometimes I do. Not often as I think I have the best devices/ treatment available. Had a endo once that was very slow to accept new treatments and I left him once I realized that.
The word “often” is pretty optimistic in what’s happening in the world of innovation and T1D. 🙂 But if there’s something new, one or the other of us will bring it up, as far as I know!!
I done think there is anything I am not using already.
My endo reviews everything at every visit and makes sure if I have any questions we discuss all. He is great.!
Yes. But then I self-selected when choosing an endocrinology clinic that pursues cutting-edge advances 40 years ago.
Cutting-edge is a phrase that is also often called bleeding-edge because it is often experimental, hit or miss on results, and very expensive. I am convinced the “bleeding” refers to $$$.
With my endo, I usually have to ask. With the Diabetes Educator, she’ll make the suggestion first. They’re both very aware that I’m dependent on insurance covering the majority of the cost.
When I first started with my current Endo we would discuss the released and upcoming products and I would tell her about the ‘off-market’ applications and devices, we both learned from each other. But she was so good with helping me transition to the Dexcom and then the Tandem after Animas was pulled from the Market. She followed my Dex and even finer tuned my Basals and early this year I got an “unbeleivable” 5.4 A1c and we are both extremely happy!
Sometimes … but it is usually only if I ask about a new device or medication, or there is an issue for something that isn’t covered in my health insurance formulary.
Haven’t seen an end in years. Diabetes education does it all for me. Kaiser. I see her twice a year, otherwise email or phone. No big problems so far…..
seen plenty of ends, but only one endo. Love spell checker!
I chose other. My endo brings up new options depending on how they are viewed by her or the medical community.
Control IQ was brought up as soon as it was available, before I was aware of it.
I sometimes bring up new products, but they it is suggested to wait and see how they do.
I see this doctor because he’s comfortable with my care: I’m the only TYPE 1 he sees (refers to a local hospital and follows up general care). He follows all my requests, but plan to enter the VA system will see what happens.
I am informed about new tech as it is available or may be warranted to improve my care, but I don’t hear conversations about new medications. The only one I can remember is a change in the type of glucogon from the shot to the nasal spray, but nothing on the newer GLP-1 discussions or inhaled or such.
I do not have a T1D designated healthcare provider. I am self-managed for 35 yrs, and I learn new things about T1 from online sources, such as the T1D Exchange and blogs by health-oriented T1s.
I work with my healthcare provider with new technologies and medications that are available. I do research prior to my appointment and am prepared with questions
Personal beef: I answered ‘often’ but ‘occasionally’ would have been a far more accurate response. Why only a 3 point scale when you could have used a 5 point one easily?
Normally I get all the new information at my Group/Zoom meetings.
I put other since it’s not “often”. My original endo pushed for me to start a pump when they were still infrequently used due to my frequent lows. Thank you sir!. Sometimes my CDE gives me a heads up on new pump technology coming that night benefit me.
My endo keeps bugging me to eat more carbs or to lower my insulin doses to get higher than normal bg levels. She’d be happier if I were up to 148 mg/dL.
Yup, and I laugh them out of the room almost instantly.
My provider will discuss new devices with me, but we have not discussed new or different medications.