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.
My husband uses Tandem Basal-IQ but not the Control IQ because he can do a better job on his own of achieving low A1C and high time in range (with tightly controlled parameters) than the Control IQ can. His endo told him that the algorithm in the Control IQ is set much higher than what he targets and his stats would be no where near as good if he ‘upgraded’ to Control IQ.
Same here – I could have written your post (but for me!). I am staying with BIQ (my decisions) for the same reasons your husband has.
I use CIQ from evening til morning in sleep mode for the great overnight results. I use 50% of my basal insulin in the morning then inject for lunch and dinner. BAsically, I use 50% pump, 50% MDI. Works great for not going low during exercise.
I was very hesitant t get to Control IQ from basal IQ after years of doing my own methods but it was a leap and glad I did it. Now would not change unless something better comes along and easy to use .
I’ve used Medtronic, and am now using Control IQ. They tech is getting better, but still does not keep me in range without my own input.
The Tandem insulin pump is the best thing that has happened in my diabetic life. Been doing this for 47 years. I finally have my A12 below 7.0
Amen!
I was using the Tandem Control IQ up until yesterday. Had to turn it off as I am pregnant, and the algorithm just doesn’t keep my BG in the tight range I need. It’s a little disappointing that the tandem product does not allow for customization (eg insulin duration of activity, target BG).
I suspend mine manually depending upon how fast my bg is dropping.
Omnipod for 14 years — but Tricare (for military families) is not currently covering Omnipod 5. Hoping that changes soon.
That is so awful. I worked for the VA for almost 30 years (I had to retire earlier than I wanted to due to Covid-19), and I was amazed that the VA did not cover insulin pumps at all until a few years before I had to retire. I kept telling my patients to fight for insulin pump coverage. Such a shame that we need to do this.
I am anxiously awaiting my health insurance company (Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP federal employee program) to start covering the Omnipod 5 system. As soon as I am covered I will get the Omnipod 5. Why does it take so damn long for the USA to cover new medical products!
Medtronic’s suspend was definitively beneficial over 100% manual mode, but when I moved to the 670G with AutoMode it was a nightmare.
I have since moved to DIY with Omnipod & Dexcom and it’s been amazing and life-changing. I’m currently using Loop-Dev (Loop 3.0) on iOS and it’s my favorite system so far.
Currently on Omnipod 5 for 33 days. It is working quite well so far. It is improving my dawn phenomenon but very slowly. I was previously on Loop. I wish the Omnipod 5 gave me more usable data. If I ever abandon it, I will have no idea what it set as my basal rates.
I have been using OmniPod 5 dice June and previous using the Tandem IQ system. Like being tube free! Would like both systems to have more Robertson st algorithms
Darn my phone – it does not like real words like robust systems
I want to use an algorithm, but the limits are set too high for me! I’d be in constant pain (muscle, joint, head especially). My Dr is hoping they allow more custom limits soon. Every T1D patient is different.
I use Tandem Control IQ, but have been out of my Dexcom sensors for a few days (waiting for my next order). What I miss most is waking up in range every morning. Last 3 of 4 mornings I was 57 or > 200.
You possibly may need an adjustment in your overnight basal? Even if I don’t have on a CGM during the night which occasionally happens because of an MRI test which I occasionally need, I still wake up with good numbers. I do agree however that the night control feature does help on some nights.
Thanks, Anita! I think my challenge overnight is I work late and often (but not always) eat right before bed. I tend to be more cautious with boluses before bed for fear of lows. The control IQ sleep mode helps to even me out if I over or under bolused for those midnight snacks.
Have been using Medtronic’s various products for years. Am currently in the process of switching to Dexcom, and then Tandem.
FWIW I did like the 770G’s Auto Mode better than the 670’s. I am just DONE with the sensor’s annoying requests for either calibration or just “enter BG.” I know the Tandem has its own batch of challenging things but want a change!
I’ve been on Control IQ for over 2 years now with my Tandem x2 and Dexcom G6. My Endo was quite impressed since he was a Medtronic fan. He said the Sleep Mode alone improved my A1C. Control IQ is not perfect but it has made my life easier. I’ve been on my Tandem x2 for 4 1/2 years now. I’m on Medicare and can get a new pump every five years. At this point, unless something majorly different comes along prior to next April, I would most likely stay with Tandem and Dexcom. I’m a T1D of 38 years and a pump user for 23 years.
I use Tandem’s Control IQ, and am grateful for all it does to keep things in range. After so many years before this improvement, I had become used to doing lots of bolusing, and now find it somewhat difficult to rely on the algorithm enough to let it work its magic. Still learning, and trying :*)!
Tandem’s Control IQ app has created a more stable glucose level then previous Animas pump, but 6.3 A1c is higher than previous years. After 67 years of lots of guessing it’s a definite improvement. I’ll continue using it until something better is available.
I use Tandem with Basal IQ
I have a Medtronic 770g & Guardian 3 sensors. The pump works fine, the sensors work fine, but I hate the algorithm so I stay in manual mode.
I use Tandem with Basal IQ. Don’t know if I should try Control IQ or not, since you can’t
Go back if it doesn’t work out.
Tried Medt 679G when it came out and gave up after 6 months. I was getting better TIR and AIc on my own and I liked the Dexcom 6 CGM vastly better than the Medt Guardian. I’m still too skeptical toward AID systems at this point to try again. Just doesn’t seem like a good fit for me.
Randell Cole
I use Tandem with Basal IQ. Don’t know if I should try Control IQ or not, since you can’t
Go back if it doesn’t work out.
16 years Medtronic. New to OmniPod 5, dexcom. Stayed in Automated for 4 pods. I was impatient with algorithms and today left Auto to lower bg numbers and fine tuned settings.
Loop
#SleepLikeNormal
My closed loop system gives me info on how well I calculated insulin/glucose usage hours/day before and how well my basal is covering. I DO question the length of time insulin stays active in me— it’s set for 5 hours, but I think it should be less.
I tried both Basal IQ and Control IQ with my Tandem, but found I get better blood sugars doing it on my own.
I use the Omnipod5 and the Dexcom G6 closed loop system that was recently approved by the FDA.