Sarah Howard
Sarah Howard has worked in the diabetes research field 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.
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On a scale of 1-5, how satisfied are you with your current insulin delivery method (pump, pens, syringes, inhaler, etc.)? 5 = the most satisfied, 1 = the least satisfied Cancel reply
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Love my pump and would hate if I had to go back to injections.
Love my pump but I need a CGM. My A1C is great but my TIR needs to improve and I need the CGM for that. I am resisting because the last time I tried one probably 8 years ago, it hurt to put it in, I didn’t like all the tape, it continues to beep AFTER you correct, just a lot of excuses. I retire in 2 years and then I will have time to deal with it.
Hi Patricia, I wanted to let you know that the Dexcom CGM6 system compared to both their CGM 4 and 5 is almost pain free. I was totally amazed the 1st time I placed my CGM 6 sensor at the difference so I’d encourage you to try it again.
Love, love, LOVE my Omnipod! I used MDI for the first 47 years of being T1. I was not interested in a tubed pump. The Omnipod had improved my control and is really easy to wear and use.
That’s what I use as well. It’s great and the phone support people are always extremely helpful and friendly. I like your dog, I have a couple of wolfhounds.
How long did you have to wait for it once you asked your endo to get you on it?
Using Tandem X2 w Dexcom g6.
Readings every five minutes is awesome. Maintaining the system is time consuming, you’re actually trading the time of pricking your finger and exchanging it with constant site changes. Every three days for the infusion set, cannula etc. every 10 days for the G6 sensor and every 90 days for the G6 transmitter. it’s an awful lot of Mickey Mouse. in exchange you get better A1 C’s and overall control. I don’t think the G7 is going to do much for lack of hassle on the users part. I don’t see where time-saving will happen for the user. Maybe I’m missing something? However, knowing where your BS is 24/7 is so worthwhile! I think I could live without the pump using Lantas & Aspart/Novolog, but losing Dexcom would be a disaster.
Don, Totally agree. Details can become frustrating. Add to them failed cannula placements & my particular need to change site every other day. In previous 15 years with 3 different pumps I rarely had problems with cannulas. Seems to be regular occurrence with Tandem infusion sets. Too many steps with so many things that can go wrong.
70 yr old, 65 T1, brittle diabetic. 48 yrs of injections, 17 yrs pump user. Currently wear the Tandem t:slim x2. Any of my pumps have been better than taking 5 injections per day(4 Humalog, 1 Lantus). Control has been best with Tandem t:slim used with Dexcom G6. My dissatisfaction is with time novolog takes to bring bg down after meals. My caregiver & I have tried many strategies & adjustments to basal rates, carb ratio & bolus rates but have yet to find the right combo. My time in range is great but wish I didn’t temporarily go above range after meals.
I agree with you, Henry. I’m 66, 55 years T1, was on the pump for 10 years, then on inhaled insulin for 3. Those three years were the best ever and the control was the best too. I’m now on the Tandem T-Slim pump and my control is much worse. I wish I could go back on inhaled insulin – we’re still fighting with Medicare to cover it otherwise it’s completely unaffordable and I’ll continue on the pump with higher A1c numbers and all.
I also would hate to return to injections. I’ve been on a pump since the early 1990s and Libre CGM since it came out in the US – 2017, I think. I wish the Libre and Omnipod communicated with each other like the T-Slim and Dexcom does though.
What I don’t like about my pump,
Medtronic 630, is throwing out 20+ units of insulin with every reservoir change. I stopped doing that by refilling the old reservoir and using it till the markings wear off.
I’ve got to admit the changes that have occurred over the last couple of years have made my life on a pump worth while. I rated it at 5 in comparison to MDI although I still feel that there’s room for improvement. Improvements are more geared towards CGM and the warmup as well sensor issues. As for the pump the one notable thing which is the appendage/tethering aspects although Omnipod is coming along with systems that approach those of the tandem. I’m counting down the days when these improves are implemented.
I am very satisfied. I currently use a pump and would have rated it a 5 but, I had a bad day yesterday with my infusion site. The issues with the materials are so frustrating, but overall, pump therapy has been WAY better than injections.
I like having a pump. However, I wish it were water proof for swimming.
I am currently using the Tandem TSlimX2, Dexcom 6 and the BIQ software. BIQ allows me to avoid the lows, and Dexcom G6 allows me to micro-dose so my time in range is about 95%. T1D for 40 years, pumping since early 2000’s and Dexcom-ing since they first got on the scene. Because I like to be in the driver’s seat in my D mgt, I will not switch to CIQ (target is too high, no temp basal options etc). So I rated things 5.
I use tslim x2 CiQ. I am very unhappy with not being able to set my target at 100. In all my years I have always set my target at 100. Now I spend a lot of days in roller coasters because I try to trick the algorithm to go lower and it is always stopping my basal. I should have stayed with Basal iq and it really upsets me that they won’t let me change back to that delivery system. I am considering changing to Omnipod as soon as my warranty is up on this pump which I think is about another year. I have been able to keep my a1c at a similar rate but I am getting less stable lines and more lows.
I have the t slim pump and Dexcom G6. I rated 4 only because I lose communication often with the Tandem software. I use the tandem app as well as the dexcom app so I have access to the Clarity information. I sometimes have problems with infusion sets and sensor errors/failures.
I have used both the Minimed and the tandem pumps. In my experience the Minimed pump is superior. With the advent of the 670 and the 770, the multitude of flaws with the Minimed CGM have become frighteningly apparent. Though Minimed makes a superior pump, in the future I will be switching, due to the fact that there sensor is so bad that it actively and routinely puts me at risk. In the CGM forum when your BG matches the pumps readout, they call it a unicorn due to how rare it is. With the dexcom CGM it was a LOT more normal. If the sensor is bad, it defeats the purpose of even having a closed loop system.
I totally agree. Love the pump but had a lot of problems with the sensor, typically 20%, one sensor per box.
I prefer my pens to any pump. Used a Medtronic pump for several years and would never do it again. I like knowing I get the amount of insulin I dialed. Too many bubbles and highs with the pump.
i have no issues with MDI. Especially since needles are so slim and sharp these days. No issues of placement, changing sites, etc. Also, I love my libre cgm.
I have used the same method for the past 23 years of MDI, and am a 14 day Freestyle Libre senior with LADA. So I have nothing to compare other than my fingers thanking me everyday for not sticking them.
Wow! It appears that finally I’m being allowed to comment again. I don’t know what’s happened, but thank you for ‘updating’ your website.
I’m pretty satisfied with my Medtronic 670G, though I do experience more ‘problems’ with the Guardian 3 Sensors that I use for CGM than I SHOULD. (‘Problems’ such as sensors detaching from my body. I do, however, perspire quite a lot, and it’s particularly the case when I exercise. The sensors rarely last the 7 days that they’re supposed to.)
Thank goodness! Finally Inhaled is included! Hope more folks get on this bandwagon. I’m T1D for 18yrs…never thought a Fixed dose insulin would work, AND IT DOES!!!! If you’ve never tried it and don’t think it’s for you… Ive been there!! Get some experience and please reach out to me if you have questions! Most docs won’t understand this product yet unfortunately… if they deter you from it, it’s due to them not having patients on it and not understanding it. PERIOD.
Best control ive ever had! Always maintained a good A1c (-6.7%) but my variability is significantly less… tighter standard deviations.
I use an Omnipod and Dexcom G6 and it’s the best combination I’ve tried. I had an Animas pump with attached Dexcom which was extremely convenient except for having tubing. I detested being tethered to that thing all the time and having to remove it when I showered or swam. I was delighted when Animas decided to stop making pumps! I had been on the Omnipod previously but couldn’t afford to stay on it when insurance decided not to pay anymore. Thus the Animas. But when they disbanded, Medicare blessedly picked up the Tab for the Omnipod, and later on, the Dexcom (or possibly vice versa – both in a relatively short period of time.) I rated my combination 4 rather than 5 because of the inordinate time it requires. It seems I’m always having to stop and do something, especially when my husband is waiting on me. I hate having to carry around so many devices and having so many things stuck in me. I guess what it really comes down to is, I just hate diabetes. After 58 years with it, I’m burned out with no hope of a cure. When I was diagnosed in 1963, my doctor told me a cure was just around the corner. I’ve been waiting for somebody to round that corner for decades. I’m grateful for the advances, but instead of better technology, I’d rather have a cure. It’s like they’d rather spend money on making it easier and more accurate rather than gone. I vote for gone. Sorry for the vitriolic diatribe. Sometimes I just need to vent!
I’m in exactly the same boat, except 1962. I so agree with you! Tired of it, just so tired…..But what can we do? One day at a time, so they say…….
I haven’t been offered the option of inhalable insulin?
59 years T1d. It’s a very profitable disease for the medical establishment. They don’t want a cure. They want to improve expensive technology instead. More profits.
I agree Joan. We are cash cows for big pharma.
Don’t give up hope! I work at a non-profit diabetes research center with a mission to cure T1D.
Some of the scientists and physicians I work with have dedicated their careers, and in some cases their lives, to trying to eradicate T1D. I know it’s frustrating that it’s taking so long. I don’t believe there’s a lack of good intention but progress is slowed because T1D is so very complicated and funding outside of industry can be very hard to secure.
My Response was 5 but it should be a 9 because Tandem CIQ and Dexcom G6 is as close to Perfect as well the year before I was Dxed. It isn’t perfect but nothing is, not even a Pancreas Transplant.
So I would give it a 5 but the inability to customize pump alarms is maddening!! I have “alarm fatigue” that has resulted in less blood sugar control. I take responsibility but I wish pump designers understood how much alarm fatigue effects some peoples ability to use this technology more efficiently.
Tandem Tslimx2 pump is user friendly, easy to operate and to review data and doses administered. My only wish is that Medicare would cover a tubeless pump.
Since starting the omnipod, it has greatly reduced my stress and improved control. I am very satisfied and looking forward to their algorithm to further improve my over night ranges.
My insulin delivery method has definitely improved over the years. I am happy with it, but in an alternate reality without business and patents involved it could be so much better: conglomerate all the companies and pick and choose the features you desire.
Omnipod I liked the best, as it had no tubes, but it could not deliver the small amounts of insulin I needed.
Dexcom paired with Tandem and it’s control IQ over my insulin delivery is relatively good, but I wish it could understand short rebound highs and not give corrections when these occur.
Tandem is a bother to load compared to Medtronic pumps or Omnipod, but compared to what I first used: two different insulins, this is good.
I selected 4 as I get really good control with my pump. I have an old Medtronic 723 pump but would dearly love to have the tandem with CIQ but due to my vision loss cannot safely or consistently use the touchscreen. I would just have to rely on my husband way too often. I know you can take a bolus/correction by pressing the external button which gives audible feedback but my understanding is the tandem pump does not measure in increments smaller than 0.5 units and I require the ability to measure in 0.1 units. I would only trust Dexcom as a component of any hybrid closed loop system so at this point it leaves out Medtronic. I have to still use my Medtronic pump which measures and 0.1 unit increments in manual mode and do all the calculations myself. This is not ideal but with great effort every day I get excellent control.
I know there are pumps in development that can be controlled from a smart phone through an app and I am waiting for this to become available as my iPhone has speech capabilities.
I used pens, which I like a lot for their convenience, but get tired of all the injections everyday.
It’s hard to attach the pump anywhere else than the abdomen – After ‘x’ number of years – the scarring continues to build – It would be great if an alternate way of delivering the insulin with the pump, allowing us to change up locations on the body, would be fantastic. As the scar tissue builds, the effectiveness diminishes. Still – Hands down, for me, the pump has given me far superior control vs the pens/syringes.
I have used syringes/pens since diagnosis in 1979. Tried to switch to a pump 2 years ago but too many hoops to discourage me from proceeding with it after covid put it off for more than 6 months.
I put 4. I’m very grateful for the insulin and device improvements made during my 25 yrs with T1D. Left 1 point for continued improvement. E.g., improved algorithms for CGM alarms so I’m less tempted to take technology breaks, improved automation around meal bolusing, etc.
t-slim with Control IQ, I gave it a 5, I love it but it is not perfect and could use some refinements like allowing a scheduled exercise mode, timing exercise mode when it is set manually, and allowing a delayed bolus to be given rather than square wave, but 4 wasn’t strong enough for how much it has helped me overall….
I put 4. I do syringes with pens to get more precise dosing (half units). I do reuse the syringes and with using a pen sitting in room temperature – have had no issues with insulin going bad. And insulin lasts a lot longer than manufacturers dates state.
I do this too, syringe from pen. I found a Lantus pen in a bag at room temp for many months. I tried it expecting to cover highs all day. Nope! It’s working GREAT! And definitely also have found expiration date to be almost worthless, my refrigerated Humalog and Lantus both work fine past date. I sometimes don’t use all the Humalog because I but many at a time outside the USA for great pricing.
I chose three. Currently I use the Omnipod and the major reason why I prefer it over other pumps is the lack of tubing, however the adhesive causes me a lot of skin irritation as I believe I am allergic to the adhesive with no relief from methods referred to me by my doctor. I also find that the absorption in areas other than my abdomen are poor.
I feel a kinship with what you wrote. I also use the omnipod for the same reason. I started out with the medtronic and found the tubing would catch on almost everything. I just want to mention the IV3000. I found less irritation when I used that. I also found that the irritation only in specific spots. other places where not so sensitive
I use a DIY system called FreeAPS a fork from Loop (Dexcom G6, Omnipod Eros, IPhone and Fiasp) it’s good and the best thing that happened yet.
But it can also get better, a better algorithm, a much faster insulin, a smaller pump and sensor.
Overall, I gave my insulin pump a “4”. After 5 shots a day, I never want to go back to injections. I love the ability to know my glucose levels 24/7 via the CGM. Insulin delivery algorithms, storage method and infusion set design still need a lot of improvement(thus the ‘4’).
Been using an Insulin pump for 37 years and on a CGMS for (Medtronic/Dex) over 10 years.