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The last time you discussed adding a new device or medication to your T1D management routine with your health care provider, who initially suggested trying the new device or medication?
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Anxious to get a new (smarter) pump that lets me sleep without fear! or at least try one out. The endo nurse said they don’t let you test drive any of the Tandem pumps, new Medtronic or Omnipod’s etc. Such a massive decision to make and lock into for years without a test drive. But I’m simple and diabroke, so I’ll get the best one that my insurance covers and I can afford.
I agree with your concern. I had that same reservation. This forum has been helpful for me to understand the “+” & “-” of the options. The only problem with that is different people have different results.
I really thought that you can contact the companies to get a test drive of their pumps for at least a few weeks. I could be wrong, but you may want to contact the companies and ask.
Tandem will let you test drive. Contact them directly.
My memory is not the greatest. But, it seems that I usually ask a question about a subject and my Endo makes suggestions. Going to Control IQ is a good example.
I am hoping NEW MEDICATION
Usually it’s me initiating but last time it was my Endo offering Ozempic. Only stayed on it 2 months due to intestinal destress and lack of weight lost.
Endo was very against me going back to MDI. Thought would raise my A1c. I’m doing very well on shots. I find it easier especially traveling. When I decide to go back to a pump, I will investigate and suggest what pump I would like and we will discuss. My Endo knows I stay on top of things and listens to my opinion.
I told my PA I wanted to change from Minimed to Tslim X2. We also discussed Omnipod but that was not an option because Medicare does not cover it because it is covered under prescription drug plan. My plan did not cover it so it was off the table.
We enjoyed a very collaborative relationship with our son’s first Endo. As of last May, we have a new Endo as in brand new out of school. In two weeks, we plan on requesting a script for the ILet. We’ll see how that goes.
I have sometimes changed doctors who do not stay up to date on the latest technology. When I wanted to use a pump for the first time I had to find a new endocrinologist. Then there was a time a pump was not working for me, that was the only pump that endocrinologist would fill out paper work for, so I changed endocrinologists again and paid for the new one out of pocket. I take my health care very serious, after 2 car accidents and being told there was a variance range of 70 on glucose readings from the CGM and actual readings I am not very trusting. That pump has been recalled and the CGM is no longer in use.
I was recently asked by the dr if I would be interested in trying inhaled insulin. When I learned the smallest dose was 2 units, I declined.
2 units of Alfrezza does not equal 2 units of Lyumjev or Novolog. Talk to your doctor again.
I’m a bit of a technology freak so I tend to start scheming to upgrade my diabetes technology as soon as I see something intriguing on the horizon. On the other hand, I don’t like to add medications unless I’m convinced that the benefits strongly outweigh the drawbacks. I started taking Crestor only after several discussions with my endo about my cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risks associated with diabetes.
I recently switched from Humalog to Lyumjev at the suggestion of my endocrinology caretaker. She gave me a sample bottle and told me to respond back to her if I would like to change to Lyumjev or to stay with Humalog. I switched to Lyumjev as my Time-In-Range was slightly higher with Lyumjev.
Do you use it in a pump? I tried it for the quicker action, but I got really red insertion sites after about 24 hours, so went back to Humalog. I use Lyumjev pen to bring down a high and it does not burn.
My endocrinologist suggested switching to Dexcom 4 from Medtronic, it took a lot of convincing because of my experience with Medtronic, I asked about switching to Tandem pump because I was done with unknown blouse of Medtronic much, much happier now. No accidental bolus have happened since then. I am interested in learning more about the new Omnipod system.
When I went on Medicare my doctor (internal medicine, not an endo) filled out the paperwork for the same Medtronic pump I’d been on for 12 years. After researching other pumps I had him rewrite the order for a T:slim X2.
T1 almost 60 years and my Endos have worked with me to get me up and running on Pumps for 25 years and now on to the Tandem w/CIQ which is like the CURE promissed so many years ago. With her help my A1c is Always in Control and getting Zero Hypos
I purposely looked for a local doctor, initially he suggested sending me to a local clinic although I told him I’d be happy to work with him. Twice he’s upgraded my pump system, and he’s added metformin to my care. I bring up ideas, we discuss the “rest” of my needs, and he gets all my literature.
I’m my own “amateur endocrinologist,” by research and learning. After 4 doctors I’m not comfortable with I’m happy with my care now.
I asked my new endo about using steel cannula infusion sets because, for the past 4 years, I’d been experiencing deteriorating glucose values into day 3 of my 9mm plastic cannula sets. (Type 1 since 1976 and insulin pumper since 2011.) I had changed endo back in January 2022 because my former endo of 13 years had been unable to obtain Medicare approval for more frequent site changes. (Medicare norm is site change every 3 days.) My new endo did get that approval to change sites every 2.5 days but with the plastic cannulas I continued to have absorption issues into Day 3 AND Medicare would revert to the every 3-day site change parameter after 9 to 12 months. When this happened, it would take several months to get the approval for more frequent site changes. I have been using the Tandem Tru-steel 6mm cannula sets now for 3 months and find my insulin absorption to be much better.
I forgot to add that I DO need to change the Trusteel site every 2 to 2.5 days.
Usually, I’ve initiated the subject. In the past my endo has been willing to actually discuss the pros / cons and her thoughts or to do research for more information. Now she’s so overloaded with patients she has very little time to even discuss my lab results and no time for two-way discussions. If I use MyChart to ask her a question I’m now charged for an appointment. Not sure how much longer I’ll be able to see her.
Switched a long time ago to Tandem/Dexcom from Minimed because of improved and more automated control, and haven’t looked back. Still wishing for a cure, but know it’s not going to happen for dinosaurs like me. I’ll just be glad when young people will will one day experience that magic word: cure.
It’s too easy to sit around and complain, but it’s high time for a cure, and way past time having us depend on treatment that is pretty much a money maker for big Pharma when it seems as if there’s a cure waiting in the wings. Filling up landfills with used pump supplies, etc., makes our society look nothing but incompetent and greedy.
Sorry to rant…….
They do too often. Why I ask? Well because it will help long term…. oh how do you know that it will help? It’s a brand new medication, never been used by the D community, except for the shortest term study mandated in order to get it to market, and sell. Long term has never been achieved… its NEW. Let’s revisit/wait a couple years… if its MAGIC medicine, sure I’ll try it. But unless it’s got magic properties, guarantees magic results why would I want it, until it’s been used for a decent while??? Oh well… yeah, guess that does makes sense….
I wish my Endo was more knowledge/experienced, but since moving to a rural area there is a severe shortage of Endos so I’m forced to make do.