What have you learned about life with T1D this year?

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- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS likes your comment at
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  Only "illness" that makes it really difficult to control my blood sugar is getting steroid injections into my cervical spine or fingers. I leave my basal rate on my pump at 250% and need much higher bolus doses and many "extra" doses if my blood sugar remains really high. I tell the MD's that it turns my insulin into tap water and try to avoid it, experience with having gotten these injections over the past few years has helped, but having blood sugars of 400-500 despite much higher basal and bolus dosing is so frustrating!
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 5 hours, 40 minutes ago
  
  AnitaS has commented in the same post you commented in :
  When you experience an illness that makes your blood glucose levels more difficult to manage (whether because you are unable to eat, the stress of being sick, or any other reason), what resources do you refer to for help managing your blood glucose levels while sick? Please select all that apply to you.
  When I had surgery last year and couldn't exercise for a few months, my time-in-range was very good. I was shocked but I shouldn't have been as exercise is one of the things that make my diabetes harder to keep under control. During recovery, I didn't have the ups-n-downs in blood sugar that I usually have when I exercise.
- 6 hours, 47 minutes ago
  
  Randell Cole has commented in the same post you commented in :
  Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs Tests New Insulin Program
  How can I get on the Mark Cuban test program ?
- 6 hours, 47 minutes ago
  
  Randell Cole has commented in the same post you commented in :
  Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs Tests New Insulin Program
  How can I get on the Mark Cuban test program ?
- 6 hours, 47 minutes ago
  
  Randell Cole has commented in the same post you commented in :
  Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs Tests New Insulin Program
  How can I get on the Mark Cuban test program ?
- 6 hours, 47 minutes ago
  
  Randell Cole has commented in the same post you commented in :
  Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs Tests New Insulin Program
  How can I get on the Mark Cuban test program ?
Clear All

What have you learned about life with T1D this year?

How many times in 2022 did you have an appointment with a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist?

Sarah Howard

105 Comments

Virginia Barndollar

With a little effort, watching my diet, doing exercise daily, pumping and a CGM, I learned (and continue to learn) that T1DM can be controlled and I can live a normal happy healthy life.

2

1 month ago Log in to Reply
dave hedeen

With excellent pump & CGM, worries about highs or lows can be minimized.
based upon 3 month 780g trial

2

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Nicholas Argento

T1D tells me- Stay alert and stay humble. I can still mesh with you, any time, any where. But I have guardians on my side to guard my back and even the playing field- My wife and my CGM.

3

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Ernie Richmann

Have backup plans. Educate family members/others what to do in case of a severe low or other emergency. Keep an adequate supply of all diabetic supplies and prescriptions. Have your will and legal papers up to date. Stay calm and do your best to stay well. Have empathy for others.

4

1 month ago Log in to Reply
christyhenry

To accept help from others. To prioritize and follow through with my commitments to myself and others for better quality of life.

2

1 month ago Log in to Reply
kathy scott

You can learn the intricacies of YOUR T1D when you keep a record of events with details of how you managed them. Then you can review your “results” the next time something similar is about to happen.

1

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Mick Martin

Nothing that I didn’t already know!

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Pauline M Reynolds

That it never ends. Just added gastroparesis to the mix and the fun begins! If only I could predict which day would give me highs and which day would give me lows. (sigh) But, at 83, it keeps me busy.

1

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Stephen Woodward

Not providing individual education and training to T1Ds or their caregivers causes much more pain and suffering than I could have ever imagined. It hurts me to see this.

2

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Jen Farley

That no one person is the same and everyone has different preferences. What may work for me may not work for all.

2

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Sharon Schwartz

Everyday is going to be different.

1

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Tb-well

My diabetes care is only as good as the time I devote to it. I. An have the best devices and intentions but they mean nothing if I won’t devote time to it

3

1 month ago Log in to Reply
1. anj1832
  
  So true!!
  
  1 month ago Log in to Reply
Bonnie Lundblom

That it requires a lot of effort and willingness to try and keep up with it 24/7 and 365 days each and every year. I’m grateful for the technology that we use and hoping that the next few years bring even more research results and updated equipment to help keep us all as healthy as possible.

2

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Linda Pease

That the pump doesn’t stop totally til you stop it which made a difference how I treated severe lows that hang on for hours

1 month ago Log in to Reply
AnitaS

That I wish the Afrezza product came in smaller dosages. My sugar goes down too much when I use it (the 4 unit smallest dosage). I have to keep an eye on my sugar level as it heads downward and I need to consume some carbs at a certain level to make sure I don’t go too low.

1 month ago Log in to Reply
1. Judith Marged
  
  Create smaller units on your own. Save some of the empty cartridges, then open the 4-unit one and slit it in half to have two 2-unit cartridges. Be sure to make them with some nail polish or permanent marker. There are plenty of videos on YouTube showing the process.
  
  1 month ago Log in to Reply
anj1832

Not all insurance companies are created equal. I had a great plan as a state employee and was able to get insulin for free! I decided to stay home with my son after he was born and I switched to my husband’s insurance. He has the best plan provided, yet insulin costs a fortune!

1

1 month ago Log in to Reply
James Hoare

LIfe can be good and lucky. Medical interventions keep being a success ( had successful cataract surgery on my one eye with vision and for the first time in a long while can see clearly the bright world around me with 20/25 acuity). I am back to my weight in high school and A1c keeps dropping as time in range goes up. Survived Influenza A within the last weeks. Best Christmas and New Years wishes to all.

1

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Claude Laforest

A never ending story. Being retired, I thought I could handle my therapy easier with Fiasp and Tresiba, while delaying the moment I would go back to a costly pump. My results are more than adequate, but I still had to face so many episodes that kept me concentrated to find solutions. T1D is taking too much place in my mind, I finally decided to delegate some of my burden to a hybrid pump pretty soon to support me. I need more time to relax and enjoy life.

2

1 month ago Log in to Reply
TEH

SG response to exercize and or strenuous activity is much slower than carb absorption. An exercise response could be over hours, while glucose tablet responsc is in 15 minutes.

2

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Maureen Helinski

I continue to be thankful and happy for the technology advances. One night using the tru-steel infusion set I didn’t have it properly connected in the middle. I tried to sleep and the pump kept telling me my BG was going up. I hadn’t eaten so much but assumed I needed more insulin and bolussed. after 3-4 hours it was up to 300. I got up to check site and discovered the loose connection. So even though I only use about 28 U a day, I really need the insulin to go into my body to stay alive.

1

1 month ago Log in to Reply
KCR

Recognizing that most of the time I do a good job of managing my diabetes and learning to stay calmer and be kinder to myself when things don’t go as expected. 😊

2

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Mary Halverson

To be kinder to myself when I error in estimating food intake and/or insulin dosage and my numbers go crazy. To keep informed. Now reading “The Discovery of Insulin” by Michael Bliss, and watched “The Human Trial” documentary about Viacyte.

2

1 month ago Log in to Reply
John Henninger

Life is good, but it does take work and perseverance!

2

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Kristine Warmecke

No two days are ever the same, no matter how hard I plan it.

3

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Robin Melen

That it’s hard sometimes and scary sometimes, but mostly very manageable, and that I can ensure that it doesn’t impact who I am or what I want to do and what I want to eat!
And it’s all going to be OK if you pay attention and have patience!

1

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Steven Gill

Technically learned to “prebolus” 20-25 minutes before eating (with almost no spike after any meal), decrease or even suspend insulin/basal the same 20-25 minutes before specific tasks to prevent glucose drops. With the thought if a miscalculation levels rise higher than I want (my upper alarm is set to 125) I’ll administer a bolus knowing my basal will never drop my glucose, that’s my bolus’ role. I can go without food all day without dropping (except for physical exertion), and likewise minus physical activity I can go to bed at…..74 and wake between 70 and 80. With 5 basal settings my “line” is finally straight minus physical exertion and food, to protect against the “dawn phenomenon,” levels dropping while I sleep.

Emotionally still learning there are things worse than diabetes: imagine a mom watching her T1D child with ADHD or celiac disease; a teenager going through puberty; even my two sisters dying of cancer.

I’m living decently with and through TYPE 1 diabetes.

3

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Bekki Weston

Ever changing. Ever the same.

2

1 month ago Log in to Reply
PamK

That information for people my age with T1D is very limited. It all seems to be based on the recommendations for treating T2D. Unfortunately, the medical community does not seem to recognize that there is still a difference between T1 and T2 in people who are older.

3

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Kristen Clifford

There is always something new, good or bad, to learn with T1D.

2

1 month ago Log in to Reply
John McHenery

Always learning but better than being dead.

2

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Tom Rintelmann

After 45 years of being a T1D I’ve learned to adapt to my body as it ages. This year learning to cope with a spinal epidural and a shoulder epidural.
No fun to take triple the normal fast acting insulin for days after each procedure but am thankful for my CGM.
Tom R

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Bea Anderson

This year: I’ve learned what was true at the beginning of T1 is true 16 years later. Carbs need to be well managed. Love tech that allows me a path to bgs averaging 90. Not using automated modes. But still solid help. I’m the weak link. This year I grew weary of being careful. It has been more work. For 16 years I’ve had a1C no higher than 5.9. Turn 70 in a couple days. This year I have shared T1 with more age related infirmities that distract from best T1 care. What gets me back on track is to realize what is good for T1 is good for many other ailments. So lowering my carbs, again, easing the math involved each day, easing inflammation, planning ahead for success. In the beginning I was motivated to be my best for family. I still want to show grandkids responsible health care that maxes out an ability to be my best. Whew!

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Molly Jones

How grateful I am for science, research and clinical trials.
The more a condition is understood, the easier it is to live with, control and accepted by society and possibly prevent/ cure.
Out of my many medical conditions, T1D is one of the easier to live with in this current time.

1 month ago Log in to Reply
wyndare3

Retirement got really complicated really fast. T1D is a rollercoaster. Things change constantly. Insulin is not to be trifled with.

1 month ago Log in to Reply
Diana L.

Be patient! don’t despair

1 month ago Log in to Reply
LoloMama53

That I can control my A1c if I’m careful with diet and insulin management

4 weeks ago Log in to Reply
Lori Smith

It’s still hard. Yes you have to watch everything you eat, drink and how your stress levels are. Stress can definitely affect your Blood Sugars. You can have a Normal life and do whatever you want to do. Hopefully, there will be a Cure

5 days ago Log in to Reply