[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

banjobongo

Dick Dastardly wrote: »

I also got conflicting advice every time I went to the clinic - but always had ok control. Eventually did my own research- read Pumping insulin - and asked the diabetes nurses if they would use one if diagnosed. All of them said they would.

So I opted for one - knowing I could go back to injections if I needed to, but haven't looked back. Hba1c has consistently below 7 ever since I started pumping.

and what is having a pump like in terms of living an active life, are you fully able to do anyhting you want to do - swim, run, shower etc?

Dick Dastardly

banjobongo wrote: »

and what is having a pump like in terms of living an active life, are you fully able to do anyhting you want to do - swim, run, shower etc?

Absolutely. It's probably as close to normal as you can get. Exercising is easier (and safer) as I know how much active insulin I have in my system.

Swimming is fine so long as you aren't sitting in the pool for hours - once on a pump you only use short term insulin so being disconnected for any extended period of time can lead to a bg rise.

Showering etc is fine - just disconnect, shower and reconnect. Biggest thing to get used to (in my view) is sleeping with it - but is not a big deal.

TBH I'd say it would be tough to find someone who used a pump and then moved back to injections.

banjobongo

ok thanks I must check it out...

Alanstrainor

Got my hba1c back today, 6.6. A new personal best. Another interesting bit of info I have realised, for anyone using a medtronic pump, when you do a pump upload to the carelink website and look at the report it generates. It's estimate has been spot on both times I've checked in the last year. Estimate this time was 6.7 actual 6.6. Six months ago the estimate was 6.8 actual 6.7. Good to know that you can somewhat accurately check your hba1c regularly with decent accuracy.

I was also asking about replacement pumps. I have been pumping for 11 years now, and I've been on the Minimed 530g pump for nearly 4 years, and so my warranty will end come February. I wanted to know what pumps were available, and the response was that it was very open, and you would get whatever you wanted. So I'll have to research the different options out there.

And another bit of info I asked about was when the freestyle libre blood glucose monitor would be made free to use under the LTI card. And the response was most probably in January. The NHS have recently done so, and the HSE generally follows their lead. So happy days.

https://freestylediabetes.ie/freestyle-libre

gctest50

I love this on their website :

The days of routine glucose testing with lancets, test strips and blood are over.

never heard of Dexcom lol ?

280 readings a day and since it's continuous they warn of trends






.

CathyMoran

Alanstrainor wrote: »

And another bit of info I asked about was when the freestyle libre blood glucose monitor would be made free to use under the LTI card. And the response was most probably in January. The NHS have recently done so, and the HSE generally follows their lead. So happy days.

https://freestylediabetes.ie/freestyle-libre

I love my Freestyle Libre, I just feel guilty that it currently costs my family so much..he sooner it is on the LTI the better. I am not on the pump but it has made a huge change to my life. My 6 year old wants to 'scan mummy' and it has reduced my severe low blood sugars even enabled me to get a short bus journey.

Alanstrainor

gctest50 wrote: »

I love this on their website :



never heard of Dexcom lol ?

280 readings a day and since it's continuous they warn of trends






.

To be fair, this is not a CGM, and it is different in some other ways to the Dexcom. The Dexcom requires 2 finger pricks per day to calibrate. The libre does not need to be calibrated. Whatever process they use to make the sensors means that it should be accurate without calibration for 14 days. And since this is not a CGM, it cannot warn you in real time about lows/highs/trends. You only get warning when you scan (ie, place the monitor over the sensor. Or your phone actually which is cool.)

Since I have a pump with cgm I'm not so sure this will be as ground breaking for me. But if it proves accurate and I can lower the number of finger pricks per day then I'll be delighted.

Another interesting bit of info from the doc today, if you test your sugars 6 or more times a day using conventional finger prick glucose monitors, it is more expensive for the HSE than using a libre.

gctest50

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Or your phone actually which is cool.

Dexcom works on Android, iPhone, Ipods directly over Bluetooth


cooler :

If your ( T1 ) child is in school, you could put a phone in their bag and you would be able to see their alerts from anywhere in the world


https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dexcom.follow&hl=en

The Dexcom Follow app is part of the Dexcom Share™ system.

Dexcom Follow is the perfect companion to your loved one’s Dexcom CGM, connecting you to those nearest and dearest to you, even when they’re far away. Through secure wireless connections, the Dexcom Follow app allows you to view and follow the glucose levels, trends and data of your loved ones.

gctest50

Alanstrainor wrote: »

To be fair, this is not a CGM, and it is different in some other ways to the Dexcom. ............

It's re-inventing the wheel, badly - looks like they were skirting patents more or less

Perhaps there is transfer of value :

https://www.transferofvalue.ie/

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/health-pharma/abbott-s-10m-move-to-new-base-may-bring-jobs-to-co-sligo-1.3101375


you wouldn't know what'd be going on :

Meauldsegosha wrote: »

The same happened with me regarding the pump. I improved my control and then told it was too good for a pump.

.

CramCycle

gctest50 wrote: »

If your ( T1 ) child is in school, you could put a phone in their bag and you would be able to see their alerts from anywhere in the world

I seen a cool app the other day (in use, not on line), where the Dexcom CGM was sending data to the mothers tablet in the next room so she could get sleep, nice and simple, not too bright but bright enough if the mother woke up and looked at it, she could see it and an alarm so she could correct issues. Said it has helped her sleep really well.

Seen another similar one as you described, leaving phone in bag at school so the parent could check in.

Not sure if either were the official apps or not.

gctest50

CramCycle wrote: »

.....


Not sure if either were the official apps or not.

Both are official apps

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dexcom-g5-mobile/id949574583?mt=8

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dexcom-follow/id649569564?mt=8


you can display it on an Apple watch ( or a Pebble if you like a bit of messin )

Irish Wolf

gctest50 wrote: »

It's re-inventing the wheel, badly - looks like they were skirting patents more or less

Hello,

I'm guessing your reply was to Alan's about the Libre.. wondering how you think they (Abbott) are badly reinventing the wheel. I've been using it the last number of months and I find it a superb, and I'd only been pricking my fingers for 3-4 months I'm sure everyone knows it's not a CGM, but it sure as hell gives good insight into trends, immediate readings and fairly accurate HBA1C readings, based on my last clinic visit.

TBH, I know little about Dexcom, so willing to learn more about your experience with both.

uli84

Anyone else noticed that medtronic sensors last 12 days if the transmitter is re-charged after 6 days and then reconnected to sensor and "start a new sensor" selected?

meath12

I was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and I was only put on insulin about a week ago. I'm just wondering what affect this will have on my car insurance. I'm planning to ring my insurance company and the ndls as I presume Il need to get a new driving licence as well. I'm just wondering does insurance increase for people who have type 1 diabetes?

CramCycle

meath12 wrote: »

I was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and I was only put on insulin about a week ago. I'm just wondering what affect this will have on my car insurance. I'm planning to ring my insurance company and the ndls as I presume Il need to get a new driving licence as well. I'm just wondering does insurance increase for people who have type 1 diabetes?

In theory, if you have a letter from your consultant confirming good control, it should make no difference, although I think it does. Make sure you are testing before you drive and I think typically every 45 minutes if driving long distances.

Buford T. Justice XIX

meath12 wrote: »

I was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and I was only put on insulin about a week ago. I'm just wondering what affect this will have on my car insurance. I'm planning to ring my insurance company and the ndls as I presume Il need to get a new driving licence as well. I'm just wondering does insurance increase for people who have type 1 diabetes?

You just need to notify the insurance company and the driving licence body, whoever they are this week.

No need for a new licence but you may be restricted to 3 year licences instead of the normal 10 year licence.

As Cramcycle said, test before driving and regularly while driving.

On insurance, some companies require a doctors letter every year and some only require a signed form from yourself to say it's under control. There should be no increase in insurance costs just because you're diabetic either.

Meauldsegosha

meath12 wrote: »

I was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and I was only put on insulin about a week ago. I'm just wondering what affect this will have on my car insurance. I'm planning to ring my insurance company and the ndls as I presume Il need to get a new driving licence as well. I'm just wondering does insurance increase for people who have type 1 diabetes?

Check out this page from Diabetes Ireland, it has useful information on driving with Type 1. https://www.diabetes.ie/living-with-diabetes/living-type-1/driving-type-1-diabetes/

Alanstrainor

uli84 wrote: »

Anyone else noticed that medtronic sensors last 12 days if the transmitter is re-charged after 6 days and then reconnected to sensor and "start a new sensor" selected?

This is something that you see the yanks talking about online when trying to get the best bang for their buck since most are paying/partially paying for their sensors. Yes, the pump will blindly accept the old sensor if you follow the above steps. However, the sensor loses it's ability to accurately track readings over time. You will notice a much flatter read out as you go beyond the 6 day mark. You might think this is due to amazing control, but really it's more likely that the sensor is just no longer accurately reacting quick changes in blood sugars.

Given that we get these sensors on the LTI card I would not recommend you do the above.

CramCycle

When they don't get pulled out by clothes or kids, my dexcom inserts last over 3 weeks and still accurate. I have it on LTI but the odd one gets ripped out early and the script does state X amount per year, so I run them for as long as possible to build up a stock.

Eurovisionmad

CramCycle wrote: »

When they don't get pulled out by clothes or kids, my dexcom inserts last over 3 weeks and still accurate. I have it on LTI but the odd one gets ripped out early and the script does state X amount per year, so I run them for as long as possible to build up a stock.

I'm self funding the G5 at the moment (although I'm hoping to get the sensors covered under the HSE soon, they won't cover the transmitter but you'd get over that!) and I generally can get about 2 & a half weeks out of a sensor, although the adhesive plaster is so frustratingly bad, that scarcely lasts a week, I just have to put reams & reams of Opsite on it, which is not cheap either 🙃

CramCycle

Eurovisionmad wrote: »

I'm self funding the G5 at the moment (although I'm hoping to get the sensors covered under the HSE soon, they won't cover the transmitter but you'd get over that!) and I generally can get about 2 & a half weeks out of a sensor, although the adhesive plaster is so frustratingly bad, that scarcely lasts a week, I just have to put reams & reams of Opsite on it, which is not cheap either 🙃

Medical tape from work for me. Lasts far longer in the winter than the summer if the last month is anything to go by as the plaster doesn't sweat off when commuting into work.

Dick Dastardly

CramCycle wrote: »

Eurovisionmad wrote: »

I'm self funding the G5 at the moment (although I'm hoping to get the sensors covered under the HSE soon, they won't cover the transmitter but you'd get over that!) and I generally can get about 2 & a half weeks out of a sensor, although the adhesive plaster is so frustratingly bad, that scarcely lasts a week, I just have to put reams & reams of Opsite on it, which is not cheap either ðŸ™႒

Medical tape from work for me. Lasts far longer in the winter than the summer if the last month is anything to go by as the plaster doesn't sweat off when commuting into work.

And tegaderm works for me. If you explain to the doctor prescribing that it’s needed to protect the sensor they’ll probably cover it €1 spend to protect €50 sensor). My pharmacist just called the lti (I didn’t have it on the prescription) and they allowed it straight up.

CramCycle

Dick Dastardly wrote: »

And tegaderm works for me. If you explain to the doctor prescribing that it’s needed to protect the sensor they’ll probably cover it €1 spend to protect €50 sensor). My pharmacist just called the lti (I didn’t have it on the prescription) and they allowed it straight up.

I used tegaderm for awhile but it kept bunching and coming off, I am a sweaty and flexible beast

CramCycle

New documentary out in a few weeks on both type 1 and 2 diabetes in Ireland, bit on research, bit on treatments and a bit on the human side, here is the trailer:

https://vimeo.com/242714712

banjobongo

banjobongo wrote: »

ok thanks I must check it out...

just coming back to ye all on checking out getting a pump...I live in Limerick...there is nobody in Limerick qualified to support this in Limerick, the staff themselves are only due to receive training in pumps in the next few weeks, so its not an option for me to even consider until the staff in Limerick themselves are up an running....all down to staff shortages I think.....

Buford T. Justice XIX

banjobongo wrote: »

just coming back to ye all on checking out getting a pump...I live in Limerick...there is nobody in Limerick qualified to support this in Limerick, the staff themselves are only due to receive training in pumps in the next few weeks, so its not an option for me to even consider until the staff in Limerick themselves are up an running....all down to staff shortages I think.....

I go to Barringtons, the Endo there is putting a good few onto pumps.

I don't want to seem like I'm pushing her but that may be an option for you?

ebbsy

Doctor called with yearly bloods today. Vitamin d low and Hbc1a 46.

Up a bit on last year. Back to doc tomorrow to give him more money.

Sbananas

Hi everyone im new to this so thanks for reading! Im type 1 diabetic and went to gp (it was a locum) today to get medical form completed for drivers licence renewal. She refused to fill it in as last time i had my hba1c done was april this year (it was 6.2 and has always been in this range since diagnosis)and she said it would have had to be done in last 2 months. Just wondering is this normal or was Gp being difficult!

CramCycle

Difficult compared to most Irish GPs. I think mine took it on faith when I told him it was good. In your GPs defence, probably doing due diligence like they all should. Presume all you have to do is get one done and they will sign you off.

ebbsy

Need to get some injections for Vitamin B12, Doc says it is low.

Apparently it helps the circulation a lot.