Everyone would be aware of the ability to have your blood glucose monitored continuously through a sensor that sits under the skin and a transmitter that sends the readings over to the receiver. Either a stand alone device or in my case to the Medtronic insulin pump. The benefit to using it with the latest model pump is the ability to shut the pump off automatically if the blood sugar drops below the set level. I don't know about you but that ability is a piece of mind especially during those night time periods when you want certainty while asleep.
This technology is massive step forward however with big steps forward there is a price tag. Unfortunately for as long as my government do not see it as a necessity then it stays as a luxury item for me.
One of the great opportunities that I have had is to have access to a transmitter, on loan, and one sensor for the 6 day period. Where we have the ability to manually adjust our settings on the pump the access to the CGM allows for a detailed view of trends and and proof of areas that need changing, or even adding.
As we know T1D has the ability to change or do different things even if everything everything you do is the same. It had been roughly 3 years since my access to a sensor and to tell you the truth I had made changes where necessary and things were going well. Unfortunately stress was an unknown factor in my life along with new medication for MS so I had the chance to get a sensor to get a detailed view of what was happening.
The chance to see my rises, falls and steadiness in real time was reassuring and scary all at the same time. Reassuring because I was able to see what was happening at any given time and the ability to set alarms for rapid rises and drops would hopefully allow for stopping hypos and hypers before they become a problem. Scary because where I thought I had good control (and this is probably the perfectionist in me) I could see where could be room for improvement.
After seeing that that I would usually have large uses after eating we knew instantly that the insulin to carb ratios were off. We adjusted them across the board but in doing that we had to be careful with the basal rates because if there was more insulin in the body for food then the basal rates may be too high. We also noted in the times where there were large gaps between eating the basal rates were on a slight decline so it was decided that we would cut back the basal rates to compensate for the increase of I2C rates.
As stated previously this was a welcome tune up and baseline for my pump settings and to tell you the truth it was a very successful 6 days.
With the auto shut off features and the ability to set your rise and fall rates this would be of great benefit each and every day but with it being out of my reach financially then the tune up is a great way to get everything back into line and maintain the best control ever.
Out of interest for those of you on Medtronic insulin pumps and in Australia they currently have a free 6 day trial offer for the transmitter and sensor. All you need to do is give them a call and mention the 6 day free trial and they will organise it with your health care team and yourself.
Friday 21 February 2014
Wednesday 12 February 2014
"Death by Numbers" a game of awarness
At work I have a type 2 diabetic and myself a T1 and as I have been writing this blog I have been trying to educate as best as I can what T1D is and what there is to expect. One thing that I was unsure of was working out how to get people in my direct team to recognize if there is a problem. When I say problem if I was having a Hypo of Hyper. Even the most aware and well controlled diabetic can have a hypo sneak up and attack without warning. So with all of this in mind I set out trying to work out the best way of getting people to look for the signs.
I came up with a game called "Death by Numbers" the reason for the name has a number of purposes.
1. In my work we deal a lot with numbers so asking the team to look or consider more could mean death.
2. For people to understand when Hypo is raging then their awareness could mean less risk of death (I know a little dramatic but sometimes dramatic helps make a point)
Now for the game itself. It is simple really I send an email with a basic blurb as to what a normal BSL is and what range you could expect from a T1 and T2 diabetic. Each person then has the ability to ask questions as to what a previous test was, what food had been consumed and when we last ate, and any other question (other than what is your BSL?) that they feel they can use to make an estimate on what the current BSL is.
Once the questions have been asked they reply to the email with their guess as to what the BSL is.
After all entries are in then the test is done. The person with the closest guess is the winner of a prize of exponential value....... a choice of a mini chocolate bar ;-).
Since beginning this game the awareness across the team has grown exponentially. The guesses are getting closer and closer and the questions are getting more and more refined.
On a selfish note to do something like this helps me to feel that if something goes wrong and help is needed then there is a team of people that can not only help but also recognize when things are not right.
Find a way to educate and make it fun... It is amazing to see the reaction from people who previously had no concept of what is required to manage this disease to now be people who understand and can make a difference.
Education is the key!
I came up with a game called "Death by Numbers" the reason for the name has a number of purposes.
1. In my work we deal a lot with numbers so asking the team to look or consider more could mean death.
2. For people to understand when Hypo is raging then their awareness could mean less risk of death (I know a little dramatic but sometimes dramatic helps make a point)
Now for the game itself. It is simple really I send an email with a basic blurb as to what a normal BSL is and what range you could expect from a T1 and T2 diabetic. Each person then has the ability to ask questions as to what a previous test was, what food had been consumed and when we last ate, and any other question (other than what is your BSL?) that they feel they can use to make an estimate on what the current BSL is.
Once the questions have been asked they reply to the email with their guess as to what the BSL is.
After all entries are in then the test is done. The person with the closest guess is the winner of a prize of exponential value....... a choice of a mini chocolate bar ;-).
Since beginning this game the awareness across the team has grown exponentially. The guesses are getting closer and closer and the questions are getting more and more refined.
On a selfish note to do something like this helps me to feel that if something goes wrong and help is needed then there is a team of people that can not only help but also recognize when things are not right.
Find a way to educate and make it fun... It is amazing to see the reaction from people who previously had no concept of what is required to manage this disease to now be people who understand and can make a difference.
Education is the key!
Tuesday 11 February 2014
Being Alone with T1D
It is easy to say that T1D can be a large part of your life but when it comes down to it we are all just trying to have the best life possible. One of the areas that has always put weight on my mind is being alone and dealing with T1D. Having the fear that a serious hypo will attack at night and cause you either to wake up in a diminished state or not wake up at all is something that each and every T1D has to come to terms with at one stage or another.
I have been told and have read about services that will call your phone number at a set time every morning and if you answer then the service is met but if they have 2 failed attempts then they call a set second number of a family member of friend. If they answer then they have the opportunity to check that your ok. If the family member or friend doesn't answer then the ambulance is called to ensure you are checked and ok.
I have been through multiple stages with in my 24 years with T1 where I have been absolutely terrified of being alone and not trusting that I could manage it all myself in every situation, one of these instances I found myself trying to convince my parents to allow my younger brother to move out of home to rent with me. I must have been in a state cause through the stress and worry while trying to convince them a hypo hit like on cue and caused me to need help to get it rectified quickly. After that conversation and a few hypo tears it must have made a clear picture of my need as it was decided that I get my house mate.
Then there are times like now where being alone is not a worry. I have confidence that my control is good and that if an unexpected hypo was to occur (even in the middle of the night) then I have the strength to get up and get everything back on track. That I have the ability for my body to still produce enough adrenaline to ensure the mind stays active enough to react.
I wouldn't do anything stupid like drink heavily or do an excessive amount of 'out of the norm' exercise when I know I am alone but I would still live life. As with everything else in this T1D life it is about balance and confidence.
Balance, to understand that everything has some sort of effect and you need to monitor you BSL and balance the nutritional intake.
Confidence, to have faith that the work that you put in each and every day will be enough to get you through on auto pilot if needed. Confidence that plans, if needed, are in place to ensure all is well and confidence that we manage our lives with T1D and it isn't T1D taking us on a ride.
Even though we sometimes feel alone in this life with T1D actually being alone adds another complexity and heart ache to the situation. It is never easy but it is manageable.
I have been told and have read about services that will call your phone number at a set time every morning and if you answer then the service is met but if they have 2 failed attempts then they call a set second number of a family member of friend. If they answer then they have the opportunity to check that your ok. If the family member or friend doesn't answer then the ambulance is called to ensure you are checked and ok.
I have been through multiple stages with in my 24 years with T1 where I have been absolutely terrified of being alone and not trusting that I could manage it all myself in every situation, one of these instances I found myself trying to convince my parents to allow my younger brother to move out of home to rent with me. I must have been in a state cause through the stress and worry while trying to convince them a hypo hit like on cue and caused me to need help to get it rectified quickly. After that conversation and a few hypo tears it must have made a clear picture of my need as it was decided that I get my house mate.
Then there are times like now where being alone is not a worry. I have confidence that my control is good and that if an unexpected hypo was to occur (even in the middle of the night) then I have the strength to get up and get everything back on track. That I have the ability for my body to still produce enough adrenaline to ensure the mind stays active enough to react.
I wouldn't do anything stupid like drink heavily or do an excessive amount of 'out of the norm' exercise when I know I am alone but I would still live life. As with everything else in this T1D life it is about balance and confidence.
Balance, to understand that everything has some sort of effect and you need to monitor you BSL and balance the nutritional intake.
Confidence, to have faith that the work that you put in each and every day will be enough to get you through on auto pilot if needed. Confidence that plans, if needed, are in place to ensure all is well and confidence that we manage our lives with T1D and it isn't T1D taking us on a ride.
Even though we sometimes feel alone in this life with T1D actually being alone adds another complexity and heart ache to the situation. It is never easy but it is manageable.
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