Well we have had further announcement that the Australian federal government will provide further funding for the life altering and saving CGM technology. The first announcement over 12 months ago gave access to type 1 diabetics under the age of 21. This was a great move however what about the people over 21 and what happens to the people who have access but when they turn 21 the funding is pulled and the technology may no longer be available to them due to the cost.
These were all the questions we were left with however with the recent announcement the funding is to be extended further. The CGM technology will become available to Health Care Card holders, Those that are hypo unaware, Those that have had recent bad Hypo events and also to those planning pregnancy or pregnant/breastfeeding. The further criteria hasn't been released yet however a few of the areas that are to be covered are quite subjective. Hypo events can range depending on so many things. The type of hypo for example insulin based hypo, exercise based hypo, emotional hypo or even loss of weight hypo can all have completely different effects and in some cases some you will be aware of and others you will have no idea at all.
Also the dangerous time that we all deal with is during sleep. A time where we are all unaware no matter how diligent we are. The CGM technology has the ability to minimize the danger by use of alarms or proactive algorithms to stop a low from happening without action allowing the individual to sleep safe and sound.
Over the last 18 months I have lost 40kg through exercise and changing my diet to high protein low carb. I mention this also because I strongly believe that this would have been incredibly difficult with out having my CGM in place for every second during this time. It have been my best friend always on my side telling me exactly what is happening during a workout or while eating so that I could amend my rates in my pump so that hypos were minimized as weight was dropped. Just the other day my sensor finished late in the evening and I made the decision that I would replace it first thing in the morning. Keeping in mind that my levels had been quite stable over the last few nights I took the RISK. I emphasis risk because it is just that a risk to life not to have the technology available to all Type 1 diabetics. Unfortunately by not having my sensor in place and working I was surprised by my partner at 2am pushing my mouth open and stuffing it full of Nutella to try and raise my blood sugar. After coming too I was also told that the ambulance was on its way as I had not responded while sleeping. Luckily no intervention was required by the paramedics however it was close.
As I say in the title we are a step closer which is great however I strongly believe that the CGM technology saves lives and helps T1 diabetics smooth their lives in trying to stay stable. Another step is required to ensure all T1 diabetics have access to the technology that they need.
