The video is at least four years old now, so I can't really say "Welcome to the Club" anymore... oh, what the heck... Welcome to the Club! I got my first pump around 2007 and upgraded to my second pump in, if I recall correctly, 2015. I'm about due for another, which I'll likely do in the next year, or so. Prior to that, I was on multiple daily injections for many years, but at the beginning, I was on a single daily injection. The dosage was around 12 units of Toronto and 60-70 units of NPH. I'm not even sure if they make those flavours anymore! But, that's the way it was when I was diagnosed 50 years ago. Pumps are great, relatively easy to use, and do a fantastic job in making me feel more... "normal". They're not perfect, but nothing really is. Keep on keepin' on!
I am newly diagnosed as Type 1 diabetic (last 2 weeks) and it has been a roller coaster of being overwhelmed. I appreciate your video and your honesty not only about the pump but everything you were going through. It is very encouraging to me that I'm not the only one going through this. Thank you for taking the time to make this video...🙂
Hi! I am type 1, diagnosed about 7 years ago just before I turned 19, Im currently on lantus and novorapid multiple daily injections. I get very very changeable blood sugars so I've never really felt in control and definitely am considering a switch to the pump, but it's never been suggested by my team, and I feel very scared to bring it up, but I get sooo much anxiety and burnout currently. I also don't know a single other person with type one so finding your channel and instagram has made me feel less isolated (and a bit emotional because actually having some of my struggles recognised by someone else makes me feel less of a failure for having them!) I guess I just wanna say thanks so much for making this happen! You're so brave for doing this and you've really helped me feel less alone :)
Joanna, oh my goodness, thank you so much for firstly, your honesty about your struggles and also for your incredibly kind words!! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! I PROMISE! But oh I completely understand that feeling! This disease can be SO isolating! I think that's why the online community is so important for all of us! :) Regarding your thinking of switching to a pump, I would encourage you to bring it up with your doc, if just as a conversation. There's no pressure to switch or do anything you don't want to do! Ultimately, for me, the pump has afforded me so much more flexibility, and therefore I love it, but of course, as you can see from the video there are so many sides to consider. I think if it's something you want to investigate - go for it! You can also decide that it isn't for you! Sending you so much love and strength! You are strong and you can do this and we are all in it together sweet girl!! XOXO
I was diagnosed around age 20. Fought with needles for about 8 years and finally overcame the fears and anxiety of having a "thing" tethered to me and having to change all the habits I had built to (barely) keep myself alive. It turns out the pump is a tool to handle the stress for you. To do the math yourself once every few months instead of every meal and more and the pump does it for you. Like she did in the video, it's a robot assistant. Just like an alarm clock helps wake you up or a phone app keeps track of appointments. Your insulin pump does so much for you and frees up your mind to live a bigger chunk of your life. Go out to dinner with friends? A bolus "shot" with a pump is just as simple as a finger prick. The convenience of ditching a kit of needles is a 1 to 1 trade off (to me) for having it attached. What you get from it that needles just can't do is kick ass A1C numbers and years of healthy active life. As for show vs hide. I'm a proud ally of the disabled community both visible and not. I'm happy to have gone from an almost completely invisible condition to now wearing my diabetes proudly on my hip. That's the position I choose to take on it. I am also totally sympathetic to feelings of shame and isolation. When people ask me about "that thing on your belt" the thing that gives me the courage to chat openly and frankly about it is all the people that feel alone. If I can share and help make it normal for everyone around us then all those subtle cues and misconceptions that add up and reinforce the shame and isolation of others might be lessened. Please do talk to your endocrinologist. You and them are a team. Your job together is your health and we'll being. Every team member has strengths and weaknesses and blindspots. Don't just assume that because they went to medical school that they know 100% everything there is to know in the whole universe and they for sure don't know your personal individual life experience. Ask questions. Doctors love to solve puzzles so if you ask a question they dont know the answer to right off, they'll probably want to find out the answer as much as you do.
Any update, Joanna? Admit I was a little shocked that a twenty something year old woman with variable blood sugars DIDN'T get the Pump Talk from their doctor in 2019... Whether you decide to pump or not, there is SO MUCH info and support available, at least please reach out online or at some expo or local group that can at least put yourself into contacts with other diabetics with tips and tricks and support. Good luck!
Same thing happened to me and I ripped into my Endo about not even mentioning it to me..ill never be MDI but if you are worried about being tethered then get Omnipod.. Ive been on several pump but this one is my favorite because it a pod and no tube..I will however move to Tandem pump because of their great Close Loop system..im lucky that my ins covers all my diabetic needs
Thank you so much Hayley! What an AMAZING friend you are to be curious enough to research and learn about her T1D! You're AWESOME!! And thank you for your kind words!
You are such a wonderful friend in world and I appreciate you for this I'm a diabetic patient too and my friend anvi also ask me question so she can learn what I can eat and that I cannot cheat on my own sugars 🤣🤣🤣🤣 yeah she does care she knows I cannot eat sweets I wish everybody haves a friend like you
My beautiful 9-year-old boy was diagnosed as Type 1 just one week ago after an emergency rush to hospital in Cairo where we live. He was suffering DKA. His vitals are stabilised now, but my own emotions aren't. I would do anything to take it from his body and put it in mine. As I scramble for information, and process the shock, this video really helped me. The content, yes. But more to see someone with the same diagnosis so articulate, so collected and so buoyant. You give me strong hope when I need it.
Ian, I am so so sorry to hear of your son's diagnosis. Although I'm sure no words can help the pain you must be feeling right now, please know that this will get better. You and your son and your whole family will find a new normal, and maybe even some positives can come out of this. Sometimes I think the very fact that I am T1D has shaped me into a more special, resilient person, truly. I have another video on my channel interviewing my parents, talking all about what it's like to parent a Type 1 Diabetic child (they had two, my brother and I) and this might be helpful for you to watch. In the meantime, just please keep taking everything one day at a time. There is a ton of support out there on RUclips, instagram, and various other social media platforms. Reach out and don't suffer in silence. Your mental health is hugely important too! You are strong and will get through this! Sending love, Andrea
I'm a diabetes educator and your "bad experiences" are good to know for training my pump patients. I'm sorry your support was not different. I believe your comments will enable the diabetes educators out here to do a better job at anticipating how to get someone on a pump in a less overwhelming way. I'm not diabetic but profess that if I was I would absolutely go on a pump, but one that comes with that great support every pump patient needs.Thank you for your candid video. Denise M
Insulin pumps have been a godsend to me. I started on insulin pump therapy back in 2008 and will be on my fifth pump starting next week - a Medtronic 780G. The freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want, and not have to carry syringes and pens around, nor worry about the terrible results I always had with long acting insulin has been enormously liberating. I can't even begin to tell you or anyone else who might care to listen what a beneficial effect insulin pumps have had on my life.
Thank you so so much for sharing this and I just can’t tell you how much I’m smiling as I read this. Genuinely my heart is so happy for you!!! This is what it’s all about - finding the solutions that work for you and give you that freedom. It truly makes a life 1000000x more full of LIFE! Thank you so much for sharing this, oh and also…I couldn’t agree more!!!
First of all you're lucky to have $5500 for a pump then 5 pumps!! I'm resisting the pump, I'm not having a problems with injections....what's hard about them?? Much less complicated than the pump!! Good luck.
@@lisamcallister6534 I have no problems with injections. It's the fact that you have to take them wherever you go. And, therapeutically speaking, I have never had good luck with long acting insulin and my morning sugar levels were always much higher before I had my pump. And I have to say....your anger at me is ridiculous and misplaced. You act like the only way anyone should take insulin is the way YOU take insulin. That's ridiculous. You do you. Fine. I do me. Also fine. Go bother someone else.
Oh my heart as a diabetes nurse educator I feel for you on the lack of support you received from your team😢 every country ( I’m Canadian( every DEC is different but our team does pre- pump training then a saline start and then then go on the pump.( 3 appointments) We follow up daily then weekly. You are a rock star figuring that out on your own!! I love your elegance, wisdom & how you articulate your diabetes! I love watching these videos to make me a better educator!!!
I switched to a pump 6 months ago and WTF didn't i get this sooner?! For me, the MDIs were the "reminding me i'm diabetic" artifacts and sticking to the regimen after 3 decades was just plain tough, emotionally. Although I was nervous and excited, the flexibility of the pump is amazing and without some significant change or discovery, i'll never go back. The pump and the CGM give me so much more control over my life, they've given me a feeling of efficacy i don't ever remember having over my BG (diagnosed 1988). It's embarrassing to admit that i also ran to youtube with medical device questions, but we're fortunate there are many folks like you (and Danica who also taught me how to use an infusion set i was unfamiliar with) making these videos, so _thank you_ for reminding me i wasn't the only one who felt unsure about how to use this potentially dangerous thing i'm leashed to.
Ah! I'm so happy for you!! I totally get that whoel "Hey! Wait a minute!? Why didn't I get this sooner??" feeling!! The quality of life is just so vastly improved by these pieces of awesome technology. I'm so happy you're so happy and that it all works so well for you! And HORRAY for RUclips and Diabetic Danica for giving us a lifeline when we need it most!!
Thank you so much for being so candid about the challenges you faced and continue to face as a type 1 diabetic! Nearly five decades of living with this at times heartlessly demanding disease makes it very easy for me to relate to the fears, frustrations, and feelings of other diabetics. Your story concerning the lack of training and assistance you received when switching to pump therapy both made me angry and sad. I was an out of work photojournalist living in California when I was first diagnosed and although that was nearly 50 years ago I can well remember how I felt when the ER doctor said, "You have a blood sugar of nearly 800 and if you don't get on insulin soon you will die." At the time I had no job, almost no money, no health insurance and was in the process of getting evicted from my apartment. Minutes after being told I was a diabetic I walked out of the emergency room with a bottle of NPH insulin, a box of insulin syringes, and the admonition to eat a healthy diet. Back then there was no internet and no RUclips to turn to which makes me all the more appreciative of what you and other kind and caring diabetics are doing to help those suffering from this difficult disease to get on with their lives by learning the skills necessary for managing their diabetes. God bless you and the others like you who are filling the terrible void created by a medical system virtually hamstrung by financial constraints and a profit over all else motivation.
Thank You, I'll be starting with a pump shortly, I've using injections for the past 48 years. I have many of the concerns you've discussed in the video. Hearing someone voice them out loud means so much.
From the bottom of my heart thank you so much for this video. Less than 2 years ago I became an instant diabetic when my pancreas was surgically removed because of renal cancer. I tell people it’s definitely a lot harder to be a diabetic than a cancer patient. Multiple injections and the constant fear of lows much like you were experiencing are exhausting. I am almost 72 and have just received the shipments of my Dexcom G6 and T slim. That’s a lot of scary technology for an oldster! I’ve been watching tons of stuff today waiting to hear back about an appointment with my “educator”. Your authentic expression of your experience gave me such hope. I am also receiving immunotherapy which comes with nausea and decreased appetite. Like you expressed I focus on eating more carbs and my glucose supplements. You gave me hope that emotionally I can get somewhat back to normal after an expected learning curve. I am learning so much from you. I am very grateful!
Oh I am so so so sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis and the struggles you've been facing. My goodness - an instant diabetic diagnosis in and amongst all of that is quite the shock! I honestly cannot even imagine. I can tell you this though - I have the Tslim & Dexcom G6 combo and I think it's by far the most wonderful possible combination out there! So you've got a really winning combination on your hands with that! I hope this brings you some joy and assurance! Of course we're all different - but I really thing this combination is universally excellent and I'm very excited for you to start on it all! And don't you worry - I have faith you're going to get to grips with the tech a ok!! I believe in you and am so grateful to you for your kind words. You are not alone my friend! I'm wishing you all the very very very best and am sending you so much healing and positivity!!!! 🙏🏻💙
At age 64, I was diagnosed with Type 1. I wound up in the ICU with blood sugar at 500! My A1C had always been 6.5. WHAT, HOW COULD THIS BE? I'm in the process of switching over to a pump. Just waiting for insurance to approve. I'm so grateful I found you. Yes, my anxiety is high!
i always felt like the "how many highs/lows a month did you have?" question is just an exquisite torture to make you feel like the worst diabetic in the world :D
@@elenaaverkiou7579No, the only irresponsible ones are the ones with hyperglycemia 90 percent of the time. Speaking only for myself, I don’t track my sugars like I should. I act like my body will take care of itself when it won’t because I have type 1 lol 😂
Hi I'm an old dude almost 76 years old male and to me nothing is more important than feeling good. Although you didn't really directly answer the question since you said you would never give it up in 1 million years I'm assuming that it did make you feel better. The one thing that I have learned over the past decades is that many of the doctors are happier with having your blood sugar a little high than ever letting it go low. For me I want to keep it is perfect as I possibly can and your video was very helpful regarding that. Thanks a lot keep up your good work.
Literally going thru this TODAY and feeling overwhelmed. I can't figure out just how to move around with this thing and even just remembering it's there. Grateful I found your video
I HEAR YOU!!! I PROMISE it gets better - and just remember, you can go back if you don't like it - you are in charge! But I told myself I'd give myself 3 months to decide, and since then, I've never looked back. But we're all individual. I'm sending you all the very best and hope you're managing okay - please just know what you're feeling is exactly what I was feeling - so at least in my mind it's totally normal!!
Thank you so much for this video! I'm a 38yo T1D diagnosed at 7 and on MDI. I've been considering a pump and watching a lot of youtube videos but the majority are focused on the physical aspects of wearing a pump. It was so nice to hear your take on the affects on your mental state. Thanks for your honesty. It's given me a lot to think about :)
Oh Mark, thank you so much for your kind words! I know it's a LOT to consider, and I really appreciate your wanting to know about the mental aspects as well! You have to do what's right for you, and no one else. To update you, I'm still on the pump and I love it more than ever. Truly don't know what I would do without it in some ways and it's given me more freedom to actually live my life, so though the tubing and connection to something scared me because I thought I would feel tied down it's actually done the opposite for me in my mind. That's just me though - we're all different! I just wanted to share that with you! Good luck in your search my friend - you will make the right decision for you!
As a man more or less born with diabetes, I deeply appreciate this video. I'm 34 now. I will get this pump next week and wanted to know more about it, and your video really gave a good perspective Very detailed. Thank you so much. And good luck with your diabetes! ❤️🙏🏼
I've just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (two days ago) I loved how you talked about how personal it is. Since I was a kid I saw my grandmother battle with her type 1 diabetes, and always been afraid of it. Today I have it. I have to deal with it... I know everything is going to be allrigth, but I am still in shock if I am honest. Nevertheless, I am here looking to learn to live my new life with optimism. Thank you for your videos! :)
Hi!!! Oh thank you so so much for reaching out. I am so sorry to hear of your very recent diagnosis. Wow - how overwhelming this must be at the moment for you. Your shock is completely and utterly understandable. Please do not beat yourself up or judge yourself on this. You are allowed to be overwhelmed, angry, frustrated, sad, anxious, all of it! Please know that you are not alone and there is a huge online community (both here and instagram too) of hugely supportive and like minded T1D's just trying to live their best life and support one another along the way. I totally encourage you to make use of this incredible community. You are not alone - I cannot stress this enough. And you are strong (much stronger than you think) and will get through this, I promise you! Sending you so much love, strength, and positivity! Your Diabuddy, Andrea!
Please don't worry! You will make it alright . It requires a great deal of discipline and patience. I have had it for 35 years now and switching now to the pump. You will be alright.❤
Hi Andrea, thanks sooooo much for your video - I live in Scotland, and am about to go on a pump for the first time. I've been diabetic for 41 years, all of which time using manual insulin injections. it's quite scary to think of depending on a machine for something so critical, and not all RUclips videos are as comfortingly realistic and reassuring as yours - thank you! I feel way much better now to see it IS possible, and a really positive change to help you feel so much better physically and mentally.
Hi Susan! Thank you so much for watching and for your kind kind words. What you've written truly means a lot to me. It was very important to me that I highlight all aspects of switching: The good, the bad and the ugly! When I first switched to the pump it was difficult to find content covering the not so lovely aspects of being on a pump and how to combat those, so thus my motivation for making the video. Anyway, what I mean to say is that your words mean a great deal to me - so thank you! I hope your experience with the pump has been positive and encouraging and that you're able to enjoy the upsides of it as well as making it through some of the inevitable growing pains of a new piece of kit!
Thanks Andrea. I've been on the pump for 3 months now and what a change. I'm able to control my blood sugars beautifully overnight - something which was impossible on the previous manual regime. There are still a few times I get it completely wrong - mainly when estimating carbs when I'm out (cakes being particularly difficult!!) however the overall impact has been just great. I no longer feel exhausted each morning. Really pleased I decided to be brave and try it - nothing ventured, nothing gained! and your post encouraged me on this trip, so once again many thanks and I hope you continue to get the benefits from the pump too - I'd recommend it now to everyone, with a careful caveat that you only get what you put in - it needs careful management but is well worth the small amount of effort now required.
Your take on the emotional part of it all was something that I needed to hear and I totally wasn't expecting to, Thank you. I was looking for views on insulin pumps and I got much more than that by watching your video." Every minute of every hour of every day " put tear's in my eyes, it's real. I'm also type 1. Good luck to you.
Oh thank you so much J. Diabetes can be so overwhelming and exhausting, but it's a fight worth fighting, for sure. Good luck to you too and good luck with all the insulin pump research. I hope you're able to find the insulin delivery device that's right for you!
You're so welcome! I'm excited for you to switch!! Well done to you for making that decision and I really hope (I think it will) work out very well for you!! :)
I've been on mdi since i was diagnosed and felt exactly the same way about pumps (being physically attached to something was my biggest reason to reject the idea of a pump) but i'm seriously considering it now and really hope to get the same positive results as you did. Thank you very much for sharing your experience so honestly 🙏🏻
I am 61 and new Type 1, after never having any chronic illnesses. I have not been hospitalized since 1979! All of the sudden I am in full blown DKA with pneumonia and in ICU! That was 6/10/2020. Now it is 7/6/2020. I am waiting to get my pump and get started. I am so thankful to hear your story.
Oh my gosh Toni, I'm so sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis. Wow, that must be so overwhelming!! I'm excited for you to get your pump - I think you'll find it a very positive step in your new journey with T1D. Sending you strength as you get to grips with this new chapter - you've got support right here!!
I have recently been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. It has caused me lots of stress and I've been sobbing after each "bad" sugar level (for me usually the first measurement in the morning is the worst, rest of the day I can manage ok)... It's so difficult to go to the doctor and feel judged, although I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. You T1D guys are such warriors, I admire you so much. I feel ridiculous being overwhelmed just with constant blood measurements and carb counting. Your youtube channel has opened my eyes to see how people can handle such more than this!
I've been a T1 diabetic for a little over 10 years. Just like you, I was battling frequent low blood sugars with daily injections. For whatever reason lantus wasn't absorbing properly for me at the beginning of this year even though I had been using it ever since my diagnosis. Spoke with my Endo and was able to get on an insulin pump with the insurance provided from my work. For the last 3 months that I've been on the pump, my A1C was 5.5 with VERY minimal lows. Happy to see others are having similar successful results with insulin pumps and hoping for the continuous advancements in diabetes technology and maybe one day a cure😊✌️
Oh I’m so happy to hear that it’s been helpful for you too Jon! And I completely agree - I hope (and believe) that the medical technology will continue to advance to make Diabetes management more and more, well- manageable! :-)
@@jaylarutherford2486 What are your numbers before bed time? Do you eat dinner really close to bedtime? Long acting insulin doesn't do a good job of handling dawn phenomenon. Part of your circadian rythm where your liver dumps sugar into your blood to get you ready to wake up and start the day. Trouble is our liver doesn't know our pancreas doesn't work :/
This is the 2nd video I've watched by you and I must say, you do a wonderful job of making a viewable video. The transitions are both technically and compositionally smooth and your information is well organized. I am a retired School Library/Media Specialist so I have taught a lot of video production and I would have to say you're a natural. As a diabetic, however, I would have to say, you probably should be rewarded for the quality of your information. After 30+ years as a diabetic, you hit on all the topics in both videos that I wanted/needed explained. Thank you very much for your labor. I do understand it is a lot of work to post a presentable video. Your information was insightful and the information on the CGM device helped me a lot. I think I could now learn how to use an insulin pump, I don't think my doctor has the courage to learn how to support me in that process. He also thinks that all CGM devices are inaccurate to the Nth degree. It's hard for doctors, they are often too overwhelmed to learn. I wish you the best and I did subscribe.
Hi Tom! Oh my goodness thank you so so much for your kind and generous words - and for subscribing! Really your kind words mean a lot to me. As for the pump - you could TOTALLY learn to use it! If your doctor is questioning this, or doesn't seem to have the time or confidence himself to learn the system I would really encourage you to perhaps look for another doctor as this is pretty unacceptable! This is just my opinion though, and I know things are exactly straightforward in terms of switching doctors, etc. As for the CGM, I understand the questioning of accuracy, however, the Dexcom G6 system actually has such accuracy qualifications that it is considered more accurate than a finger prick! So I can tell you that at least that system is absolutely accurate and not to be dismissed! Anyway, I hope this little bit of information encourages you and helps in a small way! Thank you again for watching and wishing you a wonderful day!!
Thank you Andrea, I have been insulin dependent and diagnosed at the age of 32 and I am 69 yrs young now. I have moved to a rural area and the team up here is not trained so my diabetic team is 3 hrs away in the city: It was nice to hear your honesty about switching and also hear about the frustration of trying to maintain a blood sugar level with multiple shots within the pen daily. As you were talking I checked and was going down so again stuffed carbs in my mouth. I am tired of the lows at night and waking up to the screeching beeps on my cell phone. I am also tired of so many injections every day. However my anxiety in changing over is huge and it seems so complex I don’t know if I have it in me to learn all about basal and Bolus. I feel confused. So thank you for voicing my thoughts and feelings and also helping with me getting closer to being able to pump it up !
In all honesty I was exactly how you felt on getting an Insulin Pump, I said no way. I was at a store and saw this little old lady had one and I asked her about it and was sold,lol. I hate needles, so I gave it a chance. Very Happy I Did!!!! 2006 was the year I started and never regretted it !!
So glad to hear you made the switch and never looked back!!! I love my pump and cannot now imagine life without it!! YAY FOR PUMPS - but also just YAY for solutions that make life better :) !!!
Wow - thank you so much for your kind, amazing words, I really appreciate them and hold them dear to my heart! This was the entire point of this video and your words truly mean so much to me, I'm so happy this helped you and am so grateful to you for expressing this to me!
This is incredible how I felt so many of the same things. I am still feeling overwhelmed with it and balancing my life, but this is comforting to hear that someone went through the same. I think we often forget that we are not alone in this crazy world. At least, that's where my journey is right now.
Thank you so much. You've say the correct words. I'm 40 and I am diabetic tipe 1 since 10. I switch for the pump since 2 month now. It's been hard ! I cried because it's like seen my diabetes all day. But my blood sugars are soooo good that is worth it! I'm not waking up at night feeling like dying with low sugars. Excuse my English I'm from Puerto Rico. Again, I'm grateful to have find this video.
Thank you so much for your kind words Denisse! I'm so glad to hear you're having such success with the pump - but I totally understand that feeling on having your diabetes be constantly 'seen'! Thank you for watching and for sharing your experience with the community here!
You took the words out of my mouth! After being on multiple injections for 30 years i am going on the pump soon. I hated the idea of having something attached to me, so also rejected the idea from my dr. Physiological reasons were the only reasons holding me back. Im not a sick person and i did not want to look like one. Ive got the same attitude going into this- Im going to try! Thank you for an unbelievably relatable video.
I just found you and I am feeling everything you mentioned. I am in the process of "switching to a pump" but I am still trying to decide "which pump" is for me. I want to thank you for being honest in your journey. It's hard and scary and overwhelming. Will keep watching and maybe there's more to help me make the decision easier. thanks again Ali
Hi you've taken the words right out of my mouth! I'm T1 since I was 14 I'm 38 now and it has been a rough road but I'm still alive not very healthy because of being a women with 3 children and hormones play a big role with a diabetic woman. I'm now ready for the pump! My endos have offered over the years but I turned it down because of the look of it on my teenage body was a No and now that I'm older I'm ok with it. Wish me luck and I will let you know how it goes! The future has arrived for so many things for diabetes!! Blessings to ya!
Just watched this video. Andrea, thank you for your honesty and insight. This was a big help as I’m getting trained next week for my insulin pump after living for 20 years with diabetes and mdi’s. I know there’s a steep learning curve ahead of me, but like you, there’s hope that it will all be worth it.
Diabetic Danica saved me too when I was first connected! 😂 id only been diagnosed for about 3 months when I got my first pump. It was rushed as I’m allergic to long acting insulin so we were running out of options. I’ve now switched to the tslim but I love pumping so much. I’m binge watching your videos xxoo
Ah! Thank you so much for being here and binging the videos!!! LOVE IT! I’m so glad you love your pump so much too and that it works so well for you - that is FABULOUS!! And YAY for Diabetic Danica saving us!!! ☺️💖xoxo
I am 26 years old, and I have my pump training tomorrow. It is almost 1am and I am here in bed, freaking out watching RUclips videos, and then came this one! I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart, cause even though this was recorded who-knows when, it feels so relatable and it managed to soothe my anxiety!! I send you all the love a stranger could possibly send a stranger
Oh my goodness - you have no idea how much this comment means to me. Truly I have chills reading it. You words are just such a gift to me. I hope your pump training went well and that you're doing well within your first few days - I know for me that whole time was quite overwhelming so please don't worry if it is for you too - you are not alone!!! Thank you so so much and sending YOU all the love a stranger could possible send a stranger!!!! XOXO
I can relate to your story so much! I was diagnosed with T1D in May of 1995. It was a month after I turned 6, I am now 29. I was on multiple daily injections for years and when I was 14 I went on my first insulin pump and I was on it for 4 years. Pretty much my entire time in high school. I loved it, I loved the freedom I had and not having to wake up early on weekends to do my shot. It was awesome. Unfortunately after 4 years my body started rejecting the infusion set, so I was having to change it pretty much every day. So I decided to go back on multiple daily injections. I did that from age 18-26 and at 26 I started having a lot of issues with my blood sugars being extremely low all the time and I was unable to feel my blood sugars going low like I had been able to do in the past. I would feel perfectly fine and check my blood sugar and it would be 46. It was awful, I was passing out multiple times a day. I was going low in the middle of the night while I was sleeping and thank god for my boyfriend or most likely I would have died. I had lost my endocrinologist because I wasn’t able to be on my moms insurance anymore and I made to much to qualify for Medicaid. So I was dropped as a patient. It was awful, I finished school and started to try getting a job as a teacher, which I was lucky enough to find a teaching job and with that got amazing health insurance again. My primary care doctor then started to try and get me a new endocrinologist. Because I was in a crisis with my blood sugars. Like I said they were constantly low all the time. And one day I was at work and luckily I was in the teachers break room and one of my co workers who is also a T1D was in there with me and my sugar dropped and I blacked out and I got rushed to the ER by ambulance. I had an amazing ER doctor who immediately referred me to a new endocrinologist in my area. I met with him and he immediately ordered me a pump. I went on it and my blood sugars were amazing. They were in the range where he wanted me and I was no longer having severe lows. I was on this pump for almost 3 years and I teach students with autism and the pump I was on was a tubes pump and I had didn’t really care for the tubes. When I was dealing with a student in a behavior they would grab my tubing and I just realized that a tubed pump wasn’t for me. I then found out about a tubeless pump. I had an appointment with my endocrinologist and went back on shots until I go through my training for the omnipod, which is next Thursday. I have been doing shots for almost 2 weeks now and I’m in the same boat my blood sugars are once again low all the time. I can’t wait until next Thursday when I get on the omnipod. I know insulin pumps aren’t for everyone but for me they are amazing and have helped me tremendously. I relate to your story so much because like you my blood sugars are constantly low when I’m on multiple daily injections and as I’m sure you know when you sugar is low you have no energy, you get moody, and it sucks. I’m so glad that the pump worked out for you and I can’t wait to get back on one!
Hi Zachary! Thank you so so much for watching and for sharing your story. I am so sorry you had to go through all of that. Fighting constant low blood sugar is just so so so exhausting! I'm THRILLED to hear that the pump has been so effective for you in combating this though - and I'm excited for you to get your omnipod!!! I actually know of another person who went on the omnipod because she works as a therapist for adults with learning disabilities, autism, etc, and the omnipod has allowed her to be on a pump without it being ripped out. Her name is @cyborg.queen (she's fabulous and so lovely) on insta and you should go follow her I think - since you two sound like you have very similar lines of work and she is on the omnipod too for very similar reasons it sounds like! I really am excited for you to start the omni, and until then wish you success in controlling your sugars via the pens!!
How is the Omnipod working for you? this pump is working well for myself BUT I may have to look into a tubeless pump as well in my field of work I work in an Emergency Room attached to a Behavioral Health facility so at times I'm nervous about walking near the patients that maybe just courageous of what I have hanging onto me it maybe my mind playing tricks on me ☺ so 1st off I've been T1D since 1984 and I've come along way with the low ISSUES thank God I've always been brought back to work in an Emergency Room ALWAYS was helpful so I've only been on the Pump now for 3weeks but it's really good to know the real deal from somebody of real knowledge of how it's working for them. God Be With US 24/7. ☝👍💕💃
Thank you so much for making this video. I've had T1 Diabetes for 19 and a half years and have just started the process of getting an insulin pump. I'm just waiting for all the paperwork to go through and the training day before getting it. I have always been against the pump as well as I've never liked the idea of being attached to something. I am feeling really anxious about it all because all I've ever known is my injections, but I've decided that it's more important to have stability with my levels than to feel ashamed or embarrassed of having to wear a device that reminds me of my diabetes. This video has really helped me feel more relaxed, seeing both your positive and negative experiences. Thank you! 😊
Many Thanks!!! I have been debating going on the pump for a few years. My recent A1C of 8.3 scared me and made me realize I need help. It is incredibly challenging to get through to doctors today. They are more busy than ever and our healthcare system is so inefficient. Thank you for adding to the community of people managing Type 1 Diabetes- We all need this support more than ever:>)
OH wow - thank you so so so much for your kind words. I agree with every single thing you’ve said about the healthcare system and finding it hard to get through to doctors…couldn’t have said it better myself. Mine is only one opinion of course, but I think we all can use all the support we can get and it’s the people that live with the condition that can in some ways give that support the most fully, since we live with it 24/7/365 🥹
Oh my goodness - I’m so glad you feel this way!! Please know you are not alone!!! It may be overwhelming, but I promise you’ve got this!!! Right there with you and thinking about you my sweet friend!!!!! ♥️
You are so well spoken! Thank you for this honest review. I’m considering an insulin pump as well and the topics you address are my worries and fears, so thank you for sharing your journey!
You are so so welcome - it truly is my absolute pleasure! Thank you for your kind words and good luck on your journey to discovering more about the pump! 💙
Lucy, this couldn't mean more to me. I know I'm not a doctor, and I never ever want to tell anyone what to think or do or how to treat their diabetes, I just always want to be as honest and open as possible and help people know that they are not alone. You have no idea what your comment means to me, and also, how this lifts me emotionally, so please know you give me as much as you say that I give you! You are wonderfully generous to share these kind words with me...from the bottom of my heart...THANK YOU 💙
Wow! I really appreciate your totally awesome honest video. I have been a diabetic for 48 years and I'm finally making a big step getting a tandem t-slim pump that ties in with my dexcom G6 and hopefully all goes well, I can really relate to all that you mentioned about worrying, I am going through training this morning so the past few days my mind has been scrambling about the pros and cons of this machine. I have been doing this the old fashioned way for 48 years and now to make a change in my life is very worrisome but wish me luck and again thank you for your honest video. You take care of yourself.
I totally understand your concerns Glenn - this is certainly a big change for you, I am sure! I can only imagine really! I just hope the switch has gone/is going/will go well for you!! Honestly, I say it all in the video - overall, my switch to a pump has changed my life and it’s easily the best decision I’ve ever made for my Type 1 Diabetic health, and health in general. Wishing you joy!!!
My daughter is on the list for a pump. We're in Scotland so it's the NHS. We have a choice of 3 different pumps. (We will have the pump prescribed for a 4 year period). We are torn between the tslim & the omnipod. The reason for the wait is limited places on the training programme. The diabetes team usually support a few families with their kids in the same group. COVID is slowing everything down. Training is the full day on a Thursday & Friday. We will get to try the pump at the weekend & have a follow up session on the Monday. Having done a bit of research & watched your videos I'm so glad we will be to attend the group training. I think meeting the other parents & kids will be helpful too. It feels like such a big step! Trusting my child's health to technology......... however I'm hoping it will give her better control & freedom. Thanks yet again for sharing such an honest video
Oh wow! How exciting!! I think this all sounds so positive and wonderful - not only to get a training, but to also meet other parents, I think this is invaluable! How fantastic! I'm right there with you on the split between the Omnipod and Tslim, I ultimately went for the tslim becuase the algorithm of Basal iQ when used with the Dexcom G6 is second to non (in my opinion). But we're all individual and everyone's needs are different so I just wish you and your daughter all the very best luck in finding the best system for you!! This is the absolute most important thing. Thank you for sharing this with us all here and I'm so glad to hear you're going to have proper training - this is just so wonderful to hear!!! 💙
As a total novice, I bow to you for the information that you pass on. Because I am still navigating the diabetes 1 side of the land. Even though medically I am not at the stage for needing a pump or anything at this stage, I am really grateful for your advice. I am only taking 'Januvia' at the moment and pricking my finger at this stage, so thankfully, "knock on wood" (knocks on own head and bedside table and draws). I was told by the 'endo', I would eventually need insulin, but he wasn't specific. Actually, when he told me my diagnosis, he was very vague. He said, "You have a very gentle type 1" but it's categorised as a 'Type 1', I was thinking, "WHAT?! That doesn't say anything." But I soon found out, that I have LADA, I have an appointment at a community hospital with the diabetes team in September, but my other hospital appointment was cancelled and so...I have to wait for another appointment because there are doctors' strikes going on in the UK at the moment...so.....fun...I ramble, I will update, when I can and the videos are really helpful, as a newbie diabetic type 1...they really help so much. Thank you, :)
Oh my gosh - I'm so sorry to hear this! You've certainly been through a lot already! I know those diagnoses with LADA involved can be very very hard to navigate and with a doctor's strike on top of all of that...my goodness gracious...! I'm wishing you all the best as you navigate each step and if I can help at all through these videos - if just to remind you that you are not alone in your frustration or anything - it's my pleasure!!
@@ShesDiabetic Thank you, when I said what my GP said to me at the time, which was again, two years ago. I have something called ‘Cowden’s syndrome’ which is a human genetic disorder. The endo who I saw at my appointment, I told him how the GP said that it could b a little related to that. Yeah, to be honest, your videos have helped me to navigate the diabetes world. In order to explain to my mum who is of a certain age. Unfortunately apart from another family member who had T2, i am navigating and understanding this very lone ranger style. But, because of another family member having that T2 diagnosis, my dad also had problems with one of his kidneys and I am hopefully trying to get that investigated, as my mum and I think it might have had a form of diabetes, but not known about it. We shall see, once again, Thank you. 😊
Thank you sooooo much for sharing your story. I, too, struggled with the switch to an insulin pump almost a year ago. I didn’t really see anyone talking about the difficult areas of switching over, only the exciting parts. I also hate having something attached to me constantly (I struggle almost daily of where to put it), but still I wouldn’t give it up for everything. My A1C has dropped so much, and I just feel so much better on the pump! Also, I felt like the training before I went to the hospital to put the pump on for the first time was verging on excessive (literally took a week) - so interesting to hear the differences between our countries.
Hi! Oh my goodness - reading your comment has totally made me feel like I'm not alone!! I completely know what you mean in terms of just a lot of 'exciting' content over people switching to the pump, but not really much negative or 'challenges of' type content. And oh - I struggle on a daily basis as well - of where to put it and how to style it into my look so I feel confident with it! But yep - like you I just love it, and at this point I wouldn't trade it for the world, but I would trade it for a smaller, slimmer system - that's for sure! Hopefully tech will continue to evolve and we'll have something smaller that can deliver the insulin and results we need and love without the bulk or even tubing perhaps. I'm so glad to hear you've had such fantastic results and I hope this has continued and continues! Wishing you all the best and thank you thank you thank you for making ME feel less alone with your story! :-)
I've been using a insulin pump for the last 6 years and I'm so glad I do because I had very high doses of insulin and had insulin lumps on my legs and arms. Setting new pumps up is very confusing and takes time to get used to.
You are SO right - it is a LOT to cope with! That's why I wanted to make the video! Because it's a lot initially but I think ultimately it's so worth it! I'm so glad to hear you're still loving yours!!
I hear you! I really drug my feet about it and actually I wish I had done it sooner. But hindsight is 20/20 so I suppose you just have to look at the road ahead of you! But I hear you completely and thank you so so much for your kind words! 💙🥰
Thank you for sharing. I am having a similar experience. I have felt all these things as well. I am so anxious getting use to this new way of life. Just knowing I am not alone helps. So thank you!
You are so welcome! Thank YOU for watching and supporting the channel in this way - and for in turn making me feel less alone with your lovely and very relatable comments!!!! ❤️
I've been on a pump for a couple of years before 2011 when war started in Syria. I was paying for my pump because we don't have insurances. After war started everything became 10x priced, then even the accessories weren't be able to get into Syria. So from 2011 till now I have my little 712 Medtronic pump in it's box stored in my closet. Everytime I see the box I miss it so badly and miss myself wearing it. The period that I was on the pump was truly the heaven, now I feel myself stuck in the hell of multiple daily injections and highs and lows. All I wanted from all of you is to feel the grace of having a pump and insurance. God bless.
Hi Abdurrahman, thank you so much for watching and for sharing your story. I’m so sorry you’re having to go without your pump, this well and truly sucks and I’m just so sorry you’re having to go through that. I am reminded by your story to be so so grateful for what I have. Also, I hope you will be able to make use of your pump in the future, very very soon in the future. Wishing you all the best, and God Bless you ❣️
@@ShesDiabetic thank you so much for your wishes. I reread my comment and felt sorry for myself lol. It's really hard to get used to something then to loose it. But, I don't want anybody to feel bad while reading my comment, make sure that I'm fine and now I'm on Dr. Bernstein's low carb diet and it's working very well, thanks God. Till the future come, I'll stick to it and keep fighting ☺️
I am making this change in two days. More than just a little anxious. Your words in this vid offer guidance on what to expect to have to deal with. That helps tremendously, thank you.
I'm thinking about you and wishing you all the very very best. I'm so glad you found the video helpful too - this brings me joy. I wish you a smooth transition and wonderful start on your pump journey - I'm excited for you my friend!
Was just looking for videos about an insulin pump, to do research, before finally deciding to get a pump after 23 years of MDI. Came across this video, saying pretty much exactly what is on my mind. I have been so resistant to the idea of a pump because of the thought of having something tethered to me all the time. But lately I have gotten to the point of being in a fight with my BG levels after exercise, and random highs and lows, (and a usless endo whose response is "well, I dont know how to help you if you arent on a pump"), and avoiding eating as much as possible because of the rolling of dice not knowing if I am going to go high, or go low, or have one of those miracle days where it actually stays in range. So thank you for this video.
You are so so welcome, thank you for taking the time to tell me how helpful it was, and what you're going through at the moment. Those days/weeks/months, even years of chaotic blood sugars are so so exhausting, and I'm sorry you're dealing with that. I can't only speak for myself, personally, but I can really relate to what you've written, and a pump has greatly helped me to gain better control. No matter what you do, I'm sending you strength to get through these days and to make the right decision for you! 💙
I'm considering switching to pump, my sugars are unstable most of the times and that 24/7 overthinking, whether I'm going to go low or high, if my sugar won't spike after that meal,sometimes I starve so much just to get my sugars down, the consequences I will have to face if I won't keep my sugars in range, the mental health..I cannot manage my diabetes as well as I would love to, even though I'm trying my best.. the only problem with switching to pump for me is, as you mentioned, having something attached on me 24/7. I've been using insulin pens for 6y, haven't had sensor so far, it's all so unknown to me, so thank you so much for posting this video!
I'm so sorry to hear that you've been battling these ups and downs Petra - this is completely exhausting and I can imagine how fed up and frustrated you are. I can only say that I was in a very very similar boat before switching to the pump, and of course I still have ups and downs, but these have levelled out significantly. Going on the pump is the best decision I've ever made, and even though I dislike having something attached to me, this annoyance pales in comparison to the benefits I've seen (both physical and mental) from using the pump. Just my opinion though - you have to find what works best for you. I'm sending you strength and patience with your blood sugars and with your consideration of this decision. Sending love diabuddy XOXO
A terrific piece about your TD1. I guess all of us have our stories and they’re all very personal but similar. I was diagnosed when I was 40 yrs. old, 40 yrs. ago-TD1. I did multiple shots for 11:20 several years, then got my first pump. Now, I just received my new system from the pump company I’ve been dealing with forever. A new sensor system coordinates with my pump and working marvously to keep my bg reading around 90-130….all the time!! It’s almost unbelievable! The company gave me a class, in person, to learn about the new things that my pump would do, and how to use the pump and sensor effectively. They updated the software in my pump perfectly. So far, I am absolutely delighted with the new system! I will be 80 yrs. old soon but I love my pump and sensor!! I have a few “highs” but no “lows” since they warn me of coming lows and/or highs and give me a corrective bolus or stop my basal for a while. It’s amazing! I’m glad you got used to “pumping” , good luck with your TD1 life!
Hi. I’m type 2 diabetic. I’m trying to get my Endo to sign off on a glucose pump for me, because my sugars be up/down. I’m tired of doing the insulin injections. I’ve been a diabetic for 8 years or more. I enjoy your videos. They help me. Please don’t stop making them😊❤.
My wife is looking to have an insulin pump after 35 years of daily injections. Your video has reassured her that she is not the only one to feel that anxiety about what is a massive change in lifestyle, going from having total ans sole control yourself to a state whereby you are trusting a great deal of that control a machine would be daunting to anybody. Really helpful.
I really want to say thank you for making this video I my self am looking at getting a T:Slim x2 insulin pump and you have really helped ease my fears. I love your channel, I'm a type 1 diabetic and have been for 10 years.
I've been a diabetic for 8 years now.. I keep getting lows too. My physician recommended a pump multiple times but the idea of something being attached to me is REALLY pushing me off. I'm tired of the frequent lows so currently considering a pump. Thank you for your video, it was informative ❤
I can totally and COMPLETELY relate to you on this - I was in a very similar boat. Honestly - you need to do what works best for you - in your own time! Don't let anyone rush you or force you into a decision - your body, your choice! 💙💙💙
Success! I started my pump a week ago and I LOVE IT. I did not expect the ease and the control it brings to management. Cannot wait to see an improved a1c in August. No more pens!!
I've been on several pumps in my 24 years as a T1D, and until about 9 months ago I was last on a pump in 2014. Pretty much have had a Mini-Med pump solely, except for the Disetronic pump I had for a year before switching to a Mini-Med pump. I had a pump for almost 10 years, and due to pretty much the exact same issues you were having with putting the infusion sets on my stomach and they would almost always get kinked. I was, and still am, pretty skinny with not much body fat so I could really only put the infusion sets on the upper part of my butt a few inches below my waistline. But whether it be due to the infusion sets design, or just time itself, I started to get a buildup of scar tissue on the infusion sites. This caused me to start getting abscesses, which required me to go to a surgeon on multiple occasions, have it cut out, and then have to keep changing packing material in what was the 2nd hole in my ass! After about the 5th abscess, I called it quits for the pump. The abscesses caused me to go into DKA several times, miss a lot of work which I couldn't afford to do, and end up with some pretty costly hospital bills. So for 8 years I went back to using Insulin pens. When the first Freestyle Libre sensor came out, I got it immediately and it was an absolute game changer. I was always pretty lax with checking my blood sugars because after a while, no matter what I did my blood sugars seemed to have a mind of their own and I just got fed-up with it all. But the CGM changed a lot of that as I could just scan it with my phone and have the last 8 hours of glucose levels and it also enabled me to see what my sugars were doing while sleeping for the first time. I moved in fall of 2021 to a new state so I had to get established with all new doctors and at my first endo appt, they suggested I get on a pump. I told them all the reasons I went off of one in the first place and the only reason I bit the bullet and ended up with my 4th Mini-Med pump was because it finally had a closed loop system (Auto Mode) My A1C before the pump was an 8.2, which for me was awesome as I'd gotten to a point where if it was below a 10, I was happy. After 2 months on the 770g pump, my A1C dropped to a 7.0, and then 6.9 where it is still holding 6 months later as of today when I saw my endo again. I'll be upgrading to the 780g hopefully in the next week or so and also getting the new Guardian 4 CGM's (I'm just excited to not have to CONSTANTLY enter my blood sugar!) and I hope that it can lower my A1C even more as it will now allow the pump to take even more control and even correct automatically for high blood sugars and even missed bolus's for meals and such (which is awesome because I forget literally at least once every other day) I'm also hoping that since I switched this time around to the Mio infusion sets instead of the Quick Set that I used exclusively on previous pumps, that I will not end up with as much scar tissue as before since I'm still limited on where I can put my sites (I also just got a Pain pump surgically implanted 2 months ago and it sits right under the skin on my right side between my bottom rib and waistline and surprisingly large so no infusion sets there ever again)
I’m considering this. I’m type 2 and have a horrible time managing despite being diabetic for 15 years. I found your video very interesting and informative.
You are so very welcome! I wish you all the very best and good luck in doing your research and looking at making the switch! It’s such a personal decision- but for me, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made for my diabetes health (and thus my health in general) 💙
I am going to start an insulin pump in august Yeah I am a little anxious about it and this video was great. Diabetic Danica I have watched a lot of her videos as well. Thank you for posting
Just got my first insulin pump after having diabetes for 25 years. After looking over books on it, I am overwhelmed! Thank God for You Tube and the videos! Still scared but ready to try.
Oh I'm so excited for you - but I also understand the fear! Hopefully by now you've been able to get to grips with it and are loving life with your new pump!!
@@ShesDiabetic Yes! I have adapted very quickly! Saves me so many needle sticks a day. It has become very natural and easy to operate. Thank you for your nice comment.
Thanks for your insights on the detail the pump provides. I was diagnosed two years ago and I’m considering a pump over multiple injections a day. To understand that it paints with a brush makes me feel more enthusiastic about getting on the pump. I’m comfortable with my multiple injections now and can certainly relate to the apprehensions of changing how our disease. Good luck with your diabetes, thanks for the video.
Thank you for sharing this with us....I really totally get you ...I am going on the pump on the 23rd of this month and have been a bit stressed. Am excited but nervous. I hope I can sit back one day and say I went through all that but I am all good now and still connected to the pump. :)
AMEN! Oh I hope the very same for you Marilyn! I'm not going to lie to you, it certainly was an adjustment - but easily, EASILY the best decision I could have ever made for myself. We're all different, but I truly hope for a smooth and easy transition for you and that the pump is a game changer for you! 🙏🏻🥰💙
@@ShesDiabetic Thank you and its been a little bit of a struggle getting going on the pump but little by little its getting easier :) thank you for responding to me :)
Thank you so much! Firstly, well done for being a T1D Warrior for 46 years!!! That’s AMAZING!!! Ok...so my Dad went on the pump at age 60 after approximately the same amount of time of being T1D...!!! I know it’s no fun but it can be done! And the fun part for me has been...WAY less lows!! I hope you find what works best for you and I wish you all the best in your quest to figure all this out! :)
I took a whole YEAR break from my pump, just to start recovering from Diabulimia. I just got back on my pump last week and boy oh boy, I forgot how awesome it is (except as night when it gets tangled all up) Thanks for the video, its nice to see other peoples perspectives on stuff!
Well done to you for battling the long road to recovery from Diabulimia. That is so seriously inspiring. Not easy. Clearly you are a STRONG woman!! BRAVO! 👏🏻 And wowza - a year break! Interesting! I totally know what you mean about the feeling when you’ve been reunited (oh, and the tangled up tubing...😒)...this technology is so darn amazing - sometimes I forget too! But also - a break can be awesome too! I’m glad you found what works for you, that is top notch!! ♥️
I have been a type 1 diabetic since 1965. I received my first pump in 1982. It was a time when home blood glucose testing was relatively new. The pump was about three or four times the size of current pumps. I couldn't button my suit coats when I had it on my belt. I've lived through straight needle infusion sets (very painful), bent needle infusion sets (slightly less painful) and sofsets (not at all painful). The main reason I began pump therapy 37 years ago is that the pump could be programmed to give me a bolus in the middle of the night. That eliminated my high blood sugars on waking in the morning. I worked in TV news, and over the years my pumps have been to earthquakes, forest fires, floods, and war zones. They've traveled with me to -- among other places -- Bosnia, Cuba, Uganda, and Chile. I became legally blind about the time I received my first pump. I've had three mild heart attacks. But I am still around and still active. And I believe the primary reason is the way the pump helped me get control of my blood glucose nearly four decades ago.
Hi Craig!! Thank you so SO much for sharing your fascinating story and experience of being on the pump. Wow - those straight needle infusion sets must have been painful indeed, I can only imagine! I’m so glad to hear that your pump has given you such a quality of life and added years to your life and life to your years it sounds like. How amazing that your pump has travelled with you to so many destinations and been subject to such wild weather experiences! Incredible! It sounds like you’ve lived and continue to live a fascinating life - all whilst living with T1D too. This is inspiring to read. Thank you for sharing! I wish you a wonderful, happy, healthy, day and continued quality of life with the pump and in general!!! 🙌🏻☺️
I’m currently on multiple injections and I can totally relate to when you said training was only two hours and it was so fast. That’s what I’m having difficulty with at the moment. Currently, I am on my own, reading the manual it came with, and although I was taught by a home nurse on how to start up the pump, I was left alone on bolusing and checking my blood sugar constantly. I am afraid of messing up my blood sugar, of going too high or too low, and of relying on something that i don’t know how to use. This pump comes with a continuous glucose monitor, and I have not been trained on how to use that yet, until one more week. I personally feel that I was good with my previous CGM, the freestyle libre, because it alerted me when I was starting to go low and when I was starting to go high, so I had that help and I’d know when to fix my sugar before it happened. But then they took me off that CGM in favor of the pump and the CGM that goes with it. It’s a different brand and while I’m still learning about the pump, I have to wait on the CGM now. My blood sugars are back on highs and lows again. On top of trying to learn the pump. I am scared and anxious all the time.
I feel you - and truly I hear every single word you're saying. Give it time, truly, and have patience (I know - so so so much easier said than done!!) I just found that everything got turned upside down when I started on the pump but then things settled down and really became very well controlled after a while. The transition is hard. Please don't get discouraged - I'm right there with you and you are not alone!!! 🙏🏻
Very good presentation. I am type 1 30 years. Always avoided the pump, This girl has a future in the media....good looking ,articulate and intelligent. It would have been good to see how the pump works and also get a comparison of the A1c numbers before the pump and after the pump.
just found your videos and I love them. So honest - and the perfect pitched voice. Thank you for this one because I struggle with this decision. I am only 3 mths into this condition and at 51 yrs old its sort of hard to take. But this video really has helped and helped me consider a pump. Thank you.
Oh thank you so much for your kind words, Jake! I'm so glad you found this video helpful - I just really wanted to put all my experiences out there (good and bad) to give others a perspective of what it's been like to live with a pump. I'm still on the pump and absolutely love it, so for what it's worth - the decision has been an excellent one for me! Good luck in all your investigations and decisions and thank you so much for watching!
Thank you for sharing your experience.I am in the process of researching an insulin pump for myself and this video really was reassuring.Well done and thank you again!
Hi there I watched a few of your videos even though I have T2D. You are wonderful and very informative for those who are suffering with diabetes. Keep up the good work on your videos they ae very helpful, even for me!!
Hi I just started on the Medtronic 640G 3 days ago. I’m feeling quite overwhelmed at present with all the numbers ISF carb ratios etc etc and getting used to the actual device itself. After looking at your video I am inspired to do by best to make the most of this opportunity. Like you I was hypoing so much and treating it with sugar snacks to compensate and constantly spiking and dropping due to insulin over usage :( Hoping when I get my rates right it will make my life so much easier. Anyway rambling here but would just like to say fabulous video and very inspirational. Thank you so much.
Oh thank you so much for your kind words, Tony! I really appreciate your watching and commenting like this! Well done to you for getting onto the pump! It's not an easy decision nor is it a smooth ride (like some would have you believe!). All I can say is 1) it DOES get easier! and 2) I'm sure you can do it! I pretty much cover all of this in the video, but just so you know, it's all true and I am STILL on my pump after all this time and all these struggles, so I promise you, it is absolutely worth the struggle! I hope this helps and hope that you've already seen improvements and changes since writing this comment. Sending you strength and positivity and some much needed pump-patience! You can do it!!
LOVE THIS REALISTIC VIEW. 100% agree pump is the way to go. Was recently in hospital and heard of someone choosing multishots over pump, and I couldn't relate at all. Pump is flexibility. Long acting insulin is the worst because of the length of time in system. Life is unpredictable. #DiabeticDantica love her.
I have just found your channel (thank you RUclips recommendations). I am surprised that when you were having so many hypos, especially several a day, that your diabetes nurse and specialist never helped and encouraged you to adjust your ratios to try and stop that from happening. I must be lucky that the team at my local hospital is so good and supportive. I am glad that your pump helped. I am where you were. I have been type 1 since 17 and have been on syringes and then pens ever since. I have been resisting a pump, mainly from a worry about the implications of living with one; what happens if I knock it? Do I have to wear it during the night? Where do I wear it? I now have the Freestyle Libre2, which, I understand, can now communicate with some pumps. So, I might ask about information about a pump again as it should be beneficial.
Hi there, I know what you mean by having something inserted!! I was very emotional about having a monitor in, and I cried a bit. It has been really nice to watch your video so I know that I'm not the only one!!! Thank you Andrea 💜 xx
Tresiba is your best friend!! I rarely go low ever since I switched about two years ago! In my 24 years with this disease I've never come across a long acting quite like it, it has NO PEAK! my average fasting sugars have been 70-110.
I started the Medtronic pump two weeks ago and went back to multiple injections. After 1 week It was dejavu of my last experience with a pump. Immediate high blood sugars, and feeling less in control. 2 hours of training and off to work. I felt very alone and very anxious about what to do if this or that happens and the what ifs… I hated the thing hanging on me. Sleeping, dressing, going to the bathroom, working as an electrician, etc! I realized later that the Omni pod may be a better fit since the way it is put on your body without a line to the cannula. I’m hopeful to maybe get a chance with that type of pump soon. I hope you are well since this video was 5 years ago! Subscribed! Thanks 🙏🏻
I can so relate to so much of what you've written here! I actually just started the Omnipod 5 and am on a new journey with that pump now. All these systems have their ups and downs to be honest, but I must say I am enjoying the tubeless aspect for sure. Thank you so much for subscribing and welcome to the family!!!
@@ShesDiabetic Thank you so much for your videos, I listen to them on my way home from work now everyday! It makes feel good to hear from someone else like me. I’ve went most of my life with very little support from friends an relatives since none of them really understand some of the things we deal with. She’s diabetic, and now my friend! 👍
I think your VERY brave and making videos helps us all so much honey. I think the sun is shining and life is good. Type 1 diabetes totally stinks though. Xxxx 💕💕💕 I’m binge watching your videos to get ready before my pancreas is taken out flower 🌺 xxx
Thank you so much my lovely friend!!!! I wish you all the very best on your journey and so happy and honored to support you in whatever way I can!! 🌸 Xxxxx
Hi Andrea,I’m a diabetic 32 years now and 2 weeks ago I was put on the insulin pump I’m finding it great I definitely will not be returning to multiple insulin shots ,I get calls every couple of days from the hospital to find out how I’m getting on which is great also next Tuesday I’m going back up to the hospital for an appointment I definitely think that this was my best decision ,please keep up the good work Your channel is great👍👍👍
Oh congratulations on switching to the pump Keith!!! Not an easy switch, but definitely an easy decision to stick to once you see the magic of the pump (in my opinion!). I'm so happy you're finding it working so well for you and that your hospital is conscientious about checking up on your progress - this is wonderful!! Enjoy it!! And may you move from strength to strength!! :-)
I've been a T1 diabetic for about 55 years and on MDI since diagnosis and I recently considered switching to an insulin pump for the multiple basil settings and extended bolus that most pumps offer. But, after thinking about all the complexities associated with a pump I think I will likely pass on it. I really don't want to deal with all the extra supplies and the likely possibility that the pump or related items will fail on me at the worst time is a major turnoff. So for now I'm going to keep it simple and stick with MDI in spite of the drawbacks. Just dealing with the Dexcom G6 is enough for me to deal with right now. Good luck with the pump and thanks for the video. I will look forward to the follow up video where you relate what you did when the pump fails and you don't have a spare pump and you end up DKA.
This is a wonderful video. It really is. There's a give and take to everything with this disease...every decision has consequences, and some consequences suck more than others. Everything is an adjustment, everything is an evolution. My son was diagnosed 2 months ago (almost to the day), and it feels like a lifetime ago. Whenever he decides a pump might be right for him, I'm going to point him to this video. Thank you! Also, you're adorable. Also you used the word 'impetus', one of my favorite words. Thumbs up!!
I'm so sorry to hear of your son's recent diagnosis - I hope he and you are doing okay. It's a lot for both the child and the parent to contend with. I'm wishing you both strength, determination and health - now and always! And I'm glad to be using one of your fav words - it's a great word!! :) Thank you so much for sharing!!
Goodness, Andrea. Low BG is ruining my life and I am also on Lantus/ NovoRapid. Following in your footsteps. In my country, only two provinces will even cover CGMs through insurance. The part of our T1D community that publishes resources to help the rest of us along is so woefully small. This is a huge service you are doing for us.
I was on a Medtronic pump in 2015 and it broke down and my sugar skyrocketed at work and I had to take the day off. I never went back on because of the concern of letting a machine control my health. I was also on a CGM. The out of pocket cost for me was huge. I take 4-5 shots a day since 1973.
I'm so sorry you went through that Adam! I completely understand that the pump isn't for everyone - and that that's totally 100% a ok! Good control comes in all shapes and sizes and it's most important that you're comfortable with how you treat your diabetes! That's all there is to it! 💙
What an awesome, honest take!
EpicUniverse thank you! :-)
It takes time , I had one for 20 years its a wonderful thing
The video is at least four years old now, so I can't really say "Welcome to the Club" anymore... oh, what the heck... Welcome to the Club!
I got my first pump around 2007 and upgraded to my second pump in, if I recall correctly, 2015. I'm about due for another, which I'll likely do in the next year, or so.
Prior to that, I was on multiple daily injections for many years, but at the beginning, I was on a single daily injection. The dosage was around 12 units of Toronto and 60-70 units of NPH. I'm not even sure if they make those flavours anymore! But, that's the way it was when I was diagnosed 50 years ago.
Pumps are great, relatively easy to use, and do a fantastic job in making me feel more... "normal". They're not perfect, but nothing really is.
Keep on keepin' on!
I am newly diagnosed as Type 1 diabetic (last 2 weeks) and it has been a roller coaster of being overwhelmed. I appreciate your video and your honesty not only about the pump but everything you were going through. It is very encouraging to me that I'm not the only one going through this. Thank you for taking the time to make this video...🙂
Hi! I am type 1, diagnosed about 7 years ago just before I turned 19, Im currently on lantus and novorapid multiple daily injections. I get very very changeable blood sugars so I've never really felt in control and definitely am considering a switch to the pump, but it's never been suggested by my team, and I feel very scared to bring it up, but I get sooo much anxiety and burnout currently. I also don't know a single other person with type one so finding your channel and instagram has made me feel less isolated (and a bit emotional because actually having some of my struggles recognised by someone else makes me feel less of a failure for having them!) I guess I just wanna say thanks so much for making this happen! You're so brave for doing this and you've really helped me feel less alone :)
Joanna, oh my goodness, thank you so much for firstly, your honesty about your struggles and also for your incredibly kind words!! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! I PROMISE! But oh I completely understand that feeling! This disease can be SO isolating! I think that's why the online community is so important for all of us! :) Regarding your thinking of switching to a pump, I would encourage you to bring it up with your doc, if just as a conversation. There's no pressure to switch or do anything you don't want to do! Ultimately, for me, the pump has afforded me so much more flexibility, and therefore I love it, but of course, as you can see from the video there are so many sides to consider. I think if it's something you want to investigate - go for it! You can also decide that it isn't for you! Sending you so much love and strength! You are strong and you can do this and we are all in it together sweet girl!! XOXO
I was diagnosed around age 20. Fought with needles for about 8 years and finally overcame the fears and anxiety of having a "thing" tethered to me and having to change all the habits I had built to (barely) keep myself alive. It turns out the pump is a tool to handle the stress for you. To do the math yourself once every few months instead of every meal and more and the pump does it for you. Like she did in the video, it's a robot assistant. Just like an alarm clock helps wake you up or a phone app keeps track of appointments. Your insulin pump does so much for you and frees up your mind to live a bigger chunk of your life. Go out to dinner with friends? A bolus "shot" with a pump is just as simple as a finger prick. The convenience of ditching a kit of needles is a 1 to 1 trade off (to me) for having it attached. What you get from it that needles just can't do is kick ass A1C numbers and years of healthy active life.
As for show vs hide. I'm a proud ally of the disabled community both visible and not. I'm happy to have gone from an almost completely invisible condition to now wearing my diabetes proudly on my hip. That's the position I choose to take on it. I am also totally sympathetic to feelings of shame and isolation. When people ask me about "that thing on your belt" the thing that gives me the courage to chat openly and frankly about it is all the people that feel alone. If I can share and help make it normal for everyone around us then all those subtle cues and misconceptions that add up and reinforce the shame and isolation of others might be lessened.
Please do talk to your endocrinologist. You and them are a team. Your job together is your health and we'll being. Every team member has strengths and weaknesses and blindspots. Don't just assume that because they went to medical school that they know 100% everything there is to know in the whole universe and they for sure don't know your personal individual life experience. Ask questions. Doctors love to solve puzzles so if you ask a question they dont know the answer to right off, they'll probably want to find out the answer as much as you do.
Any update, Joanna? Admit I was a little shocked that a twenty something year old woman with variable blood sugars DIDN'T get the Pump Talk from their doctor in 2019...
Whether you decide to pump or not, there is SO MUCH info and support available, at least please reach out online or at some expo or local group that can at least put yourself into contacts with other diabetics with tips and tricks and support.
Good luck!
💯
Same thing happened to me and I ripped into my Endo about not even mentioning it to me..ill never be MDI but if you are worried about being tethered then get Omnipod.. Ive been on several pump but this one is my favorite because it a pod and no tube..I will however move to Tandem pump because of their great Close Loop system..im lucky that my ins covers all my diabetic needs
A friend of mine is type 1 and I love videos like this and learning what her “normal” must be
Thank you so much Hayley! What an AMAZING friend you are to be curious enough to research and learn about her T1D! You're AWESOME!! And thank you for your kind words!
You are such a wonderful friend in world and I appreciate you for this I'm a diabetic patient too and my friend anvi also ask me question so she can learn what I can eat and that I cannot cheat on my own sugars 🤣🤣🤣🤣 yeah she does care she knows I cannot eat sweets
I wish everybody haves a friend like you
My beautiful 9-year-old boy was diagnosed as Type 1 just one week ago after an emergency rush to hospital in Cairo where we live. He was suffering DKA. His vitals are stabilised now, but my own emotions aren't. I would do anything to take it from his body and put it in mine. As I scramble for information, and process the shock, this video really helped me. The content, yes. But more to see someone with the same diagnosis so articulate, so collected and so buoyant. You give me strong hope when I need it.
Ian, I am so so sorry to hear of your son's diagnosis. Although I'm sure no words can help the pain you must be feeling right now, please know that this will get better. You and your son and your whole family will find a new normal, and maybe even some positives can come out of this. Sometimes I think the very fact that I am T1D has shaped me into a more special, resilient person, truly. I have another video on my channel interviewing my parents, talking all about what it's like to parent a Type 1 Diabetic child (they had two, my brother and I) and this might be helpful for you to watch. In the meantime, just please keep taking everything one day at a time. There is a ton of support out there on RUclips, instagram, and various other social media platforms. Reach out and don't suffer in silence. Your mental health is hugely important too! You are strong and will get through this! Sending love, Andrea
I'm a diabetes educator and your "bad experiences" are good to know for training my pump patients. I'm sorry your support was not different. I believe your comments will enable the diabetes educators out here to do a better job at anticipating how to get someone on a pump in a less overwhelming way. I'm not diabetic but profess that if I was I would absolutely go on a pump, but one that comes with that great support every pump patient needs.Thank you for your candid video. Denise M
Insulin pumps have been a godsend to me. I started on insulin pump therapy back in 2008 and will be on my fifth pump starting next week - a Medtronic 780G. The freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want, and not have to carry syringes and pens around, nor worry about the terrible results I always had with long acting insulin has been enormously liberating. I can't even begin to tell you or anyone else who might care to listen what a beneficial effect insulin pumps have had on my life.
Thank you so so much for sharing this and I just can’t tell you how much I’m smiling as I read this. Genuinely my heart is so happy for you!!! This is what it’s all about - finding the solutions that work for you and give you that freedom. It truly makes a life 1000000x more full of LIFE! Thank you so much for sharing this, oh and also…I couldn’t agree more!!!
@@ShesDiabetic You're welcome, and thank you for the kind thoughts!
First of all you're lucky to have $5500 for a pump then 5 pumps!! I'm resisting the pump, I'm not having a problems with injections....what's hard about them?? Much less complicated than the pump!! Good luck.
@@lisamcallister6534 I have no problems with injections. It's the fact that you have to take them wherever you go. And, therapeutically speaking, I have never had good luck with long acting insulin and my morning sugar levels were always much higher before I had my pump.
And I have to say....your anger at me is ridiculous and misplaced. You act like the only way anyone should take insulin is the way YOU take insulin. That's ridiculous. You do you. Fine. I do me. Also fine. Go bother someone else.
Oh my heart as a diabetes nurse educator I feel for you on the lack of support you received from your team😢 every country ( I’m Canadian( every DEC is different but our team does pre- pump training then a saline start and then then go on the pump.( 3 appointments) We follow up daily then weekly. You are a rock star figuring that out on your own!! I love your elegance, wisdom & how you articulate your diabetes! I love watching these videos to make me a better educator!!!
I switched to a pump 6 months ago and WTF didn't i get this sooner?!
For me, the MDIs were the "reminding me i'm diabetic" artifacts and sticking to the regimen after 3 decades was just plain tough, emotionally.
Although I was nervous and excited, the flexibility of the pump is amazing and without some significant change or discovery, i'll never go back. The pump and the CGM give me so much more control over my life, they've given me a feeling of efficacy i don't ever remember having over my BG (diagnosed 1988).
It's embarrassing to admit that i also ran to youtube with medical device questions, but we're fortunate there are many folks like you (and Danica who also taught me how to use an infusion set i was unfamiliar with) making these videos, so _thank you_ for reminding me i wasn't the only one who felt unsure about how to use this potentially dangerous thing i'm leashed to.
Ah! I'm so happy for you!! I totally get that whoel "Hey! Wait a minute!? Why didn't I get this sooner??" feeling!! The quality of life is just so vastly improved by these pieces of awesome technology. I'm so happy you're so happy and that it all works so well for you! And HORRAY for RUclips and Diabetic Danica for giving us a lifeline when we need it most!!
Thank you so much for being so candid about the challenges you faced and continue to face as a type 1 diabetic! Nearly five decades of living with this at times heartlessly demanding disease makes it very easy for me to relate to the fears, frustrations, and feelings of other diabetics. Your story concerning the lack of training and assistance you received when switching to pump therapy both made me angry and sad. I was an out of work photojournalist living in California when I was first diagnosed and although that was nearly 50 years ago I can well remember how I felt when the ER doctor said, "You have a blood sugar of nearly 800 and if you don't get on insulin soon you will die." At the time I had no job, almost no money, no health insurance and was in the process of getting evicted from my apartment. Minutes after being told I was a diabetic I walked out of the emergency room with a bottle of NPH insulin, a box of insulin syringes, and the admonition to eat a healthy diet. Back then there was no internet and no RUclips to turn to which makes me all the more appreciative of what you and other kind and caring diabetics are doing to help those suffering from this difficult disease to get on with their lives by learning the skills necessary for managing their diabetes. God bless you and the others like you who are filling the terrible void created by a medical system virtually hamstrung by financial constraints and a profit over all else motivation.
Thank You, I'll be starting with a pump shortly, I've using injections for the past 48 years. I have many of the concerns you've discussed in the video. Hearing someone voice them out loud means so much.
From the bottom of my heart thank you so much for this video. Less than 2 years ago I became an instant diabetic when my pancreas was surgically removed because of renal cancer. I tell people it’s definitely a lot harder to be a diabetic than a cancer patient. Multiple injections and the constant fear of lows much like you were experiencing are exhausting. I am almost 72 and have just received the shipments of my Dexcom G6 and T slim. That’s a lot of scary technology for an oldster! I’ve been watching tons of stuff today waiting to hear back about an appointment with my “educator”. Your authentic expression of your experience gave me such hope. I am also receiving immunotherapy which comes with nausea and decreased appetite. Like you expressed I focus on eating more carbs and my glucose supplements. You gave me hope that emotionally I can get somewhat back to normal after an expected learning curve. I am learning so much from you. I am very grateful!
Oh I am so so so sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis and the struggles you've been facing. My goodness - an instant diabetic diagnosis in and amongst all of that is quite the shock! I honestly cannot even imagine. I can tell you this though - I have the Tslim & Dexcom G6 combo and I think it's by far the most wonderful possible combination out there! So you've got a really winning combination on your hands with that! I hope this brings you some joy and assurance! Of course we're all different - but I really thing this combination is universally excellent and I'm very excited for you to start on it all! And don't you worry - I have faith you're going to get to grips with the tech a ok!! I believe in you and am so grateful to you for your kind words. You are not alone my friend! I'm wishing you all the very very very best and am sending you so much healing and positivity!!!! 🙏🏻💙
At age 64, I was diagnosed with Type 1. I wound up in the ICU with blood sugar at 500! My A1C had always been 6.5. WHAT, HOW COULD THIS BE? I'm in the process of switching over to a pump. Just waiting for insurance to approve. I'm so grateful I found you. Yes, my anxiety is high!
i always felt like the "how many highs/lows a month did you have?" question is just an exquisite torture to make you feel like the worst diabetic in the world :D
I thought I was the most irresponsible diabetic with my hypoglycemia. It's kind of a relief knowing that is not only me!
I couldn’t meet eyes, I was sorta dying in my seat.
@@elenaaverkiou7579No, the only irresponsible ones are the ones with hyperglycemia 90 percent of the time. Speaking only for myself, I don’t track my sugars like I should. I act like my body will take care of itself when it won’t because I have type 1 lol 😂
Hi I'm an old dude almost 76 years old male and to me nothing is more important than feeling good. Although you didn't really directly answer the question since you said you would never give it up in 1 million years I'm assuming that it did make you feel better. The one thing that I have learned over the past decades is that many of the doctors are happier with having your blood sugar a little high than ever letting it go low. For me I want to keep it is perfect as I possibly can and your video was very helpful regarding that. Thanks a lot keep up your good work.
Literally going thru this TODAY and feeling overwhelmed. I can't figure out just how to move around with this thing and even just remembering it's there.
Grateful I found your video
I HEAR YOU!!! I PROMISE it gets better - and just remember, you can go back if you don't like it - you are in charge! But I told myself I'd give myself 3 months to decide, and since then, I've never looked back. But we're all individual. I'm sending you all the very best and hope you're managing okay - please just know what you're feeling is exactly what I was feeling - so at least in my mind it's totally normal!!
Thank you so much for this video! I'm a 38yo T1D diagnosed at 7 and on MDI. I've been considering a pump and watching a lot of youtube videos but the majority are focused on the physical aspects of wearing a pump. It was so nice to hear your take on the affects on your mental state. Thanks for your honesty. It's given me a lot to think about :)
Oh Mark, thank you so much for your kind words! I know it's a LOT to consider, and I really appreciate your wanting to know about the mental aspects as well! You have to do what's right for you, and no one else. To update you, I'm still on the pump and I love it more than ever. Truly don't know what I would do without it in some ways and it's given me more freedom to actually live my life, so though the tubing and connection to something scared me because I thought I would feel tied down it's actually done the opposite for me in my mind. That's just me though - we're all different! I just wanted to share that with you! Good luck in your search my friend - you will make the right decision for you!
As a man more or less born with diabetes, I deeply appreciate this video. I'm 34 now. I will get this pump next week and wanted to know more about it, and your video really gave a good perspective
Very detailed. Thank you so much. And good luck with your diabetes! ❤️🙏🏼
I've just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (two days ago) I loved how you talked about how personal it is. Since I was a kid I saw my grandmother battle with her type 1 diabetes, and always been afraid of it. Today I have it. I have to deal with it... I know everything is going to be allrigth, but I am still in shock if I am honest. Nevertheless, I am here looking to learn to live my new life with optimism. Thank you for your videos! :)
Hi!!! Oh thank you so so much for reaching out. I am so sorry to hear of your very recent diagnosis. Wow - how overwhelming this must be at the moment for you. Your shock is completely and utterly understandable. Please do not beat yourself up or judge yourself on this. You are allowed to be overwhelmed, angry, frustrated, sad, anxious, all of it! Please know that you are not alone and there is a huge online community (both here and instagram too) of hugely supportive and like minded T1D's just trying to live their best life and support one another along the way. I totally encourage you to make use of this incredible community. You are not alone - I cannot stress this enough. And you are strong (much stronger than you think) and will get through this, I promise you! Sending you so much love, strength, and positivity! Your Diabuddy, Andrea!
Only 4 days wow Good for you i have had it for 2 years and tmr i am getting a pump. I hope you do well.
Please don't worry! You will make it alright
. It requires a great deal of discipline and patience. I have had it for 35 years now and switching now to the pump. You will be alright.❤
Hi Andrea, thanks sooooo much for your video - I live in Scotland, and am about to go on a pump for the first time. I've been diabetic for 41 years, all of which time using manual insulin injections. it's quite scary to think of depending on a machine for something so critical, and not all RUclips videos are as comfortingly realistic and reassuring as yours - thank you! I feel way much better now to see it IS possible, and a really positive change to help you feel so much better physically and mentally.
Hi Susan! Thank you so much for watching and for your kind kind words. What you've written truly means a lot to me. It was very important to me that I highlight all aspects of switching: The good, the bad and the ugly! When I first switched to the pump it was difficult to find content covering the not so lovely aspects of being on a pump and how to combat those, so thus my motivation for making the video. Anyway, what I mean to say is that your words mean a great deal to me - so thank you! I hope your experience with the pump has been positive and encouraging and that you're able to enjoy the upsides of it as well as making it through some of the inevitable growing pains of a new piece of kit!
Thanks Andrea. I've been on the pump for 3 months now and what a change. I'm able to control my blood sugars beautifully overnight - something which was impossible on the previous manual regime. There are still a few times I get it completely wrong - mainly when estimating carbs when I'm out (cakes being particularly difficult!!) however the overall impact has been just great. I no longer feel exhausted each morning. Really pleased I decided to be brave and try it - nothing ventured, nothing gained! and your post encouraged me on this trip, so once again many thanks and I hope you continue to get the benefits from the pump too - I'd recommend it now to everyone, with a careful caveat that you only get what you put in - it needs careful management but is well worth the small amount of effort now required.
Your take on the emotional part of it all was something that I needed to hear and I totally wasn't expecting to, Thank you. I was looking for views on insulin pumps and I got much more than that by watching your video." Every minute of every hour of every day " put tear's in my eyes, it's real. I'm also type 1. Good luck to you.
Oh thank you so much J. Diabetes can be so overwhelming and exhausting, but it's a fight worth fighting, for sure. Good luck to you too and good luck with all the insulin pump research. I hope you're able to find the insulin delivery device that's right for you!
I've finally decided to switch to an insulin pump after 18 years of having type 1 diabetes. Thanks so much for this video! :)
You're so welcome! I'm excited for you to switch!! Well done to you for making that decision and I really hope (I think it will) work out very well for you!! :)
She's Diabetic Thank you! My pump training day is Thursday morning. I hope it goes ok!!!
I've been on mdi since i was diagnosed and felt exactly the same way about pumps (being physically attached to something was my biggest reason to reject the idea of a pump) but i'm seriously considering it now and really hope to get the same positive results as you did. Thank you very much for sharing your experience so honestly 🙏🏻
I am 61 and new Type 1, after never having any chronic illnesses. I have not been hospitalized since 1979! All of the sudden I am in full blown DKA with pneumonia and in ICU! That was 6/10/2020.
Now it is 7/6/2020. I am waiting to get my pump and get started. I am so thankful to hear your story.
Oh my gosh Toni, I'm so sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis. Wow, that must be so overwhelming!! I'm excited for you to get your pump - I think you'll find it a very positive step in your new journey with T1D. Sending you strength as you get to grips with this new chapter - you've got support right here!!
I have recently been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. It has caused me lots of stress and I've been sobbing after each "bad" sugar level (for me usually the first measurement in the morning is the worst, rest of the day I can manage ok)... It's so difficult to go to the doctor and feel judged, although I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. You T1D guys are such warriors, I admire you so much. I feel ridiculous being overwhelmed just with constant blood measurements and carb counting. Your youtube channel has opened my eyes to see how people can handle such more than this!
I've been a T1 diabetic for a little over 10 years. Just like you, I was battling frequent low blood sugars with daily injections. For whatever reason lantus wasn't absorbing properly for me at the beginning of this year even though I had been using it ever since my diagnosis. Spoke with my Endo and was able to get on an insulin pump with the insurance provided from my work. For the last 3 months that I've been on the pump, my A1C was 5.5 with VERY minimal lows. Happy to see others are having similar successful results with insulin pumps and hoping for the continuous advancements in diabetes technology and maybe one day a cure😊✌️
Oh I’m so happy to hear that it’s been helpful for you too Jon! And I completely agree - I hope (and believe) that the medical technology will continue to advance to make Diabetes management more and more, well- manageable! :-)
Jon Kihm same but mine is always in the 200s-400s I was diagnosed abt 6 months ago! I take lantus at night and I always wake up with the same numbers
@@jaylarutherford2486
What are your numbers before bed time? Do you eat dinner really close to bedtime?
Long acting insulin doesn't do a good job of handling dawn phenomenon. Part of your circadian rythm where your liver dumps sugar into your blood to get you ready to wake up and start the day. Trouble is our liver doesn't know our pancreas doesn't work :/
Liver: 😃🤩💙
Pancreas: ☠️
Thanks for posting, having someone else express their feelings about Diabetes is really comforting! :)
You are so welcome and it is so my pleasure! Thank you for watching! :-)
i just want to share, please do search for Dr. Jason Fung about his belief about diabetes
you might find it helpful
This is the 2nd video I've watched by you and I must say, you do a wonderful job of making a viewable video. The transitions are both technically and compositionally smooth and your information is well organized. I am a retired School Library/Media Specialist so I have taught a lot of video production and I would have to say you're a natural. As a diabetic, however, I would have to say, you probably should be rewarded for the quality of your information. After 30+ years as a diabetic, you hit on all the topics in both videos that I wanted/needed explained. Thank you very much for your labor. I do understand it is a lot of work to post a presentable video. Your information was insightful and the information on the CGM device helped me a lot. I think I could now learn how to use an insulin pump, I don't think my doctor has the courage to learn how to support me in that process. He also thinks that all CGM devices are inaccurate to the Nth degree. It's hard for doctors, they are often too overwhelmed to learn. I wish you the best and I did subscribe.
Hi Tom! Oh my goodness thank you so so much for your kind and generous words - and for subscribing! Really your kind words mean a lot to me. As for the pump - you could TOTALLY learn to use it! If your doctor is questioning this, or doesn't seem to have the time or confidence himself to learn the system I would really encourage you to perhaps look for another doctor as this is pretty unacceptable! This is just my opinion though, and I know things are exactly straightforward in terms of switching doctors, etc. As for the CGM, I understand the questioning of accuracy, however, the Dexcom G6 system actually has such accuracy qualifications that it is considered more accurate than a finger prick! So I can tell you that at least that system is absolutely accurate and not to be dismissed! Anyway, I hope this little bit of information encourages you and helps in a small way! Thank you again for watching and wishing you a wonderful day!!
Thank you Andrea, I have been insulin dependent and diagnosed at the age of 32 and I am 69 yrs young now. I have moved to a rural area and the team up here is not trained so my diabetic team is 3 hrs away in the city: It was nice to hear your honesty about switching and also hear about the frustration of trying to maintain a blood sugar level with multiple shots within the pen daily. As you were talking I checked and was going down so again stuffed carbs in my mouth. I am tired of the lows at night and waking up to the screeching beeps on my cell phone. I am also tired of so many injections every day. However my anxiety in changing over is huge and it seems so complex I don’t know if I have it in me to learn all about basal and Bolus. I feel confused. So thank you for voicing my thoughts and feelings and also helping with me getting closer to being able to pump it up !
I remember watching this video freshly diagnosed. Now, six years later, I understand everything you’re saying.
Oh wow - you’ve been here that long 🥹 Thank you so so so much for sharing this with me, this means the world honestly 💙❤️💙
In all honesty I was exactly how you felt on getting an Insulin Pump, I said no way. I was at a store and saw this little old lady had one and I asked her about it and was sold,lol. I hate needles, so I gave it a chance. Very Happy I Did!!!! 2006 was the year I started and never regretted it !!
So glad to hear you made the switch and never looked back!!! I love my pump and cannot now imagine life without it!! YAY FOR PUMPS - but also just YAY for solutions that make life better :) !!!
Thank you so much. You have truly changed my mind set. I have so much anxiety switching. But telling it like it is, is something I needed to hear.
Wow - thank you so much for your kind, amazing words, I really appreciate them and hold them dear to my heart! This was the entire point of this video and your words truly mean so much to me, I'm so happy this helped you and am so grateful to you for expressing this to me!
This is incredible how I felt so many of the same things. I am still feeling overwhelmed with it and balancing my life, but this is comforting to hear that someone went through the same. I think we often forget that we are not alone in this crazy world. At least, that's where my journey is right now.
Thank you so much. You've say the correct words. I'm 40 and I am diabetic tipe 1 since 10. I switch for the pump since 2 month now. It's been hard ! I cried because it's like seen my diabetes all day. But my blood sugars are soooo good that is worth it! I'm not waking up at night feeling like dying with low sugars. Excuse my English I'm from Puerto Rico. Again, I'm grateful to have find this video.
Thank you so much for your kind words Denisse! I'm so glad to hear you're having such success with the pump - but I totally understand that feeling on having your diabetes be constantly 'seen'! Thank you for watching and for sharing your experience with the community here!
You took the words out of my mouth! After being on multiple injections for 30 years i am going on the pump soon. I hated the idea of having something attached to me, so also rejected the idea from my dr. Physiological reasons were the only reasons holding me back. Im not a sick person and i did not want to look like one. Ive got the same attitude going into this- Im going to try! Thank you for an unbelievably relatable video.
I just found you and I am feeling everything you mentioned. I am in the process of "switching to a pump" but I am still trying to decide "which pump" is for me. I want to thank you for being honest in your journey. It's hard and scary and overwhelming. Will keep watching and maybe there's more to help me make the decision easier. thanks again Ali
Hi you've taken the words right out of my mouth! I'm T1 since I was 14 I'm 38 now and it has been a rough road but I'm still alive not very healthy because of being a women with 3 children and hormones play a big role with a diabetic woman. I'm now ready for the pump! My endos have offered over the years but I turned it down because of the look of it on my teenage body was a No and now that I'm older I'm ok with it. Wish me luck and I will let you know how it goes! The future has arrived for so many things for diabetes!! Blessings to ya!
Wishing you so much luck Katarina! I’m excited for you to get on the pump!!! I really believe you’re going to love it Mama!!! 🌷🌟❣️
Just watched this video. Andrea, thank you for your honesty and insight. This was a big help as I’m getting trained next week for my insulin pump after living for 20 years with diabetes and mdi’s. I know there’s a steep learning curve ahead of me, but like you, there’s hope that it will all be worth it.
You are so welcome, David! I wish you very very very very very excellent luck, patience and joy as you’re making your switch! You’ve got this!! 💙
Diabetic Danica saved me too when I was first connected! 😂 id only been diagnosed for about 3 months when I got my first pump. It was rushed as I’m allergic to long acting insulin so we were running out of options. I’ve now switched to the tslim but I love pumping so much. I’m binge watching your videos xxoo
Ah! Thank you so much for being here and binging the videos!!! LOVE IT! I’m so glad you love your pump so much too and that it works so well for you - that is FABULOUS!! And YAY for Diabetic Danica saving us!!! ☺️💖xoxo
I am 26 years old, and I have my pump training tomorrow. It is almost 1am and I am here in bed, freaking out watching RUclips videos, and then came this one! I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart, cause even though this was recorded who-knows when, it feels so relatable and it managed to soothe my anxiety!! I send you all the love a stranger could possibly send a stranger
Oh my goodness - you have no idea how much this comment means to me. Truly I have chills reading it. You words are just such a gift to me. I hope your pump training went well and that you're doing well within your first few days - I know for me that whole time was quite overwhelming so please don't worry if it is for you too - you are not alone!!! Thank you so so much and sending YOU all the love a stranger could possible send a stranger!!!! XOXO
There is so much health in you! Thank you for giving it to others!
Oh thank you! That means a huge amount to me!!
I can relate to your story so much! I was diagnosed with T1D in May of 1995. It was a month after I turned 6, I am now 29. I was on multiple daily injections for years and when I was 14 I went on my first insulin pump and I was on it for 4 years. Pretty much my entire time in high school. I loved it, I loved the freedom I had and not having to wake up early on weekends to do my shot. It was awesome. Unfortunately after 4 years my body started rejecting the infusion set, so I was having to change it pretty much every day. So I decided to go back on multiple daily injections. I did that from age 18-26 and at 26 I started having a lot of issues with my blood sugars being extremely low all the time and I was unable to feel my blood sugars going low like I had been able to do in the past. I would feel perfectly fine and check my blood sugar and it would be 46. It was awful, I was passing out multiple times a day. I was going low in the middle of the night while I was sleeping and thank god for my boyfriend or most likely I would have died. I had lost my endocrinologist because I wasn’t able to be on my moms insurance anymore and I made to much to qualify for Medicaid. So I was dropped as a patient. It was awful, I finished school and started to try getting a job as a teacher, which I was lucky enough to find a teaching job and with that got amazing health insurance again. My primary care doctor then started to try and get me a new endocrinologist. Because I was in a crisis with my blood sugars. Like I said they were constantly low all the time. And one day I was at work and luckily I was in the teachers break room and one of my co workers who is also a T1D was in there with me and my sugar dropped and I blacked out and I got rushed to the ER by ambulance. I had an amazing ER doctor who immediately referred me to a new endocrinologist in my area. I met with him and he immediately ordered me a pump. I went on it and my blood sugars were amazing. They were in the range where he wanted me and I was no longer having severe lows. I was on this pump for almost 3 years and I teach students with autism and the pump I was on was a tubes pump and I had didn’t really care for the tubes. When I was dealing with a student in a behavior they would grab my tubing and I just realized that a tubed pump wasn’t for me. I then found out about a tubeless pump. I had an appointment with my endocrinologist and went back on shots until I go through my training for the omnipod, which is next Thursday. I have been doing shots for almost 2 weeks now and I’m in the same boat my blood sugars are once again low all the time. I can’t wait until next Thursday when I get on the omnipod. I know insulin pumps aren’t for everyone but for me they are amazing and have helped me tremendously. I relate to your story so much because like you my blood sugars are constantly low when I’m on multiple daily injections and as I’m sure you know when you sugar is low you have no energy, you get moody, and it sucks. I’m so glad that the pump worked out for you and I can’t wait to get back on one!
Hi Zachary! Thank you so so much for watching and for sharing your story. I am so sorry you had to go through all of that. Fighting constant low blood sugar is just so so so exhausting! I'm THRILLED to hear that the pump has been so effective for you in combating this though - and I'm excited for you to get your omnipod!!! I actually know of another person who went on the omnipod because she works as a therapist for adults with learning disabilities, autism, etc, and the omnipod has allowed her to be on a pump without it being ripped out. Her name is @cyborg.queen (she's fabulous and so lovely) on insta and you should go follow her I think - since you two sound like you have very similar lines of work and she is on the omnipod too for very similar reasons it sounds like! I really am excited for you to start the omni, and until then wish you success in controlling your sugars via the pens!!
How is the Omnipod working for you? this pump is working well for myself BUT I may have to look into a tubeless pump as well in my field of work I work in an Emergency Room attached to a Behavioral Health facility so at times I'm nervous about walking near the patients that maybe just courageous of what I have hanging onto me it maybe my mind playing tricks on me ☺ so 1st off I've been T1D since 1984 and I've come along way with the low ISSUES thank God I've always been brought back to work in an Emergency Room ALWAYS was helpful so I've only been on the Pump now for 3weeks but it's really good to know the real deal from somebody of real knowledge of how it's working for them. God Be With US 24/7. ☝👍💕💃
Belinda Navarro I love it! It works awesome, I’ve never had any issues with it at all.
Thank you so much for making this video. I've had T1 Diabetes for 19 and a half years and have just started the process of getting an insulin pump. I'm just waiting for all the paperwork to go through and the training day before getting it. I have always been against the pump as well as I've never liked the idea of being attached to something. I am feeling really anxious about it all because all I've ever known is my injections, but I've decided that it's more important to have stability with my levels than to feel ashamed or embarrassed of having to wear a device that reminds me of my diabetes. This video has really helped me feel more relaxed, seeing both your positive and negative experiences. Thank you! 😊
Many Thanks!!! I have been debating going on the pump for a few years. My recent A1C of 8.3 scared me and made me realize I need help. It is incredibly challenging to get through to doctors today. They are more busy than ever and our healthcare system is so inefficient. Thank you for adding to the community of people managing Type 1 Diabetes- We all need this support more than ever:>)
OH wow - thank you so so so much for your kind words. I agree with every single thing you’ve said about the healthcare system and finding it hard to get through to doctors…couldn’t have said it better myself. Mine is only one opinion of course, but I think we all can use all the support we can get and it’s the people that live with the condition that can in some ways give that support the most fully, since we live with it 24/7/365 🥹
I’m 37 and starting pump therapy tomorrow after years of injections and I feel like you read my mind in the beginning of this video. 💕💕💕
Oh my goodness - I’m so glad you feel this way!! Please know you are not alone!!! It may be overwhelming, but I promise you’ve got this!!! Right there with you and thinking about you my sweet friend!!!!! ♥️
You are so well spoken! Thank you for this honest review. I’m considering an insulin pump as well and the topics you address are my worries and fears, so thank you for sharing your journey!
You are so so welcome - it truly is my absolute pleasure! Thank you for your kind words and good luck on your journey to discovering more about the pump! 💙
Thank you so much! I could write a whole page about how relatable you are and valuable your video was to me, especially on an emotional level..
Lucy, this couldn't mean more to me. I know I'm not a doctor, and I never ever want to tell anyone what to think or do or how to treat their diabetes, I just always want to be as honest and open as possible and help people know that they are not alone. You have no idea what your comment means to me, and also, how this lifts me emotionally, so please know you give me as much as you say that I give you! You are wonderfully generous to share these kind words with me...from the bottom of my heart...THANK YOU 💙
❤️❤️❤️
Wow! I really appreciate your totally awesome honest video. I have been a diabetic for 48 years and I'm finally making a big step getting a tandem t-slim pump that ties in with my dexcom G6 and hopefully all goes well, I can really relate to all that you mentioned about worrying, I am going through training this morning so the past few days my mind has been scrambling about the pros and cons of this machine. I have been doing this the old fashioned way for 48 years and now to make a change in my life is very worrisome but wish me luck and again thank you for your honest video. You take care of yourself.
I totally understand your concerns Glenn - this is certainly a big change for you, I am sure! I can only imagine really! I just hope the switch has gone/is going/will go well for you!! Honestly, I say it all in the video - overall, my switch to a pump has changed my life and it’s easily the best decision I’ve ever made for my Type 1 Diabetic health, and health in general. Wishing you joy!!!
My daughter is on the list for a pump. We're in Scotland so it's the NHS. We have a choice of 3 different pumps. (We will have the pump prescribed for a 4 year period). We are torn between the tslim & the omnipod. The reason for the wait is limited places on the training programme. The diabetes team usually support a few families with their kids in the same group. COVID is slowing everything down. Training is the full day on a Thursday & Friday. We will get to try the pump at the weekend & have a follow up session on the Monday. Having done a bit of research & watched your videos I'm so glad we will be to attend the group training. I think meeting the other parents & kids will be helpful too. It feels like such a big step! Trusting my child's health to technology......... however I'm hoping it will give her better control & freedom. Thanks yet again for sharing such an honest video
Oh wow! How exciting!! I think this all sounds so positive and wonderful - not only to get a training, but to also meet other parents, I think this is invaluable! How fantastic! I'm right there with you on the split between the Omnipod and Tslim, I ultimately went for the tslim becuase the algorithm of Basal iQ when used with the Dexcom G6 is second to non (in my opinion). But we're all individual and everyone's needs are different so I just wish you and your daughter all the very best luck in finding the best system for you!! This is the absolute most important thing. Thank you for sharing this with us all here and I'm so glad to hear you're going to have proper training - this is just so wonderful to hear!!! 💙
As a total novice, I bow to you for the information that you pass on. Because I am still navigating the diabetes 1 side of the land. Even though medically I am not at the stage for needing a pump or anything at this stage, I am really grateful for your advice. I am only taking 'Januvia' at the moment and pricking my finger at this stage, so thankfully, "knock on wood" (knocks on own head and bedside table and draws). I was told by the 'endo', I would eventually need insulin, but he wasn't specific. Actually, when he told me my diagnosis, he was very vague. He said, "You have a very gentle type 1" but it's categorised as a 'Type 1', I was thinking, "WHAT?! That doesn't say anything." But I soon found out, that I have LADA, I have an appointment at a community hospital with the diabetes team in September, but my other hospital appointment was cancelled and so...I have to wait for another appointment because there are doctors' strikes going on in the UK at the moment...so.....fun...I ramble, I will update, when I can and the videos are really helpful, as a newbie diabetic type 1...they really help so much. Thank you, :)
Oh my gosh - I'm so sorry to hear this! You've certainly been through a lot already! I know those diagnoses with LADA involved can be very very hard to navigate and with a doctor's strike on top of all of that...my goodness gracious...! I'm wishing you all the best as you navigate each step and if I can help at all through these videos - if just to remind you that you are not alone in your frustration or anything - it's my pleasure!!
@@ShesDiabetic Thank you, when I said what my GP said to me at the time, which was again, two years ago. I have something called ‘Cowden’s syndrome’ which is a human genetic disorder. The endo who I saw at my appointment, I told him how the GP said that it could b a little related to that. Yeah, to be honest, your videos have helped me to navigate the diabetes world. In order to explain to my mum who is of a certain age. Unfortunately apart from another family member who had T2, i am navigating and understanding this very lone ranger style. But, because of another family member having that T2 diagnosis, my dad also had problems with one of his kidneys and I am hopefully trying to get that investigated, as my mum and I think it might have had a form of diabetes, but not known about it. We shall see, once again, Thank you. 😊
Thank you for your video, just got a pump and was overwhelmed and crying but about 3 weeks in and starting to love it. I'm on a,Medtronic pump.
You are so well-spoken, thoughtful, and open about your experience. Thank you!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words!
Thank you sooooo much for sharing your story. I, too, struggled with the switch to an insulin pump almost a year ago. I didn’t really see anyone talking about the difficult areas of switching over, only the exciting parts. I also hate having something attached to me constantly (I struggle almost daily of where to put it), but still I wouldn’t give it up for everything. My A1C has dropped so much, and I just feel so much better on the pump! Also, I felt like the training before I went to the hospital to put the pump on for the first time was verging on excessive (literally took a week) - so interesting to hear the differences between our countries.
Hi! Oh my goodness - reading your comment has totally made me feel like I'm not alone!! I completely know what you mean in terms of just a lot of 'exciting' content over people switching to the pump, but not really much negative or 'challenges of' type content. And oh - I struggle on a daily basis as well - of where to put it and how to style it into my look so I feel confident with it! But yep - like you I just love it, and at this point I wouldn't trade it for the world, but I would trade it for a smaller, slimmer system - that's for sure! Hopefully tech will continue to evolve and we'll have something smaller that can deliver the insulin and results we need and love without the bulk or even tubing perhaps. I'm so glad to hear you've had such fantastic results and I hope this has continued and continues! Wishing you all the best and thank you thank you thank you for making ME feel less alone with your story! :-)
I've been using a insulin pump for the last 6 years and I'm so glad I do because I had very high doses of insulin and had insulin lumps on my legs and arms. Setting new pumps up is very confusing and takes time to get used to.
You are SO right - it is a LOT to cope with! That's why I wanted to make the video! Because it's a lot initially but I think ultimately it's so worth it! I'm so glad to hear you're still loving yours!!
Keep doing this to help young people decide. I opted not to go with the pump when I was your age. But, I wish I had back in the day.
I hear you! I really drug my feet about it and actually I wish I had done it sooner. But hindsight is 20/20 so I suppose you just have to look at the road ahead of you! But I hear you completely and thank you so so much for your kind words! 💙🥰
Thank you for sharing. I am having a similar experience. I have felt all these things as well. I am so anxious getting use to this new way of life. Just knowing I am not alone helps. So thank you!
You are so welcome! Thank YOU for watching and supporting the channel in this way - and for in turn making me feel less alone with your lovely and very relatable comments!!!! ❤️
I've been on a pump for a couple of years before 2011 when war started in Syria. I was paying for my pump because we don't have insurances. After war started everything became 10x priced, then even the accessories weren't be able to get into Syria. So from 2011 till now I have my little 712 Medtronic pump in it's box stored in my closet. Everytime I see the box I miss it so badly and miss myself wearing it. The period that I was on the pump was truly the heaven, now I feel myself stuck in the hell of multiple daily injections and highs and lows. All I wanted from all of you is to feel the grace of having a pump and insurance. God bless.
Hi Abdurrahman, thank you so much for watching and for sharing your story. I’m so sorry you’re having to go without your pump, this well and truly sucks and I’m just so sorry you’re having to go through that. I am reminded by your story to be so so grateful for what I have. Also, I hope you will be able to make use of your pump in the future, very very soon in the future. Wishing you all the best, and God Bless you ❣️
@@ShesDiabetic thank you so much for your wishes. I reread my comment and felt sorry for myself lol. It's really hard to get used to something then to loose it. But, I don't want anybody to feel bad while reading my comment, make sure that I'm fine and now I'm on Dr. Bernstein's low carb diet and it's working very well, thanks God. Till the future come, I'll stick to it and keep fighting ☺️
Abdurrahman Haidary love your attitude! Keep fighting and I hope the future rewards you!!! You’re inspiring!!! Thank you so much for sharing :-)
I am making this change in two days. More than just a little anxious. Your words in this vid offer guidance on what to expect to have to deal with. That helps tremendously, thank you.
I'm thinking about you and wishing you all the very very best. I'm so glad you found the video helpful too - this brings me joy. I wish you a smooth transition and wonderful start on your pump journey - I'm excited for you my friend!
@@ShesDiabetic
You are above and beyond, thank you.
Was just looking for videos about an insulin pump, to do research, before finally deciding to get a pump after 23 years of MDI. Came across this video, saying pretty much exactly what is on my mind. I have been so resistant to the idea of a pump because of the thought of having something tethered to me all the time. But lately I have gotten to the point of being in a fight with my BG levels after exercise, and random highs and lows, (and a usless endo whose response is "well, I dont know how to help you if you arent on a pump"), and avoiding eating as much as possible because of the rolling of dice not knowing if I am going to go high, or go low, or have one of those miracle days where it actually stays in range. So thank you for this video.
You are so so welcome, thank you for taking the time to tell me how helpful it was, and what you're going through at the moment. Those days/weeks/months, even years of chaotic blood sugars are so so exhausting, and I'm sorry you're dealing with that. I can't only speak for myself, personally, but I can really relate to what you've written, and a pump has greatly helped me to gain better control. No matter what you do, I'm sending you strength to get through these days and to make the right decision for you! 💙
I'm considering switching to pump, my sugars are unstable most of the times and that 24/7 overthinking, whether I'm going to go low or high, if my sugar won't spike after that meal,sometimes I starve so much just to get my sugars down, the consequences I will have to face if I won't keep my sugars in range, the mental health..I cannot manage my diabetes as well as I would love to, even though I'm trying my best.. the only problem with switching to pump for me is, as you mentioned, having something attached on me 24/7. I've been using insulin pens for 6y, haven't had sensor so far, it's all so unknown to me, so thank you so much for posting this video!
I'm so sorry to hear that you've been battling these ups and downs Petra - this is completely exhausting and I can imagine how fed up and frustrated you are. I can only say that I was in a very very similar boat before switching to the pump, and of course I still have ups and downs, but these have levelled out significantly. Going on the pump is the best decision I've ever made, and even though I dislike having something attached to me, this annoyance pales in comparison to the benefits I've seen (both physical and mental) from using the pump. Just my opinion though - you have to find what works best for you. I'm sending you strength and patience with your blood sugars and with your consideration of this decision. Sending love diabuddy XOXO
Your not taking enough insulin then
A terrific piece about your TD1. I guess all of us have our stories and they’re all very personal but similar. I was diagnosed when I was 40 yrs. old, 40 yrs. ago-TD1. I did multiple shots for 11:20 several years, then got my first pump. Now, I just received my new system from the pump company I’ve been dealing with forever. A new sensor system coordinates with my pump and working marvously to keep my bg reading around 90-130….all the time!! It’s almost unbelievable! The company gave me a class, in person, to learn about the new things that my pump would do, and how to use the pump and sensor effectively. They updated the software in my pump perfectly. So far, I am absolutely delighted with the new system! I will be 80 yrs. old soon but I love my pump and sensor!! I have a few “highs” but no “lows” since they warn me of coming lows and/or highs and give me a corrective bolus or stop my basal for a while. It’s amazing! I’m glad you got used to “pumping” , good luck with your TD1 life!
Hi. I’m type 2 diabetic. I’m trying to get my Endo to sign off on a glucose pump for me, because my sugars be up/down. I’m tired of doing the insulin injections. I’ve been a diabetic for 8 years or more. I enjoy your videos. They help me. Please don’t stop making them😊❤.
My wife is looking to have an insulin pump after 35 years of daily injections. Your video has reassured her that she is not the only one to feel that anxiety about what is a massive change in lifestyle, going from having total ans sole control yourself to a state whereby you are trusting a great deal of that control a machine would be daunting to anybody. Really helpful.
I really want to say thank you for making this video I my self am looking at getting a T:Slim x2 insulin pump and you have really helped ease my fears. I love your channel, I'm a type 1 diabetic and have been for 10 years.
I've been a diabetic for 8 years now.. I keep getting lows too. My physician recommended a pump multiple times but the idea of something being attached to me is REALLY pushing me off. I'm tired of the frequent lows so currently considering a pump.
Thank you for your video, it was informative ❤
I can totally and COMPLETELY relate to you on this - I was in a very similar boat. Honestly - you need to do what works best for you - in your own time! Don't let anyone rush you or force you into a decision - your body, your choice! 💙💙💙
@@ShesDiabetic reading this on international women's day is really something 🥺❤
Phew. I now will be so much less anxious when I get started. Thank you so much.
You’re so welcome! Good luck with it all - you’ll do GREAT!!
Success! I started my pump a week ago and I LOVE IT. I did not expect the ease and the control it brings to management. Cannot wait to see an improved a1c in August. No more pens!!
I just started on the Ilet on Monday and I love it! Went from MDI to that and so thankful to be on it now
I've been on several pumps in my 24 years as a T1D, and until about 9 months ago I was last on a pump in 2014. Pretty much have had a Mini-Med pump solely, except for the Disetronic pump I had for a year before switching to a Mini-Med pump. I had a pump for almost 10 years, and due to pretty much the exact same issues you were having with putting the infusion sets on my stomach and they would almost always get kinked. I was, and still am, pretty skinny with not much body fat so I could really only put the infusion sets on the upper part of my butt a few inches below my waistline. But whether it be due to the infusion sets design, or just time itself, I started to get a buildup of scar tissue on the infusion sites. This caused me to start getting abscesses, which required me to go to a surgeon on multiple occasions, have it cut out, and then have to keep changing packing material in what was the 2nd hole in my ass!
After about the 5th abscess, I called it quits for the pump. The abscesses caused me to go into DKA several times, miss a lot of work which I couldn't afford to do, and end up with some pretty costly hospital bills. So for 8 years I went back to using Insulin pens. When the first Freestyle Libre sensor came out, I got it immediately and it was an absolute game changer. I was always pretty lax with checking my blood sugars because after a while, no matter what I did my blood sugars seemed to have a mind of their own and I just got fed-up with it all. But the CGM changed a lot of that as I could just scan it with my phone and have the last 8 hours of glucose levels and it also enabled me to see what my sugars were doing while sleeping for the first time.
I moved in fall of 2021 to a new state so I had to get established with all new doctors and at my first endo appt, they suggested I get on a pump. I told them all the reasons I went off of one in the first place and the only reason I bit the bullet and ended up with my 4th Mini-Med pump was because it finally had a closed loop system (Auto Mode) My A1C before the pump was an 8.2, which for me was awesome as I'd gotten to a point where if it was below a 10, I was happy. After 2 months on the 770g pump, my A1C dropped to a 7.0, and then 6.9 where it is still holding 6 months later as of today when I saw my endo again.
I'll be upgrading to the 780g hopefully in the next week or so and also getting the new Guardian 4 CGM's (I'm just excited to not have to CONSTANTLY enter my blood sugar!) and I hope that it can lower my A1C even more as it will now allow the pump to take even more control and even correct automatically for high blood sugars and even missed bolus's for meals and such (which is awesome because I forget literally at least once every other day) I'm also hoping that since I switched this time around to the Mio infusion sets instead of the Quick Set that I used exclusively on previous pumps, that I will not end up with as much scar tissue as before since I'm still limited on where I can put my sites (I also just got a Pain pump surgically implanted 2 months ago and it sits right under the skin on my right side between my bottom rib and waistline and surprisingly large so no infusion sets there ever again)
I’m considering this. I’m type 2 and have a horrible time managing despite being diabetic for 15 years. I found your video very interesting and informative.
I'm so sorry to hear you're having such a tough time...that straight up sucks. I wish you good luck with your research and an easier time ahead!!
I loved this! Thank you so much for sharing this raw and REAL review! Know that you sharing means so much to so many❤️
Thank you so so much Jen, for saying this!!! It is my pleasure and your words mean a ton to me, truly ❤️
3 years later and here i am, using Novorapid and Lantus, with many low blood sugar levels, going to make the switch... thank you for this video!
You are so very welcome! I wish you all the very best and good luck in doing your research and looking at making the switch! It’s such a personal decision- but for me, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made for my diabetes health (and thus my health in general) 💙
I am going to start an insulin pump in august Yeah I am a little anxious about it and this video was great. Diabetic Danica I have watched a lot of her videos as well. Thank you for posting
Just got my first insulin pump after having diabetes for 25 years. After looking over books on it, I am overwhelmed! Thank God for You Tube and the videos! Still scared but ready to try.
Oh I'm so excited for you - but I also understand the fear! Hopefully by now you've been able to get to grips with it and are loving life with your new pump!!
@@ShesDiabetic Yes! I have adapted very quickly! Saves me so many needle sticks a day. It has become very natural and easy to operate. Thank you for your nice comment.
Thanks for your insights on the detail the pump provides. I was diagnosed two years ago and I’m considering a pump over multiple injections a day. To understand that it paints with a brush makes me feel more enthusiastic about getting on the pump. I’m comfortable with my multiple injections now and can certainly relate to the apprehensions of changing how our disease. Good luck with your diabetes, thanks for the video.
Great video. After 15 years on multiple injections, I’m now thinking of switching to pump therapy. Thank you so much for your good advice.
Thank you for sharing this with us....I really totally get you ...I am going on the pump on the 23rd of this month and have been a bit stressed. Am excited but nervous. I hope I can sit back one day and say I went through all that but I am all good now and still connected to the pump. :)
AMEN! Oh I hope the very same for you Marilyn! I'm not going to lie to you, it certainly was an adjustment - but easily, EASILY the best decision I could have ever made for myself. We're all different, but I truly hope for a smooth and easy transition for you and that the pump is a game changer for you! 🙏🏻🥰💙
@@ShesDiabetic Thank you and its been a little bit of a struggle getting going on the pump but little by little its getting easier :) thank you for responding to me :)
After 46 years as type 1 :::: I am thinking on the pump but it is not fun. I do great with shots but the lows are problem too.
Loved you honesty...
Thank you so much! Firstly, well done for being a T1D Warrior for 46 years!!! That’s AMAZING!!! Ok...so my Dad went on the pump at age 60 after approximately the same amount of time of being T1D...!!! I know it’s no fun but it can be done! And the fun part for me has been...WAY less lows!! I hope you find what works best for you and I wish you all the best in your quest to figure all this out! :)
I took a whole YEAR break from my pump, just to start recovering from Diabulimia. I just got back on my pump last week and boy oh boy, I forgot how awesome it is (except as night when it gets tangled all up) Thanks for the video, its nice to see other peoples perspectives on stuff!
Well done to you for battling the long road to recovery from Diabulimia. That is so seriously inspiring. Not easy. Clearly you are a STRONG woman!! BRAVO! 👏🏻 And wowza - a year break! Interesting! I totally know what you mean about the feeling when you’ve been reunited (oh, and the tangled up tubing...😒)...this technology is so darn amazing - sometimes I forget too! But also - a break can be awesome too! I’m glad you found what works for you, that is top notch!! ♥️
I have been a type 1 diabetic since 1965. I received my first pump in 1982. It was a time when home blood glucose testing was relatively new. The pump was about three or four times the size of current pumps. I couldn't button my suit coats when I had it on my belt. I've lived through straight needle infusion sets (very painful), bent needle infusion sets (slightly less painful) and sofsets (not at all painful). The main reason I began pump therapy 37 years ago is that the pump could be programmed to give me a bolus in the middle of the night. That eliminated my high blood sugars on waking in the morning. I worked in TV news, and over the years my pumps have been to earthquakes, forest fires, floods, and war zones. They've traveled with me to -- among other places -- Bosnia, Cuba, Uganda, and Chile. I became legally blind about the time I received my first pump. I've had three mild heart attacks. But I am still around and still active. And I believe the primary reason is the way the pump helped me get control of my blood glucose nearly four decades ago.
Hi Craig!! Thank you so SO much for sharing your fascinating story and experience of being on the pump. Wow - those straight needle infusion sets must have been painful indeed, I can only imagine! I’m so glad to hear that your pump has given you such a quality of life and added years to your life and life to your years it sounds like. How amazing that your pump has travelled with you to so many destinations and been subject to such wild weather experiences! Incredible! It sounds like you’ve lived and continue to live a fascinating life - all whilst living with T1D too. This is inspiring to read. Thank you for sharing! I wish you a wonderful, happy, healthy, day and continued quality of life with the pump and in general!!! 🙌🏻☺️
I’m currently on multiple injections and I can totally relate to when you said training was only two hours and it was so fast. That’s what I’m having difficulty with at the moment. Currently, I am on my own, reading the manual it came with, and although I was taught by a home nurse on how to start up the pump, I was left alone on bolusing and checking my blood sugar constantly. I am afraid of messing up my blood sugar, of going too high or too low, and of relying on something that i don’t know how to use. This pump comes with a continuous glucose monitor, and I have not been trained on how to use that yet, until one more week. I personally feel that I was good with my previous CGM, the freestyle libre, because it alerted me when I was starting to go low and when I was starting to go high, so I had that help and I’d know when to fix my sugar before it happened. But then they took me off that CGM in favor of the pump and the CGM that goes with it. It’s a different brand and while I’m still learning about the pump, I have to wait on the CGM now. My blood sugars are back on highs and lows again. On top of trying to learn the pump. I am scared and anxious all the time.
I feel you - and truly I hear every single word you're saying. Give it time, truly, and have patience (I know - so so so much easier said than done!!) I just found that everything got turned upside down when I started on the pump but then things settled down and really became very well controlled after a while. The transition is hard. Please don't get discouraged - I'm right there with you and you are not alone!!! 🙏🏻
Just started my pump yesterday...nervous,your video really helped me ....thank you
Oh being nervous is totally understandable!!! Please be patient with yourself and take it one step at a time- you’ve got this!!! 💙❣️💙
Thanks so much for your total honesty-really appreciate all your comments.
Very good presentation.
I am type 1 30 years.
Always avoided the pump,
This girl has a future in the media....good looking ,articulate and intelligent.
It would have been good to see how the pump works and also get a comparison of the A1c numbers before the pump and after the pump.
just found your videos and I love them. So honest - and the perfect pitched voice. Thank you for this one because I struggle with this decision. I am only 3 mths into this condition and at 51 yrs old its sort of hard to take. But this video really has helped and helped me consider a pump. Thank you.
Oh thank you so much for your kind words, Jake! I'm so glad you found this video helpful - I just really wanted to put all my experiences out there (good and bad) to give others a perspective of what it's been like to live with a pump. I'm still on the pump and absolutely love it, so for what it's worth - the decision has been an excellent one for me! Good luck in all your investigations and decisions and thank you so much for watching!
Thank you for sharing your experience.I am in the process of researching an insulin pump for myself and this video really was reassuring.Well done and thank you again!
You're so welcome, thank you so much for your kind words! I hope you search goes well and that you find what will work best for you! :-)
She’s also absolutely gorgeous ❤❤❤ ohh I just received my unit… been type 1 since I was 4 and I’m now 42.. I start training soon with a nurse…
Hi there I watched a few of your videos even though I have T2D. You are wonderful and very informative for those who are suffering with diabetes. Keep up the good work on your videos they ae very helpful, even for me!!
Hi I just started on the Medtronic 640G 3 days ago. I’m feeling quite overwhelmed at present with all the numbers ISF carb ratios etc etc and getting used to the actual device itself. After looking at your video I am inspired to do by best to make the most of this opportunity. Like you I was hypoing so much and treating it with sugar snacks to compensate and constantly spiking and dropping due to insulin over usage :( Hoping when I get my rates right it will make my life so much easier. Anyway rambling here but would just like to say fabulous video and very inspirational. Thank you so much.
Oh thank you so much for your kind words, Tony! I really appreciate your watching and commenting like this! Well done to you for getting onto the pump! It's not an easy decision nor is it a smooth ride (like some would have you believe!). All I can say is 1) it DOES get easier! and 2) I'm sure you can do it! I pretty much cover all of this in the video, but just so you know, it's all true and I am STILL on my pump after all this time and all these struggles, so I promise you, it is absolutely worth the struggle! I hope this helps and hope that you've already seen improvements and changes since writing this comment. Sending you strength and positivity and some much needed pump-patience! You can do it!!
"A Spoonful of Sugar" poster is not lost on me!
YAY!! Thank you!! 🥰
LOVE THIS REALISTIC VIEW. 100% agree pump is the way to go. Was recently in hospital and heard of someone choosing multishots over pump, and I couldn't relate at all. Pump is flexibility. Long acting insulin is the worst because of the length of time in system. Life is unpredictable. #DiabeticDantica love her.
I have just found your channel (thank you RUclips recommendations). I am surprised that when you were having so many hypos, especially several a day, that your diabetes nurse and specialist never helped and encouraged you to adjust your ratios to try and stop that from happening. I must be lucky that the team at my local hospital is so good and supportive. I am glad that your pump helped. I am where you were. I have been type 1 since 17 and have been on syringes and then pens ever since. I have been resisting a pump, mainly from a worry about the implications of living with one; what happens if I knock it? Do I have to wear it during the night? Where do I wear it? I now have the Freestyle Libre2, which, I understand, can now communicate with some pumps. So, I might ask about information about a pump again as it should be beneficial.
Hi there, I know what you mean by having something inserted!! I was very emotional about having a monitor in, and I cried a bit. It has been really nice to watch your video so I know that I'm not the only one!!! Thank you Andrea 💜 xx
Tresiba is your best friend!! I rarely go low ever since I switched about two years ago! In my 24 years with this disease I've never come across a long acting quite like it, it has NO PEAK! my average fasting sugars have been 70-110.
I started the Medtronic pump two weeks ago and went back to multiple injections. After 1 week It was dejavu of my last experience with a pump. Immediate high blood sugars, and feeling less in control. 2 hours of training and off to work. I felt very alone and very anxious about what to do if this or that happens and the what ifs… I hated the thing hanging on me. Sleeping, dressing, going to the bathroom, working as an electrician, etc! I realized later that the Omni pod may be a better fit since the way it is put on your body without a line to the cannula. I’m hopeful to maybe get a chance with that type of pump soon.
I hope you are well since this video was 5 years ago! Subscribed! Thanks 🙏🏻
I can so relate to so much of what you've written here! I actually just started the Omnipod 5 and am on a new journey with that pump now. All these systems have their ups and downs to be honest, but I must say I am enjoying the tubeless aspect for sure. Thank you so much for subscribing and welcome to the family!!!
@@ShesDiabetic Thank you so much for your videos, I listen to them on my way home from work now everyday! It makes feel good to hear from someone else like me. I’ve went most of my life with very little support from friends an relatives since none of them really understand some of the things we deal with.
She’s diabetic, and now my friend! 👍
I think your VERY brave and making videos helps us all so much honey. I think the sun is shining and life is good. Type 1 diabetes totally stinks though. Xxxx 💕💕💕 I’m binge watching your videos to get ready before my pancreas is taken out flower 🌺 xxx
Thank you so much my lovely friend!!!! I wish you all the very best on your journey and so happy and honored to support you in whatever way I can!! 🌸 Xxxxx
Hi Andrea,I’m a diabetic 32 years now and 2 weeks ago I was put on the insulin pump I’m finding it great I definitely will not be returning to multiple insulin shots ,I get calls every couple of days from the hospital to find out how I’m getting on which is great also next Tuesday I’m going back up to the hospital for an appointment
I definitely think that this was my best decision ,please keep up the good work
Your channel is great👍👍👍
Oh congratulations on switching to the pump Keith!!! Not an easy switch, but definitely an easy decision to stick to once you see the magic of the pump (in my opinion!). I'm so happy you're finding it working so well for you and that your hospital is conscientious about checking up on your progress - this is wonderful!! Enjoy it!! And may you move from strength to strength!! :-)
I've been a T1 diabetic for about 55 years and on MDI since diagnosis and I recently considered switching
to an insulin pump for the multiple basil settings and extended bolus that most pumps offer. But, after
thinking about all the complexities associated with a pump I think I will likely pass on it.
I really don't want to deal with all the extra supplies and the likely possibility that the pump or related
items will fail on me at the worst time is a major turnoff. So for now I'm going to keep it simple and
stick with MDI in spite of the drawbacks. Just dealing with the Dexcom G6 is enough for me to deal
with right now.
Good luck with the pump and thanks for the video. I will look forward to the follow up video where
you relate what you did when the pump fails and you don't have a spare pump and you end up DKA.
This is a wonderful video. It really is. There's a give and take to everything with this disease...every decision has consequences, and some consequences suck more than others. Everything is an adjustment, everything is an evolution. My son was diagnosed 2 months ago (almost to the day), and it feels like a lifetime ago. Whenever he decides a pump might be right for him, I'm going to point him to this video. Thank you! Also, you're adorable. Also you used the word 'impetus', one of my favorite words. Thumbs up!!
I'm so sorry to hear of your son's recent diagnosis - I hope he and you are doing okay. It's a lot for both the child and the parent to contend with. I'm wishing you both strength, determination and health - now and always! And I'm glad to be using one of your fav words - it's a great word!! :) Thank you so much for sharing!!
Goodness, Andrea. Low BG is ruining my life and I am also on Lantus/ NovoRapid. Following in your footsteps. In my country, only two provinces will even cover CGMs through insurance. The part of our T1D community that publishes resources to help the rest of us along is so woefully small. This is a huge service you are doing for us.
I was on a Medtronic pump in 2015 and it broke down and my sugar skyrocketed at work and I had to take the day off. I never went back on because of the concern of letting a machine control my health. I was also on a CGM. The out of pocket cost for me was huge. I take 4-5 shots a day since 1973.
I'm so sorry you went through that Adam! I completely understand that the pump isn't for everyone - and that that's totally 100% a ok! Good control comes in all shapes and sizes and it's most important that you're comfortable with how you treat your diabetes! That's all there is to it! 💙