Hello!

[Joanimal]

Hi, my name is Joanne. I’m 47 and been type 3c for over 10 years but only been using insulin for a couple of years.
I seem to be bursting with all kinds of questions lately and have been lurking around for a while, sure I can find some great info here but unsure whether to post. Today is the day!
I inject myself and have a libre but am looking into pumps as my diabetic team are encouraging me.
Im also a lady of a “certain age” let’s say and finding management a challenge lately. I would love to hear anyone who has any stories to share as finding info out seems to a quagmire im getting stuck in. Thank you for taking the time to read.

 

[Docb]

Hi @Janimal and welcome to the forum. I'm male, T2, and a lot older than you so cannot make any worthwhile contribution but we have a growing number of T3c members, some of whom of are female and could even be of a certain age. Stay tuned and I am sure someone will be along soon to say hi and compare notes.

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Joanimal I’m Type 1 not 3c but I have a pump. Do fire away with the questions 🙂

I’m female and have had some peri-menopausal issues, I think. Mad blood sugars mainly 🙄 It’s very wearing.

 

[EmmaL76]

Hi, just wanted to say hello, Although I’m not a 3C I’m definitely in the age bracket where everything starts to fall apart lol.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome Joanne. Can I assume you are also an animal lover from your moniker??

I am Type 1 and on HRT so have some experience to offer although I didn't start HRT until 5 years into menopause and a lot of suffering with symptoms. I actually asked for HRT because I found the hot flushes were making hypos difficult to spot and having numerous hot flushes day and night, feeling faint, wobbly legs and palpitations with them, especially with finger pricking was just making things very challenging. I can't tell you how those small clear patches have revolutionized my life. I am now back to sleeping soundly all night.... no pit stops needed anymore for me and good sleep is not only bliss but improves my BG management. Being well into the menopause my patches are I believe just a single hormone but perimenopausal I believe you need a combination. Definitely worth enquiring and ideally seek out a female doctor who will usually be more sympathetic to the issue.

As regards pumps, I believe the first place to start with your research is to find out which pump(s) your hospital offers. There is usually quite a limited choice. Then make out a list of things that you think might be quite important to you personally. Ie do you want something which is very discrete..... maybe very small because you wear close fitting clothes or want to be able to control it from your phone or a PDM rather than have to fish the pump out to make adjustments to your insulin. Would you possibly prefer a patch pump to a tubed pump. Are you hoping to loop with a sensor for a more automated system? We have a "pumping and technology" section on the forum so do ask whatever questions you have there as well as reading the existing threads will provide you with lots of background info.

Which insulins are you currently using and can you tell us a bit about your Type 3c..... I am guessing you still have some pancreas left rather than a complete removal since you only just started needing insulin. It may help people to relate to your situation better if you can explain what lead to the Type 3c diagnosis..... Quite impressed that you even managed to get a Type 3c label 10 years ago. Many people were misdiagnosed as Type 2 and had to fight long and hard to get the Type 3c classification and be treated as a Type 1. Sounds like you have a switched on team!

 

[soupdragon]

Hi @Joanimal and welcome.
I'm type 3c following pancreatitis.
Can't help with the pump as I'm on MDI but glad to hear you're being encouraged to have one.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Joanimal

Well done for delurking

We have quite a few Type 3cs, and several people with diabetes who have been through the menopause, so there are plenty of friendly folks for you to compare notes with.

These articles around menopause and diabetes might be of interest

anniecoops.com

This domain may be for sale!

anniecoops.com

And more from Annie Cooper / Cochrane Library here

Diabetes and the menopause - Evidently Cochrane

Guest blog by Annie Cooper which talks about the silence surrounding the 'Big M' and the lack of information for menopausal women managing long term conditions like diabetes

www.t1resources.uk

 

[SB2015]

I inject myself and have a libre but am looking into pumps as my diabetic team are encouraging me.

Welcome to the forum.

As @rebrascora has said a good starting point for choosing a pump is to find out which ones your clinic offer. Each team have contracts for specific ones for which they are able to offer the essential support for their patients.

Once you know what options are open to you, there is bound to be some specific experience to tap into on here for that model as well as more general advice from other pump users. Let us know what you find out.

 

[Joanimal]

Than

Hi @Janimal and welcome to the forum. I'm male, T2, and a lot older than you so cannot make any worthwhile contribution but we have a growing number of T3c members, some of whom of are female and could even be of a certain age. Stay tuned and I am sure someone will be along soon to say hi and compare notes.

k you. You were right! 🙂

 

[Joanimal]

Welcome @Joanimal I’m Type 1 not 3c but I have a pump. Do fire away with the questions 🙂

I’m female and have had some peri-menopausal issues, I think. Mad blood sugars mainly 🙄 It’s very wearing.

I agree. Very hard to stay ahead of the game. Hot flushes send my libre into a spin.

 

[Joanimal]

Hi, just wanted to say hello, Although I’m not a 3C I’m definitely in the age bracket where everything starts to fall apart lol.

Hello! Thank you for being welcoming. Yes, I do feel like everything comes at once sometimes.

 

[Joanimal]

Hi and welcome Joanne. Can I assume you are also an animal lover from your moniker??

I am Type 1 and on HRT so have some experience to offer although I didn't start HRT until 5 years into menopause and a lot of suffering with symptoms. I actually asked for HRT because I found the hot flushes were making hypos difficult to spot and having numerous hot flushes day and night, feeling faint, wobbly legs and palpitations with them, especially with finger pricking was just making things very challenging. I can't tell you how those small clear patches have revolutionized my life. I am now back to sleeping soundly all night.... no pit stops needed anymore for me and good sleep is not only bliss but improves my BG management. Being well into the menopause my patches are I believe just a single hormone but perimenopausal I believe you need a combination. Definitely worth enquiring and ideally seek out a female doctor who will usually be more sympathetic to the issue.

As regards pumps, I believe the first place to start with your research is to find out which pump(s) your hospital offers. There is usually quite a limited choice. Then make out a list of things that you think might be quite important to you personally. Ie do you want something which is very discrete..... maybe very small because you wear close fitting clothes or want to be able to control it from your phone or a PDM rather than have to fish the pump out to make adjustments to your insulin. Would you possibly prefer a patch pump to a tubed pump. Are you hoping to loop with a sensor for a more automated system? We have a "pumping and technology" section on the forum so do ask whatever questions you have there as well as reading the existing threads will provide you with lots of background info.

Which insulins are you currently using and can you tell us a bit about your Type 3c..... I am guessing you still have some pancreas left rather than a complete removal since you only just started needing insulin. It may help people to relate to your situation better if you can explain what lead to the Type 3c diagnosis..... Quite impressed that you even managed to get a Type 3c label 10 years ago. Many people were misdiagnosed as Type 2 and had to fight long and hard to get the Type 3c classification and be treated as a Type 1. Sounds like you have a switched on team!

I am a dog lover. Currently have a lab x St Bernard. 🙂

Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s nice to read other peoples. It can be a little isolating especially in these times to find things to relate to.

You raise a good point about the pumps. I think they offer Medtronic and Omnipod here. I have questions relating to my job as I worry about catching wires and maintaining it.

I use novorapid and lantus. I have hereditary pancreatitis and although I had surgery at a young age, I do have my pancreas although it is atrophied now with calcifications. It is screened every year by a study I am involved in. I didn’t get the label ten years ago. I struggled with this and the attitudes I came up against for some time. Probably more like 3/4 years ago I found out. Although it took them about 26 years after some genetic testing to actually confirm the HP. Sooooooo, er yeah!

Thank you for being so welcoming.

 

[Joanimal]

Hi @Joanimal and welcome.
I'm type 3c following pancreatitis.
Can't help with the pump as I'm on MDI but glad to hear you're being encouraged to have one.

I actually feel quite pump reluctant. So good to hear some positive vibes. Keeping an open mind.

 

[Joanimal]

Welcome to the forum @Joanimal

Well done for delurking

We have quite a few Type 3cs, and several people with diabetes who have been through the menopause, so there are plenty of friendly folks for you to compare notes with.

These articles around menopause and diabetes might be of interest

anniecoops.com

This domain may be for sale!

anniecoops.com

And more from Annie Cooper / Cochrane Library here

Diabetes and the menopause - Evidently Cochrane

Guest blog by Annie Cooper which talks about the silence surrounding the 'Big M' and the lack of information for menopausal women managing long term conditions like diabetes

www.t1resources.uk

These are amazing, thank you and what I’ve been searching for and failing to find. That do your own research quote can be easier said than done!

 

[Joanimal]

Welcome to the forum.

As @rebrascora has said a good starting point for choosing a pump is to find out which ones your clinic offer. Each team have contracts for specific ones for which they are able to offer the essential support for their patients.

Once you know what options are open to you, there is bound to be some specific experience to tap into on here for that model as well as more general advice from other pump users. Let us know what you find out.

Good advice thank you.