Hi everyone, I'm Brian, a 37 year old who's had T1 for just over a year. As I head toward my first anniversary pumping, thought I would share my experience to others as I see the last year as a success. I haven't been using insulin very long, I know there's so much more to learn - at the same time, I feel I have something to offer for others having to entertain this lovely disease. Here we go.......
My T1 diagnosis was preceded by a T2 mis-diagnosis in '08 by GP with extremely elevated A1c 14 along with many symptoms including massive thirst, weight loss, headaches & fatigue. All too often, a 2pm Saturday nap would turn into Sat evening. I wrote off much of what I was doing & feeling to extra long work hours and not eating 3 squares. In three months, with no second opinions and no visit to endo, my A1 had dropped to 6.8 with pills/diet/education & light exercise. This is where I pick-up carb counting. After holding A1 around 6.8 for a year and a half - with no change in regimen had started to feel "off" again in summer 2010. Along with general maliase, my BG's were high and I didn't want to eat.
I make the long-overdue decision to see an endo. Deep inside - I feared taking insulin and everything else that may have been running through my head. Then in Aug 2010, I visit my endo for first time - we reveal T1 diagnosis 9.2 and immediately start MDI's (Levemir 1X-morning and Humalog 3X + corrections). With MDI's, we walk A1c down to 6.5 in three months, with no-shortage of low/near-low episodes......could never have enough glucose tabs in tow.
It's at this same time, we trial cgm for one week to id kinks in MDI therapy. I learn two things: 1) my timing was off (late with injections) and 2) I'm sold at use of cgm. I consider MDI/cgm and pump/cgm as options. Given inputs from my endo and own research, I opt for pump/cgm. From there, my endo coordinated visits with pump reps, insurance paperwork, and pump/cgm training.
It was late Nov '10 when I started pumping and 2 weeks later we brought cgm on board. I've maintained the 6.5's with a very limited number of lows - much of which I attribute to cgm allowing me to head-off highs and lows. Of course, I still have my bouts with highs and lows, but take my notes and move-on. While in doc's office for foot check mid-October (wasn't seeing endo this visit) I asked for A1c check - Was surprised & elated to see 6.0. As my transition from summer to fall was challenging, I'm expecting higher number on endo checkup closer to my 1-year.
This past year was my best year in a long time.......
Brian
My T1 diagnosis was preceded by a T2 mis-diagnosis in '08 by GP with extremely elevated A1c 14 along with many symptoms including massive thirst, weight loss, headaches & fatigue. All too often, a 2pm Saturday nap would turn into Sat evening. I wrote off much of what I was doing & feeling to extra long work hours and not eating 3 squares. In three months, with no second opinions and no visit to endo, my A1 had dropped to 6.8 with pills/diet/education & light exercise. This is where I pick-up carb counting. After holding A1 around 6.8 for a year and a half - with no change in regimen had started to feel "off" again in summer 2010. Along with general maliase, my BG's were high and I didn't want to eat.
I make the long-overdue decision to see an endo. Deep inside - I feared taking insulin and everything else that may have been running through my head. Then in Aug 2010, I visit my endo for first time - we reveal T1 diagnosis 9.2 and immediately start MDI's (Levemir 1X-morning and Humalog 3X + corrections). With MDI's, we walk A1c down to 6.5 in three months, with no-shortage of low/near-low episodes......could never have enough glucose tabs in tow.
It's at this same time, we trial cgm for one week to id kinks in MDI therapy. I learn two things: 1) my timing was off (late with injections) and 2) I'm sold at use of cgm. I consider MDI/cgm and pump/cgm as options. Given inputs from my endo and own research, I opt for pump/cgm. From there, my endo coordinated visits with pump reps, insurance paperwork, and pump/cgm training.
It was late Nov '10 when I started pumping and 2 weeks later we brought cgm on board. I've maintained the 6.5's with a very limited number of lows - much of which I attribute to cgm allowing me to head-off highs and lows. Of course, I still have my bouts with highs and lows, but take my notes and move-on. While in doc's office for foot check mid-October (wasn't seeing endo this visit) I asked for A1c check - Was surprised & elated to see 6.0. As my transition from summer to fall was challenging, I'm expecting higher number on endo checkup closer to my 1-year.
This past year was my best year in a long time.......
Brian
