Should I get my son a pump
Hello
My son Abdo 15 Y old, has DM type 1 since Jan 2018, and he’s got vitiligo from about 3 years ago, his weight is about 43kg, and 163cm long, the types of insulin he injects are: Actrapid: -8u___10u____8u before meals.
LANTUS: -16U at bedtime.
The last HbA1c was 8.5 in April 2019.
He eats anything as his doctor advised him.
My question is if I install the insulin pump to him, is that useful?
Ahmed
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Hi Ahmed,
Thank you for reaching out to me.
If your son does not have a continuous glucose monitor and you can afford the cost, this would be the first device to get for him. A CGM will give him and you much better information on how and which foods and activities are impacting his blood glucose.
The next thing to add would be an insulin pen with a Bluetooth connection. For example, InPen — https://www.companionmedical.com/InPen.
Pumps are in a rapid state of evolution and complete artificial pancreas solutions will be rolling out in the US and European markets in 2020.
These AP devices have terrific promise but it will help your son manage his diabetes if he learns to use a CGM and Insulin Pen as step one.
Warm regards,
Martin
No Complications after 52 years with T1D
Hello, my name is Karen. I have been a type 1 diabetic for 52 years. With no complications. I do wear a pump going on about 4 1/2 yrs now. I would prefer to give it by syringe, the old fashioned way. The reason I am now on a pump is that I was on Lantus insulin for a very long time, my insurance company decided they did not want to pay for it anymore I was not going to pay $98.00 a bottle. When I first got it back in the 60’s I paid $1.85 a bottle. My doctor put me on Levemir insulin. I believe it overlapped with the Lantus and it bought my blood sugar down to 32 while driving into a pretty bad accident. I did not get hurt. I had to go on the pump with the sensor to monitor my blood sugars because I lost a sense of the lows yrs ago. I am grateful for the doctor at that time when I was eight I had and my parents and now my husband for the terrific shape I am in. It is not a hard disease if it is understood correctly. I am living proof.
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Hi Karen,
Thank you for sharing your story with me. Help from parents and spouses is vital and I am glad to hear of your good situation.
Warm regards,
Martin
What Pump Should I Buy
Hello,
I am a Canadian 46-year T1 diabetic. I have been on a Medtronic insulin pump for about 12 years and am due for an upgrade in January 2020.
I am looking for information/opinions on the T1 X2 pump compared with a Medtronic pump, both with CGM sensors.
Do you have any recommendations to any sites or links that I can do some legitimate research on?
Thanks for your help.
Sincerely
Darcy
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Hi Darcy,
It is nice to hear from you. I think that when you say ‘T1 X2 pump’ you mean the Tandem Diabetes t:slim x2 pump. Is this correct? If so, here is a recent article — https://insulinnation.com/treatment/tandem-gets-first-ace-pump-designation-from-fda/
We think that Tandem has surpassed Medtronic and leads the world in pump technology and ease of use.
Their designation by the FDA as the first interoperable pump is strong evidence of this leadership.
If you can wait, Bigfoot Biomedical is set to launch their closed loop system—including pump, CGM, and controller app — in June 2020 and this should provide a spectacular improvement in care.
Warm regards,
Martin
Nepal Diabetes Information
I am just 9 years & study in grade3 only .. diagnosed type 1 back around 10 months .. its very panic & overwhelming both me & family also. always fingerprick is very fearful for me.. my parents take all the responsibility to care including insulin shot, fingerprick & other management. I am trying to be a disciplined child as your suggestion in the rest of my life.. here no government system to support like us children but my parents take all financial responsibility .. I have need sugar check monitoring except finger prick sir.. hope it will be soon in my country for type 1 children.
hope for the best.. could you please guide me sir for new information regarding type 1 management including carb counting.
thank you very much for your suggestions.
Aahana
Nepal
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This information about the Nepal Diabetes Association may help you and your parents.
Address: Diabetes Clinic, Kopundol ward 02, Lalitpur
Nepal Telephone number: +977-15520209
Email: nda.diabetes1990@gmail.com
Website: http://www.nepaldiabetesassociation.com
Founded in: 1990
Member of IDF since 2000
Number of members: 514
Nepal Diabetes Association (NDA) was established in 1990 with the objectives of prevention and management of Diabetes and its complications.
The association has its own diabetes care centre in the heart of the city, Kopundole where it is providing diabetes clinic services free of cost to the patients. This clinic also provides free medications where possible and has a team for diabetes eye care also. The association is also planning for setting up a physical exercise centre and a library in its premises in the future.
Warm regards,
Martin
Successful Islet Transplant
I live in Alexandria, Virginia outside of Washington DC & was diagnosed Type 1 on Halloween day 1973. Yes, a long time ago but since then worked very hard to keep Hemoglobin A1c at 6.2 or lower. I never enjoyed eating carbohydrates in fact hunger for them evaded me. A reality I knew trying not to fall into the complications category.
But as things will happen, 7 years ago I developed extreme Hypoglycemic Unawareness & knew I needed help. I saw online a clinical trial that matched my needs at a hospital 45 miles away. Needless to say, I called & was interviewed over a few days by Dr. Donner at Johns Hopkins Diabetes Center in Baltimore Md. I was accepted as the 1st patient on the East Coast to get the transplant of islet cells encapsulated placed in the stomach on 8/1/18. The trials are sponsored by San Diego company ViaCyte. I trust this company very much due to their history with diabetes.
Since the transplant, my blood sugar has been stable and specifically, I feel incredible. I take immunosuppressants at 8 am & 8 pm and will stop them after 2 years. Johns Hopkins sees me monthly for blood tests & so far things look good for self insulin production soon as islets are traveling to the proper places.
Yes, I’m optimistic yet not unrealistic and know medical clinical trials are essential for our country & citizens.
Thanks,
Jeanne
