Type 1

YpsoPump Lanches In Australia!

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Did you just say that we’re getting a pump?

Yes.

To keep?

Yes. If you’re going to write about it, you need to know all of the facts.

All of the other bloggers were convinced that I must have misunderstood Ypsomed Australia’s General Manager, James Mayjor. I was convinced that perhaps he was just leading me on.

I walked away with the brand new YpsoPump, that officially launched in Australia today. Consumables are listed on the NDSS, meaning that Ypsopumpers will be able to access subsidised supplies just like any other pump.

I believe that a large group of Diabetes Educators will also be coming to Sydney for pump training over the next two days, so if you are thinking of starting on the Ypsopump there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find a trained CDE near you.

So, disclosures. My Life Diabetes Care covered my travel expenses and accommodation in Sydney to attend the launch of the Ypsopump. The team from My Life Diabetes Care kindly gave us a platform for the consumer voice to be heard, as well as hearing all sorts of crazy dinner conversations last night! If that wasn’t generous enough already, I was also given a Ypsopump, some infusion sets, reservoirs, pump cases and an inserter to trial.

So before you read any further, there is a pretty big bias in place. However My Life Diabetes Care have not paid for my time or my words which are, as always, my own.

First up, hooray for new pump choices in Australia!

Secondly, I honestly cannot believe just how sleek and lightweight the Ypsopump is compared to my chunky Animas Vibe that’s looking increasingly like something from the last decade. The My Life Diabetes Care team did highlight that the Ypsopump had been designed to fill the gap in a market filled with complex, medical looking devices.

I was also most impressed to hear about the My Life Diabetes Care portfolio of products, which included things like needles, pen injectors and blood glucose monitoring for people on Multiple Daily Injections and Structured Blood Glucose Monitoring. The tech is not for everyone, and offering choice to consumers is extremely important.

The pump is touch screen, although not a full colour pump. The biggest difference to my late Vibe is that the bolus calculator is not contained in the pump itself, but rather done in the My Life Diabetes app. So, I would calculate my bolus in the app, and then administer the recommended dose using the pump. The pump then connects all of my insulin dosing data to the app via a Bluetooth connection.

Infusion sets come in either steel or teflon, are available in a variety of lengths, and also have the option of manual insertion. Another noticeable difference for me compared to the Animas was the lack of a 45 degree angled cannula.

If you hadn’t noticed my enthusiasm already, I obviously hooked up straight away. It’s still very early to draw any more conclusions, but I will have more to share in the coming weeks. For the time being, I’m more than happy to stow my late Animas Vibe away in my pencil case.

P.S. A photo where I’m actually smiling!

P.P.S. Could we have thought of a better product placement? From left to right: Ashley (@hangrypancreas), Melinda (@melindaseedt1d), Renza (@RenzaS), Rachel (@yoga4diabetes), Me (@FrankSita) and CDE Blogger Extraordinaire Jayne (@JayneEdHealth).

Dear Pancreas

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Dear Pancreas,

Congratulations. You’ve officially been in retirement for eight years today. I hope you’ve enjoyed the seemingly endless stretch of long sleep ins and lazy, effortless days.

If there’s one organ in the human body that I’ve truly come to appreciate since you clocked off for the last time eight years ago, it would have to be you.

You were able to produce just the right amount of insulin for the carbohydrates that I sent your way, and convert those carbs into energy for me to use through the day.

You were able to respond to all of the crazy factors that affected my blood sugars. Things like pizza nights, illness, stress, physical activity and even how well I slept last night!

You were able to produce just the right amount of insulin so that my blood sugar didn’t peak too high, but also didn’t drop dangerously low. You never had to chase the unicorns.

I honestly don’t know how you did that gig all by yourself for 17 years. You didn’t have any resources at your disposal. You didn’t have any healthcare professionals to guide you. You didn’t even have any friends to support you. Yet you never once complained.

Being a pancreas is in no way normal. There’s no one else quite like you. The nature of your job can feel rather isolating. Yet you held your head up high. You stood tall. You never once showed a single shred of emotion. You never burned out.

You’ve definitely pushed me far from my comfort zone. I’ve met new people, I’ve visited new places. Your retirement has definitely instilled a great deal more confidence in me than I’d ever once imagined.

Dare I say I’ve taken quite an interest in you. I read about you. I talk about you. I write about you, frequently. I’ve even dedicated a whole blog to your demise. Some might say I’m obsessed with you.

You’ve left me with tonnes of additional duties since you departed the office eight years ago. I’m ashamed to admit that I don’t do the job half as well as you once did. I have to do the job of a human being as well, you know. I do try my best, you know, but somehow I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fill your shoes.

So, in case you had forgotten, today also happens to be my eighth diaversary. I’m not sure if you’ve been out shopping yet, but if you wanted to get me something really nice to mark the occasion, you could simply get up off the couch and come out of retirement.

I know I can’t offer you much, but I promise to feed you, take care of you and provide a roof over your head. I’ll never for a second take your job for granted again.

So, what do you say?

With all my love,

Frank

Breaking Up With My Health Insurer.

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When a loyal customer informs you that they will be taking their business elsewhere for sake of better value for money, you would think that the appropriate response would be to do everything possible to convince you to stay.

When I walked into my local HBF branch on Friday to do just that, the member service advisor (who actually had a connection to diabetes) simply told me that she completely understood.

I’d be lying if I said that I don’t feel a little stung by the health insurer that my family have been loyal to for as long as I can remember. I can remember impatiently waiting at the HBF branch at Karrinyup on many occasions as a kid when my parents had claims issues to deal with. When my Mum and Dad brought me to HBF after I first commenced full time work to take out a policy of my own, I did not even think about choosing anyone else to look after my health.

I genuinely liked that HBF were a West Australian business, with a family feel to it. There were plenty of local branches nearby where I could go and talk to an actual person, rather than deal with a matter over the phone with the call centre on the East Coast. We haven’t ever had a problem with them over the years.

However along with insulin pumps, HBF no longer covers dialysis, cochlear implants and surgical weight loss procedures on basic tier hospital policies. Meanwhile, I can receive claims or discounts for ‘wellness’ products and services which have no value to me on my health cover.

I find it ridiculous that I am forced to have my health insurance cover packaged with other products and services that I have no use for. Admittedly, my new health insurer is no different either. In an ideal world I would go into a branch, tell the insurer what I need coverage for, and have a package that is tailored to my own individual needs.

Over the four year lifespan of my insulin pump, my current premiums (inclusive of the 25% rebate contributed by the federal government) have covered roughly 60% of its cost. Not to mention that many people would not be upgrading their insulin pumps as soon as the four year warranty period is up. Moreso at the moment as we are waiting patiently for the new pump options to hit our shores (watch this space).

Of all people with diabetes, those with type 1 who are the predominant users of insulin pump therapy represent only 11%. Of those 11%, I believe that insulin pumpers would be in the minority. They weren’t encouraged or talked about by my own healthcare professionals. I only came to know more about them from talking to other people with diabetes – and that, in itself, was a massive step for me to make.

I have now broken up with HBF, a decision which will save me at least $550 per year. Diabetes is one awfully expensive condition that I did not ask to get, and I can think of hundreds of other things that I would much rather put that money towards each year.

But for now, I will happily divert that extra $550 per year toward things like insulin pump consumables, batteries, test strips, hypo treatments and insulin. 

As Elaine would say, “you just lost a customer!”

(Clearly, you can tell that I’ve been binging on far too much Seinfeld at the moment…)

What Type 1 Diabetes Is Really Like

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“How’s your diabetes going?” “Are you managing it alright?” “How are your levels?”

These are the questions that I am most often asked about my diabetes. Don’t get my wrong, I love fielding questions about diabetes. However, being asked about my diabetes so generally is so difficult for me to answer. I’m often left lost for words. Speechless.

Diabetes is so much more than just “good” or “not good.” “Pass” or “fail.” It’s never a simple answer. Diabetes in itself, is never simple.

Diabetes is one of the most unpredictable conditions to live with. Trying to mimic a healthy pancreas, while trying to live my life at the same time, is never easy. Two days with diabetes are never the same. Two identical days with diabetes don’t guarantee you the same results.

Everything affects diabetes. Everything and anything.

A good night’s sleep can be the difference between steady, or skyrocketing levels after waking. Physical activity that isn’t carefully planned for will send me low, and then high in the aftermath. Stress, and illness are enough to make my blood sugar levels as stubborn as hell. A plate of pasta is digested at a much slower rate than a plate of mashed potato.

To remain on top of this condition, I have to be on top of my game. Being on top of my game means living in anticipation of all of these things. Second guessing how accurate my carb counting was at dinner. Wondering if I will need a square of chocolate, or a couple of skittles, to keep me steady over the next couple of hours. Anticipating the timing of my insulin dose to match the food I am eating. Stressing about where my blood sugar levels will settle before I go to bed. Wondering whether I am doing enough to keep myself healthy, and free from long term complications.

After six years, diabetes has become somewhat of a second nature. Yeah, it frustrates me. Yeah, I don’t always get it right. Some times are tougher than others. I get burned out from time to time. There are days where I close my eyes, and bury my head in my hands.

But I don’t feel burdened. I don’t spend my days dreaming of a cure, or wishing it away. It hasn’t stopped me from doing whatever I set out to achieve in life. I will have type 1 diabetes for the rest of my life, and I’ve made my peace with that. 

Type 1 diabetes has made me a stronger, healthier, passionate and more confident person. Type 1 diabetes has shaped the person that I am today, and I wouldn’t trade that guy for anything in the world.

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Wishing you a Happy World Diabetes Day.

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There’s a 24 hour chat happening over on Twitter for World Diabetes Day. For those of you in Australia, it kicks off at 1pm WST/4pm EST. All you need is a Twitter account. Join in by following/tweeting with the hashtag #WDDChat16.

I will be hosting the 5am hour, which is 6pm WST/9pm EST for those of you in Australia.

Hope you can join me.

A New Member of the D-Club

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“Doesn’t your sugar levels go high if you eat too many sweets?”

This was a question that was posed to me over the weekend, as I reached over and grabbed a sweet from the table. 

“I’m low at the moment” were the first words I could get out of my mouth, resisting the urge to add more words until the sugar was sitting safely in my belly.

“I have type 1 diabetes. My body doesn’t produce any insulin.”

I pulled my pump out of my pocket, thankful for my newfound prop that keeps my flailing hand gestures at bay.

“This delivers all of my insulin for me. Technically speaking I can eat anything I want, so long as I give insulin to cover it. Obviously it is better for my blood sugar levels if I eat healthier foods, though.”

This person then went on to tell me that she had been recently diagnosed with early signs of type 2 diabetes, and that the lifestyle changes suggested by her doctor were easier said than done. That she wasn’t sure how changes to her diet would fit in with the rest of her family at home. As she questioned her need for the medication prescribed to her, I could see just how hard it was for her to accept her condition. It brought back my own memories of hiding my diabetes, unable to accept my new ordinary.

I curiously asked if she was testing her blood sugars at home, or whether she had seen a diabetes educator yet. As she told me ‘no,’ I nodded my head. The last thing I wanted to do was to try to give advice. The last thing I wanted to do was to act like I knew what she was going through, or what was best for her. Type 2 diabetes is completely different to type 1. Heck, one person’s diabetes is completely different to another’s.

Yet at the same time, I felt like I should have done more to help her out. I felt sorry for her, because her doctor didn’t seem very helpful or supportive. I hope I said the right things.

“I know it’s hard. It’s taken me ages to make changes that have lasted. I’ve had diabetes for six years, and I still have days where I don’t feel like I’ve got it right.”

All I really wanted to do was to give her a big hug and tell her everything was going to be okay.

Hopefully she sees in me that it will be.