Welcome Tom!

My name is Tom and I have been IDDM type1 for 43 years was a pumper for 5 years and worked as a paramedic/firefighter for 15 years. I am still learning and I don't know everything. I no longer use a pump. If you have any questions just ask. There is no such thing as a stupid question.

Chaniging Insulin Pump SUCCESS!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOpadosB0DA

Changing Insulin Pump FAIL

Has anyone ever had this happen before?
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to see more videos!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41Iq1F4AC0w

Novalog vs Apidra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiAzTfWNPnQ

Burnout Incognito: Silent but Deadly

A couple months ago I posted an entry about burnout. Well there is something that I didn't realize until today. Burnout can happen without you even knowing. It took a big smack in the face from fellow diabetics to wake me up from my daydream of sorts. You see, I made some choices that didn't set well with some of my diabuddies. I was upset at some things that were said & couldn't see it at the time. They were right. Over the past couple of months I was making poor choices when concerning my diabetes management. I was eating the wrong stuff & just going with the motions. That is not what diabetes management is. Diabetes Management is about two key things: Changing YOU & getting better bg results. Both are like a well-oiled machine, you need both in order to achieve success. to change your lifestyle in order to achieve the golden numbers I call them My golden numbers are 70-180 mg/dl. That's my personal set. The goal is to lower the maximum number as much as possible. I wasn't even aware of what I was doing to myself until today. That goes to show that Burnout can happen without warning & sometimes you can't recognize it until someone spells it out for you. I'm glad to say I've snapped out of it & you can too!

Is An Insulin Pump A Good Idea?

"Pumping Ain't easy" is what my T-shirt (from Type 1 Diabetes Memes Online store) says & it can't be further more from the truth. I've been on my Medtronic Minimed Paradigm 723 Insulin Pump for over a year now & I love it, but there are some cons to a pump. At the beginning (pre-pumper), I was timid about getting a pump because I used to be one of those people who are afraid to step out of their comfort zone & try something new. I joined the Medtronic Insulin Pump group, since that was the pump type I was getting so  I figured I'd join to get help & advice  w& they helped me overcome my fears & step out of my comfort zone & try something new.  I'm going to list the pros & the cons & give my opinion on if a pump is a good tool for diabetes management. **All of the following is based on my personal experience & opinion, if you have concerns after reading this, please consult your endocrinologist/doctor/CDE**

PROS :) : There are more pros than cons (In my opinion)

• No more shots! My biggest attraction to the idea of pumping was the thought of now more injections! I was taking 4 injections every single day & after 7 years of doing so, it got tiresome.
• (On that note) Less needles! Like I mentioned, I was doing 4 shots a day which used a lot of needles. With an Insulin Pump, you only change your pump every 2-3 days I've managed 4-5 here & there)
• Better control: With a flexpen/syringe, you could only do dosages in 1 unit increments. With syringes I hear you can, but I think it would be hard. This can cause occasional lows. With a Insulin Pump, you can give insulin in 0.5 unit dosages.
• Closer to having an actual pancreas. The pancreas's job is to constantly excrete insulin to cover carbs. The insulin pump does the same thing! I like to say "I wear my pancreas on my belt"
• everything comes along with you (only need your meter). 

• It's out in the open so you can talk about it (or play mystery games - What IS that thing?) use it as way to educate others 

• On that note, I've noticed personally if you spot another diabetic, you are BFF's instantly :)

Thanks to Terri Milesyo for the last three bullets

Cons :( :

• BENT CANULAS!  one of the [few] things I hate about a pump is the chance of bent canulas. A canula is the plastic tube inside you that delivers the insulin. If the canula gets bent, little or no insulin is delivered, thus causing high glucose levels  (this happened to me this morning. Went to bed after changing my pump site was 110 mg/dl. woke up 192 mg/dl. I was confused but decided to eat breakfast & wait. Well 30 minutes later I started to feel nauseous & was 241 that quick!). 
• The main con really is only regarding the infusion sets. They can bend (canula), tubing can break off (rarely) & can go in awkwardly.
• Unless you use an Omnipod (tubeless pump), tubing gets caught on everything! I just tuck my tubing in my pants or pockets & pull enough to be able to access my pump (I keep it on a belt clip most of the time)

MY OPINION:

Is a pump for you? Everyone is different, but I think everyone should inquire about one, because it can be really beneficial to diabetes management. I left no stone unturned when doing the pros & cons, because I want you to know what to expect. If I had t ]o rate my experience thus far as a pumper I would rate it 9/10 only due to the sets being iffy at times. 

If you do decide to get a pump please let me know :)! Tweet me at @Insulin_Junkie8 or email me at thberger61794@gmail.com! Feel free to comment below or share this or subscribe to my blog! Feel free to sign up to get my blogz365 letter (info on upcoming blogs & new projects i'm working on)! 

If you are interested in buying a t-shirt from Type 1 Diabetes Memes, COPY & PASTE THE FOLLOWING LINK: http://type1diabetesmemes.spreadshirt.com/

The Road to a Dexcom G4 Platinum

FINALLY! After over a year of trying to get one, I finally got a Dexcom approved by my insurance (Anthem Healthkeepers Plus)! I'm going to take you on the journey of how I got my Dexcom & answer the question everyone is wondering!
I first heard about the Dexcom CGM when I started going to UVA for my diabetes check-ups & asked my pump specialist about it & really dug it. Called VA's Dexcom Rep, Sara & was denied. At the time I only had Medicaid (Of VA) as my insurance so I brushed it off. Well in August I got a letter from Medicaid saying "Hey you need to choose one of the following as your primary insurance" & after reading through the list I choose Anthem HKP (for short). About two weeks ago I got to thing to myself & remembered I havent spoken to my Dexcom rep since getting this new policy. I called her the Friday before last & told her about my new insurance. She called me the next business day & said "Anthem HKP does cover for a Dexcom". Turns out it's covered 100%. Here I am today, not even 5 days later wearing my Dexcom G4 Platinum sensor! I named my reciever Dexter (After Dexter's Laboratory :) ).

Now I posted my awesome news in various Diabetes support groups I am in on Facebook & had some people stumped. They were curious as to how Anthem HKP (A form of Medicaid) cover for a Dexcom when neither Medicare or Medicaid itself will? My only answer is that I'm not entirely sure, but i'm blessed to be  because I have little income & could never pay out of pocket.

If you have an answer to the question, please comment!

HO-HO-HO WOW I'm Low!

Low Blood sugars are the worst, especially during the holidays, when you are trying to enjoy time with loved ones. I am going to tell you about a low episode that changed mt life, enjoy :)!

It was Christmas eve 2005 that it happened. I awoke at 3:00 am feeling very weak & sweaty. I checked my blood sugar & it was 45! As I was going to the kitchen to find me a snack to treat my low, I heard the ornaments on our Christmas tree clacking together as if someone was fooling with the tree. I thought my ears were playing tricks on me since I was so low. Well, then I saw a shadow go from our living room (where the tree was) to the dinning room. So off after it I went. When I got to the dinning room there he was, Santa! After I composed myself, Santa knew I was diabetic & asked me how I was doing. I said that I was low so he offered to share the cookies I had laid out for him before bed & he even let me have the glass of milk. He then let me go riding on his sleigh. We rode til sunrise. I loved Rudolph the most.

IT WAS ALL A DREAM.... I woke up & to my surprise I was the number I was in my dream! I went to eat a snack & I noticed the cookies were gone & my coat was where I put after my time with Santa! Was it a dream or am I that low? You decide! Comment below!

Hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed typing it!