Quit the injections. Made a video. Also includes applying and using the Freestyle Libre.
I’ll let me do the talking. In the video. I do a lot of it.
Type 1 Diabetes, Videos
VIDEO: Switching To Omnipod Pump Therapy and Applying The Freestyle Libre
November 10, 2014
19 Comments
Aaah Jeeeeeen such a great idea to vlog your pump journey!! Thanks for sharing, I am so curious, and so glad its going well so far for you! Was there a reason you decided to make the switch other than sheer curiosity? Did your Deebs Team suggest a change? I know they report that pumpin’ creates the opportunity for ‘better’ control, but what’s that actually based on? #stillaguessinggame. I naively thought that somehow the pump can also read bsg’s, but thats massively wishful thinking on my part… now that would be totes amazeballs. On that note, it seems crazy that the Libre can read so differently to your other trusty machine, do you find the gap decreases after a period of calibration? SO interesting your sensitivity has increased this markedly with the pump though, will be very intrigued to hear how that progresses! Wonder if your body is literally like WOAH, NEW TOY, EXCITEMENT!! Keeping you on your toes to say the least, #respect. Knowing you, you’ll be back to speedy runner gonzalez before Usain Bolt can tie his shoelaces! Massive word-vomit from me there, I’m just extremely fascinated by your experiences – across everything you touched on 😉 Keep em’ coming lady, wishing you & Fembot a fruitful voyaaage! #superstar xxx
Kerry! Seriously, start writing something you are a FUNNY girl! Glad you liked the video, was nice to do one after so long! The pump was never on my radar at all, for years, but I think just hearing so much positivity around stability, reduced insulin needs and the whole fine tuning of the condition really appealed, but I definitely needed to become a bit more stable in my general whirlwindyness before I really considered it properly. I asked my D team at my last appointment and they were entirely happy to apply for funding for me straightaway, which I know may not have happened so easily in other hospitals. I came to the conclusion that if I really hated it I could just go back to injections.
I have spent this whole week lugging around eight different bits of kit and wondering why our devices don’t work together. But I think given that CGMs are still so expensive and the Libre is so new, it won’t be a long way off before the scanner is built into the pump etc. Things will just get smaller, easier, more streamlined etc as time goes on (hopefully!). Insulin injections haven’t been around that long relatively speaking, so we’ve come a long way and I’m sure combining them all is the next step… you’d think!
Sensitivity after that first day really came down, I think because I haven’t been moving much at all compared to normal (I don’t do well with sitting still for very long). But hopefully once I’m back into my normal routine and exercising it will all make sense! Insulin requirements have come down about 25% already though, although I feel like I’ve been bolusing like a madwoman! xxx
This has got to be the most *fun* diabetes V-Log I ever watched (I guess that explains the blog title!). Anyway, best of luck with the new pump!
Haha who knew it could be fun eh?!
Thanks so much for watching! Glad you enjoyed it. Pump is going ok, bit of a slog for the first week but we’ll get there for sure! x
Love the video Jen 🙂 got my first appointment to see about my pump next week, wish me luck!! Xx
YOU HAVE?!?! This is amazing news!!! Ahhh so good! It’s been a long week but definitely still a move for the better, only good things to come hopefully. Let me know how you get on next week, that’s really exciting. I was very reluctant for ages, so it has to be the right time, but if you think it might help go for it! In the end I just reasoned that I could always give it back if I didn’t like it, but everyone on Twitter only told me positive things about swtiching xxx
Love this update about your new pump 🙂 always been interested in omnipod but it wasn’t available when I got my pump.
I have had a mini med for about a year and love it, he is called Merlin, so much better than being called insulin pump! Impossible not to name something that Is attached to you 24 hours a day. I had the same issue with hypos.. I’m sure you will get it sorted out, defo worth it.
The freestyle libre looks amazing! Will defo be looking it up! 🙂 x
Hi Nicole,
Thanks very much for your comments and for watching! I have been so up and down these past two weeks, I feel newly diagnosed all over again! But slowly getting used to it and still feeling very positive about the switch. Everyone on Twitter etc have reassured me, like yourself, that it is worth it 🙂 I am getting there, I’m sure there will be an update soon! xx
Hi Jen,
Good luck with the new pump. I thought your video was fantastic. I have been pumping for just over two years now and have found that it has reduced my hypos quite a lot but I still have bad days. I found the book Pumping Insulin, fifth edition, by John Walsh and Ruth Roberts helpful even though I have only just started reading it. It has some good tips on control, basal testing, setting carb and correction factors and exercise. It is american but most blood glucose readings as also given in mmols too.
i look forward to you blogging more of your pumping adventures in the future.
Regards,
Chris.
Hi Chris,
Thank you very much for watching and for taking the time to comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the video, it has definitely been a steep learning curve over the past couple of weeks! I will check out that book for sure – any additional info I can absorb at this point will be of use! Jen
there is nothing fun about type 1, but you made a fun video about it! please do an update in week or so! always hard to make any chang!!! power on brave warrior!
Ah, thank you so much, what a lovely comment. Thank you for watching as well. Haha yes there isn’t a lot that’s fun is there!? But hey, on we go. I am planning an update very soon, still grappling with the ups and downs as I get used to it! x
Brilliant video! I love reading your blogs its so nice to know other people go through the same things. I got a minimed vio pump in Feb after worrying it would feel like being hooked to a machine but I was attracted to stories of how people get near ‘normal’ control and I love it wouldn’t want to go back to injections! I do get the odd high blood sugar which baffle me sometimes but i’ll get there- I always think the odd high sugar is better than days and days of it like pre-pump ‘control’. Plus its totally sorted out my dawn phenomenon! Its brilliant for exercise too which I’m sure you’ll find out and I still can’t get my head round how I am on less insulin than pens but I have better control?! Good luck with your pump I look forward to more pump based blogs! 🙂
Hi Sarah!
Thanks so much for getting in touch, and thanks for reading! I struggled for the first few weeks quite a bit but it’s definitely getting better, it’s so strange how I completely forget ever doing injections after doing them for so long! I’m still getting a little bit of dawn phenomenon, but exercise BGs are definitely more stable. Definitely feeling the benefits, I think my HbA1c will be up before it’s down but I think it’s worth it for sure!
There will be more blogs over the holidays, lots to write about that’s for sure 🙂 xx
Yes its scary how easy you get used to no injections and the infusion site insertions hurt a lot less too (until you get a one where you get blood in your cannula although it has only happened once!) Definitely worth it for overall HBA1c in the long run, I haven’t had mine tested in a while better give it a couple months after Xmas too as I struggled with the holidays- more food, more lazing about and a pump and diabetes = blood sugars like a yoyo! xx
Hello!
Oh lord Xmas was tough! I was just stuck up high, didn’t even eat *that* many carbs (compared to what I can put away) over the holidays and it just would not come down. Thankfully normal routine and work patterns etc (plus less gluttony) seems to have sorted it out. I’m definitely more stable – way less hypos – and I’m really enjoying pump life, even though MDI life was ok! Hope you’re Christmas break wasn’t too taxing! Sad January is nearly over, yay! xx
Love the video, very brave, had an omnipod since Sept 2014, ups and downs but mainly good, HbA1c up initially but recent check back down again. Are you still using the Libre, looking at investing in one to fine tune control and make testing with exercise easier, what is your view? Would also recommend the pumping insulin book great to dip into for advice and tips on managing patterns and trends, and exercise adjustments.
Hi Susan, thanks so much for stopping by and for commenting. I was very frustrated with the pump for a month or so, but this side of Christmas I am really getting on with it which is a relief! Just had my first HbA1c since pumping and it was the same, couldn’t believe it! But I think the first month’s fluctuations were a lot worse than pre-pump. Strange how quickly you get used to not injecting isn’t it? My first Libre sensor was amazing for looking at patterns, particularly overnight, but the second sensor I had left me very frustrated as I couldn’t get it to match my normal meter at all. I think I just had a bad sensor, it’s a great piece of kit. Other people have told me they are having huge supply issues at the moment though, not sure what’s happening there.
I could definitely use some tips for temporary basal rates, thank you! Will definitely be purchasing. Take care x
Great video, keep us updated as to whether there are any other changes!