Monday, March 22, 2021

Type 1 Diabetes ~ New Technology And Me

Bound to be some problems, right? And I set myself up, for sure.


I've had Type 1 diabetes since I was 49 years old, so over 30 years now. Most commonly ocurring in children and young adults, it can happen later in life as well. 

The first 10 years were very difficult. But still, I was grateful it happened later in life, so I could have all those fun adventures I had when I was young.

Since I got my first pump more than 20 years ago, everything has been much easier. I'm usually able to manage my diabetes  well.  My A1c is always under 7 (in case you've heard that TV commercial -- 7 is the cut off point for reasonably good control).

Some days are easy, everything works, my sugars don't rise too high, emotions are under control (yes, they make you sicker too), and no tempting/but bad food has landed in my system. 

Other days are sheer hell, but I won't dwell on those. They come and they go and life goes on.

However, while I'm so very grateful to have been fully vaccinated for covid-19 with the Moderna vaccine, I've had problems managing my diabetes since I received my second dose. 

Since I got my first pump over 20 years ago, this has never happened. 

I've talked to my diabetes team, but will not have the complete discussion with them until the beginning of April. I must have a blood test before then and also upload my pump data to their office. 

I know I will get some good advice and make changes toghether with them to my insulin pump programmig. 

I also got a new insulin pump recently. I set it up myself, no problems. I verified it with Kathy, who is part of my team, and also a friend by now. 

But Kathy and I forgot to go over the meter. The thing that I use to check my sugars. It's supposed to transfer the data, the result of the each blood sugar test, to the insulin pump. My previous ones did this also and I don't recall any issues with setting them up. 


This one had 21 steps to follow, most of them logical, but confusing at the same time. Makes no sense I know, it may have something to do with my advanced age and lousy blood sugar control (the higher the sugars, the thicker the brain fog).



Funny thing was, I thought I had messed everything up, tears of frustration were gathering in my eyes as I entered a strip in the meter, pricked my finger and added my blood. 

I was so sure it wouldn't work. But then I looked, and, as Errol would have said, "there it is!" and there it was. In both places, both the meter and the pump. 

I had done everything correctly. 

So there it is, and the lesson(s): 

No point in getting frustrated, particularly not before you know that you messed up. 

Things may not be as hard as you think they are. 

Or you may be smarter than you think. 

And save those tears until you really need them. 

I'm sure you, my friends,  can come up with some more.









17 comments:

  1. standing ovation needed here! you did it! and did it well! yahhooooooo... for me following instructions is really hard, on anything. a booklet is bad enough but online instructions make me crazy. it is a struggle and I do conquer but not without anger and/or tears... I knew most of this but not that you did not get Type 1 until age 49. I thought all T1 was from childhood and had no idea it can appear in adults.

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  2. Hi Inger - oh gosh ... I understand about instructions or if something goes wrong and I need to reprogramme ... frustration galore - no tears thankfully. But I do feel for you and am glad you've got friends to help you at special times of need. I hope that meeting with the team will resolve the issue with the 2nd jab ... it must be so difficult for the vaccinologists to work all these things out for us: I admire them hugely - as I know you do. Stay safe and it's great to read that things are going along ok - all the best with lots of hugs - Hilary

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  3. I hope you can get this resolved, but very glad you are managing the pump fine. It sounds complicated. And managing while foggy is no fun.

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  4. Mercy those instructions look complicated. So glad you had Kathy to help you. I also tend to think the worst when things don't work right at first. Curious about the relationship with the second dose and your diabetes. Hope they can find out why and fix it.

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  5. Life is precious and I can understand your worries and frustrations but I'm glad that you were doing everything right. It looks complicated to me. I'm afraid to take the vaccine even though I've not yet been contacted by our doctor to get it. There are some severe complications and some are fatal.

    Stay safe and well.
    Hugs, Julia

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  6. Kudos to you for solving the issue!
    There might be a third dose by end of Summer or Fall, so they'll have to fix now things that cause problems to various people.

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  7. BOM DIA JESUS... BOM DIA MÃE MARIA SANTÍSSIMA... BOM DIA ESPÍRITO SANTO... BOM DIA A TODOS NÓS!!! TENHAMOS UM OLHAR DE MISERICÓRDIA.🙏🌹♥️🇧🇷🕊️🕯️📿🏠🙏

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  8. Good lessons! Hope you get those sugars straightened out soon!

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  9. I have always admired anyone who can master things like this, even to using a till, an EFTPOS machine, the engineers who designed car engines, and now diabetes machines. Well done to get it all sorted, and hope the next phone call or visit will have any other glitches all sorted for you.

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  10. You did it! Sometimes I treat confusing instructions like a recipe. I keep doing step after step even if I can't quite grasp the "flow" of it. And it works, usually! One of my new co-workers is having lots of problems after her COVID vaccine, also. Her blood sugars were under excellent control before then but now her watch is constantly alerting her to problems.

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  11. i cannot follow directions well - i need to be shown things. Good for you.
    I enjoyed some more of your history in the posts below.

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  12. Oh my gosh, what a challenge! I think I would never be able to understand this; one would have to be a tech genius! I sure hope it gets easier for you. Do you think your change is due to the vaccine?

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  13. I'm so pleased that with Kathy's help and your perseverance you were able to sort this very challenging situation out.
    However, I am sorry to read that the second vaccination has upset your blood sugar readings. I'm sure in time things will settle down again, I do hope so.

    My good wishes.

    All the best Jan

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  14. You did well, Inger. Frustration is something that we have to deal with but pressing on leads to good results.

    Have you spoken to your reaction to the second Moderna vaccine? I am also having some problems after my second shot. It is mostly fatigue.

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  15. Inger, I am so glad you were able to get this resolved and Kathy was able to help you. I have dealt with young children who have Diabetes and I know it is a lot of work to maintain your sugar levels and health. Sending all my best vibes your way.

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  16. oh Inger. I felt your frustration so much.
    then the joy. to Finally know that it's working!
    my dad always told me "you're Making it harder than it is."
    I suppose he was right. Always to do with Math or anything technical.
    the story of my life. so I feel even More joy in your achievement of the new one!
    XOXO

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  17. I think that the truest one was "You are smarter than you think". It is so hard when you have brain fog to follow so many steps. I get fog related to my migraines, and I do not think that I could follow 21 steps when brain fog was present. So, that was a GREAT job! I sure hope that your team can help you adjust things to improve your diabetes control.

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Thanks for leaving a comment.. ~~ Inger

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