Sugar Rush

Erin was my guest on episode 170 of the Juicebox Podcast. Check out her episode and her blog, 'Sugar Rush Survivors'. 

After my son’s diagnosis in 2013 at the age of 21 months old I did what a lot of parents do when faced with a life altering diagnosis. I searched online for anyone sharing their experiences with type 1 diabetes (T1D). I joined Facebook groups, read blogs and listened to podcasts. One source I found was Arden’s Day by Scott Benner.

A few months ago on one of the T1D Facebook pages I follow I saw a post by a familiar name. Scott asked for input from fellow parents of children with T1D for his Juicebox Podcast. I thanked him for his podcast with Dr. Denise Faustman and offered to talk with him for the podcast. We connected on Skype and recorded an episode titled, 'Just another Tuesday with Type 1 Diabetes'.

I have experienced the instant bond among T1D parents many times now and it just never gets old. Being able to look another person in the eyes, knowing that they understand the triumphs and fears of this daily life is incredibly reassuring. To hear compassion in another person’s voice in answer to my questions and frustrations makes it easier to continue with the hundreds of decisions I make to keep my son’s blood sugar in range as much as I possibly can.

Scott has brought that compassion and understanding to listeners all over the world and is continuing to make the diabetic online community (DOC) a landing pad of understanding and education. When we spoke for the podcast he encouraged me to lower my son’s Dexcom high alert from 170 to 130. I had been nervous to lower it prior to talking to him but I tried it. It has helped us keep his blood sugar in range by alerting us of rising blood sugar so we can act on it sooner than we had previously.

I found another powerful connection when I met my friend and blog partner Alese. When my son was diagnosed a few months shy of his second birthday we were in the hospital for four days of intense education before we were allowed to be discharged. We had so much information crammed into our heads in such a short time but my son was still so young that he couldn’t tell us how he felt with highs, lows, or the in-betweens. When I met Alese I was grateful that she could translate how highs and lows feel for her. But I was shocked and dismayed to find how little information she was given upon diagnosis as an adult.

As we realized how powerful this connection and exchange was for the two of us, we decided we couldn’t keep it to ourselves, and the idea of jointly writing a blog was born. Sugar Rush Survivors is our attempt to share with others what has worked for us, what still frustrates us, and what lifts us up in our daily management of T1D. In addition to the blog page we manage the Sugar Rush Survivors presence on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on Juicebox Podcast and write on Sugar Rush Survivors adding my voice to the many others in the DOC to say, “You are not alone!”

Blog: www.sugarrushsurvivors.com
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/SugarRushSurvivors/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugarrushsurvivors/
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/contact_srs

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Omnipod Dash gets FDA Approval!

Insulet’s Omnipod® DASH™ Insulin Management System Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance

DASH System Features Sleek, Color Touch-Screen Handheld Personal Diabetes Manager, Bluetooth-Enabled, Waterproof1, Tubeless Pump and Suite of User-Friendly Mobile Applications (scroll for image)

No-Cost Personal Diabetes Manager with Purchase of Pods

BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 4, 2018-- Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ: PODD) (Insulet or the Company), the leader in tubeless insulin pump technology with its Omnipod® Insulin Management System (Omnipod System), today announced FDA 510(k) clearance of the Omnipod DASHTM Insulin Management System (Omnipod DASH). This clearance lays the foundation for a steady cadence of innovation that furthers Insulet’s mission to empower users to enjoy simplicity, freedom, and healthier lives with their differentiated technology.

“Our number one priority is to continue to minimize the daily strain on those impacted by diabetes and we are confident this system, and eliminating the system’s upfront cost, do just that”

“Omnipod DASH was inspired by Podders and embodies what users on multiple daily injections have been asking for in a diabetes management system,” said Patrick Sullivan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our number one priority is to continue to minimize the daily strain on those impacted by diabetes and we are confident this system, and eliminating the system’s upfront cost, do just that.”

Omnipod DASH was built to be simple, discreet and easy-to-use. The system features Bluetooth wireless technology for connectivity between the color touch-screen Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM), tubeless waterproof pump (Pod), and is optimized for use with the CONTOUR® NEXT ONE Blood Glucose (BG) Meter for the seamless transfer of blood glucose readings to the PDM’s bolus calculator. Bluetooth functionality also provides connectivity to the Omnipod DISPLAY™ and Omnipod VIEW™ apps. The DASH PDM will be offered at no cost with the purchase of Pods.

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You can try a free no obligation Demo Pod today!

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The Omnipod DISPLAY and Omnipod VIEW apps will provide users and their caregivers quick and easy access to their insulin therapy information on their smartphones. Omnipod DISPLAY allows users to discreetly monitor their PDM data on their smartphones along with other Podder-inspired features including “Find my PDM”. Omnipod VIEW allows parents and caregivers to monitor their loved ones’ diabetes more easily and with greater peace of mind. The iOS Today View widget allows users and their care teams to see their or their loved ones’ PDM and continuous glucose monitor (CGM) data on one smartphone screen with one swipe.

“the Company is taking a measured approach through a limited market launch to ensure an ideal user experience at full market release. Full market release is estimated to begin in early 2019 in the United States”

“I’m thrilled with the new Omnipod DASH System,” said Tessa Mellinger, a college student with Type 1 diabetes who was part of the DASH user testing and development. “The PDM display is easy to read, the steps to managing basal rates are user friendly, and the food library is really helpful. The fact that it looks like a smartphone makes it cool to carry and may help eliminate those awkward questions from strangers.”

Learn more about the new BG meter

Insulet would like to thank the Centers for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) branch of the FDA for its collaborative efforts, timely review and ultimate clearance of the Omnipod DASH Insulin Management System submission. Insulet looks forward to working with Captain Alan Stevens and his team as the Company continues to work on its robust innovation pipeline.

“The DASH PDM will be offered at no cost with the purchase of Pods”

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My recent interview with Omnipod's COO includes lots of Dash details!

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Submission for FDA 510(k) clearance of the Omnipod DASH was announced in January, and while today’s clearance allows Insulet to commercialize this product in the United States, the Company is taking a measured approach through a limited market launch to ensure an ideal user experience at full market release. Full market release is estimated to begin in early 2019 in the United States.

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You can try a free no obligation Demo Pod today!

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Omnipod is a sponsor of the Juicebox Podcast 

Contour Next One Meter

A few days ago the makers of the Contour Next One meter reached out to see if I would like to join a webcast announcing their new app that accompanies the Next One meter. 

Here's why I said yes...

When the FDA approves Omnipod's new Dash Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) there will be a bunch of improvements and additions coming for Podders. The new Dash PDM will be sleek, modern and you can hear all about it and other Omnipod news on a recent episode of the Juicebox Podcast featuring Omnipod's COO Shacey Petrovic.  The new PDMs modern look and eye on the future required one change that some Podders may find concerning. There is no more built in BG meter. Shacey and I spoke about the meters removal in the above mentioned podcast episode and I understand why the move was made. Don't get me wrong, at first I was not happy about the change but the decision will bring us more good than bad. Change isn't always fun but this was needed. 

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Having two devices combined creates FDA issues, innovation slow downs and it ties the Omnipod device to meter tech the ages quickly. Omnipod searched for a meter to replace the one in the current PDM and they are confident that they chose well. After participating in the aforementioned Contour webcast... I agree. 

So when Omnipod moves to the Dash they will also move to the Contour Next One. The meter is small, boasts impressive accuracy and when combined with the Dash will actually take up less room in your diabetes bag then the current PDM with he built in meter. In all this feels like an improvement in meter tech that positions Omnipod and us for quicker future innovation. 

And that's why I sat through a webcast on a beautiful Friday afternoon...

Here is what I learned...

The makers of the Contour Next One are excited to be releasing the new app (pictured) that accompanies the Next One. Omnipod users should note that when Dash arrives your Contour will not require this app. Your meter will talk, via bluetooth, directly to your Dash PDM. The Omnipod device will use it's own app to show you the information coming from the meter. 

The rest...

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Shown with new app (this is not the app Dash users will use).

• Highly intuitive user-centred mobile app - easy-to-use, simple navigation, easy to use

• Automatically syncs with the remarkably accurate CONTOUR®NEXT ONE/PLUS ONE meter to capture blood glucose results 

• Ability to record events such as meals, activities and medication. Users of the app can also add photos, notes or voice memos to help put blood glucose results in context

• Optional CONTOUR Cloud account for management and storage of data

• List view and modal day view, activated by changing orientation of device screen 

• Ability to set meal markers on the app or meter

• Alerts and messages for critical low and critical high readings 

• Adjustment of meter settings via the app including all user settings and targets

NEW APP FEATURES

• My Patterns: Delivers actionable information at the right time to help users manage their diabetes using 14 smart patterns

• My Patterns identifies patterns in blood glucose results that could affect the health of people with diabetes, prompts them to think about the causes, and offers easy-to-follow advice and helpful reminders

• Testing Reminder Plans: 11 different test reminder plans that can help users optimize testing to provide a more meaningful and comprehensive overview

• View Insulin and Carbs: Ability to view insulin does and carb intake alongside blood glucose readings in one simple view

• Reporting: Easy-to-read Blood Sugar Diary that includes 1, 2, 4 or 12 weeks of blood glucose values, carbs and insulin, enabling more informed discussions with HCPs

• Data Export: Data can be exported as a CSV file for use on multiple platforms

Ascensia (they make the Next One) feels that their app can help people living with diabetes to make more thoughtful decisions about their carbs and insulin with the tools the app provides. You can see and learn more in this PDF that they have provided.

You can learn more about the meter, their test strip program and really anything you want to know at https://bit.ly/JBPcontour.

You can get the app on the Apple/iOS app store here and on the Android/Google Play store here.

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A Perfectly Imperfect Diabetes Day

Arden's A1c has been between 5.6 and 6.2 for over four years and while those numbers are pretty amazing... they can also be a bit misleading. So I thought I would share what I consider to be a perfectly imperfect day with type 1 diabetes. 

This graph is from 9 am on Friday to 9 am on Saturday and it encompasses a ton of diabetes decisions and their outcomes. Some good, some not so good... all of them will lead to a 3 month A1c average of somewhere around 6. Let's break it down.

The 9 am incident...

Arden left for school around 7:45 am with a stable BG around 110. I gave serious consideration to changing her insulin pump before school because I noticed some inconsistencies with how the site was acting (read: I didn't like the action time of the insulin and though the site may be going bad a bit prematurely) but because of the stability of Arden's BG, I left it on. result, mistake

Here's how I tried to handled it..

After a few small boluses over an hour and a half I stopped trusting the pump site. At this point I wanted to venture to the school and change the Omnipod but I wasn't home. In place of a pump change I began to more aggressively bolus in an attempt to hold things in place. We used a combination of temp basal increases and small boluses. When the time came to pre bolus for lunch I figured that it was going to go one way or the other. Either not so bad or pretty bad. With that in mind, it was time to be extra bold. I prebolused all of the meal insulin plus an extra unit at 11:20 am for an 11:40 meal. You can see on the graph that it almost worked. Alas, Arden's eclectic meal of a bagel, grapes, chips, cookies, carrots and iced tea was too much for even an aggressive bolus (with a bad site). The spike reached 180 (normally there is no spike) but I was still out of town and wouldn't be back until after 1 pm. I guess in reality 180 with all of that food wasn't too bad and it wasn't like I didn't know what it happened or how to correct it. So when I arrived home I decided that instead of bothering Arden at school we would just keep pushing the BG and change her pump when she got home at 3 pm. result, ehh not bad

Pump change at 3 pm...

We swapped Arden's pump as soon as she got home and applied an aggressive bolus and temp basal increase. The idea was to get her BG back and stable as soon as possible. I was willing to add carbs to stop a drop if needed in exchange for a quick resolution to the elevated BG and that is exactly what happened. Two hours later Arden drank 15 carbs to stop the drop and then she went for a short bike ride with a friend. Her BG hung around 70 and so we used a temp basal decrease to help with the bike ride. The basal worked great for the excursion but would later cause a slight rise as we approached the movie theater. result, YEA!

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Off to the movies...

We arrived at the theater around 6:50 pm. Half of our group went to find our seats and the other half stood in line for snacks. Arden was with me in the snack line. Her Dexcom G6 indicated that her BG was 120 and drifting higher. I bolused 4 units. Arden got a large popcorn to share with her friends, a slurpee and a box off Bunch A Crunch. We added more insulin when we got to our seats in the form of a bolus and an hour of increased temp basal. There was one more small bolus about an hour into the movie. Her BG hung around 165 with a slurpee and an unknown amount of carbs. I liked where we were and expected a BG decline when the snacking stopped. result, hell YEA but the temp basal should have been 90 min.

Bedtime...

Arden's BG settled around 114 as we left the theater and hung there nicely for two about hours. She needed a juice around midnight (still awake with her friends) and we used a combination of temp basal decreases throughout the night. She slept in the next morning and I continued to temp back her basal insulin so she could sleep. result, (after all that) BOHYA!

Perfectly imperfect...

If it's your intention to set a basal rate, count a carb and never think about it again diabetes is going to be a rough ride. But if you're willing to stay fluid, boldly attack problems and work to keep your insulin balanced with your body's needs... things can work out pretty well.

Conclusion...

Throughout the day I never once counted a carb, gave in to fear or considered adjusting our plans. The bike ride may have seem counterintuitive to some but I would never plan for failure. And that slurpee, well, you can eat anything if you time your insulin correctly. Be bold! To learn more about how we manage insulin you can check out the Juicebox Podcast at JuiceboxPodcast.com or on your fav podcast app.

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Dexcom G6 APPROVED by FDA: All the pics and video are here

The Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor has been approved by the FDA!

I have so much media to share with you but before you dive in here are some things that you can look forward to:

• Zero fingersticks  – No fingersticks needed for calibration or diabetes treatment decisions 
• One-touch applicator  – Redesigned one-touch applicator that is virtually painless 
• Low-profile wearable  – New transmitter with a 28 percent lower profile for comfortable wear
• Mobile compatibility  – Compatibility with smart device apps to display and share glucose information with up to five people 
• Alerts and alarms – Customizable alerts and alarms to proactively warn users of pending dangerous high and low blood sugars 

If you have any questions for Dexcom about the new G6 please leave them in the comment section. Okay, have fun with he pics and video!

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WATCH: G6 Product Video

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PICS: Scroll and smile

Dexcom G6

Dexcom G6 Applicator 

Dexcom G6 Transmitter

Dexcom G6 and Apple Watch

New Receiver

Android Watch

Excited? Get your Dexcom today!

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