Great New Technology

4 YEARS AND 8 MONTHS WITH NO MEDICATION OR INSULIN INJECTIONS AS A TYPE 1 DIABETIC

The Annual Endocrinologist (“Endo”) Visit

Last month was my annual endocrinologist visit. Typically these are fairly interesting conversations, but this time was a little less eventful. That said, my doctor did have some recommendations of certain diabetes management solutions that have come onto the market in recent years.

Now, anyone that follows my blog, or knows me well, knows that I am adamantly against taking any form of medication to manage my T1D. However, as shown in my post from last month, sometimes I am human and struggle with staying on my ultra strict diet.

Greater Clarity into My Daily Blood Sugars

Besides me doing a finger prick each morning and testing my fasting blood sugars, I really have no idea what is going on with my blood sugars throughout the day. A majority of what I eat is low glycemic, plant-based foods which I know by now are helping keep my blood sugars low.

While my diet is fairly routine and diabetes friendly, sometimes I have meals that I am not so sure how they will affect my blood sugars, mostly for the bad. There is always the option of just pricking my finger and testing my blood sugars after a questionable meal that I have to gauge its affect on my BS. However, this just gives me a snapshot in time position of my BS.

Other options I’ve heard about were a continuous blood sugar monitor which seem to have evolved into an effective method of visually seeing your blood sugars on a continuous basis. This device however is somewhat bulky and requires to be stuck in / around your stomach area. After some brief discussion, I realized this device wasn’t a fit for me.

The Freestyle Libre Sensor!

The final recommendation from my endo was the “Freestyle Libre Sensor“. After some discussion, this actually seemed like a fit. Essentially, the Libre is a minimally evasive quasi continuous blood sugar monitor. The product is a relatively small, quarter sized sensor that you place on your tricep area on one arm. Whenever you want to see your running blood sugars for the last 12 hours or so, you just place your monitor near the sensor to pick up the readings.

I am highly considering exploring the use of this product. I got an order form from my endo, and I just have to walk down to the local pharmacy to pick up the Freestyle Libre. The catch is the cost though. You would think our healthcare system would make products like this very affordable for the general diabetic public, however, not so much.

If I used the device constantly, my endo told me that even with my insurance it would cost me several hundred dollars every month or so for the system. Now, the beauty of the product is that you can be selective about when you use it. For example, if I wanted to wear one while I’m on vacation and want to monitor my BS for that period, I could just spend the money during those times. Long story short, it’s flexible when you want to use it, which is great for me.

At times I realize I can be hard on the medical community, but I do like my endo. He said that he is in a constant battle with the insurance companies about being able to provide all diabetics with affordable access to the most technologically advanced products on the market.

When is a T1D Cure Coming?

To end on a positive note, I always ask my endo each year when he thinks a cure for T1D will be available. He never seems overly optimistic, but he told me last month that he thinks there will be a cure in 15 years. Hopefully I can stretch this period of no medication out for another decade or so!