Hi All, I am currently on vials and needles versus an insulin pump. Anyone else doing good at keeping up without having to use a pump and keeping their A1C leveled?
Les @LeslesT1D, I used needles [including horse size needles] and syringe for many years and kept my HbA1c fairly level - especially since the scaling graph was modified moving the base to 6.0.
I made the decision to begin pumping after 47 years of poking myself with a needle [about 2,200 shots a year] in favor of implanting 121 cannulas a year - you are still brand new at this game and I suspect that you have plenty of virgin territory for needles to explore.
Methods of diabetes management are plentiful and each of us must find what works best for ourselves - seek information and advice from others but do not base your own management [such as volume and timing of insulin] on what you hear others claim to be doing. I know an endocrinologist who himself has had T1D for 52 years who changed from a pump to injections because as he says, better management for his minute by minute glucose.
A ālevelā, a ālowā or a āhighā HbA1c does NOT indicate ābetter or worseā diabetes management. For instance, an A1c of 6.5% means an average glucose level over a period on 90 days equal to about 139 mg/dl. Consider this: every day you awake your BG is 20 mg/dl, you eat and check again at lunch-time and your BG is 250, you take a shot and eat, at dinner-time you are back to 20 and then at bed-time you are back to 250; your A1c = 6.5. Is that acceptable? For me, NO.
@Dennis thank you your information is always so helpful to me. I completely agree with seeking for help/more advice. Thanks a lot!
I have been taking shots for 33 years now and have no intention of switching to a pump. I have no issues with pumps and think they can really help those that donāt want to mess with vials and shots. My ultimate goal in my diabetes care is eating and working out well enough to take little to know shots so a pump for me would be something that is attached to me that I donāt need. Everyone has their own perspective but you need to do what works best for you. I love my T1D and feel that it has kept me healthier than I would have been without it.
31 years myself with no intention of using a pump. It took me long enough to accept a CGM and donāt want another device married to me. Prefer to take a āpenā with me when away from base for half a day.
Iāve been using MDIs (multiple daily injections) since I was diagnosed at age 7āIām now almost 16āand I have no desire to switch. My last A1C was 6.2. For me, MDIs are a better fit because Iām very active and donāt like the idea of wearing a pump while playing sports. I might switch when I go to college in a few years (itās exciting to think about what new technology theyāll have by then!) but for now I like the way Iām managing things and Iām not ready for a change. Obviously itās a personal choice but it is nice for me to see someone else whoās doing things the āold-fashionedā way and doing well with it! Best of luck
Iāve used pumps on two different occasions a few years apart and donāt like them. Iāve been on MDI for over 53 years now and itās working fine.
I am a type 1 for 41 years and still take injections. I have started using an Iport made by medtronic which is just a port you can wear for 3 days to take your multiple injections. It has no wires like the pump and thats why I like it. After 3 days I remove it and pop on another one. I use a Freestyle Libre for my glucose checks and can inject in my port whenever I need to. That seems to be working for me so far!
I have been a T1 for 41 years too. And I still do MDI. I have never tried a pump and it doesnāt appeal to me.
However this sounds interesting. Iām gonna check it out. Thanks for sharing.
Your welcome! Make sure when you call medtronic you ask about the monthly autoship because that will bring the price down to $59.99 per month supply
Im also on MDI.
My a1c is below 6.2, which a mean less than 40.
lately I have a junky diet. I am still within my range, however it requires a lot of work and several injections a day to maintain my numbers, even more so that my I:C vary greatly (not just during the day, but during the week too)
I am to a point, where I am willing to consider a pump. My stomach is bruised from all the injections I have been giving myself lately to keep up with my numbers.
Well, that and going back to a clean diet.