u/swim-bike-life — reddlx

Insulin allergic reaction or did it go bad?

I am trying to figure out if my vial of insulin, opened just a week go, went bad or if it's just me. :)

I tried Fiasp for a couple of weeks and it wasn't working so well, so I switched back to Apidra. However, after only 2 days, my infusion set started to get very itchy to the point I had to remove it. It was on my well-padded abs. :D I tried another set on the upper butt, and after 3 days, it's getting itchy too (these are Medtronic extended sets that last 7 days).

To test it out, I injected 4 units out of the vial, and... surprise: it got itchy and warm right away.

Has anyone had something like this happen? Maybe it's just the vial that's gone bad, but I'm starting to wonder if I've become allergic to Apidra. I have a history of anaphylaxis, and according to the nurse at the allergist office, I am "allergic to life" (pretty much everything outdoors!).

Ugh, like having diabetes wasn't hard enough...

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u/swim-bike-life — 1 day ago

▲ 2 r/diabetes

Just curious, is it just me or does this happen to other people with diabetes when their socks get wet? Like, if you walk across the bathroom and the floor was wet, and you don't take off your socks right away, does your sugar drop real fast?

It seems to happen to me every time if my kids splashed water all over - it's always a very sharp, fast glucose drop - like you would see with compression lows, but for real. That one in the pic for instance is a drop from 127 to 56 within 10 minutes.

Maybe it's a body temperature thing?? (I've read about brown fat activation with sudden cold temperatures).

For context, I have MODY3 and tend to get hypos a lot. If you're not familiar with MODY3, the pancreas sometimes releases insulin too late after a meal, and the liver doesn't release stored glucose in sync with glucose levels in the bloodstream. The kidneys leak glucose into urine when levels are <120, so things that force muscles to absorb glucose (like exercise) come with the double whammy of the kidneys also dropping glucose.

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(Yes, I know it's a very silly question... but honestly, with all the weird stuff that happens to your body when you have diabetes, I wouldn't be surprised if this is a thing).

u/swim-bike-life — 7 days ago

▲ 2 r/ContinuousGlucoseCGM

For those using Lingo or Stelo, do they allow you to view your data through LibreView or Dexcom Clarity at all? Or can they be connected to Tidepool?

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u/swim-bike-life — 9 days ago

▲ 35 r/diabetes

Does anyone here have or has had neuropathy? In particular on the foot or big toe - what does it feel like? Is it like a somewhat painful, tingling sensation?

Asking for a friend. :)

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For context, MODY 3. Misdiagnosed as T2D 5 years ago. A1c from 11.4 to 6.5 in one month after starting glipizide. Then I was taken off glipizide due to lows, and tried many other meds while a1c remained 4.8-5.1 over the years. Low a1c was probably due to severe and repeated hypos from being on t2d meds to which I was overly sensitive. On insulin since last Summer since MODY genetic testing, and on a Medtronic pump since 2 months ago. The pump is controlling my glucose really well, and magically preventing lows. But last week around the same time the tingling started, my a1c was at 5.9. It's still very descent, and TIR 95-98% on average, which is why neuropathy just seems so unlikely.

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u/swim-bike-life — 10 days ago

▲ 3 r/diabetes

Hi, this is for Libre 3 Plus CGM users. Did you know that Abbott makes a standalone receiver that also doubles as a BG meter? Well, I found out recently that it also takes ketone test strips!!

The brands compatible are:

Freestyle Optium (available thru pharmacy and DME)
Precision Neo (discontinued in the U.S. and Canada but still available from existing stock, and around the world)

I have been using the Precision Neo strips for the past couple of years. They are very, very accurate during hypoglycemia (I discovered that after digging up FDA data - the other great brands for low blood sugars are Accu-Chek Guide, Freestyle Aviva Plus, Contour Next). Having ketone strips handy is good especially for pump users or those prone to DKA.

Anyway, just thought I'd mention it in case you weren't aware this was an option.

u/swim-bike-life — 12 days ago

▲ 24 r/Medtronic780g+1 crossposts

Dang it. I was doing so good, 100% time in range for two days in a row. Then I caved, and had a half cup of rice... I even overstated the amount of carbs in bolus wizard to get more insulin, and this still happened. 😔

OK enough venting, I have two actual questions:

* How does anyone here deal with rice? I just avoid it as much as humanly possible.

* Shouldn't SmartGuard have been able to catch this?? I don't even see auto corrections so far.

u/swim-bike-life — 13 days ago

▲ 18 r/diabetes

Tonight is naked shower time!!!

I never understood why diabetics were always so excited about taking a "naked shower". I wore CGMs and even some insulin patches for a while, and I didn't see what the big deal was. That is, until I went two months with an insulin pump and a CGM constantly attached to me. Not tonight!

Now I get it! 😄

u/swim-bike-life — 14 days ago

▲ 38 r/Medtronic780g

Tonight is naked shower time!!!

Now I get it! 😄

u/swim-bike-life — 14 days ago

▲ 6 r/Medtronic780g

I called MiniMed support today. There is a new, horrible automated system. First time after several questions, it said it couldn't authenticate me and started over. I called again and skipped the questions, so it said it was transferring me and I was first in the queue... then after a few seconds of on hold music, it said no one is available and it HUNG UP on me!!!!!

WTF! Seriously. How did it go from really awful phone support to... worse? Even worse than Comcast? And that is saying something!!

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Sorry, just venting! This is super annoying. I finally made it past the automated system by insisting it transfer me to a live person. I guess now it's time to be on hold for the next 2-3 hours... 🙄

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u/swim-bike-life — 15 days ago

▲ 5 r/Medtronic780g

I was able to switch to Fiasp before my 90 day refill date. Insurance paid 100%. I was very hopeful it would work better than Apidra, but so far it looks about the same, but with a shorter tail. End result is I am staying a little higher (140-170) for longer while the pump is trying to fight it with increased basal and some corrections. It's almost like it wears off in an hour and a half, while Apidra was closer to 2-2.5 hours.

I am not sure the switch was worth it in terms of glucose control, but it was for stability. It isn't crystalizing after every walk and bike ride like Apidra did.

I didn't know this but my insurance also added Lyumjev, with zero copay. I might ask the doctor about trying it, but every post I read about it mentions a sting. No stinging with fiasp so far.

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u/swim-bike-life — 17 days ago

▲ 23 r/Medtronic780g

I was playing with my kids yesterday, and the little one wanted me to spin him around. I felt this little bit of tugging at the infusion site and thought that was a little weird... then I realized the whole pump was just swinging in the air!! Surprisingly, the tubing didn't rip, the connector didn't pop off, and the infusion site didn't even lift up.

What the heck do they use on these extended infusion sets, gorilla glue?!! My gosh, the CGM tape comes off with just a little bit of sweat, but the extended set didn't even sweat it having this heavy pump hanging from it!!

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u/swim-bike-life — 19 days ago

▲ 19 r/Medtronic780g

I have been on a 780g insulin pump for about 6 weeks now, I think. Three of my extended infusion sets went bad due to issues with Apidra, so I have had quite a few infusion sites already. I was running out of places to rotate to, so I decided to give the back of the arm a try. It has been the best spot by far!!!

It's like literally not in the way at all. I didn't feel it going in, and I don't feel the tubing at all under my shirt. But the best part is I no longer have a few loops of tubing sticking out of my shirt or pants, and it feels like a really good spot for biking.

What has been your best infusion site so far? Any experience with biking or swimming specifically?

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So many good questions! Let me compile them below.

Q: How long is your tubing?

A: Extended set with 23 in tubing. I am a little on the shorter side though - my guess is if you are average height, you might need 35 inch tubing.

Q: Where do you clip the pump?

A: On my waist as usual. 23 in still gives me a little extra slack, but the extra tubing stays under my shirt. It's not that long a distance from the upper arm to the waist, unless you are really tall. And for those wondering the bathroom question... I clip it to the collar of my shirt. ;)

Q: Do you have full range of motion?

A: Yes! I worked out this morning just fine! I also went for a bike ride for a little bit and no issues with tugging there. I did give myself a little extra slack under the sleeve just in case.

Q: Do you have any absorbtion site issues? What about during sleep?

A: After almost 2 days, no absorption issues. It seems to be the same absorption as the abdomen or flanks. No issues with sleep either - when I was on my side, I didn't feel it so it didn't bother me. Just as a side note: I have used both the set and CeQur Simplicity patches on the upper butt, below the waist line. The butt is a great spot, very out of the way and obviously very private, but absorbtion seems to be a little slower. I have not tried the thighs yet, but I heard absorption there is a little faster.

Q: Where exactly is it on the arm?

A: Same place the CGM would go, but I went a little bit more to the side so the tubing wouldn't end up in my armpit. I saw a nurse once who was wearing it on the front of the arm, and the CGM on the back of her arm. To me that sounds like it would be painful because I have some muscle.💪

Q: Where do you wear your CGM?

A: Right now on the pecs (about 1.5 in above the nipple, and a little to the side). I know it's not an approved site but it seems to work well and really doesn't get on the way of anything. No more sensor ripping off with the car door! (Warning: chest placement is very unofficial and may not work for women!!). I need to rotate sites in a few days though, so my next Instinct sensor will go on the opposite arm. Technically, oer the CGM and infusion set manuals, you can wear both on the same arm as long as they are at least 2 inches (5 cm) apart. I rather not risk ot though - I have a feeling it might affect readings, especially with Instinct.

Q: Does the tubing bother you?

A: Not at all. The Medtronic extended set tubing is so thin and soft that I don't feel it at all. That was one of my worries before starting a pump, and I am glad people here advised me it wouldn't bother me - they were right.

u/swim-bike-life — 20 days ago