Finding the chase and cutting to it

On the 13th Jan 2021, I got my Tandem TSlim with Control-ID. This is a hybrid closed loop continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pump. Working with my Dexcom G6 (an update for the G7 is due at some point, as per https://support.tandemdiabetes.com/hc/en-us/articles/11101315810967-Dexcom-G7-integration-with-the-t-slim-X2-insulin-pump but not yet), it can learn how to correct high and low blood sugar. […]

I’ve had a Tandem T-slim pump since January and not had a great deal of success running the “closed loop” (there are so many wrong things about that statement, that yes, I have put it in quotes, more about that later). Coming up to my 45th diaversary, I am kinda familiar with what I need […]

Being a type 1 diabetic for 44 years and 8 months has given me a unique view on how insulin works in the body. But it’s not the same as studying the subject in a lab. One thing I learnt 4 years ago was that insulin binds to potassium. I was aware insulin was used […]

I’m sitting on the sofa in our kitchen, taking a breather having realised ninety minutes ago that I had royally and completely screwed up. Oh yeah? Your sympathy is awe inspiring, you know that? Get on with it! Ok! Well, my newish pump has two ways of working: enter the carbs and it works out […]

listening to Radio 4 happily announce the launch of “the artificial pancreas” in the NHS. I realise, I’m one of the 900 trialing this approach in the UK and it’s far from the freedom being touted in the article. I got my new pump, a Tandem TSlim X2 with “Control iQ” on the 13th January […]

Yuk, depressing! What, no! I’m not talking about aging, I’m talking about the clocks going forwards. Losing an hours sleep, everyone whinging, boring! I take it that you’re still out of sorts from losing that hour? Hump… OK, well, this time of year is hard for anyone replacing missing hormones in their body. That hour […]

I’m typing this in bed due to being infected by Covid-19 at some point over the last two weeks: I tested positive very late on the 16th February. I feel reasonably lucky as the impact has been devasting on my insulin requirements, but I have food booked via my local supermarket, the internet at my […]

Many things are happening tomorrow, the result of which is I’ve just spent the best part of 6 hours designing and making a pump case so I have the luxury of being where I was this morning at 6am with a new insulin pump. Let me explain. My first ever pump came with three cases […]

As you’re aware, in my spare time, I’m an insulin kineticist. That means I study the impact of artifically given insulin on the human body. The title is putting it mildly. Timing matters, it’s not necessarily what you do but when you do it. Take today. After a very lazy Christmas, I’m starting to exercise […]

Needing the loo. Whilst doing the doing, I’m kicking myself – should have grabbed the sensor reader or at least my phone though I already know my blood sugar is high and I’m hyperglycaemic or hyper for short. Sure enough, when I check my reader, I’m 21.5mmol/l – that’s four times what it was this […]