Caregivers + college: Easing anxiety, ensuring safety with T1D tech

Back-to-school season can be an overwhelming time for students living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and their families—but it can be especially stressful for parents of college freshmen.

College is often the first time teens are away from home, and having T1D makes things more complicated. However, technological advances in T1D devices have made life with T1D away from home much more manageable. Assembling a team of tech that works for your young adult can help alleviate the anxiety that often comes with the distance, erraticism, and freedom of college.

Below are a few first-hand success stories from Eastern PA college students who are managing their T1D using various types of technology:

 

Meet Michael Misieczko

I have had T1D since I was four years old. I started using a pump in third grade and just recently started using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Currently I use the MiniMed 670G, and I absolutely love this pump! It holds a ton of insulin, it’s very user-friendly, and the battery life is outstanding. It really helps me when traveling around between home, school, and my friends’ places. I have only been on this pump for a little over a year, but I can confidently say it’s one of best ones out there.

In terms of my CGM, I just started using the new Dexcom G6 a few weeks ago, and it is by far the best CGM out there. I was using the MiniMed 670G CGM, but I found the closed-loop system to be too overbearing because of my sensitivity to insulin. I also found that the readings were not very accurate, and that I had to calibrate it more than originally required.

With the Dexcom G6, I am able to monitor my blood sugar on my phone, obtain more accurate readings, and have it stick to my body better. The Dexcom really is useful for monitoring my blood sugar when going out to parties or just having a long day of classes. I feel like I can go anywhere with the confidence that I will be able to accurately and safely monitor my blood sugar levels.

The combination of the MiniMed 670G and the Dexcom G6 makes living away from home a breeze because it is simple to be self-sufficient with such intuitive technology. Both devices are easy to control, maintain, and manage. Changing the sites and sensors is super easy, and dealing with any issues with the devices are more often than not simple fixes that can be done on the go. Overall, I’m very happy with my diabetes tech, and I feel as if I’ve found the perfect combination of devices for myself.

Michael is a senior at Temple University, where he studies psychology and cognitive neuroscience.

 

Meet Lauren Carter

Moving away to school is hard enough as it is but having T1D can add extra challenges along the way. Fortunately, the technology that I use has made living on my own much easier.

I am currently using the MiniMed 530G insulin pump. I have had this pump for the last four years, so I am very comfortable with using it and knowing how to troubleshoot it if need be. I chose this insulin pump because it does all of the work for me, taking the stress off both me and my parents. I also use the OneTouch UltraLink BG meter. This meter is perfect for me because it links to my insulin pump and allows faster coverage of a high and provides me an average glucose reading so I can keep my numbers in check. I have used this style of meter for the past eight years due to how simple and convenient it makes caring for myself to be.

All of this technology makes living on my own a breeze and eases my parents’ worries, especially because they live two hours away from me now. Using the best T1D technology makes living life with T1D simpler and allows me to live a healthier life, while pursuing my dream of becoming a physician!

Lauren is a pre-med student at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

 

Meet Aislinn Keenan

I was diagnosed with T1D when I was nearly three years old. As a 21-year-old senior in college, I recognize now more than ever the great utility and relief that my insulin pump and CGM provide.

When I entered college three years ago, I assumed that my lifestyle and control of my diabetes wouldn’t change. I was satisfied with my MiniMed pump and collection of glucose meters. I believed that I knew all there was to know about diabetes management because I thought I had already been “taking care of it by myself” since I was 10. Still, my parents insisted that I try the Dexcom G4 before moving away from home. This also meant that I had to switch from my beloved MiniMed to an Animas Vibe which would sync with the G4.

While I saw the benefits of the Dexcom, I hated the Animas Vibe due to the painful sensation during insulin delivery. Furthermore, I found it difficult to motivate myself to insert a new Dexcom sensor in a timely manner after an old sensor had expired. Finally, after an A1C measurement of 9.1% (I had never been out of the 7s), and my first (and last) low-blood-sugar-induced seizure, I felt an extreme push towards better diabetes management. I tightened my alerts on the Dexcom and made sure to reinsert new sensors within hours of expiration.

Today, I happily use the Dexcom G6 and am hoping to soon switch off of my Animas Vibe. My A1C measured 7.0% at my most recent endo appointment. Although I’m aware that an A1C does not fully reflect all areas of diabetes management, I felt a huge sense of pride when seeing this number because it was the first time in my life where I had truly achieved it all on my own. Using Dexcom has not only made it easier to manage my blood sugars, but it has motivated me to be in even tighter control so that I can continue to live the life that I want.

Aislinn is a senior at Villanova University School of Business.

 

Learn more about diabetes technology

You can ask questions and read reviews of T1D devices and management strategies on the TypeOneNation Community Forum technology thread. If you’re interested in connecting with someone who has lived experience of T1D, please send a message to the Online Diabetes Support Team. We also encourage you to discuss what type of T1D tech is right for your child with a healthcare professional.

You can learn about additional resources for your college student here.

Stay tuned to our Facebook and blog for details about the T1D technology breakout session at the upcoming Type One Nation Summit event on February 23, 2019 at the Chubb Hotel & Conference Center in Lafayette Hill.