Have you ever had this experience, one where you are doing whatever you are doing, shopping at the grocery store or at the beach with your kids or just walking around, minding your own business and someone comes up and says excuse me but what is that thing on your arm? Now, how do you react? Do you get annoyed or offended? Or do you take the opportunity to educate the world about Type 1 Diabetes and all of our amazing gadgets.
I choose to take the opportunity to educate. I have been stopped so many times, in all of the above situations. By children, but adults, even by the elderly. I tell them it is a continuous glucose monitor. Often times I met with a blank stare so I go on to explain how it works and show them the ap on my phone and explain how awesome it is. I have also had several people come up and ask me if that is one of the glucose monitors they saw on TV, and they ask how it works. Of course I give them a huge explanation, probably providing way more detail then necessary but what can I say, I geek out over all things diabetes. I am a true believer in the CGM systems out there. As both a patient and as a user myself. (sometimes I feel like that guy from the hair club for men commercial, I am not only the founder but also a user, or whatever it is he says). I can tell you from my experience living in worlds both before and after the CGM that it has made a huge difference for me.
I know a few people who are very insecure about their diabetes, they don’t want people to know they have diabetes. I know patients and friends who feel very uncomfortable talking about it or discussing their
”equipment”. I will admit it did take me awhile back in my 20’s to embrace the pump and then the CGM. Having something attached to you allllll the time can be daunting, I will agree. When I finally did take that leap of faith and went into the world of pumps, followed by the world of CGM (much later of course), I can honestly say it has changed my life. Both give me the freedom to be a little bit more “normal”. I don’t need to hide under the table at a restaurant to poke my finger, or sneak off to the bathroom to take my shot. It gives me more opportunities to eat normally and to correct quickly when my meal guess-timations are off.
I would like to encourage all of you who have been hesitant to try the new technology out there to give it a go. Most endocrinologists now have in office CGMs they can put on you and allow you to wear for a week and then you drop it off. It’s a great way to try before you buy. See how much more empowered it can make you feel to see all of that information. If you are motivated, it can help you figure out foods that don’t work well for you. This doesn’t mean you can’t eat certain things, it just means you need to figure out what works for you. Maybe dividing your mealtime bolus or extending it is all you will need. it give you more options to experiment on your individual self.