You managed your diabetes better on MDI than on a pump and I think you should switch back!

This is what my Endo said to me recently and honestly I felt a twinge of  disappointment. Not at the mere fact that I was struggling a bit with the pump but because I desired  a pump for such a long time and the elation I felt the moment I strapped it on for the first time. so to give that up so quickly is a terrible thought.

Granted I have been on MDI much longer than the pump and I am still in the learning phase with it, to me it seems that my problem is a lot more encompassing and an adjustment issue than anything else.

I have been on the Omnipod for approximately 4 months now and my problem is that I am hitting record lows, which in on itself wouldn’t be such a bad thing except they are happening with a lot more frequency.

I make constant basal adjustments to try and stay in front of it but my Endo keeps seeing the struggles  I suppose which is why she is advocating a temporary switch back to MDI until we can get a handle on things. Her suggestion is to try using FIT (Flexible Insulin Therapy) instead.

I on the other hand disagree with her assessment, I believe  that we should just keep at it until we find a combination that works. When has diabetes management been text book anyway.

I know most of you are probably thinking, why stick with an Endo who fights with you about your diabetes management and its a valid question.

All I can say is that I prefer it this way. First and foremost I am  the alpha male when it comes to managing my diabetes but I would rather have someone who I have spirited discussions with when they have a differing opinion than a yes man who simply agrees with everything I present or a no man who dismisses anything I do say.

Yes this is bucking the trend, mostly as a patient and patient advocate the proverbial advice is to shop for a second opinion when you are not happy with your level of care.

That is true if you find an incompetent doctor or one with a superiority complex who does not take your words into account but this is not that scenario at all.

When it comes to my care, she will offer her opinion and back it up with evidence and vice versa until we come to a consensus. I of course hold the tie breaker and I wouldnt have it any other way.

There have been times in the past where I have put blind faith in her opinions  like the  flu shot episode from last winter and regretted it. (my God I have never been so sick with the flu my entire  life. Compromised immunity my ass.) but all in all I truly believe that she has my best health interests at heart.

So when she said maybe I need to take a step back and reevaluate where we are with the pump vs MDI, I seriously heeded her advice and took a cold hard look at the picture.

The root cause for the lows I keep experiencing and a counter is a very proactive approach with my temporary basals. This has  been somewhat effective  but not as far as we need to go. I think the other culprit has been my workouts.

Last winter I packed on a few pounds as my workouts lagged so I was determined to get my beach body back lol so me being me, means I have been ratcheting up my workouts to mostly 2 a days 6 days a week and while my objectives on that front are coming along nicely, it is wrecking some havoc to my blood sugar levels.

Case and point about 2 weeks ago I tore the meniscus on my left knee while  running so that put me on a temporary hiatus and while I am just doing light exercises it has really stemmed the lows. They are not completely gone but they are not as frequent as they were before. I am down to maybe 1 or 2 at the most in a day, usually late at night.

I will be back to the fitness program after my knee heals but I am working on a plan to let me do that effectively without triggering the lows until then I will stick to my pump..