Jessie’s back this week! In this episode, we’re talking about emergency and backup kits. It’s important to know what you have, where you have it, and when it expires… Not to mention when you use it so you can replace it!
Having multiple emergency and backup kits for your diabetes supplies sounds like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many of us type 1 diabetics are not that organized. Listen in to find out where you should keep your supplies, how to keep track of them, and why it’s important to stay on top of things.
What’s covered in this episode:
- Kits for home, school, work, and cars
- Keeping supplies in your backpack or purse
- Leaving supplies at your friend’s or family’s house
- Events, theme parks, parties
- Traveling (also covered in episode 11)
- Emergency, disaster, and shelter-in-place
- Keeping insulin cool
- Rotating and replenishing supplies to avoid using expired supplies
Wins & Fails
Colleen’s Win: In the midst of a stressful season of life, my blood sugars have remained surprisingly stable.
Jessie’s Fail: Jessie didn’t wear her sensor to work one day since it was charging, and despite testing at 180 before work, she quickly felt herself dropping low. It showed how essential CGMs are, as well as keeping low snacks on hand.
Tip of the Week
Always keep snacks on you, and don’t be afraid to ask for a break at work if you need to take care of a low blood sugar.
Diabetes Spotlight
Benefits of Time in Range: New Study Shows Cost Savings
We’ve talked a couple of times on the podcast about time in range, a metric that’s a better indicator of overall control than the A1c.
Here’s an excerpt from the article on diaTribe:
“IQVIA, a healthcare consulting firm, published a 22-page paper describing the limitations of A1C and the potential financial benefits of improving time in range, the time a person spends with blood glucose levels between 70-180 mg/dl. The paper was sponsored by Lilly Diabetes.
The paper predicts that if the average time in range for people with diabetes in the US increases to 70% or 80%, healthcare costs will be reduced. The savings could be up to $9.7 billion for the US healthcare system over ten years if the average time in range for people with diabetes is increased to 80%.”
This is significant, especially with the national conversation about the price of insulin.
Now It's Your Turn...
How are your emergency and backup kits doing? Do you have all the necessary supplies in them? Do you at least leave the house with some low snacks, if not a complete change of supplies?
Mentioned in This Episode
- Frio insulin cooling wallet
- What Happened in November 2019
- How Long Should Insulin Be Used Once a Vial is Started? (American Diabetes Association)
Community & Social
- Join us in the Half-Dead Pancreas Club, our private Discord community for people with T1D.
- Follow us on Instagram @thisistype1pod, @jj_crystalkat, & @type1ravenclaw
- Follow us on Facebook
Choose Where to Listen
Credits
Our music is by Joseph McDade. Check out his website here!
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