My desire to have children made me choose myLoop
There is no question that a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes turns your life upside down. This was also the case for Rosanna, who was hospitalised with ketoacidosis at the age of 14. As a teenager, she only came to terms with the condition after undergoing treatment. Since then, she has dealt with her type 1 diabetes with confidence. With her podcast "Mut im Blut" ("Courage in the blood"), she and her partner Korbinian, who also has type 1 diabetes, want to raise awareness of the life-long condition and encourage others affected.
Rosanna recently decided to switch from pen therapy to pump therapy. Since then, she has had peaceful nights and finds life with diabetes much easier. She now does not want to give up her YpsoPump.
In the interview, Rosanna talks about her life with diabetes and her decision to opt for the YpsoPump.
Rosanna, you injected with an insulin pen for more than ten years, even though various pump therapies were already available. Why did it take you so long to decide in favour of pump therapy?
As is typical for many people with type 1 diabetes, I didn't want to switch from pen therapy to a pump for a long time. I felt that pen therapy was so much freer, and in some ways more discreet. I couldn't imagine having anything on my body. My diabetes therapy sometimes didn't go perfectly. But people are creatures of habit. I was afraid to give up my "freedom" with the pen and somehow also a bit too comfortable to change anything. All in all, things went very well, my values were completely fine on the whole. Therapeutically, the change was not absolutely necessary.
What was the final deciding factor for you to switch to pump therapy?
The nights were increasingly becoming a problem for me. There wasn't really a night when I didn't wake up. Whether it was because the values were too high or too low. My partner and I were also thinking about starting a family. It is very important for me to go into a pregnancy without worrying and to feel well prepared when it comes to diabetes. This finally gave me the impetus to tackle the issue and decide in favour of pump therapy.
What is particularly important to you in diabetes management?
For me, it's important that diabetes does not take up too much space. The therapy should be as uncomplicated as possible. The pump should also be easy to use. It is also important that the pump is not immediately visible. Because I want to be able to decide for myself when and with whom I talk about it and whether it is appropriate in the situation to explain that I have type 1 diabetes. Last but not least, the therapy must of course be safe and I must be able to rely on the pump.
How exactly did the switch to pump therapy go for you?
I received all the important information, advantages and disadvantages of various pump models in my practice and learnt which pump would suit me best.
I was advised to go to the clinic for an adjustment. I found this recommendation difficult at first, because I didn't have good associations with "clinic". In hindsight, however, it was exactly the right decision and I wouldn't have wanted to miss my time at the clinic. I learnt a lot of new things there and felt confident using myLoop after a very short time. And above all, I met others affected, got to know like-minded people and made friends. In the end, I was able to concentrate fully on my diabetes away from everyday life.
What advice would you give to others who would also like to switch to an AID system?
Do not think so much about it and have the courage to adapt to something new! Despite all my doubts, I was also reassured by the fact that the health insurance company offers a trial period and that I could return to my usual therapy if necessary. But that is now unthinkable for me. Because it just gets better and much easier. I wouldn't want to be without my pump any more.