We had THE BEST time with MiniMed™ Ambassador, Cory [1] and his girlfriend Paige on the set of the new Inspired By You video [2]. Cory was diagnosed with T1D at age 3 and recently started using the MiniMed™ 670G system. They both had such positive feedback about the system so we sat down to get the scoop on his experience and how it’s impacted their relationship.
Q: As his girlfriend, what has Cory having diabetes taught you?
Cory on set at the Inspired By You video shoot at an early call time on a very cold beach!
Paige: I’ve learned that it’s more than just, he can’t have sugar. That’s what I thought, “Oh, diabetes. That means he can’t have candy.” It’s so much more; it’s impacted his entire lifestyle and is always top of mind.
Because of his diabetes, I’ve had to become highly aware of how he feels. I notice little things about him that directly relates to his blood sugar so that I can remind him to check his blood sugar. He’ll get dark circles under his eyes or his hands will sweat.
Q: Cory, what role has Paige played in your life with diabetes?
Cory: The more you’re around a person with diabetes, the quicker you pick up on little changes. She sees things that I don’t notice myself. And she tells me to check my blood sugar. She reminds me of a comic strip that my mom has on the fridge of a guy sitting at a desk with stickies all over the place that say, “Your wife called to check your blood sugar.” She’s great!
Q: You recently upgraded your diabetes tech. What’s the biggest difference in your diabetes management since switching to the MiniMed™ 670G system?
Cory: Now, I’m able to sleep at night and I don’t have to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the middle of the night anymore because of a low. If I go to bed with my glucose at 120, I wake around there, so it’s like a security blanket for me.
I don’t have to eat a substantial breakfast in the morning and during the day, the alerts have decreased the frequency of lows.
Q: Paige, what’s the biggest change that you’ve seen since Cory has been wearing the MiniMed™ 670G system?
Paige: Before the MiniMed™ 670G system, Cory would go low more often than he’d go high. I was there with him one particular time, and I had to completely take care of him. It was scary for both of us. Now, knowing that even if I’m not there, he’s going to be alerted before he’s low, it’s comforting—he’s going to be okay. You know, it really is taking care of him when he can’t take care of himself.
Q: Has the MiniMed ™ 670G system allowed you more freedom or flexibility to accomplish your dreams?
Cory: Absolutely! I have two dreams—acting and starting a diabetes foundation. The goal is to use acting as a platform to help other people with diabetes. This system have given me the opportunity to live a better life with fewer highs and lows.
Q: If someone was nervous or hesitant to get on the MiniMed™ 670G system, what would you tell them?
Cory: I’d tell them to just give it a try. It’s pretty spot-on as far as where you’re going up and down throughout the day. I love it.
*Cory was compensated for spending the day with us and allowing us to photograph him. His thoughts and opinions are his own. Individual results may vary.
*The patient testimonial above relates an account of an individual’s response to treatment. The account is genuine, typical and documented. However, this patient’s response does not provide any indication, guide, warranty or guarantee as to the response other people may have to the treatment. The response other individuals have to the treatment could be different. Responses to the treatment can and do vary. Not every response is the same. Please talk to your doctor about your condition and the risks and benefits of these technologies.
Important Safety Information
The Medtronic MiniMed™ 670G system is intended for continuous delivery of basal insulin (at user selectable rates) and administration of insulin boluses (in user selectable amounts) for the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus in persons, fourteen years of age and older, requiring insulin as well as for the continuous monitoring and trending of glucose levels in the fluid under the skin. The MiniMed™ 670G system includes SmartGuard™ technology, which can be programmed to automatically adjust the delivery of basal insulin based on Continuous Glucose Monitor sensor glucose values,and can suspend delivery of insulin when the sensor glucose value falls below or is predicted to fall below predefined threshold values. The system requires a prescription. The Guardian™ Sensor (3) glucose values are not intended to be used directly for making therapy adjustments, but rather to provide an indication of when a fingerstick may be required.
A confirmatory finger stick test via the CONTOUR®NEXT LINK 2.4 blood glucose meter is required prior to making adjustments to diabetes therapy. All therapy adjustments should be based on measurements obtained using the CONTOUR®NEXT LINK 2.4 blood glucose meter and not on values provided by the Guardian Sensor (3). Always check the pump display to ensure the glucose result shown agrees with the glucose results shown on the CONTOUR®NEXT LINK 2.4 blood glucose meter. Do not calibrate your CGM device or calculate a bolus using a blood glucose meter result taken from an Alternative Site (palm) or from a control solution test. It is also not recommended to calibrate your CGM device when sensor or blood glucose values are changing rapidly, e.g., following a meal or physical exercise. If a control solution test is out of range, please note that the result may be transmitted to your pump when in the “Always” send mode.
Pump therapy is not recommended for people whose vision or hearing does not allow recognition of pump signals and alarms. Pump therapy is not recommended for people who are unwilling or unable to maintain contact with their healthcare professional. The safety of the MiniMed™ 670G system has not been studied in pregnant women. For complete details of the system, including product and important safety information such as indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions associated with system and its components, please consult http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/important-safety-information#minimed-670g [3] and the appropriate user guide at http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/download-library [4]