Part 17 of the “What Does It All Mean?” series, a real-life reflection on living with Type 1 Diabetes, written by Dennis Goldensohn, who has lived with T1D for nearly 60 years.
By Dennis Goldensohn: T1D for nearly 60 years, advocate, and mentor
Transition From MDI (Multiple Daily Injections and Finger Sticks to AID (Automated Insulin Delivery Systems) and CGMs (Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems)
Making any changes in your diabetes management routine can be particularly challenging! The daily challenges we face are learning experiences, and hopefully they help us better understand how to manage our diabetes. Then there is the technology that comes with managing our diabetes. As technology improves and gives us better ways to manage our diabetes, it also comes with its own set of challenges!
In my close to 59 years of dealing with diabetes, I one day sat down and tried to figure out how many injections, MDI, and finger-stick glucometer readings I did to manage my diabetes. In all honesty, these numbers are just an estimate! Over 50 years, I’ve done over 35,000 injections and over 25,000 finger sticks.
The rest of my close to 59 years of dealing with diabetes has been managed using a CGM and an AID system. But even now, I still need to do finger sticks occasionally to check the output readings from the CGM.
Nevertheless, going from an MDI scenario to an automated AID system means that you need to change the way you understand and manage your diabetes with this latest technology!
Understanding the Differences Between MDI and AID Systems
One of the most important things to start with is to understand what the differences are between an MDI and an AID system. Where are they the same, and where are they different?
The choice of the RIGHT SYSTEM is also critical because you will be using this every day, and you just cannot change systems easily. If insurance covers your AID system, you may have to use it for a length of time, and then you can choose another system.
And there is the recurring cost of supplies: tubes, inserts, CGMs, over-patches, etc.
Last, not all CGMs are compatible with the AID systems that are available. You will have to see which CGMs are compatible with the AID system you are going to select.
So, one must do their homework before being committed to any one system for an extended period!
The Role of Your Healthcare Provider and Training
Another important subject that I want to discuss here is: Is your healthcare provider, endocrinologist, well-versed in AID systems? Do they understand what systems are available and what the differences are? What the pros and cons are, and how the choice you make will influence your success or failure using an AID system?
Second, you need to ask, when making the final decision, who will do the training and how extensive it is. I have seen in the past that some of the education and training done is extensive and, in other cases, not.
Your success is dependent on the education and the training of the AID solution you selected so you can realize the benefits and successes in your diabetes management going forward using an AID system.
Follow-Up and Teamwork
Once you begin your journey using an AID system, it is extremely important to have follow-up visits with your healthcare team.
These systems use algorithms to manage your diabetes. In other words, the system is learning your insulin intake, carbohydrate intake, your highs and lows, and alarm settings.
Depending on the AID system you use, you may also have settings such as your insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio, insulin action time, glucose targets, and other important criteria that allow the AID system to function at its best. The settings and the amount of input required from the user can vary depending on the system.
With all this stated, your healthcare team should be monitoring your progress so that they can tweak these settings for better diabetes management.
Another way this can be done is through sharing your data with your healthcare team. Apps like Glooko can do this. You need to allow your healthcare team to share your data with them.
TEAMWORK is really what counts here!!
Keeping Your Apps Up to Date
Any of the apps that are used for a CGM and AID system must be updated to ensure you have the latest version(s). This is particularly important when iOS and Android versions are upgraded.
Will your apps work with the new versions?
If not, it is recommended that you DO NOT install the new versions until they are confirmed to work by the CGM and AID system manufacturers.
Finding Reliable Information About CGMs and AID Systems
There is one important message that I want to point out here in this article. When you do your research on the CGMs and AID systems that are available, you should follow verified and professional information.
There are many Facebook groups for each type of CGM and AID system where they discuss their issues, problems, and successes using these devices. This is all subjective, but you really need to find objective reviews and issues that are being experienced in the use of these devices.
Do not be led down the garden path with information and opinions that are not QUALIFIED!
You can always go directly to the manufacturer’s website to get the information you are looking for and then discuss what you have learned with your healthcare team. Ask them if they can verify the issues that are said by patients they see using these systems.
Remember, each person’s experience dealing with diabetes is different! What works for them might not work for you!
My Experience With an AID System
I have been using the Omnipod tubeless patch pump system for over 10 years. I currently use the Omnipod 5. For me, this was the right choice!
I did extensive research and discussed this with my endocrinologist, and together we agreed that this system would be the right choice for managing MY DIABETES!
I was able, over the years, to tweak the settings and got to better understand the system. And as an added benefit, I was able to learn a lot more about how to better manage my diabetes.
Is an AID System Right for You?
But in the end, AID systems are not for everyone. You will need to be heavily engaged in these diabetes management systems and will need to take the responsibility as well.
With an understanding of what the differences are between an MDI and an AID system, how to choose the right system, education and training, cost, and what your responsibilities are, you might be the right candidate for an AID system.
If you move forward with an AID system, all the best in your new journey, and let us know how you are doing! It is always good to get feedback!
……………………and that is WHAT IT ALL MEANS in transitioning from an MDI system to an AID system.
What Is This Series?
At Diapoint, we believe that the most powerful education comes from real people and real lives lived with diabetes.
That’s why we’re proud to introduce a new blog series by Dennis Goldensohn.
Dennis has been living with Type 1 Diabetes for nearly six decades, diagnosed at just 16 years old, and now approaching 59 years of life with T1D, without complications. His journey is not only a testament to resilience but also to what is possible with the right mindset and support.
Beyond his personal experience, Dennis brings a lifetime of dedication to service and advocacy. He spent 45 years working in aerospace manufacturing, while also volunteering with organizations such as JDF, JDRF, Breakthrough T1D, DPAC, and the Diabetes Research Institute. Today, he continues to mentor young people navigating their futures, while sharing his lived experience with diabetes to support others.
His series, “What Does It All Mean?”, is exactly what it sounds like: a reflection on life with diabetes, beyond the numbers, beyond the devices, and beyond the daily routines.
Through this series, Dennis explores:
- The realities of living with diabetes every single day,
- The misconceptions and stigma people face,
- The history and progress of diabetes care,
- The power of community, advocacy, and teamwork,
- And ultimately, what it truly means to live a full, successful life with diabetes.
This is not just education. This is perspective and lived experience.
And above all, this is reassurance that yes, you can.
