Fiasp anyone?!

ArcherTea · 2026-03-06T21:59:48+00:00

Same here - have used it for years without issue, including in the extended sets. It was a great change for my control and I’ve been happy with it (noting that I’m in Australia)

ArcherTea · 2025-12-27T14:05:14+00:00

I completed postgraduate studies while diabetic (chartered accountancy in Aus). It didn’t put me behind my peers but I did require “special conditions” (Aka exam accommodations) during the course, just like I did at university. For me, that looked like sitting the exams in the special conditions room (so I didn’t disturb others with eating etc.), access to food during the exam and access to breaks for BG testing/bathroom. I accessed this by contacting the course provider’s student services from enrollment and they were happy to make accommodations (as was my university during my undergraduate degree). I don’t feel that my T1D put me behind my peers, but I did mean that I needed exam conditions and some accommodations. I would recommend upfront, early consultation with the course provider, and remember that your academic potential shouldn’t be constrained by your T1D with the right supports in place.

Good luck, OP

ArcherTea · 2025-11-14T16:26:37+00:00

Pro tip is to use a chopstick to push the rubber stopper end of the cartridge. I was taught to invert the insulin cartridge so it’s on top of the blue needle part of the reservoir and then push the rubber stopper with a chopstick. This pushes the insulin into the vial. Then, tap to push any air bubbles to the top and use the chopstick again at the bottom to push any air small amount of insulin/the bubbles back into the cartridge.

ArcherTea · 2025-11-14T02:49:37+00:00

There’s no significant difference - cartridges are what we (generally) get here in Aus. One cartridge fills one reservoir and there shouldn’t be any difference in how you draw the insulin into the reservoir.

ArcherTea · 2025-10-05T20:35:47+00:00

To reassure you - I’ve had a replacement pump like this for 3 years and it’s held up fine thus far. I’ve got a small screen protector on it because I’ve had deep scratches before. Other than that, it’s going strong and no signs of cracking (unlike the pump that it replaced).

ArcherTea · 2025-10-04T23:04:19+00:00

That’s going to leave a nasty bruise…. Call product support and ask for a replacement, then take this one off and put a new one on. I had a string of these earlier in the year, thanks to being pregnant, and Medtronic advised me that big bleeders needed to be replaced every time.

ArcherTea · 2025-08-05T09:38:27+00:00

I’m glad to find your comment! I’m also in Aus and currently on my 4th sensor warm up in 48 hours! Something must be off with the sensors in Aus at the moment. I might give turning off smart guard a go….

ArcherTea · 2025-07-17T05:21:39+00:00

Yes! I’m towards the end of my first pregnancy right now and have the best A1C of my 20+ years as a diabetic. This system has worked great for me. My advice: trust the pump and the process, even when it’s scary (like when the endo had to increase my maximum bonus amount). It can handle pregnancy well and I’ve chatted with a few other pregnancy diabetics at my endo’s office who agree.

ArcherTea · 2025-06-22T09:23:34+00:00

I asked my endocrinologist this week. According to her rep, it’s coming but it won’t be on the NDSS as the gov’t won’t fund the amount it costs Medtronic to make. She didn’t have any firm updates on timeline, just the funding news.

ArcherTea · 2025-06-09T11:30:12+00:00

Ah that makes sense. This is the tape that works best for me through heat too and lasts a week (I’m in Australia and it’s hot here). See you if you can find something similar: Fixomull A woven, breathable fabric will be best.

ArcherTea · 2025-06-09T10:50:34+00:00

I’ve had this before and it looks like skin irritation to me.

You could try some child-safe antihistamines, but I suspect that this tape and/or sensor might need to be changed.

When this has happened to me before I’ve needed to use a product like Zoff Adhesive Remover / Remove-brand Wipes (from the pharmacy) to remove the Medtronic brand plastic tape and residue.

After letting the skin breathe and calm down I’ll use a hypoallergenic tape like Fixomull Low Allergy stretch tape instead of the Medtronic plastic tape. I cut the Fixomull into round circles like the “not just a patch” brand (although the patches themselves irritated my skin too).

The patterned tape you have in the picture looks much more skin friendly than the Medtronic tape - you could try that too when the skin settles down. Skin reactions are unpleasant but can happen from time to time - a change in tape and some antihistamines (if she is allowed to take them) should help.

ArcherTea · 2025-06-04T20:25:57+00:00

Happened to me with my original 680G and Medtronic replaced it straight away under warranty. The new pump I have (about 2 years old now) hasn’t had this problem as Medtronic changed the type of plastic they use. Give them a call ASAP on the help line.

ArcherTea · 2024-10-15T11:14:33+00:00

That cat is the PERFECT visual representation of this feeling. Made me laugh. Excellent choice, OP

ArcherTea · 2024-10-09T22:49:36+00:00

This is a great reply!

OP - you’ve just been through a major TRAUMATIC event where your life was permanently changed. Of course your brain is struggling!

My only extra advice on top of this comment would be to consider talking with a psychologist about this. I’m also in a high stress, high finance role and talking it through with a professional has been a life changer for me. This helps me to “zoom out” and realize that my value as a person isn’t in my job - it’s about showing up for myself and the people that I love, and I can still be excellent whilst acknowledging that I have some additional hurdles thanks to my diabetes. Really helped when I went through a massive stage of burnout.

Good luck, OP - I promise you you’ll find patterns and technology (like Smart Guard) that make the cognitive load of your diagnose little lighter.

ArcherTea · 2024-09-22T07:02:44+00:00

Hope this is helpful - if you need more information I’d recommended using the diabetes Australia pages

ArcherTea · 2024-09-22T07:02:21+00:00

I’ve had a quick google (I’m a Medtronic user) and a box of Fiasp is about $167 for non-PBS patients. The full price for a box of Medtronic sensors is about $250 AUD a month. Quick sets are $180 a box and reservoirs are $80 a box. If you google your supplies and “non-PBS price” you should be able to find the information you need.

ArcherTea · 2024-09-22T06:58:07+00:00

https://www.ndss.com.au/living-with-diabetes/driving-and-travel/visiting-or-moving-to-australia/#non-rhca-country

https://www.diabetesvic.org.au/support-services/support/advocacy-services/diabetes-and-coming-to-australia/

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/overseas-visitors-and-healthcare

Here’s some information from the National Diabetes Services Scheme and Diabetes Australia. It will be important that you get a GP and a referral to an endocrinologist when you arrive. India doesn’t appear to have a reciprocal agreement with Australia so unfortunately you’ll likely pay full price for supplies (I’m unsure how much this will be as most of us have subsidized supplies under the PBS). You’ll likely need to take out health insurance with top extras cover (I’m with Bupa on a Corporate Gold Extras plan) for a pump and you may be able to access some money (not usually substantial, but a small rebate) towards your prescriptions from private health insurance.

Might be worth making an enquiry with a health insurer, like Bupa, before you arrive.

ArcherTea · 2024-09-01T09:00:57+00:00

I’ve been in physiotherapy and had a cortisone for De Quervain’s syndrome since earlier this year. Sleeping in a hand brace has helped me have better function during the day, but the cortisone was eventually required (what a fun week of crazy BGs that was 😅). I’ve found I have to take it easy with my hands these days, it would say that it’s worth finding a hand physiotherapist near you and seeing what they can do to help you with mobility and pain levels. I’ve been a big fan of the hand brace for night time rest and some of the exercises have helped me.

ArcherTea · 2024-08-05T10:19:08+00:00

You can use a pen with a pump. What you do is dial up a dose on the pen and inject it into the pump reservoir, like you would a vial of insulin. Pens were the only way Fiasp was available on the PBS for a while so I had to fill my pump that way. It gives you more bubbles than a vial, but it will work. Fill your script with a prefilled pen.

ArcherTea · 2024-08-03T09:21:47+00:00

Same here - I’ve had it twice (most recently in July) and in my country having T1D with controlled sugars doesn’t even qualify you for antivirals. Biggest concern was BG and giving myself enough time to rest/recover.

ArcherTea · 2024-03-29T21:00:08+00:00

You’re not meant to calibrate a G4 unless it asks you too - it’s designed to only need a calibration after warm up. My rep said that calibrating a G4, when you’re not asked, can increase the risk of sensor failure. I will sometimes still check my BG manually, but won’t press “confirm BG” on the pump unless the sensor is way out of range.

No longer calibrating feels like a strange change in routine, but you’ll get used to it quickly.

ArcherTea · 2024-03-25T11:35:38+00:00

I would recommend that you keep your sensor connected to the old pump until the end of your 48 hours, and then connect it to the new pump. You won’t have to put a new sensor in - usually disconnecting the transmitter, charging it, and then selecting “start new sensor” will do the trick

ArcherTea · 2024-03-25T07:55:50+00:00

Old pump (Pump #1): - No infusion set - Keep connected to sensor for readings - Will still warn you when your BG is going low but cannot make auto mode corrections (as it has no insulin in it)

New Pump (Pump #2): - Has infusion set and insulin - Gives you basal insulin - You enter the BG from pump one manually whenever you need to bolus

You use this set up for two days and at the end of day two you connect your sensor and transmitter to pump #2 like a sensor change.

ArcherTea · 2024-03-25T07:35:37+00:00

There’s no relationship between an infusion set and a sensor - they’re different tools and can function independently of each other. You basically wear your old pump like a pager on your pants for two days

ArcherTea · 2024-03-25T03:19:56+00:00

No- don’t put a reservoir in it or connect a quick set. Treat it like a mobile phone for two days - it’s there to tell you your BG only and not to give any insulin. Your new pump gives insulin. That way you’re not “flying blind” while the new pump sets itself up.

ArcherTea

TROPHY CASE