What proportion of people are running system automation now?
Am I the only one who isn’t?
Can we run a poll?
Is this a situation of me chronically not updating my tech and getting totally left behind? I never update.
I just haven’t thought about it much since 2019. Now I’m talking to a bunch of diabetics in a group chat and am struck by the sudden realization that I should maybe, at least have the option to run some automation.
You are not the only one, though I do think we are in the minority, at least in the internet connected first world, USA centric group that hangs around forums. I don’t even run a pump yet. I did buy a couple used pumps when there were no commercial APS systems available and that was the only way to build a functioning OpenAPS. After getting the software running on a raspberry Pi my next step was to start using a CGM so I could tie that in. But after getting my CGM running, and embracing the Sugar Surfing book, I found I could do what I wanted with the CGM and Tresiba only, so those old pumps are still in my closet, even older now.
I believe @allison is also taking an extended pump break, though maybe she has returned to her pump by now?
And sorry, I don’t know how to create a poll.
Yep! If you develop the questions, I will create the poll for you.
You have a good memory (or are good at searching 
). I started using a pump in 1997 and took a couple of very short breaks in there. Most recently I was using the Tandem with ControlIQ. In August 2024, I started another pump break and haven’t gone back. It is glorious!
When you say “system automation” do you mean a pump, a CGM, looping? All of the above? Also I’d be interested to know what tools/products you are using. Thanks.
I am on G7 and Mobi and would really like to have tighter BS control so am interested in learning more about using open source SW to help with that. I have also thought about taking a pump break as the ups and downs do stress me out a lot. I can appreciate Allison’s comment.
Good point. So, terminology might be important here.
In the olden days (2019), we called them APS systems - Artificial Pancreas Systems. Now they call them AID systems - anything using software to make predictions on how much insulin you dose.
Omnipod 5 has BOTH an automated mode AND a purely manual mode.
Loop was a “HYBRID” system, meaning it required the user to input data into it, but it also used software to do a lot of decision making.
The question for a poll might me, “Are you currently using tech that automates insulin dosing?”
Is that the right way to ask the question? Is that language clear/descriptive enough?
That’s a more accurate name. I cringe every time I read artificial pancreas in an article.The organ’s islets secrete 6 endocrine hormones for glucose regulation also produces and routes the exocrine enzymes that allow us to digest fats, carbohydrates and proteins. It would be a miracle of modern science, engineering and technology to build an artificial pancreas.
I’m unsure how I would answer…I use Omnipod 5 primarily in Manual mode but occasionally (maybe 3-5 times per week, about 10% of the time) will use Auto mode which is the AID system. Later this afternoon I will be a YES for a few hours but the rest of the time I am a NO.
Maybe expand the question to:
“Are you using tech daily that automates insulin dosing for at least half of each day?” (Or something like that, I had a teacher in HS who dubbed me Mr. Wordy Awk).
We could stick with the original question, but make the answer a scale like (always, usually, sometimes, rarely, never) rather than yes/no.
And then there is me who is using a pump and MDI at the same time. Not Loop and the beginning of the year I took a pump break. But I returned because using a pump helps with the DP and FOTF I have. But using MDI as bolus and some MDI basal guarantees me some insulin all the time because I have a problem with site failures with the pump.
I think I will return though to total basal through the pump and bolus through MDI.