Writing a blog about living with Type 1 diabetes and promoting the need for clinical trials — is not exactly front-page cybernews. It’s OK to admit that I’m blogging for a very limited audience: Me, myself and I. We R the Cure is dedicated to finding solutions, sharing current research news, and spotlighting the need for more persons with Type 1 diabetes to participate in clinical trials.
I’m not seeking publicity or the spotlight. Participating in these studies does, however, sometimes make me feel like Steve Martin’s character in the 1984 movie, ” The Lonely Guy.” Am I the only guy doing this?
Last Thursday at dawn, I traveled to Charlottesville for my in-patient “Metabolic Challenge” hospital admission on Day 17 of the ” Behavioral Mechanisms of Glucose Variability” clinical trial at the Center for Diabetes Technology at UVA. The good news: I completed the study parameters by providing my blood to the researchers as they raised my glucose level above 250 mg/dl and then lowered it below 60 mg/dl to see how the human body responds to glucose swings. “Greater understanding of insulin sensitivity, particularly how the body counters a low blood sugar,” will help researchers and technology experts determine how to refine the math calculations or ” brain power ” needed for the Artificial Pancreas system, according to the UVa team.
So, let me give you the Top 5 newsworthy or ” BIG PICTURE” results from my in-patient day.
Number 5: I did not wear the new DexCom 5 CGM prototype for the admission as originally planned. The manufacturer was not ready to release it for human trial just yet. The next generation DexCom 5 sensor will transmit its glucose readings directly to the AP’s SmartPhone and not to CGM transmitter. This is a key step in closing the loop on the closed-loop AP.
Number 4: The DexCom 5 should be available for testing in upcoming AP clinical trials, hopefully as soon as Feb. 2014. If the DexCom 5 is tested in trials then it sets up the important next step: Setting up “AP home trials” for out patient clinical trials in 2014-2015. A final step on the pathway to FDA approval.
Number 3: To be a clinical trial participant, it helps if you don’t mind having up to 2 IV catheters plugged into your arms. And, you need to ” enjoy ” having blood drawn every 5 minutes during the critical ” high” and ” low ” period of the variability study.
Number 2: It was rewarding to spend a beautiful fall day “inside” at the old UVA Hospital — with the awesome team of researchers, doctors, nurses and clinical trial coordinators. These folks are first-class and extremely talented. A sincere “Thank you” to Dr. Anderson, all of the nurses and staff at the Clinical Research Unit, and the CDT team (Laura, Mary and Molly). And they served me a fabulous Salmon lunch when I was done!
Number 1: My blood data, CGM readings and insulin pump trend lines will be reviewed and the numbers will be crunched by the CDT team at UVA. I am contributing to a larger, multi-layered, worldwide consortium effort designed to bring the first-ever Artificial Pancreas to the commercial market — and thereby providing better health outcomes and an improved quality of life for the 3 million Americans living with Type 1 diabetes. Laura Kollar, clinical research coordinator and RN with CDT team, added this wrap up to my visit: “Just wanted to thank you (and your amazing blood) for the admission yesterday. You done good!”
It may not be newsworthy, but it’s a worthwhile contribution. Call it a legacy. Together, We R the Cure.
Here are some ” BIG PICTURES” of my day in my hometown, Charlottesville.
The Clinical Trial is done at about 4 pm and I can enjoy a beautiful fall afternoon and a Starbucks coffee in Charlottesville, my hometown.
Keeping track of the blood glucose ” highs and lows” during my Clinical Trial at UVA.
My blood samples are lined up at UVA Hospital during Clinical Trial on November 7. It looks like a lot but the total volume taken is about the same or less than a normal blood donation.
Automated blood machines are used to analyze and report on my blood glucose levels and other key metabolic factors during my in-patient admission.
We R the Cure 