A WARRNAMBOOL women has become one of the first in Australia to use a new tool for diabetes treatment.
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Bec Nichols is the first person in Warrnambool and just the third in Australia to start using the new Cellnovo patch pump system, replacing traditional pump therapy.
Ms Nichols, who has lived with diabetes since she was four, has type one diabetes, a genetic condition she shares with her father, sister and aunt.
The system was attached this week by diabetes educator Ann Morris from Amcon Diabetes Management Services and the Diabetes Resource Centre Inc.
Aaron Crook from manufacturers Medical Specialties Australia was also present.
Ms Nichols said living with diabetes can be difficult but believes the new system will make it much easier.
Ms Nichols, 39, had been using the Animas pump system but said it was intrusive and got stuck on things.
“I decided on the Cellnovo because of the size and the line is much smaller,” she said.
“I’ll find it a lot easier than using a big long tube. This attaches very easily and has a small hand set that runs it.
“Hopefully my sugar control will be a lot better.”
The mother of three said she she has always maintained a healthy lifestyle.
“You just have to get on with it,” she said.
“I’ve had diabetes for that long that I don’t really know any different.
“I try to keep fit and eat the right foods, I’ve got three young kids so I have to keep active.”
Ms Nichols has been consulting Mrs Morris about her diabetes care for the past eight years.
Mrs Morris said that as well as being smaller and more convenient, the Cellnovo has less connecting lines than traditional pumps.
She said the new pump was another significant step forward in making it easier to live with diabetes.
“It sits on the arm or abdomen or wherever you want it,” Mrs Morris said.
“The size of the device makes it a very convenient system to use.”
The system includes an insulin patch pump, touchscreen handset and online data platform and is supported under the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS).
Mrs Morris hosted an information night in Warrnambool last month to explain how the Cellnovo patch pump operates.