# Happy to say that I am now Bionic! Day 3 **URL:** \ **Category:** T1D Tech & Daily Management Support\ **Created:** [October 7, 2026, 1:17pm UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/happy-to-say-that-i-am-now-bionic-day-3/75241 "2026-10-07T13:17:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Disco2](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.breakthrought1d.org/disco2/32/2618_2.png) [@Disco2](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/Disco2)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2026, 1:17pm UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/happy-to-say-that-i-am-now-bionic-day-3/75241/1 "2026-10-07T13:17:05Z")
Monday I was finally trained in person on my new iLet pump from Beta Bionics. I’ve been following this technology since before it was FDA approved. Before switching, I read all the negative reviews and had discussions and had iLet demos by my health care educator. Now Bionic, I agree with the professionals that the complaints come from not following the exact guidelines that are given. I learned all the pitfalls - from how to load it, how the algorithm works, how to let it collect my usual patterns honestly - no overrides, no cheating it. In my determination, I learned everything that I could about how it works, especially the automated part. How it needs time to collect data on your “usual” behavior to get a good baseline down. I was warned that I would go high and low at least in the first few days - my response was, well i’m used to that so no big deal. So here is the report you’ve been waiting for - yes a bit early in, but i’m so taken with this technology that i’m excited to offer my experience now and in time a bit more. Day one on Monday, I went Bionic about 3:30 p.m. I was 115 bg when I started, I had a long walk to the parking lot from the office and was worried of going low - but didn’t. I maintained 98-120 till my first meal, dinner. I followed the guideline - BE HONEST - I wrote down as a personal guide what all my “usual” carb meal intake has been, a usual carb meal for dinner is 35-50 carbs. I ate in this range possibly a bit more - I did go a bit above 200 during the evening, but it was a gradual high - not a fast rise like before. I was very impressed with the every 5 minute micro doses, which for me is a game changer. Day 2 the pump seemed to get it already even though it only had data for one dinner only - for my three meals “usual” amount of carbs for me for day 2 - it was responding really well and through dinner. This morning day 3, I woke up at 95 bg. During the night it kept me beautifully even from 3 a.m. till 7 a.m. and prior to that after day 2 dinner reacted with a VERY SLOW gradual rise to 180 then began going slowly down. I’m impressed with its ability to pace the ascend and descend. Now i’ve noticed previous alarm fatigue is subsiding. I deleted the Dexcom app on my phone and now just use the beeps from the iLet pump - one less thing to manage. Overall less to stress about. Day 3, today, will be a full 3 meal day - I just had breakfast and yes 1.5 hours after eating my bg is 209 but now evened out. So far, i’m feeling liberated from the stress of how to micro manage my dosing - and settings. I know there is no perfect pump - i’m anticipating challenges, but knowledge is power and I feel fortunate that in this day and age we have all these technologies to choose from. Thanks for reading and i’ll report back as more time goes by. FYI - I was 1.5 years into a Tandem pump lease on my TriCare that paid for it then I turned 65 and now on medicare - by going through Reliable diabetic supply (a new supplier for me) this channel through reliable to medicare approved the full amount paying for the pump - $3,500 if paid out of pocket, so that was the shove for me to switch. I was told that not every medical supplier going through medicare would be able to approve a new pump if the user was already in a current lease with another device. But Reliable seemed to be the channel that medicare wouldn’t flag the fact that I was already on a current leased pump through my then primary insurance. ---
**Author:** ![wadawabbit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.breakthrought1d.org/wadawabbit/32/3890_2.png) [@wadawabbit](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/wadawabbit)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2026, 3:40pm UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/happy-to-say-that-i-am-now-bionic-day-3/75241/2 "2026-10-07T15:40:24Z")
Welcome to Team Bionic and thanks for sharing! One question - maybe I’m misunderstanding something but how do you manage without the Dexcom app? I thought Dexcom communicated with ilet via Bluetooth but even if not you would need it to start a new sensor when the time comes? ---
**Author:** ![Disco2](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.breakthrought1d.org/disco2/32/2618_2.png) [@Disco2](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/Disco2)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2026, 5:58pm UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/happy-to-say-that-i-am-now-bionic-day-3/75241/3 "2026-10-07T17:58:01Z")
Dexcom is linked to the iLet pump via bluetooth…the pump gives the readings and the alerts. Its optional to keep the Dexcom app on your phone. If you choose to - you need to mirror the Dexcom app alert settings to the iLet settings. I chose not to have more than I needed - the alarms honestly drove me crazy from the Dexcom app esp the siren would send me through the roof. The three rapid beeps on the iLet are easy for me to hear and it doesn’t stop until you dismiss the notification - take action. hope that helps. ---
**Author:** ![Dennis](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.breakthrought1d.org/dennis/32/5527_2.png) [@Dennis](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/Dennis)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2026, 7:29pm UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/happy-to-say-that-i-am-now-bionic-day-3/75241/4 "2026-10-07T19:29:33Z")
Mary @Disco2 , thanks very much for sharing this complete report; it certainly appears to me as if this iLet technology fits you well. I liked seeing you stress honesty! I can’t get over reading posts on this site, and other sites, how many users think they are tweaking the algorithms by lying to themselves and sharing “ghost carbs”, “fake insulin”, etc., and then blaming the device and telling others to stay away from certain brands. The strongest “negative” I heard about iLet was in a discussion with an endocrinologist was how patients were dishonest when training the device, choosing “Usual” for a meal and eat a strict diabetic [T-2] diet for a couple of weeks and return afterwards to hog-wild meals. Regarding the Dexcom annoyance, what I did was turn off all Dexcom alerts and alarms [except critical low which cannot be silenced] and rely solely on alerts from my t-Slim. I do keep the G7 Mobile app running because I like some of its features and reports; I also have a couple diabetes research institutions including a university medical college that study my Dexcom data. I’m looking forward to hearing more … ---
**Author:** ![wadawabbit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.breakthrought1d.org/wadawabbit/32/3890_2.png) [@wadawabbit](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/wadawabbit)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 10:26am UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/happy-to-say-that-i-am-now-bionic-day-3/75241/5 "2026-10-10T10:26:09Z")
Hi @Disco2 ! Just wondering how you’re handling exercise? This is the only pump I know of that does not have an activity mode, so you have to pause delivery. ---
**Author:** ![Disco2](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.breakthrought1d.org/disco2/32/2618_2.png) [@Disco2](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/Disco2)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 12:41pm UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/happy-to-say-that-i-am-now-bionic-day-3/75241/6 "2026-10-10T12:41:38Z")
I asked that question as well - I changed my exercise routine from the gym to home martial arts - nothing too aerobic…I start out my routine when i’m 140 plus and after eating - i’ve taken short brisk walks but not when i’m in low range. overall - i’m amazed, the micro doses are keeping me from the run away highs that I used to have. The challenge for me now is cartridge change - at the clinic I did it like a pro, but at home I missed the mark and fumbled having too much air that I had to do it again. Any advice on that? This tiny bottle feels like i’m going to break it in handling, just my fear. Someone mentioned you in a post. > ![](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.breakthrought1d.org/wadawabbit/45/3890_2.png "wadawabbit") | [wadawabbit](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/wadawabbit) Dorie Member with T1D > October 10 | > > - | - | Hi [@Disco2](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/disco2) ! Just wondering how you’re handling exercise? This is the only pump I know of that does not have an activity mode, so you have to pause delivery. ---
**Author:** ![wadawabbit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.breakthrought1d.org/wadawabbit/32/3890_2.png) [@wadawabbit](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/wadawabbit)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 2:06pm UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/happy-to-say-that-i-am-now-bionic-day-3/75241/7 "2026-10-10T14:06:08Z")
Those vials are a bit intimidating. I found some vial holders on Etsy that I use when measuring and I measure a few out and keep them in the fridge and my purse so they’re not rolling around loose. I was cooking my cartridge almost as far back as it would go but one time when I was trying to fill the tubing nothing was happening. Then I felt liquid in my hand and discovered it was coming from where the cartridge connects to the pump. Apparently I had filled it too much - once I removed some insulin it was fine. I just did a changes this morning before breakfast and just discovered in 236! When I checked I noticed I had not twisted the cartridge all the way so apparently it was not completely in place. I fixed that - now in waiting for the iLet to do its thing. I hate when things like that happen so something to watch out for. [A few minutes later] - the Spirit told me to check my set - I removed it and found the tip was bent so that was at least part of the problem. Just changed it out and used the tubing that had already been primed so I should see better numbers in a bit. [https://www.etsy.com/listing/1730592186/cartridge-holder-helper-3ml-universal?ref=share\_ios\_native\_control](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1730592186/cartridge-holder-helper-3ml-universal?ref=share_ios_native_control) [https://www.etsy.com/listing/1860798644/cartridge-storage-box-3ml-peptides-or?ref=share\_ios\_native\_control](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1860798644/cartridge-storage-box-3ml-peptides-or?ref=share_ios_native_control) ---
**Author:** ![Disco2](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.breakthrought1d.org/disco2/32/2618_2.png) [@Disco2](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/Disco2)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 2:33pm UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/happy-to-say-that-i-am-now-bionic-day-3/75241/8 "2026-10-10T14:33:22Z")
Oh awesome! so, my vials say 1.6ml 160units on the packaging? I thought these were supposed to fill to 180units? so on etsy, i should choose the iLet 1.6ml for fiasp cart holder? and the vial holder on Etsy is the same thing you are using when you are filling it - to keep it stable? Someone replied to your post. > ![](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.breakthrought1d.org/wadawabbit/45/3890_2.png "wadawabbit") | [wadawabbit](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/wadawabbit) Dorie Member with T1D > October 10 | > > - | - | Those vials are a bit intimidating. I found some vial holders on Etsy that I use when measuring and I measure a few out and keep them in the fridge and my purse so they’re not rolling around loose. I was cooking my cartridge almost as far back as it would go but one time when I was trying to fill the tubing nothing was happening. Then I felt liquid in my hand and discovered it was coming from where the cartridge connects to the pump. Sisterly I had filled it too much - once I removed some insulin it was fine. I just did a changes this morning before breakfast and just discovered in 236! When I checked I noticed I had not twisted the cartridge all the way so apparently it was not completely in place. I fixed that - now in waiting for the iLet to do its thing. I hate when things like that happen so something to watch out for. [https://www.etsy.com/listing/1860798644/cartridge-storage-box-3ml-peptides-or?ref=share\_ios\_native\_control](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1860798644/cartridge-storage-box-3ml-peptides-or?ref=share_ios_native_control) ---
**Author:** ![Disco2](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.breakthrought1d.org/disco2/32/2618_2.png) [@Disco2](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/Disco2)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 5:56pm UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/happy-to-say-that-i-am-now-bionic-day-3/75241/9 "2026-10-10T17:56:16Z")
Hey Dennis, I don’t think I pay as much attention to the Dexcom reports as you do…they are informative for sure. The iLet also does a report and trends…my only concern not having the Dexcom app for a second alarm is the iLet pump volume is set to High but its not nearly as loud as the Dexcom app on the phone. I am training myself to tune in to the beeps that don’t stop until you clear it which forces me to read the notification. And I agree with how absurd it is that people are not using the pump as directed then blaming it. So far it’s awesome. No run away highs. My first lunch meal gave me 11 units and that was concerning but the next lunch set to usual it figured out that the day before was too much and the second day lunch reduced and gave me 8 units…it’s definitely responding to a previous outcome. I also realized before the iLet, I would have these midday after lunch runway highs, and even though I may not be having the carb amount for the 8 units as a usual lunch meal, it is keeping a runaway high from happening, so I’m still amazed. ---
**Author:** ![Dennis](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.breakthrought1d.org/dennis/32/5527_2.png) [@Dennis](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/Dennis)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 8:06pm UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/happy-to-say-that-i-am-now-bionic-day-3/75241/10 "2026-10-10T20:06:22Z")
Mary, it appears that you are achieving what I wish to have - reaching 200 after meals. Like todays lunch of 2 slices of pizza, glass of milk and, apple I’m at 210 having taken 3.5 units; now watching to see how low I go before supper. My issue if I take a higher dose of insulin with a 12:30 lunch is that at 70 by 4:30. I still have second thoughts about not getting an iLet two and a half years ago. I’ve been following Beta Dynamics since its inception with all its anticipation for two hormone delivery which is still possible but thought the algorithm for insulin-only was wonderfully advanced.