How a first-of-its-kind type 1 diabetes treatment helped give one teen the possibility of time
(BPT) - Sponsored by Sanofi
Time is one of the most precious resources you have. Many people long for more time to tackle to-do lists, explore hobbies or spend time with friends and family. But for individuals who experience a type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis, the wish for more time becomes paramount. The sudden need to adapt to this new lifestyle and the pressures of 24/7 management can be incredibly hard - not just on the person diagnosed, but on their entire family.
T1D is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disease that develops in stages. When a person is still in Stages 1 and 2, they will have no obvious symptoms and do not yet require insulin injections. However, Stage 3 is when symptoms appear, serious complications can occur, and daily insulin injections and disease management become necessary.
While T1D can't be prevented, if detected early in Stage 2, it can be delayed through TZIELD (teplizumab-mzwv) - the first and only prescription medication indicated to delay the onset of Stage 3 T1D for people 8 years and older who have Stage 2 T1D. For Important Safety Information including possible side effects please see below.
When Kristi discovered that TZIELD might be an option for her son Josh following his Stage 2 T1D diagnosis, she jumped at the chance to delay the onset of his insulin-dependent T1D. Hear their story and learn how asking for TZIELD helped give them the opportunity for more time to prepare, plan, and get ready for what's next.
The benefits of knowing sooner
Josh was first diagnosed with T1D in high school. As he juggled classes, marching band practice and college applications, his mom, Kristi, noticed something didn't feel right. While Josh didn't think anything of it due to his busy schedule, Kristi was concerned and decided to make an appointment with Josh's pediatrician. Shortly thereafter, Josh was diagnosed with Stage 2 T1D.
Josh was lucky to catch his diagnosis early - particularly as up to 62% of people have no idea they have T1D until they experience a life-threatening event that requires hospitalization. "Looking back, I'm so relieved that I acted when I did," Kristi shared. "Talking to a doctor allowed us to find out about his diagnosis early, which then led us to learn that he may be eligible for TZIELD. I was over the moon when we discovered that we might be able to delay the onset of Josh's insulin-dependent T1D."
After determining that Josh was a candidate for TZIELD, he began treatment during the summer before his senior year of high school. Now, as a soon-to-be college sophomore, Josh is grateful for the chance to delay the onset of insulin-dependent T1D - potentially giving him more time to prepare for the road ahead.
"I'm so grateful to have this extra time during my college years without needing to focus on 24/7 disease management. It's given me more time to be symptom-free, which has been a real gift for me and for my family," Josh explains.
Kristi has taken notice too: "I've been so impressed by the changes Josh has made. He's using this time to prepare for the realities of daily disease management and better understand how it will impact his day-to-day life, which he's already starting to do. He's even changed his major as a result of his experience, from engineering to nursing!"
Why being proactive matters
For Josh, being diagnosed in Stage 2 gave him the opportunity to talk to his doctor about TZIELD, allowing him the chance to transition from high school to college before progressing to insulin-dependent T1D. For Kristi, the peace of mind - both for herself and her son - has been immeasurable.
If you detect T1D at the right time, TZIELD may be an option. Take the first step and talk to your doctor to see if TZIELD is right for you. Learn more at tzield.com and read the prescribing information and medication guide.
The most common side effects of TZIELD include rash, leukopenia (decrease in white blood cell counts), and headache. These are not all the possible side effects of TZIELD.
The experience is unique to Josh and individual results may vary.
Kristi and Josh are TZIELD Brand Ambassadors.
Sanofi does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment - information is provided for educational purposes only. Your doctor is the best source of health information. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about your health or treatment.
Important Safety Information and Approved Use
What is the most important information I should know about TZIELD?
TZIELD may cause serious side effects. These include:
- Cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Signs and symptoms may start during the first 5 days of TZIELD treatment and could include fever, nausea, feeling tired (fatigue), headache, muscle and joint pain, or increased liver enzymes in your blood. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs and symptoms of CRS during treatment with TZIELD
- Decrease in white blood cells. TZIELD may cause a decrease in a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. A decrease in white blood cells is a serious, but common side effect that can affect your body's ability to fight infections. A decrease in white blood cell counts can happen after your first dose. Your white blood cell counts will start to go back to normal after your fifth dose of TZIELD. Some people may develop longer and more severe decreases in lymphocytes
Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your liver and your complete blood counts before you start treatment and during treatment with TZIELD. During and after your treatment with TZIELD, your healthcare provider will check for serious side effects, as well as other side effects, and treat you as needed. Your healthcare provider may temporarily or completely stop your treatment with TZIELD, if you develop liver problems, have a serious infection, or if your blood counts stay too low.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before receiving TZIELD? Before or after receiving TZIELD, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- have a serious infection or an infection that does not go away or keeps coming back
- have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). TZIELD may affect how well a vaccine works. Tell your doctor that you are receiving TZIELD before receiving a vaccine
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. TZIELD may harm your unborn baby. Do not receive TZIELD during pregnancy and at least 30 days before a planned pregnancy
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TZIELD passes into your breast milk and if it can harm your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you receive TZIELD
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take,including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What are the possible side effects of TZIELD? The most common side effects of TZIELD include:
- rash
- leukopenia (decrease in white blood cell counts)
- headache
These are not all of the possible side effects of TZIELD. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information, and tell them about any side effects you notice. You may report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Medication Guide and Prescribing Information.
What is TZIELD?
TZIELD is a prescription medicine used to delay the onset of Stage 3 type 1 diabetes, which is when your body can't make enough insulin on its own and may require insulin injections. TZIELD is for adults and children 8 years of age and older who have Stage 2 type 1 diabetes.This means that they have tested positive for 2 or more type 1 diabetes-related autoantibodies, have abnormal blood sugar levels, and do not have type 2 diabetes.
It is not known if TZIELD is safe and effective in children under 8 years of age.
Source: BrandPoint
