Diagnosed, Not Defeated: My Journey with Type 1 Diabetes
(BPT) - By Robin Arzón, VP of Fitness Programming and Head Instructor at Peloton, 27x marathoner, Swagger Society Founder, best-selling author, and paid Sanofi spokesperson
Sponsored by Sanofi
As an elite athlete, I thrive on preparation. I live for it as an ultramarathoner. When I'm out on a run, every inch, every step, every mile is meticulously planned. But no matter how much I tried - no matter how hard I worked - nothing could have prepared me to be diagnosed with Stage 3 type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Here I was, in my 30s at the top of my game, when suddenly I started experiencing common symptoms such as lethargy and constant thirst. At the time, all I could think was, "I'm an active, healthy adult, what could possibly be going on?" My mom, a physician, considered my symptoms and immediately recommended that I talk to my doctor. A day later, I found out I had T1D.
Put simply: On Sunday, I was living my life as I had for three+ decades, and on Monday, I was in an endocrinologist's office learning that I would be insulin-dependent for the rest of my life. In the blink of an eye, my life changed; I had to get up-to-speed on all the steps, big and small, that would be required to manage this disease on a daily basis. I'll be the first to admit that my diagnosis caught me off guard, staring me down like a hill I didn't want to climb.
Unfortunately, my story is not unique. Every year, up to 64,000 people are newly diagnosed with T1D in the United States. Many found out about T1D just like I did, with little warning or prior knowledge of the disease. Like me, they quickly found themselves on the defense when they first found out about their diagnosis, with no time to grapple with the realities of T1D or understanding of how to manage it.
Thankfully, it doesn't have to be this way. Today, 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 - may be an option. For Important Safety Information including possible side effects please see below. You can learn more about TZIELD at tzield.com.
While TZIELD wasn't available, nor would it have been an option for me given my late-stage T1D diagnosis, I deeply understand the value of being able to delay insulin-dependent T1D. Looking back, more than anything, I wish I'd had time to prepare for life with a chronic autoimmune disease. A year, a month, even a single day to learn, ask questions, create a strong care team, make more informed personal decisions about my future, and wrap my head around this new reality would have made a huge difference for me.
In the earliest moments after my diagnosis, I felt like I had to course-correct so many aspects of my life in order to manage the realities of my disease. From frantically learning how to calculate my carbs to having to recalibrate how I prepare for my training runs, it took a mental load. Looking back, I'd be lying if I said I didn't wonder how my journey might've changed if I had been able to prepare.
Make a plan
I can't rewrite my own story, but I absolutely own the pen and the pages ahead of me. And, if sharing this helps someone else take control of theirstory, I'm all in. Screening along with additional testing can give you and your doctor the information to decide if TZIELD may be an option for you.
Remember, you are your own best advocate, and you can be your own hero; make a plan and move forward, knowing that your journey is yours to own. The earlier you know, the more powerful your next decision can be.
If I could go back to my diagnosis, I would tell myself, this body is built for the long run, and with the right preparation, T1D doesn't have to define you, it's just the start of a new chapter.
For helpful resources, including more about how to make a plan, visit tzield.com. Click to 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.
Robin Arzón is a TZIELD spokesperson. You can learn more about Robin's T1D journey here.
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 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.
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.
Source: BrandPoint
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