‘I’m their sherpa’: Bend diabetes specialist offers new insulin tech for patients, raises awareness amid rising rates

(Update: Adding video, comments by doctor, patient)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A Bend diabetologist, Dr. Eden Miller, has Type 1 diabetes herself, making her patients experience with new high-tech treatment more relatable. She helps relieve their nerves by relating to their similar struggles, and also uses the new technology to help manage it better and easier.

“It was amazing, when she showed it to me for the first time," Kyle Shenberg said. "It's like, you slap it on and you're good to go!"

Miller, founder of the nonprofit Diabetes Nation and CEO of Diabetes and Obesity Care in Bend, is now trying to raise awareness about the new insulin injections technology, Omnipod 5, that has helped her lead a more normal life with her diagnosis.

Shenberg has been using the device for nearly a year.

"What it does is that if I'm not paying any attention or I'm too busy doing other things and, you know, should be paying attention, it will it will scream at me," she said.

Shenberg has four different devices to monitor her health levels. She says the new technology works in unison with those other devices.

As Miller put it, "It remembers diabetes when you want to forget."

"It's these automated insulin deliveries, these continuous glucose monitors, these AI artificial intelligence algorithms - steeped in science, backed in safety - that we are using for persons with Type 1 diabetes," Miller explained.  

Having been diagnosed during medical school, Miller grew to find the disease did define her, but not in a negative way.

 “My life is diabetes,” she said. “I work it, I live it, I teach it. And so to me, it isn't a burden, but it's taking diabetes along for the ride in my life.”

 Miller's personal experience with diabetes has helped her connect with patients. 

“I'm their sherpa, and so I'm guiding them on their journey and trying to, for their lives, match some of these amazing technologies that are out there.”

Shenberg appreciates that: “I love her! I just think that I'm just so fortunate to have met her. And I want her to last forever."

Miller says she also hopes to help others lead a more normal life by spreading awareness about the rising rates of diabetes, especially in younger people, and prevention. 

“It is increasing,” she said. “And almost every person who's going to be listening to this either has diabetes or knows somebody in their family. It's not rare. It's exceedingly common.”

 Currently, 537 million adults are living with diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation. By 2030, an estimated 643 million people will be living with diabetes.

Experts say that while Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and cannot be prevented, it can be treated and managed effectively. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes.

 “Guess what? You can identify those at risk,” Miller said. “You can prevent it, you can treat it, you can intervene with lifestyle and sometimes medications, and you could never get diabetes, if you're aware of it.

Miller emphasizes  that many don't know they're pre-diabetic until it's too late. She says if you have elevated glucose levels or a family history of diabetes, you should talk to your doctor.