CGM painful, not tape

Diabetes Technology Glucose Monitoring
1

I was doing some research on people using CGM to find some answers and found you guys so I joined. I started on my CGM last week and it's been a mess of problems since I started. So I finally got the thing to stop Lost Sensor'ing, Sensor Erroring etc but now it's just so painfufl. I do it at the recommended 60 or so'ish degree angle and I have some ahem tissue so I'm not skin and bones. It's in my abdomen where I usually would have my pump and it hurts to turn in my sleep to sit in my car to bend over! I'm going to once again remove it with the advice of my cgm trainer but I'm in desperate need of real people advice! What angle works and doesn't work for you? Anyone else have issues with pain from the actual sensor within, not just the tape (I saw tape issues posted before). Any and all helpful advice would be appreciated.

Btw, I am 32 years old, type I diabetic for almost 22 years, on a pump for 16 years and an RN.

2

Let me guess - you are on the Minimed CGM, right? You are still within the first 30 days period where you can return it. Seriously, you should return it. Instead, try the Dexcom 7+ CGM. Painless and accurate. None of the ■■■■■■■■ that MM CGM gives and all of the benefit of a true working CGM.

3

I’m going to have to agree with Mr. John Smith on this one. The Dexcom 7+ is the way to go. IMHO. The angle is predetermined. Problem solved. More sticky area. (less need for tape, although I use Tagaderm overtop).

All the best-
a.willie

4

Yes I’m on the Medtronic/Minimed CGM. I don’t like the idea of having to carry something else. I don’t understand, Medtronic has always been a great product, there has got to be some sort of solution to this. shrug

5

Suit yourself.

6

I use the Mini med CGM for the same purpose as I am a medic I don’t want more stuff to carry around in my pockets or on my belt loop. I had some major issues with the pain at first. 1. I was inserting it manually instead of using the inserter and that helped with less pain during the insertion. 2. I personally put my infusion sets on my belly or flank so I use the back of my arms as my CGM sites as it does not get moved around as much like from bending or laying on it or sitting it is basically out of sight out of mind in that place for me. with the insertion though you might need some help from someone. My room mate helps me or one of the guys at the fire station does it for me so not a big deal. I use a tagaderm to cover it and it holds it nicely in place and thus keeping it limited to movement. I don’t know if these will work for you or not but it is worth a shot I love my CGM I mean it is like night and day when I am wearing it at work I can get that fast info and stay ahead of the game without worrying non stop. I guess for me it is peice of mind in an already stressful job. I have some other tips if those don’t work but those worked best for me so give it a try. good luck and let us know how it goes

7

I’ve been using mine for about three weeks, Julianna, and am experiencing the same problems you mention. The first two I put on seemed to go ok. After that, forget it…I always have the lost sensor or sensor error messages just like you. And I also find that some sites can be very painful. I’ve removed more than one because of that. I’m hoping my CDE will be able to show me how to do a better job. Will be watching the responses you get to see if I can learn more. —Anthony

8

When I used the MM CGM it was very painful and I was not a fan. I gave up pretty quickly on it.

9

Here’s the deal. I got the MM CGM last summer and it was so painful and didn’t work. Numbers were totally inaccurate. I didn’t want to admit defeat so I just put it away in a drawer. I tried it a few more times several months later and still, it was excruciatingly painful and inaccurate.

I wish I had listened to these guys and had just returned it while I still had the chance. Then I could have a GOOD CGM now, instead of having to wait for my year to be up so I can get a new one that actually works.

10

Exactly what happened to me, as it sits in my drawer. I did try it several times over a 6 month span and then the guilt of my insurance denial and appeal that I won as it sits in the drawer.

I am really thinking about trying the Dex as I have different insurance now and maybe it could be an easy buy.

11

I too had some frustrations but not as much any more. I put the sensor in my upper thigh on the outside of my leg. Less pain, less or no bleeding. Read this info should help: https://forum.tudiabetes.org/topics/583967:Topic:907803

12

The MM CGM is pretty painful from what i can find… I read about one guy that could actually put the cannula of his pump INTO the needle for the CGM. I saw the inserter for it somewhere, with the needle, and i wouldn’t get within a mile of that thing… it seriously look scary.

13

I didn’t want to use the inserter, but they insisted. I felt the same way about my pump…if I start feeling pain I’ll take it out and put it somewhere else. So that helps you with less pain by not using the inserter? What kind of angle to you use. I put it in my leg the other day and when I talked to the trainer they insisted I don’t use anything but my abdomen until I master this. Thanks for the input.

14

Good luck Anthony. I like the advice about not using the inserter. They are going to send me some extras since I’m having problems so maybe I’ll just try that. Good luck to you too.

15

Julianna, I recently started the MM CGM and have had no problems so far. I’m currently on my second sensor on day 5 and got 9 days on first sensor before getting a bad sensor alarm. I had my first sensor in my belly with no pain and put my second on the back of my upper arm with zero pain as well. I would say my sensors are at closer to a 45 but I’m very thin. Search the forum, their are lots of discusions and helpful advice from those who have had success with the MM CGM. LOL @ John, all you seem to do is bash MM and claim Dexcom is superior! Many people consider MM CGM a “true working” CGM.

16

Hopefully you have a Revel (x33). The software is far ahead of the previous models.

I have a MM and am very pleased with it; however, it was a real bear to learn and many people give up before really giving it a chance and learn how it works. Here are my MM recommendations…

First, the stomach is the worst place for the sensor. It has a tendency to move under the skin surface and irritate the tissue. Better places for the sensor are the rear, just below the belt line, the upper arm toward the back, and the leg in areas where there is plenty of soft tissue and the area is not bending or curling from movement. In studies with CGM, the arm has shown to be one of the most accurate and reliable areas.

Second, calibration is a trick in so many ways. The best way to start, based on comments I have heard and my own experience is to put the sensor in several hours before connecting the transmitter. This is the biggest cause of “bad sensor” errors when starting a new sensor. Don’t enter a meter reading unless the BG is fairly stable and not too high. Don’t calibrate more than 4 times a day, three is better. Do enter meter readings as close to waking and going to sleep. If you get a “bad sensor” error, be patient and avoid trying to rush the calibration. Sometimes, you may have to turn off the sensor and start over, but be patient.

Third, the meter readings will never match the sensor unless the BG has been stable for >30 min. It will not track actual BG changes if they occur within 30 or 40 minutes. The more stable your BGs are, the more accurate the CGM readings will be and he more accurate your trend indications will be.

Fourth, stay hydrated; the fluid in interstitial area needs to be well hydrated to have the sensor work accurately.

Fifth, pressure on the sensor (sitting on it, laying on it, squeezing it) will show low BG readings because the interstitial area is not able to replenish the glucose because of the lack of fluid movement and the tissue will use up the glucose that is in the tissue.

Sixth, find a way of securing the sensor so that it will remain intact with your skin. I use mastisol liquid adhesive and two layer of IV-3000, one on the skin with a hole in it and one on top if the sensor and transmitter. This setup took some experimentation.

The sensor is kind of like a guy giving you directions in a strange place, he points and gives you info, and you still have to find your own way.

Patience is important. The truth is that none, MM, Dexcom nor the Navigator, are really ready for prime time, no matter what anyone claims. The second generation of sensors will be a big step to get the technology closer and the next generation of CGM software has much more accurate algorithms for predicting the rise and fall of BG and will enable the CGM to display BGs that are much close to your real BG.

Don’t give up…it is worth the effort!!!

17

I honestly think it’s worth trying another so that you can make a fair assessment. I wore the MM sensors… and HATED it. The dexcom is much more comfortable to wear and easier to insert. Carrying an extra “thing” is really not a big deal.

18

I’m another MM-to-Dexcom switcher (from long, long ago). My “advice” would be to bail out and switch - if you possibly can. (I know that most MM buyers are not in a position to send it back, unfortunately.)

19

I do have less pain with out the inserter. I insert it at about a 45 to 50 degree angle. The reason I don’t use my abdomen anymore is I get better insulin absorb. rate with those sites so I save my abdomen for insulin and also since I have a little muffin top on my abdomen the sensor site seems to move to much with sitting, bending, my trainer told me to find a spot I am happy with as we all know not every patient is the same so for some the abdomen may be great but for me I know with my abdomen to much movement and interference with all the movements um my thighs are too muscular my flanks well I sleep on my back so this is why I choose my back arms. Also have you tired EMLA cream I use it for my sensors since the needle is bigger and I don’t feel the insertion at all and for about 2 hrs after too. the thing with EMLA cream though is after you are ready to insert it you must get the area nice and clean of all the cream. I say give it another shot. as for the lost sensor thing I find that if I insert the new site about 2 hrs before it needs to be changed and let it warm up or do what ever it does to be happy that I no longer get that as an issue. I debated and debated about switching to dexcom but then I got my cgm routine down and have very little issues with my mini med CGM. I will say this though I know the first time I did the insertion I saw the needle and thought what the crap is that thing like a 16 gauge? I will say I am also glad that thing doesn’t need to be in a vein!

20

I persevered with the MM for nearly two years. The CGM is NOT accurate. I had terrible highs/lows that were undetected. I eventually gave up and switched to the Navigator. What a nightmare that was…the receiver broke three times and Abbott WILL NOT send me a return unit or refund my insurance policy. I AM stuck, not being able to use a CGM AT ALL. My insurance company paid 100% in FULL to Abbott and I HAVE NO working Navigator.
I am really annoyed.
Sheila