My 11 yo DD is on MDI because of sports and time away from the pump. We are trying to get better control and I would like her on a CGM. We have the mini med CGM but since she is not using the pump for her insulin we haven't been using the system. She also doesn't like the minimed CGM b/c she says it really hurts. Is there a CGM system out for kids that does not involve the use of the pump? Does anyone have any good or bad experience with it. Does anyone have any experience using the minimed system just using the pump as a receiver and not getting their insulin through it? She was off the pump for up to 4.5 hours at a time so she wasn't getting basal doses like needed and we were losing CGM data and having trouble reconnecting the sensor everytime.
The Dexcom would probably be a better bet for her. That's a CGM only.
What kind of sports is she doing? I've worn my pump during many types of sports and haven't had too many issues. Is it absolutely impossible for her to wear it? The reason I ask is because the pump is really helpful when you're physically active (at least, it has been for me).
When I do participate in a sport/activity that isn't pump conducive, I simply reconnect about every hour and bolus my basal rate for that hour (or a bit less or more depending on my BG). It took some trial and error to get it right, but I do this a couple of times a week and I've got it down pretty well now.
When I switched from the Minimed to the Omnipod I set my basal rates to zero and just used the Minimed as a CGM. It worked fine. A short time later I started using the Dexcom and love it. With the Omnipod I put the pod on the back side of my arm. When I am in the woods hunting I put a "knee" brace on my arm to protect it. I found that at Walmart. This works great if I bump up against a tree or something.
She’s a competitive gymnast. Her workouts are 3-4 hours twice a day six days a week. We haven’t found a way to wear it when she’s working out. We did the pump for 3 years through the work outs and her a1c just kept going higher. Part of the issue is she is afraid of going low so she won’t hook up and the coaches aren’t reliable about making her follow through on it. Any more I’m just happy when I can get her to test during the workout.
Do check into the DexCom. I am using the Dex now, started w/the MM CGM. Night and day difference. Dex has less pain with insertion than a finger stick in my opinion. You can also set the receiver down (like on a bench, where your daughter may rest, sit, discuss w/coaches, etc.) and the Dex will resume without having to reconnect. I am not sure how long you can be "apart" but I have been apart from mine for 30 minutes and it picks up with no trouble when I get back in range. Also the MM had to be taped down in order to keep it secure. The dex is smaller and it does pretty good on it's own. I "soak" the tape after insertion w/skin tac, and if the edges begin to peel before the sensor dies, I use a q-tip w/mastisol to paint it again. No additional tape required! Good luck!
Definitely check out the dexcom. I use the dex but have worn both the Minimed and the Dexcom and I think the dexcom is much lighter and less cumbersome. It is separate from any pump system, so you don't need to be pumping to use it, as it has its own receiver. I can't tell you how much I love my Dexcom!
