Next step is here,
Just hooked up my CGM ( Minilink) for the first time just a few min. ago. Waiting on the 2 hour alarm so i can calebrate it. Had a hard time deciding where to put it. I went with the side of the thigh since i put the pump hook up in my belly. Been doing real well with the pump so far, I love not taking all those shots.
Got a question, I have some quick pens that will go out of date before to long, was wondering if the pump reservoir could be filled with those, using the same filler and process as using the viles to fill it? If not I need to find some one local that I could give them to ( apidra)
Hi Chuck - Yes, I used up my pens to fill the pump. I have the omnipod, not sure if it will be the same process for you?
First, I do NOT force any air into the pen. I use the provided syringe to draw out what I need and fill the pump reservoir. Never had any issues!
Best of luck with the pens for the pump and CGM!
I did the same as Katie. Had two boxes of pens and used them up to fill the reservoirs. Might wonna keep one as a spare. I've been on a pump for five years I don't miss four injections a day. Just remember that CGM is a reference tool and rely on fingersticks for treatment. No way you can compare both numbers. Let us know how it's going. Good luck!
Good luck. I've found mine to be pretty accurate, but I NEVER dose my insulin based on those results, always fingerstick. Key to getting good results calibrate when your BG is stable, before eating and before giving a bolus. Also it's more to spot trends, see if you are rising fast, or dropping fast so you know you need to check your blood sugar and treat or make adjustments. But it's a nice tool to have I love my MM/CGM.
Thanks Guys, Boy there is a big difference in the cgm and the finger stick.. anywhere from 40 to 60 points different. was down to 48 and the cgm said 96.... I give bolus by the finger stick only.
well the side of the leg was not the place to put the cgm. after a trip to the restroom and pulling up the pants i pulled the cgm out lol and it was taped down not real good tho, the tape i was sent just covers the sensor i need to find larger tape. 2 3/8 x 2 3/4 is just to small. so i put a new one in my belly it is a little uncomfortable, put in a safer place. So I should be able to draw the insulin from the pins with out to much of a problem then, will give it a try on next change.
Hi chuck Opsite flex tape works VERY good. You can purchase it on Amazon, I got the roll and cut it to size, but works MUCH better than the IV3000 stuff. Yes there can be a BIG difference in the CGM reading, I say 90% of the time mine is pretty darn close, however today lol it wants to be crazy, Almost gave me a heart attack, took a peak at my pump, my CGM was saying 260 and Im like NO WAY, I tested and my BS was only 135, hahah not sure what was up with that today, other than I've had the same sensor in close to a week now. Maybe time to change it out, hahaha.
Hi Christy,
That brings me to my next question. How long can the cgm be wore? After pulling one out and then moving it to my belly an siting down fast, my belt must have bent the sensor cause it hurt pretty bad and i had to take it out. I have gone back to side of my thigh. and for now I am using wide first aid tape untill i find something else I dought i will be pulling it out by a dumb clust move lol
I agree with Christy that the FlexFix Opsite tape is the best stuff I have run into, although the only other kind I used was the IV3000 that came with the CGM. I got mine a week before I ran my first 1/2 marathon and the IV3000 lasted about 3-4 miles and then fell off and I haven't used it since.
I have only used my belly and it works ok and with that tape, usually above the beltline, a lot of times, I'll hike up my low-riding jammies to make sure that the line is in the right spot before I stick it in.
Re the "accuracy" issue you mentioned is that it's a trend spotter and the key to the 96 CGM vs. 48 meter is what was the CGM doing? If it were 20 minutes behind and your BG was crashing out, the CGM would go like 120, 110, 96 and it might still be ok as it would get to the 48 eventually although by the time it got to 48, you might be in the teens? It's not a huge saftey device in that you still have to be on your toes but, if you get used to keeping an eye on it, particularly if you aren't sure about a carb count or have been involved in some sort of activity or other situation that would push your BG up or down, you can get an idea that it is moving in the wrong direction earlier than if you were waiting around on your meter for a 2 hour post-parandial.
I use the MM CGM sensors for 6 days. I went 7 once when I forgot that it had already been in for 6 days and reloaded it again but it didn't work very accurately.
I hope you are having a good first few days with the CGM. Usually the big differences you see in the first day or so start to get more accurate. The other day my sensor was saying I was 66 - in my head I am thinking "this isn't right, I must be higher than this" so I tested and it was 58. I usually wear the sensors for 6 days without any problems, I still use the IV3000 even though I don't really like it. When I put it on my leg I put two of those IV3000 down (so they overlap) and then trim the edges so they are curved. I don't like the CGM on my abdomen because it moves too much, I think my arms are my favorite spot. Good Luck
I use my CGM for about 6-7 days as well. And tend to wear mine on my upper stomach. Has worked very well there.