I am currently using the Paradigm Insulin pump and am looking to upgrade, my warranty is up. I have tried on the Omni Pod, and looked into the Animas Ping, I think the best choice for me is sticking with Medtronic. Is anyone currently using the Real-time system?
Thanks Jac
Jac I have a paradigm real time pump (Minimed 722) but I don’t use the CGM… are you asking about the pump or CGM? BTW I like the pump - tough - no probs 2-1/2 years.
I am interested in the continuous glucose monitoring aspect.
I use both–love both. The CGMS can be a little intimidating to insert at the begining. I am one of the unfortunate that can only use a sensor for 3 days…but otheres get much longer from them.
Ask away any question(s) I can answer I surely will
I am one of those who gets 15-20 days out of my sensor and love it for the most part. I won’t sugar coat it and say there aren’t any moments where I would like to smash the sensor with a hammer but it does an overall great job. My A1c is usually under 5.5 to 5.8%, and my basal rates are set wonderfully thanks to the CGM.
I’m using it, and I’m loving it. I only wear a sensor 1 week each month on average. For me, it is an excellent tool to find out exactly what is going on with my bgl’s and with the information, I’m able to make very accurate adjustments to my basals, carb/insulin ration etc. Which in turn has lowered my A1C1 
Good way to put it David. There seem to be some sensors that are right on and other that don’t have a clue as far as matching (or even being close) to my BG meter. It can certainly be frustrating, but overall I think it is a TREMENDOUS tool. You’ll still want to keep testing pretty often, but the visual of the BG trend and the graph is a big help.
I usually wear mine for 6 days.
Any tips on getting past day 8?
Ok maybe I am confused but isn’t a sensor inserted just like an infusion set? If I am correct doesn’t it get sore if you leave it in that long?
I use the real time system.
It helps me, as I have hypoglycemic unawareness. I would recommend it. I also had a time where I wanted to switch companies, tried all the others and came back to MM just for the CGM aspect
It does not get sore because you are not infusing anything into the site.
To get past day 8 you will need to do the following: The transmitter has to be recharged after day 8 to reset it. Typically on day 8 you will get a weak signal alert and then it will lose signal all together. Simple remove the transmitter and recharge it. After it has finished charging hook it back up to the sensor and then tell the pump to look for lost sensor. You will have to wait the 2 hours and then enter your BG but after you do this you will be good to go for the next 8 days.
I always put an entire sheet of IV-3000 over the transmitter and the the sensor to keep it from moving because it will get sore if it flops and or shifts from your body movement.
I’ve used that trick, but what happens is that the ISIG drops really low and then I am unable to calibrate, and this typically happens around day 8-9. I actually recharge the transmitter on day 6 after the 2nd “round”. Do you ever get that issue and if so, do you know a way to beat it?
Yes, I am - I have been using the Minimed CGM system for over a year…I would definitely recommend it highly. It takes a bit of getting used to,my A1c went from 8 - 7 with just using the pump…then with the CGM my A1c has stayed at 6.2 for over a year…Get yourself a good rep from Medtronic…what area are you in? I live in Northern New Jersey. The sensors are covered by some insurance companies…you have to change them every 3 days…like the reservoir…and it takes a little bit of time to “get wet” under the skin…it is measuring interstital glucose as opposed to blood glucose so you have a slight variation but not much…It absolutely saves your life…when you are dropping rapidly it tells you, alarms you…when you are too high it alarms you…you can set your own perameters…it wakes you up from SLEEP when you age going hypoglycemic…its my whole life…I get in a panic if I am without it…you HAVE to get it…
Sheila
YOU have to get the GCM - I do and it has saved my LIFE on many occasions…I absolutely 150% recommend the CGM from Minimed…your A1c will become much better…you can see not only that your BG is going up or down, but also how rapidly…that is the key…if you are dropping 40 units/BG in 15 minutes, you know NOT to drive home for 20 minutes…it absolutely NEVER fails…it is great I have used it for over a year and absolutely recommend it to anyone…BTW I have had type 1 for 55 years and I am still “kicking” !!!
I am one of those people who can wear one for about two weeks…don’t you find it starts to read inaccurate after about 8-9 days…but there is always going to be a slight variation between interstitial glucose and blood glucose…but it has literally saved my life. Just knowing that your BG is dropping 40/per 20 minutes you know not to drive…or not to run around the park…you just know when you are going to get into trouble with either too high or too low…? did you ever sleep through an alarm? I have mine on vibrate…my A1c dropped from 8 to 6.2 using the MM CGM …BTW I have had type 1 for 55 years and was diagnosed while living in Nairobi, Kenya…you know those witch doctors knew what they were talking about. !!
Massage the the area where the sensor is inserted, otherwise day 8 might be your limit.
That is EXACTLY what I do…when the isig drops below 10 you know it is going to start reading inaccurately…not much but just a little…I recharge the transmitter on day 6 and go for another “round”…exactly…love it…I travelled to UK this last summer and it saved my life…I am totally lost without the CGM system…love it…BTW I have had type 1 for 55 years…and I am still “kicking” …you can teach an old dog new tricks…ha…ha.
My numbers start going nutty around day 11-14. I can always tell when it say that I am 70 for 3 hours and I know that there is no way that is correct. Alarm wise I have mine all turned off. I can’t stand the beeps or the vibration when I am sleeping but I also do not have an issue with going low while I sleep. If that ever happens then I will start using the alarm feature.