I have been using a Medtronic CGM now on and off for 5 years. About 2 years ago I replaced my transmitter with the newer (much smaller) one today. A couple of weeks ago I discovered after failing to start several sensors that my transmitter was “pooched”. Has anyone else had issues with their transmitter and if so, what actions did you get from Medtronic to support in Canada?
You are saying your transmitter is 2 years old? It’s time to be replaced. Not an issue, that’s as long as they last.
For insurance billing they code the transmitter as being replaced 1x year so 2 years is doing well. That little thing does a crazy amount of work for its size 
If you are self pay you can always talk with MM about a reduced price. After all, if you don’t have a working transmitter you can’t purchase the sensors! They may comp you one or give you a price break.
Thanks for the inputs, MM did offer a 50% reduction in price (which I took - of course), my concerns though are that a device like this should have a lifetime of MUCH longer than 6 months - as defined by the warranty period. I guess this is just the accountants at MM determining the risk on this new technology.
I have my transmitter for over 2 1/2 years ( and my 522 pump has ran out of warranty as well…one year later ?? ) …well our cars don’t last a life time …I plan to .
I think the Canadian warranty is one year …but please correct me , if I am off .
My transmitter has also just died. It was purchased 2.5 years ago, so is definitely beyond warranty. I’m Canadian and when I spoke with Medtronics support they indicated it’s only a 6 month warranty here as well - which does seem short for this component (considering it has no moving parts etc.).
As part of the troubleshooting, Medtronics has sent me a free replacement charger just to confirm that this is not the problem. Unfortunately, the new charger also shows the flashing red triangle, which apparently means the transmitter is no longer functioning. So Monday, I’ll give Medtronics a call and see how they can help with a replacement.
In the 2.5 years that I’ve been on the pump (722), I’ve only used the continuous glucose transmitter about 3 times. Even though it did provide insight into ‘relative’ glucose fluctuations, the readings appeared to be far from accurate. Considering the $50/sensor and $700 replacement cost for the transmitter - that works out to $283 per test period. Unless the transmitter has improved, I’m not sure I would bother replacing it unless something better comes along - whether from Medtronics or another vendor.
I’m curious whether the transmitter has changed in the last 2.5 years. When I bought the pump in 2007 they sent me the larger stype monitor (MMT-7701 I think) but then shortly after that, they shipped me the smaller version (MMT-7703). Although, on the Medtronics site, they now call it a MMT-7707 - although the form factor looks exactly the same. But given the $700 price, I was hoping maybe they’ve improved the accuracy since the 2007 version.
Anyone know?
It is my understanding that they have changed the design a little since the first version (the case is slightly different). My dissapointment with Medtronic is that a six month warranty on a piece of electronics that costs $700 is pretty pathetic and indicates a lack of confidence from Medtronic on the build quality of the parts.
I paid the 50% “upgrade” fee ($350) and have one that works now!!!
Thanks.
Good to know Medtronics has something called an “upgrade” fee. But, given the number of comments on these transmitters failing at the 2 year mark - it seems almost criminal that Medtronics wouldn’t have originally fully disclosed the short life span of a device they are charging $700 for.
I’m interested to hear what they say when I call next week.
I always understood the practical lifespan of CGMS transmitters to be about a year. When I got two + years I was happy. I do understand the frustration though. I don’t like it but I always understood it be the reality of CGMS as it stands today.
Making the rechargeable batteries replaceable by the user might make the transmitter last longer but I think it would most likely make the CGMS sensor/transmitter combo no longer waterproof. That’s not a trade I’m willing to make.
I remember the days wearing the CGMS Gold (the first CGMS from DR’s offices) where it wasn’t waterproof. Trying to protect it during showers was a nightmare. And that was just for a few days. I can’t imagine doing that for something you wear all the time.
Diana