Many Dexcomers use a sensor for two weeks. I do that and have found that the accuracy is as good, or better, during the second week. There are 450+ members in the Dexcom Users group and many of them use the sensors for two weeks, some even longer. I use a Minimed pump and a Dexcom CGM. Using two devices was easy to adjust to, the accuracy and long use of the sensors is enough to convince me to stick with this combination. I am supposed to get a new pump in June, but I am going to stick with my Dexcom, even though I could get the Revel + CGM combo, and have only one device.
Since I’m considering this pump, too, I’ve done a bit of research on it. Or at least, I’ve tried to, it is not always easy to find exactly what you want to know.
Some videos shocked me, though: The needle for the sensor is HUGE!!
I’m very much ok with small needles and after years and years of refusing, I think I could handle the ones that come with the pump. But this? No way…
From what I’ve heard now, there will be a new, smaller sensor from June on.
Does any one know, if these come with a smaller needle?
I will say, the needle and the inserter device deterred me quite a bit from MM’s CGMS. I did trial the MM CGMS two years ago at FFL. I didn’t do the insertion myself, one of their reps did. I will say, it did NOT hurt (it was in my arm, though). It did bleed a bit though. It is hard for me to judge the accuracy of the MM CGMS based off of that trial. I know I was not calibrating correct, so it is not fair for me to say. I will say, it was way off many times (100+ points), and the trending arrows did not always seem right(based off of what followed). However, again…I don’t think I gave the system a fair test.
I currently use the Dexcom CGMS. The insertion is easy as pie, it is usually very comfortable, and the accuracy is GREAT. I love the Dex in all ways. I took a hiatus from the Dex the last few months, and recently went back on. I am remembering how much I loved and benefitted off of it!
The CGMS is a very valuable tool if used correctly, and if you find one that works for you (some people have bad luck with the Dex, better luck with MM…and vis versa).
I like having seperate monitors at times, but other times I do wish it was integrated. I have had my Dex for a year, but I am looking into doing a trial with the MM CGMS again. You might want to call Medtronic and see if you can do one as well. At the very least, you will know whether or not the system will work for you, or if you should look at other avenues!
Danielle,
You are the first one that has mentioned using the arm. Thank you. I’m a former Navigator user; with a MM CGM coming in tomorrow (Monday 4/18/11). For the most part, I wore the Navigator sensor in my upper arm, towards the front. Would you mind telling me, which part of your arm, was used? I’m not real fond of using the stomach area, as I’m only 5’2", and the sensors would always get hung on the counter, or some other item, depending on if using upper or lower abdomen. I had failed to ask if I could even put the MM sensor in the arm, and I don’t think I’m going to use my thigh for it.
At some point, I’m going to do a navi vs mm needle comparison. I took one of the old navi sensors apart, so I could get the needle out. 
Thanks.
Trisha
I’ve been using the Medtronic CGM for about six months. While it was hard to insert in the beginning, I got used to it, and no longer have any problems. It doesn’t hurt for more than a microsecond, unless I hit a nerve. I did have one gusher, which rendered the sensor unusable – I don’t know if that happens with the Dex. Also, for some odd reason, my readings lately have been much more accurate than they used to be – could have to do with improved sensor insertion technique.
I can’t use the Dex because I take a lot of acetaminophen, which is contraindicated with that machine, so the Medtronic was really the only choice for me. As far as I am concerned, it does its job, even if the numbers aren’t perfect. These days I only occasionally get numbers that are wildly off – most of the time, they’re pretty close. And I can usually go 5 or 6 days, because it’s easy to restart the sensor without taking it off or anything. When the new Enlite sensor comes on the market, it’s supposed to last for 6 days, but knowing us non-compliant PWDs, we’ll probably try for 12. Don’t know if that will work or not!
I’m one week into my Medtronic sensor and i love it. I get so busy that I sometimes forget to test and it alerts me. So it isn’t exactly the same as my blood sugar but it alerts me to my highs and lows which is what I care about. I wear my pump under my skirt though and it’s weird to have my pump alarm going off when I’m in public and can’t do anything about it. The other day i was giving a male friend a ride (a LONG ride, which was very nice of me i thought) and the thing went off every two minutes. I got a little mad because I couldn’t fix it.
Maria
Natalie, I have been reading that MM sensor users have been getting as much as two weeks with reasonably good accuracy. Not everyone says that but several have.
Hi Trisha,
They used the back of the arm (…I guess the more flabby area? LOL), near the top. It really didn’t hurt at all when she inserted it!
I really wonder about that, because after 5 or 6 days, it becomes very inaccurate for me. I’ve also noticed that the ISIG goes down as the sensor gets older, and although I know that it’s supposed to be an indicator of how high or low you are, for me, when the ISIG gets too low it means the sensor is dying. When it starts to give flatlines which are not true, i.e. readings that are way off, like telling me I’m 75, when I’m really 155, then I know the sensor is dead.
I can hardly wait for the Enlite – got a report on another list from a Greek fellow who just started using it, and it’s impressive. Apparently it lasts longer and is more accurate – we could use that!
Do you use a protective shower cover over your sensor when you bathe? I have to do that with my Dexcom sensors.
Thanks Danielle. I had the Navi there on the back, at times, as well. I’ll have to try front and back, see which one works best for me, then. My kit got here this morning!
Trisha
change your alarm to vibrate and at least your company won’t hear it. I did that and it is less annoying.
Vs Dexcom, the MM is more customizable and has predictive alerts. It allows setting high/low targets and Rise/Fall alerts in smaller increments. You can program 8 different high/low targets. The receiver is smaller (and integrated if you use MM pump). That said, I have not tried it and despite the customizability, I’d rather go with the most accurate system which is currently Dexcom. CGM is finicky enough and to me accuracy trumps all.
I have never heard of anyone using a shower cover over a Dexcom sensor. Why do you find that you need to do so, and where on earth would you find something so small? Many people say that their kids swim with them many hours at a time with no issues, and my daughter has not had any problems with showers or swimming. Do you have the old system?
I’ve had the MM CGM for several months. I find it very painful, inaccurate and unreliable, and I rarely get more than 3 days out of it. Try out the DEX before you buy. As soon as insurance will cover a new cgm I’m switching to the dexcom. Hopefully they will be integrated with animas by then.
You probably already have the answer you were looking for, but I'd say don't waste your money on the Medtronic CGM. Accuracy cannot be used to describe the Medtronic CGM. The only times it's ever even close to accurate, is if you haven't eaten carbs for 12 hours, and your basals are perfect. Sometimes it's more than 200% off. Like it tells me that my blood sugar is 143 or something, but in reality it's 378! It's horrible. I just ordered a Dexcom, and wish my insurance company could get their money back for the Medtronic.
I have the Medtronic CGM. Overall I found it to be fairly accurate. I didn't find it to be horribly painful either. Overall the device just annoyed me. My blood glucose levels stay pretty level. I don't really have problems with wild swings, and for close to 30 years I've never had significant problems with overnight lows, and honestly I don't let it worry me either. LOL I might be the oddball diabetic, I just don't let this stuff stress me I never have. Some people think its a fabulous device, can't imagine life without it, but for me, I didn't really get that much out of it, to be one more thing I have to purchase, I'd much rather have my pump and just test. I don't know to each their own and the reasons for wanting it. I just found for me it was a waste of time and money
I had mixed results with the MM CGM. Some days it worked well; others it did not. I did keep it on for 5 or 6 days at a time, but I also found that particularly if the adhesive got wet for more than 10 min (say, during swimming lessons) it was a goner.
This is definitely a YMMV issue. I've read over the responses from a lot of people, and some of them love it and some hate it; some get great accuracy and some get lousy accuracy. For me, it didn't work well enough in the low range for me to feel safe. So I got a Dex instead. I've only been low one time since I got it, but it DID catch it. That means a lot, since I'm relatively hypo-unaware. If the CGM doesn't alert, and I don't feel them until I'm in the 50's, that doesn't give me much wiggle room. But for those people for whom the MM works well, it's great! :-)
I may have answered this 2 years ago, but I hate it. The accuracy stinks. Totally.