I've been using MiniMed's CGM system for 2 months and I LOVE it. That seems to be a minority opinion here but I'm not interested in that debate!
My question is about end of sensor procedures. Once I hit 3 days, the pump corrently notes that it is time for the sensor to end. By the book I have to wait until I get home, disconnect the transmitter, recharge it overnight and then start a new sensor the next day which again buys me 3 days of time.
From numerous comments here and elsewhere, it's quite apparent that I can get WAY more than 3 days out of a sensor and I think I can get close to 6 days out of a single transmitter charge. My quesiton is, how do you do that? Do you select "new sensor" as soon as it ends? Do you select "reconnect old sensor"?
As an additional question, is there anyway to change the default behavior from 3 days to maybe 4 or 5? That would seem to make so much more sense if it's an option. I can understand that there are liability issues for MM, but just curious if there's any way to accomplish that.
ahem, I do not condone this behavior. Nor am I admitting that I have ever done the following. It is not recommended by Minimed and leaves you prone to infection, and all heck will hail down upon your loved ones…
Having said that, however;
When your pump alarms to indicate that you have reached the sensor’s end, simply esc+act out of the alarm and then go to act/sensor/sensor start/new sensor and pretend as though you’ve just put in a new sensor even though you (GASP) didn’t. This will buy you at least another three days from the sensor. I’ve heard some people can do this more than once (in addition to the first sensor start), but I haven’t personally experienced that (and not just because I’m not admitting I ever did it at all!!!
I love mine too!!
Yes, just " trick " the sensor by pressing New Sensor. I usually get a week out of mine although one of my nurses ( Type ! himself ! ) assures me he can get up to 12 days!.
I do change the adhesive tape often though as I do hot yoga & want to be careful with transmitter.
So great to read something positive about CGM
I did not anticipate miracles, I hoped the CGM would help & it does.
The 2nd question, no. My nurses who are really well versed in Minimed products say do the restart at least once, chance of infection is not great as long as tape is secure, no infusing going on so nothing like pump site.
They admit the CGM is not perfect, that Medtronic are on their way with new systems but this is as good as it gets right now. Can’t be reprogrammed for more days but a simple fix!
A Minimed rep told me that while the sensors are meant for 3 days use, trials in Europe showed they actually start working best at about day 5. I use my sensor for 6 days. I’ve had no problem with scar tissue. I wouldn’t use them for more than 6 days for that reason.
Seems like you have gotten the answer you need. Glad it is working for you. Just yesterday I had to change to a new sensor cuz it just wasn’t tracking well anymore. I had gotten 10 days out of that one. After day 6, I just pulled the transmitter, charged it (20 minutes) and plugged it back in and got 4 more days before I changed it.
Good luck…it’s an interesting journey for sure.
