I really hate this device, the CGM. But after the paramedic visit last Sunday and my emotional, hence diabetic, reactions to the death of a dear friend, I am going back to the CGM tomorrow.
I cannot tell you how hard the decision to return to using a CGM has been. I worry so much about how its "beeping and buzzing" affects my husband's health. I am actually afraid to return; I have felt so much better without it, even with the problems.
Oh well, it is what it is. Thanks, Mike.
It is really important to really look at the machine and take some different steps with the alarms. The alternative is never good. Your health and well being is the most important. I cut the high off and only left the low on. Double check that the night sugars are not to low. Check your basal rates. I know I always feel like I am disturbing my husband. But this keeps us on track to. Good luck
I have been on the minimed CGM for 3 years and stopped a few months back. I am a pretty experienced user.
Truthfully, it is just the hassle of the whole thing that bugs me. It also makes me OCD about my glucose levels. I might try the no alram sugeestion, except for low. I really like that one. Thanks!
I want you to L-O-V-E your CGM. L-O-V-E its communication.
BUT in the evening before bedtime figure out what's going to keep those numbers from going ANYWHERE.
What is it that makes it beep?
Figure out what you ate that's going to run high.
Figure out what you over-gave that's going to run low and do a correction.
A tiny correction.
Now set it at the lowest alarm it works at.
Don't set any high alarms. Those are only for when you're awake and in a noisy crowd.
I will try really hard to L-O-V-E my CGM, after I insert the ten penny nail needle for the sensor into myself. I have been on needles of some kind for 50 years, and this even makes me sick!
I am trying the suggestions, had a great sensor set up this morning, and I am smiling!!
Thanks. I think I just needed some encouragement and you all were there to help!
I am so sorry you have had crappy experiences with your CGM because I am so in LOVE with mine. It has been life changing for me and liberating. But I went in to it very recently and after just being sick and tired of having to stab myself 12 times a day and not being able to drive without having to test my blood sugar or not being able to play tennis or go for a walk or any of the myriad of other things I do during the day. At the same time, the first night poor hubby and I did not sleep at all. Then I changed the high alert to something outrageous and put the low alert as low as it can go which is 60 and now we are both sleeping through the night undisturbed which is a huge change for both of us.
The sensor is painless both to insert and to wear. I did wear a medtronic Ipro sensor this summer and it was a harpoon. If the Dexcom sensor was anything like that I would never have even considered it. This is the only piece of D equipment I have as I am still using MDI. I will not get a pump unless I have no other choice which I understand can happen with long term D and menopause but for now I am very happy with the CGM and I do hope that your decision works out well for you. I prefer to keep paramedics out of my bedroom and this for me is a very good way to avoid that. It also has allowed my husband a good nights' sleep something he has not had really since we were married 26 years ago.
Clare, I hear you. The CGM can change lives. However, I still feel the sensor is a HUGE needle inserted in my abs. Not comfortable to insert, but after I remove the ONE INCH needle, it is comfortable to wear.
After a great day --good readings, great ISIGs, excellent calibrations--it was looking good and in the middle of dinner with friends, I got a lost sensor. NO idea why; everything had been fantastic. Tried, in the middle of dinner with friends, to find the lost sensor three times with no luck. Shut it down, as my preoccupation with the sensor (see OCD in former post) was evident, although I tried to be very discreet, very calm and under the table.
Had to insert another ten penny nail after dinner at 8:00 pm. Am waiting to input the transmitter and will wait for the calibration alert. OR, maybe I will just let the sensor cook all night, so I can sleep.
I was truly enjoying "White Christmas." This is the basis of why I hate this device. I perserver, and will keep on keeping on. I just want to feel safe when I sleep.
What on earth kind of CGM do you have ? I have not had a lost sensor message of any kind. The sensor introducer needle for me so far is not even close to as large as the monoject syringe needles I used to use and I don't put it on my abdomen. The introducer needle is I think 26 gauge for the Dexcom, but other CGM's are 22 gauge which for me would definitely count as a harpoon, or ten penny nail. And the sensor itself is the size of a couple of human hairs. Or maybe I am just not that sensitive to it. I don't know but as in everything in D, YDMV. I'm sorry it ruined your dinner.
I am just complaining....
It is a mini med sensor. I just looked on the package for the gauge and could not find it, but I did measure the length and it is around an inch, hence the nail comparison. It is much thicker than say an insulin syringe needle.
I have all the test stuff, but I never go there first. I usually figure it is the sensor as the first step. I put a new one in last night and it is working well. If that doesn't work, I will try other things.
Keep your fingers crossed that this one works for me! Thanks.
If it's beeping and buzzing a lot that tends to mean one of a few things.
1. Bad sensor and your readings are off
2. You are not dosing properly for what you are eating
3. You are eating poorly and what you are eating is causing swings in both directions.
I'm not judging, but since starting on a CGM and seeing exactly what I put into my mouth does to my levels in real time has made me reconsider what I always thought of as as somewhat healthy diet. Now I may not go for that small package of chips, or I'll re-think what I'm having for breakfast or dinner knowing how my body will react. It's a tool, plain and simple, not a solution. Either learn from it, or discard it, that's up to you. Hope it starts working out better for you. If it is your body causing it to beep and buzz all the time, maybe it's time to stop complaining about the sensor and start listening to what your body is telling you.
Hi, all. I've had a Medtronic CGM for about 3 years. Leaves some to be desired.
Get lost sensors often for whatever reason. Some are end of sensor life, some seem to be when the transmitter battery seems to die after about 7-8 days despite a new battery in the charger. (Think it's just a way for the company to get more money by selling more sensors)
Quit using the company dressings as they were not good. Lost the transmitter and sensor within the first month of when I got the thing because the double dressing wouldn't hold.
Hypoglycemic unaware diabetic so rather need one for safety.
Several of the needles are a challenge to get out as they almost seem to be stuck in the sensor and often have to strain to get it out.
Fingers and toes are crossed for the latest one to work. http://www.diabeteshealth.com/media/pdfs/PRG2010/6-CGM_Chart-Diabetes_Health_2010.pdf here is the comparison between the different CGM's available. Both medtronic sensor inserter needles are 22 gauge and as I said that felt like a harpoon when I wore it during the summer. I could not find the new G4 sensor inserter needle specs, but read they are almost exactly the same as the 7+ only slightly smaller. But the really good thing about the Dexcom system is the sensors are rated to last 7 days, but I have gotten much more time out of them. The mini med ones are 3 days ?
I hate the CGM. For me and of course all of us vary, but I find it really useless, but if my blood glucose levels were wildly fluctuation OR I was having a lot of severe lows that required assistance, I would probably reconsider. Luckily the lows I have are self manageable, and usually always the result of something I have done, and my glucose levels are pretty stable now. For me frequent testing does just fine. Good luck, and hope you have a better experience restarting your CGM.
Black Llama -
Your conclusions are based on your recent experience using CGMS (Dexcom). There are many differences with MM CGMS, which Spock has used for several years.
With MM CGMS, there is much to complain about, and the sensors are less predictable/accurate compared to my experience with Dexcom.
I have used both, and the difference is night and day for me. I would not go back to MM CGMS unless it was the only one available. So I can relate to the frustrations Spock is having with MM CGMS.
It takes far less effort for me to get accurate readings from Dexcom, compared to MM CGMS, and very little to do with the foods that I ate and accurate dosing.
I don’t think that I would go back to the current MM CGM even if it were the only one available. I find Dexcom to be easier to insert, less painful, more accurate and so on. I used a Dexcom while still on my MM pump. I missed the pump/CGM integration but the accuracy of the DEX was worth it. I’m finding the Dexcom G4 to be substantially more accurate than the 7+, so the gap between Medtronic and Dexcom has grown IMO.
I know that the future MM Enlite sensors will be better than the current MM sensors, but don’t know how they’ll compare to Dexcom.
Lows are why I am returning. I am hypo unaware most of the time, so sleeping can be a bit dangerous sometimes. I have been getting up frequently overnight to test and still had the paramedics in for a visit last Sunday morning.
One question: if you use the Dexcom CGM, can you still use a MM pump?
absolutely, they just won't "talk" to each other. Lows are the reason I got a CGM to begin with, I am totally hypounaware and could be 30 or 330 and not know. The Dexcom has made my nights so much more peaceful. Not only for me but also for my husband. The marketing info I got the other day states the Dexcom is compatible with the following pump brands : Animas, Omnipod, Roche, Tandem, and Medtronic.
Before the Dexcom I was getting up at least once every night to test and having a really hard time getting back to sleep,now I just pull the receiver out from under my pillow and take a look. In general it is fine and I immediately go back to sleep. I have had very few night time lows since I started on it, and the vibration is certainly enough to wake me up.
I believe you can I believe I have seen several posts around here with people with Dex CGM but minimed pumps...You just don't get an integrated device but from my understanding nothing is integrated right at the moment with Dex, but Animas is in the process...and I think Omnipod is too.
My Minimed pump went out of warranty a few months ago. I have switched to an Animas pump because of the future Animas/Dexcom combined pump and the $99 upgrade fee to get that pump whenever it is approved by the FDA and released by Animas.
Before this pump switch, I used a Medtronic Revel pump along with the Dexcom CGMS. They are completely separate devices and you have to carry your pump in addition to the Dexcom receiver.
The new Dexcom Gen 4 is really a wonderful system. Not perfect, but incredibly better than the Medtronic CGM. My sensors usually last for two weeks with no irritation or itching. The first day of a sensor might be iffy, but after that the trends are spot-on and I have tons of readings that match my meter within a few points. I used to be woken up a lot by my old Dexcom 7+ system with false lows during the night. In general, if the Gen 4 wakes me up, it’s correct that I’m high or low.
So if your Medtronic CGM is out of warranty, you should seriously consider getting a Dexcom. When I made the change, I wrote a 2-3 page letter to my insurance company justifying the switch from MM to Dexcom. I attached photos of the terrible bruises and bleeding that I used to get from the MM sensors. I also attached a BG log showing nocturnal BG readings in the 30’s and 40’s when I didn’t wear a CGM.
So a Dex is not perfect, but it is a lot better than what you have. Please ask questions if we help you.