Hi! I’m waiting for my new pump with CGMS. I was able to try minimed’s Guardian last month (and loved it!!!), but the sensor was put by the pump trainer. So, my question is: where do you place your sensors? Are they hard to insert alone? Can I have better results if I put it where? Thanks!
I have inserted a couple of times. It isn’t too bad doing it alone, However I have only used the abdomen, so one side has the infusion and one side has the sensor. You need to have the fight angle, 60 degrees I was told, not 45 like the book shows. I still have a lot of anxiety of getting it in right, but only bled one time. They said that happens sometime.
Blood= lost sensor??? Does it hurt?
lost sensor is an error message when the transmitter can’t find the pump, maybe it is too far away. It doesn’t hurt. It is a little uncomfortable when you insert it, but to me it is not as bad as when you insert the tubing for the pump.
I put my sensors in the sides of my abdomin, and the infuser on my hips/butt. I like to keep both on the same side so the pump receiver can be near the transmitter without having a tube go around me.
I find the pump infuser much less painful and easier to insert than the sensor, because I use the 90 degree (straight down) Medtronic Quick-Serter for their Quick-Set infuser (I’ve also switched to 6 mm depth instead of the default 9 mm). Yes I also use the spring loaded 45 degree inserter for the sensor, and I supposed it could just be it looks worse, or it is in fact a bigger needle.
Anyway, when you get the new device, Medtronic includes free one on one education. I got mine from a nurse at my endocronoligist’s office who came out to my house a couple of times. I still see that nurse to discuss techniques when I see my endo every quarter, and I just pay another visit co-pay.
My daughter has the MM Guardian. We found that using the upper part of her arm actually works the best. We tried her abdoman, but was getting really weird readings. In her arm thats where we have the best readings, and pretty much on target with her finger sticks.
I keep my CGM site about 5 inches from my infusion site. I insert at 60 degree angle to reduce blood in the sensor, and that seems to work.
I get punked out by the size of that needle sometimes, so I have to use my abdomen, but i know people who use their love handles and butt.
Good luck! 
Thanks to all!! I have a great pump trainer. But using a sensor is verry diferent from teaching how to do it… They know all the techniques, but the best tips came from users experiences!
A few weeks ago I tried using the backs of my arms and I like those best of all - I didn’t think it would work because my arms don’t have a lot of meat on them, but I actually seem to get more accurate readings there and the sensor doesn’t get disturbed at all. I also have good luck with my upper buttock/lower back area - just go a couple inches above or below your waistline. I avoid using my abdomen at all costs now, I did my first couple sensors there and they were uncomfortable and didn’t work very well.
The sensors are a little hard to insert without help at first (I use the Medtronic system). It’s a little tricky to get the insertion device off of the needle and then to remove the needle (especially if you’re using your arms!), but if you don’t panic and think about the angle of the needle you can easily do it one-handed. It took some practice but now I routinely place sensors in my dominant arm without any help.
Hi - this seems to be an older post so I hope someone reads it
I can NOT seem to get my CGMS inserted. I can do it manually, but the spring-loaded torture device will not pierce the skin. And doing it manually, well, I was told I wasn’t supposed to do it manually. And it REALLY hurts.
My question is: Is there a trick to getting this thing to work? Pinching the skin, stretching the skin, holding my breath, cursing appropriate words??
I have the Medtronic CGMS - the one with the HUGE needle.
Thanks!
I’ve never done it manually and can’t imagine that, it must be painful! I use the inserted provided by my trainer and use it at a 60 degree angle. The only time I had a problem with it not inserting properly I attributed to hitting a “hard spot” that I must have used for my infusion set. I put that on one side and my sensor on the other and it works fine. I agree that the “spring-loaded torture” device seems scary but I just close my eye and push the button! I was told not to pinch the skin as it would go in too deep.
Thanks! I’ll try not pinching up the skin and maybe try another area of the body… maybe