Today I visited my D educator to have a CGM installed (this what I thought!). However they did install a CGMS! I was disappointed! But happy at the sametime.
They hock me up with something called CGMS iPro (medtronic). It is like a CGM without a device or a monitor, just a sensor that records my BGs which I will remove and return to them after 3 days!
No more lies about what I eat and tested. Actually no more brainstorms and writing what needed. Although they asked me to test and write down what I eat, plus my BG results in the old chart thingy!
A new way for Professions to monitor and help us dealing with the D. Also it can be reimbursed by Medicare in all 50 states. I liked what they said on there site:
“World’s first Professional Continuous Glucose Monitor”
So…you’re going to get the MiniMed CGMS? Ask for a trial with the Dexcom 7+ also and compare which gives you more accurate numbers and trends. For me, the MiniMed CGMS was a total waste of time and money.
A good test whether the Minimed system works with your body. Measure your blood sugar more often than needed and then you will see how accurate it is after they download it. For me, it was pretty accurate! (I’ve heard many people say that your own individual body chemistry plays a role in whether each of the CGMS’s are accurate).
Also, don’t forget to mark for meals. I forgot to do that and it was much harder to analyze the data. Apparently I was supposed to push some button when I ate to tell the monitor that I was eating.
Dear Ahmad , so far I am relatively happy using MM sensor and yes , there is room for improvement , as with any tool related to diabetes. I have not tried the other brand . The first day maybe questionable and so maybe the 10 th …finger poking
( questionable by 20 percent either way ) still pays off .
For me , if I participate in a half marathon and do NOT have to quit because of a low , I feel like a winner …ofcourse some may say , that even on shots they can do marathons …we all have our limits .
Wel, for me it’s worth all my time and money.Couldn’t ask for more, unless I could get a new pancreas. Since I can’t, this Medtronic MM722+CGMS is worth everything to me. It has saved me more than once already. Now I can go to sleep and actualy sleep without worrying something bad is going to happen. That…is worth it all.
So I guess you are on a dex now john? How’s this one working for ya?
The Dexcom 7+ has been extremely accurate for me…maximum error is +/- 10 mg/dL compared to my fingerstick readings. The insertion is painless, no re-charging required for the transmitter and no extra tape required to hold down the CGMS.
I wear mine for an average of 12-14 days and when I remove the CGMS from my skin, you cannot even tell where exactly I inserted the sensor. The MM CGMS has left big red, painful blotches on my skin which are still visible, and irritable, after more than 3 months of last use.
Agreed - I wore a MM CGM about 4 years ago and it was HORRIBLE… my body didn’t like the sensor at all, it itched terribly and didn’t stay stuck for anything. The Paradigm real-time system held ZERO appeal for me after that. Yes, the information was useful, but not if I would have to stick myself with a NAIL every 3 days… no way (yes I do realize many people restart them, but still).
My dexcom trial could not have been more different from that experience… it sealed it for me that I wanted my own The sensor/transmitter is very comfortable… I’ve inserted two myself with no pain at all
This was my niece’s experience exactly. She has a high pain tolerance and would not usually complain. But, after the EMLA wore off, there were a number of times she was very sore and soreness did not go away. Big red pimple, after you removed the sensor. And the three-day restart was so inconvenient. Dexcom, you get seven full days before you need to restart. Though I am not finding Dexcom too accurate lately, I am pretty sure it is a sensor or technical problem, because we do have accurate readings as well, sometimes. But if cgms is too painful to wear or insert, most people won’t want to wear them. Minimed has promised to reduce the size of the introducer needle; Dexcom has reduced needle size at least once already.
I prefer Dexcom’s insertion process as well, not just the needle size… being able to tape on the sensor before inserting is definitely a step up from the process with MM… I think especially for children or anyone needle-phobic, not really being able to see the needle at any point in the process is especially helpful… those naked MM sensors can be rather intimidating!
Today, for the first time, I helped Manuel inserting the sensor on his arm… I was surprised on how easy it was… and even though the needle is huge, he didn’t felt a thing.
Was it the Minimed sensor? With that spring-loaded inserter, I also didn’t feel any pain when inserting it. But, when you remove it, you would be amazed to see the hole it leaves and the bruises.
Yes - it has been around for a few years - it is a sensor worn, and then handed over to your CDE or endo, and they have computer software to download the data and compare it to your testing and food journal. No you can’t lie with this!
Not exactly:
The older “Gold” system which Andy and Jennifer are remembering from several years ago used different Sensor technology, and it wasn’t as accurate. MM has replaced it with this new version, using the same technology as the R/T and Guardian.
I will, however, join the chorus of “didn’t work for me” posts. For some people, MM works great; for others, Dex works a lot better; and for others, Abbott works best. CGMS seems to have a lot more “Your Mileage May Vary!” than any other widely used Diabetes Treatment device.
The sensor/transmitter is very comfortable… I’ve inserted two myself with no pain at all