Diabetes Doesn't Define You

I just got the Medtronic continuous glucose monitoring system, the MiniLink Real-Time Transmitter today.  I would would to chat with others who have this system about their experience--the good, the bad, the ugly.  Any suggestions or tips?

So I have been hooked up to my CGM now for two days, and I really LOVE it!  I feel like I have a much better idea what is going on with my blood sugar throughout the day, just by taking a quick glance at the information transmitted to my pump.  Up to this point, I was doing a finger stick 6, 7, 8, sometimes more times a day, really burning through the strips.  While one still needs to do some finger sticks to keep the transmitter calibrated, I don't need to do nearly as many to keep up-to-date on what is going on with my blood sugar. 

I also really like the fact that it has built in alarms for highs and lows.  Last night at 3:30 a.m., my CGM woke me up with an alarm because my blood sugar was going down rapidly.  I know that I have had lows and slept right through them, kinda scarey when you think about it.

One thing that does take a bit of getting used to is the fact that the CGM is testing body fluid and not blood.  As a result, the numbers aren't always really accurate and are a delayed-report of what is going on with the blood glucose by about 10 to 15 minutes.  It does give a good record of what is going on over time as well as lets you know what direction your BG is going in and how fast.

Glad to hear you are liking your CGMS!  There is definitely a learning curve and some getting use to stuff but it is a great tool.  I never realized how many lows I had in the middle of the night until I got a CGMS.  I still do a ton of finger sticks, I don't trust my CGMS enough to not do it. I am finding that I am willing to skip testing 2 hours after meals more often now, which is nice!  Keep us up to date on how this works for you!

One issue that I have that I am trying to figure out is the taping/adhesive dressing.  I try to keep it to a minimum as I tend to get a rash from it, especially in the summer.  Without the adhesive dressing, I wonder how securely the sensor and transmitter adhere to the skin and stay in place, if there is enough adhesive stickiness just by using the bits of tape that are attached to the sensor. 

Mark,

How is it going with the minimed CGM?  I am trying to decide which company to go with. 

Thanks!

Renee

I use the mini med sensor and love it. personally I use a tagaderm to secure mine and it works great my readings tend to coinside with my meter with about a 10 min delay. I love to download it to the computer and take the graphs and what not with me to the doc so he can have all the info like my boluses and basal and BG's so he can make the right adjustments. I am glad you like yours. if you have any questions just let me know I have had it for about a yr now

I use a mini -med sensor 24hrs a day - 7 days a week ..........I love it ..........It takes getting use too...........You have to remember ..........the interstitial fluid is 20 minutes behind what your true blood sugar is,,,,so dont cut it too close.......Bradley

i wish deltec had cgms intagrated like mm.  i am sure going to miss my Cozmo when the warrenty runs out

EMS CHIEF at May 1, 2010 at 11:30 PM

i wish deltec had cgms intagrated like mm.  i am sure going to miss my Cozmo when the warrenty runs out

I know for me I love gifts from what bill calls the diabetic fairy so I would take the warranty up this as a chance to go diabetic shopping!! lol got to have the postive out look. I know for me the Mini med re el I mean it is all in one and it is not like I have anough stuff on my nelt so with the revel one peice of belt wear to carry both my vgom info at the touch of a button and my pump. trust me shopping around for diabetes stuff is like a trip to the candy store for me like ohh can I find a cute case like the other day I found a meter case with flames!!! oh yeah got to love it!!

I just got my paradigm, and cgms!  I can't wait to give it a try.  This may sound kinda weenie, but does it hurt overly to insert the sensor?  The insertion needle looks pretty huge!

Audevourahn at May 2, 2010 at 5:23 PM

I just got my paradigm, and cgms!  I can't wait to give it a try.  This may sound kinda weenie, but does it hurt overly to insert the sensor?  The insertion needle looks pretty huge!

Okay it did hurt me when I did it manually cause it was scary to me to think of fast inject thing but once I started using the injector I don't feel it nearly as bad. I love it really scared me with the needle size I mean good lord it is big but not as bad as it looks. I do have a pic on here and don't be frightened by it of a insertion gone wrong that is the first and only time it has every happened.

I start mine July 22 2010......Its all sitting in my room. Just waiting on training. I have a very positive outlook on it.

JDM at June 20, 2010 at 11:09 PM

I start mine July 22 2010......Its all sitting in my room. Just waiting on training. I have a very positive outlook on it.

I will always say I love my CGM best thing that got my numbers under control I hope you like yours as much as I do mine.