Messages In This Digest (25 Messages)
- 1a.
- Re: MM and Guardian From: Wendy B.
- 2a.
- Length of use of MM sensor From: Maureen Helinski
- 2b.
- Re: Length of use of MM sensor From: Brandy Beeson
- 2c.
- Re: Length of use of MM sensor From: Melissa Howell
- 2d.
- Re: Length of use of MM sensor From: Elizabeth Blake
- 3a.
- Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake From: Heike Fischer
- 3b.
- Re: Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake From: Signe Myhren
- 3c.
- Re: Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake From: Wendy Billingsley
- 3d.
- Re: Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake From: tm_pearson@yahoo.com
- 3e.
- Re: Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake From: Wendy Billingsley
- 3f.
- Re: Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake From: Jennifer McMonagle-Harris
- 3g.
- Re: Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake From: Louis Diaz
- 3h.
- Re: Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake From: Wendy Billingsley
- 4a.
- Re: Length of use of single MM CGMS sensor From: Brandy Beeson
- 4b.
- Re: Length of use of single MM CGMS sensor From: Elizabeth Blake
- 5.
- New Navigator Receiver From: Bonnie
- 6a.
- MM CGMS caibration hints From: Wendy Billingsley
- 6b.
- Re: question about inserting the sensor early in regards to the 2 ho From: Pat Fields
- 6c.
- Re: question about inserting the sensor early in regards to the 2 ho From: Allison Herschede
- 6d.
- Re: question about inserting the sensor early in regards to the 2 h From: Signe Myhren
- 6e.
- Re: question about inserting the sensor early in regards to the 2 ho From: Elizabeth Blake
- 7a.
- Dexcom Seven From: tm_pearson
- 7b.
- Re: Dexcom Seven From: masheville
- 8.
- MASSACHUSETTS and area pump support group From: debm555
- 9.
- any DexCom users in the UK? From: Holly
Messages
- 1a.
-
Re: MM and Guardian
Posted by: "Wendy B." billingsley.wendy@gmail.com mom2type1
Tue Jan 5, 2010 5:56 am (PST)
Maureen-----If you do decided to order the Guardian I think that you will be
pleasantly surprised. It offers several additional features compared to the
integrated model we have both been using. I knew that rate of
change/prediction of highs and lows was added but it also allows you to put
in various targets based on time of day. My favorite feature, though, is
that you can select the screen that you want to look at: 24 hour, 3 hour, 6
hour, etc. and then freeze that screen so that it won't return to the home
(empty) screen. This means you don't have to press any buttons to see your
BG! This is helpful if we put his guardan in a clear hard plastic pack for
swimming/canoeing. I do not have to take it out to press buttons to see the
current BG. I would not consider if vain to order the Guardian. I believe
that adding on a device that makes it easier to keep your numbers in range
is worth it. Diabetes is a very inconvenient disease--anything that lessons
that burden is not vain.
Wendy
On Mon, Jan 4, 2010 at 10:17 AM, Maureen Helinski <helins19@verizon.net >wrote:
>
>
> I have used the MM CGMS since 2006 and I am very happy with it. I was
> interested in Wendy's comment that she uses the Guardian at night for her
> child. I thought about getting a Guardian for a different reason. When I am
> dressed up nicely I can always find a place to stick my MM pump, but now I
> want to be able to see the BG numbers. I have become obsessed with these
> numbers and think I don't know how I feel until I can see my BG is in range.
> So I thought about also getting a Guardian to carry in my purse for special
> occasions so I can check BGs. Has anyone done this? I decided not to think
> about it because that would be another $1,000, for a vain reason but it
> would be nice. With a long sleeved dress, I can wear the MM pump on my wrist
> with an elastic band under my sleeve, but in summer, it is not possible. I
> have tried my legs also but I can't pull up my dress in front of company. I
> can't run to the ladies' room so often. Just a thought.
>
>
>
> Maureen Helinski
>
> helins19@verizon.net
>
>
>
>
>
- 2a.
-
Length of use of MM sensor
Posted by: "Maureen Helinski" helins19@verizon.net helins19
Tue Jan 5, 2010 8:05 am (PST)
I agree with Liz. I use the MM sensor as long as it will go. Sometimes that
is 10 days, 14 days, or even 27 days, which was my longest. If they are not
giving correct readings I pull them. I do recharge on day 7 and I
religiously use the Opsite Flexifix, which keeps them completely waterproof.
I also use my upper thighs slightly toward the inside. I have trouble with
my stomach and it never goes more than 7 days there. I sleep on my sides so
my outer thighs are not good.
Maureen Helinski
helins19@verizon.net
- 2b.
-
Re: Length of use of MM sensor
Posted by: "Brandy Beeson" volleyheels13@yahoo.com volleyheels13
Tue Jan 5, 2010 10:07 am (PST)
The sooner the better on charging. If it starts to lose charge, it will not be as accurate. So I would charge on day 7.Â
--- On Mon, 1/4/10, Signe Myhren <jechante17@yahoo.com > wrote:
From: Signe Myhren <jechante17@yahoo.com >
Subject: [diabetescgms] Length of use of MM sensor
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups. com
Date: Monday, January 4, 2010, 7:05 PM
Â
After reading a few responses, I have a question for all you fellow MM CGMS-ers:
How long do you keep a sensor in before recharging? Do you recharge after 6 days, or after 7 days? I have always recharged after 6 days, if I felt that a sensor was performing well and I wanted to use it a bit longer (10 days is my maximum; my endo. says any longer and you are inviting a risk of infection.)Â
The one I have in right now is one of the best I have ever worn. It is always showing within 2 points of my finger stick blood glucose reading! Today is Day 4. Should I try recharging on Day 8, or stick with recharging at the very beginning of Day 7?
Thanks a lot!
SM
- 2c.
-
Re: Length of use of MM sensor
Posted by: "Melissa Howell" melissahowell@embarqmail.com sabhow
Tue Jan 5, 2010 3:14 pm (PST)
when you say upper thigh how far up do you go? Maybe I am going to close to the bend in my leg and thats y i am bruising so bad?? just trying to figure out where on the thigh people are getting good results-thanks
----- Original Message -----
From: Maureen Helinski
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups. com
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 11:04 AM
Subject: [diabetescgms] Re:Length of use of MM sensor
I agree with Liz. I use the MM sensor as long as it will go. Sometimes that is 10 days, 14 days, or even 27 days, which was my longest. If they are not giving correct readings I pull them. I do recharge on day 7 and I religiously use the Opsite Flexifix, which keeps them completely waterproof. I also use my upper thighs slightly toward the inside. I have trouble with my stomach and it never goes more than 7 days there. I sleep on my sides so my outer thighs are not good.
Maureen Helinski
helins19@verizon.net
- 2d.
-
Re: Length of use of MM sensor
Posted by: "Elizabeth Blake" poodlebone@yahoo.com poodlebone
Tue Jan 5, 2010 3:48 pm (PST)
>From: Signe Myhren <jechante17@yahoo.com >
>
>After reading a few responses, I have a question for all you fellow MM CGMS-ers:
>How long do you keep a sensor in before recharging? Do you recharge after 6 days, or after 7 days? I have always recharged after 6 days, if I felt that a sensor was performing well and I wanted to use it a bit longer (10 days is my maximum; my endo. says any longer and you are inviting a risk of infection.)
>
>
>The one I have in right now is one of the best I have ever worn. It is always showing within 2 points of my finger stick blood glucose reading! Today is Day 4. Should I try recharging on Day 8, or stick with recharging at the very beginning of Day 7?
>
I recharge after the 6th or 7th day depending on when I first attached the transmitter. My current sensor was inserted late at night last Tuesday. I had attached the transmitter but didn't start it until the following morning. I will remove the transmitter to charge it after I get home tonight. By the time I'm ready for bed, it will have been long enough after dinner for me to turn it on and calibrate. I'll do two calibrations fairly close together so I can go to sleep. If I insert a sensor in the morning, which I hate doing, I'll usually recharge the transmitter the night before, on day 6 so I don't have to deal with it the next day when I'm already in a rush trying to get ready for work. If it's a weekend I'll still do it the night before so I can sleep late the next morning without worrying about the transmitter timing out.
If you wait until the end of day 7 you'll start to get Weak Signal messages that will not resolve. My transmitter is over 1 1/2 years old and I never see issues with bad tracking on the 7th day. The transmitter battery will actually work up to 14 days but for some reason MM put that 7 day timer in.
--
Liz
Type 1 dx 4/1987
Minimed 722 + CGMS
- 3a.
-
Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake
Posted by: "Heike Fischer" hef5683@yahoo.com hef5683
Tue Jan 5, 2010 9:17 am (PST)
Wendy, you made an interesting comment about not eating for 15 minutes after calibration. Could you explain that rule, please. I understand why you calibrate only when blood sugars have been stable: You are trying to have a match between the current blood glucose level and the reading on the CGM which reflects earlier BG levels. But why do you worry about changes going forward? And how do you determine the BG level before the meal: Do you do another BG check? My 7 year old seems to be either moving or eating at any given time, the best time to catch him with relatively stable BGs is right before he eats. Unfortunately, for us the integrated CGM/Guardian is not nearly as accurate as for your child, I would never rely on the CGM for a bolus.
I am curious whether others follow this rule as well.
Thanks,
Heike
- 3b.
-
Re: Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake
Posted by: "Signe Myhren" jechante17@yahoo.com jechante17
Tue Jan 5, 2010 11:04 am (PST)
My superb MM trainer told me to wait 20 minutes after calibrating before putting any food in my mouth that contains carbohydrates. Nuts, cheese are O.K. Eating carbohydrates right after calibrating means that, likely, the food will begin to make the BG raise before the calibration time is up. I was taught never to calibrate unless I have not exercised or eaten for 2 hours, and then not to exercise or eat for 20 minutes after calibration. Good as my present sensor is, I would never trust my CGM enough to skip BG testing before bolusing.
Â
Signe
--- On Tue, 1/5/10, Heike Fischer <hef5683@yahoo.com > wrote:
From: Heike Fischer <hef5683@yahoo.com >
Subject: [diabetescgms] Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups. com
Date: Tuesday, January 5, 2010, 12:17 PM
Â
Wendy, you made an interesting comment about not eating for 15 minutes after calibration. Could you explain that rule, please. I understand why you calibrate only when blood sugars have been stable: You are trying to have a match between the current blood glucose level and the reading on the CGM which reflects earlier BG levels. But why do you worry about changes going forward? And how do you determine the BG level before the meal: Do you do another BG check? My 7 year old seems to be either moving or eating at any given time, the best time to catch him with relatively stable BGs is right before he eats. Unfortunately, for us the integrated CGM/Guardian is not nearly as accurate as for your child, I would never rely on the CGM for a bolus.
I am curious whether others follow this rule as well.
Thanks,
HeikeÂ
- 3c.
-
Re: Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake
Posted by: "Wendy Billingsley" billingsley.wendy@gmail.com mom2type1
Tue Jan 5, 2010 12:36 pm (PST)
Heike-----
I finger test and then immediately put that fingerstick bg into the
cgms. The cgms will take 15 to calibrate with that value. If your
fingerstick bg is 102 when you put the bg into your cgms and then you
eat or drink right away you will no longer be 102 anymore but your
cgms thinks you are when it finally calibrates 15 minutes later. It
may now be pairing a higher ISIG value than what was true for your 102
when you did your fingerstick. That starts to throw the whole thing
off. I picture that 15 minutes as a holding period where i try to keep
everything steady and the same. If we cal 15 min before a meal, I do
not retest but use that fingerstick value for the meal bolus.
Wendy
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 5, 2010, at 12:17 PM, Heike Fischer <hef5683@yahoo.com > wrote:
> Wendy, you made an interesting comment about not eating for 15
> minutes after calibration. Could you explain that rule, please. I
> understand why you calibrate only when blood sugars have been
> stable: You are trying to have a match between the current blood
> glucose level and the reading on the CGM which reflects earlier BG
> levels. But why do you worry about changes going forward? And how
> do you determine the BG level before the meal: Do you do another BG
> check? My 7 year old seems to be either moving or eating at any
> given time, the best time to catch him with relatively stable BGs is
> right before he eats. Unfortunately, for us the integrated CGM/
> Guardian is not nearly as accurate as for your child, I would never
> rely on the CGM for a bolus.
>
> I am curious whether others follow this rule as well.
>
> Thanks,
> Heike
>
>
- 3d.
-
Re: Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake
Posted by: "tm_pearson@yahoo.com" tm_pearson@yahoo.com tm_pearson
Tue Jan 5, 2010 1:09 pm (PST)
Wow Wendy your really good at typing LONG replies from your iPhone...*:)
I'm on my BlackBerry (BB) replying to you now and could never imagine typing a few paragraphs from my phone. Maybe I should get an I phone. LOL
Anyhow, I learned the hard way to wait 15-20Mins after a CAL before I eat as it does throw things off a bit.
Okay my fingers are tired now.
Todd
Dx 12/1986
MM722 + CGMS
Dexcom Seven Plus arrived today!
-----Original Message-----
From: Wendy Billingsley <billingsley.wendy@gmail. >com
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 15:35:56
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups. <diabetescgms@com yahoogroups. >com
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake
Heike-----
I finger test and then immediately put that fingerstick bg into the
cgms. The cgms will take 15 to calibrate with that value. If your
fingerstick bg is 102 when you put the bg into your cgms and then you
eat or drink right away you will no longer be 102 anymore but your
cgms thinks you are when it finally calibrates 15 minutes later. It
may now be pairing a higher ISIG value than what was true for your 102
when you did your fingerstick. That starts to throw the whole thing
off. I picture that 15 minutes as a holding period where i try to keep
everything steady and the same. If we cal 15 min before a meal, I do
not retest but use that fingerstick value for the meal bolus.
Wendy
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 5, 2010, at 12:17 PM, Heike Fischer <hef5683@yahoo.com > wrote:
> Wendy, you made an interesting comment about not eating for 15
> minutes after calibration. Could you explain that rule, please. I
> understand why you calibrate only when blood sugars have been
> stable: You are trying to have a match between the current blood
> glucose level and the reading on the CGM which reflects earlier BG
> levels. But why do you worry about changes going forward? And how
> do you determine the BG level before the meal: Do you do another BG
> check? My 7 year old seems to be either moving or eating at any
> given time, the best time to catch him with relatively stable BGs is
> right before he eats. Unfortunately, for us the integrated CGM/
> Guardian is not nearly as accurate as for your child, I would never
> rely on the CGM for a bolus.
>
> I am curious whether others follow this rule as well.
>
> Thanks,
> Heike
>
>
- 3e.
-
Re: Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake
Posted by: "Wendy Billingsley" billingsley.wendy@gmail.com mom2type1
Tue Jan 5, 2010 1:16 pm (PST)
Todd---- I cut and pasted that email. I'm terrible at typing on my
iPhone. Thank goodness it corrects most blunders.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 5, 2010, at 4:09 PM, tm_pearson@yahoo.com wrote:
> Wow Wendy your really good at typing LONG replies from your
> iPhone...*:)
>
> I'm on my BlackBerry (BB) replying to you now and could never
> imagine typing a few paragraphs from my phone. Maybe I should get an
> I phone. LOL
>
> Anyhow, I learned the hard way to wait 15-20Mins after a CAL before
> I eat as it does throw things off a bit.
>
> Okay my fingers are tired now.
>
> Todd
> Dx 12/1986
> MM722 + CGMS
> Dexcom Seven Plus arrived today!
>
> From: Wendy Billingsley <billingsley.wendy@gmail. >com
> Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 15:35:56 -0500
> To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups. <diabetescgms@com yahoogroups. >com
> Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] Waiting Period Between Calibration and
> Food Intake
>
>
> Heike-----
>
> I finger test and then immediately put that fingerstick bg into the
> cgms. The cgms will take 15 to calibrate with that value. If your
> fingerstick bg is 102 when you put the bg into your cgms and then
> you eat or drink right away you will no longer be 102 anymore but
> your cgms thinks you are when it finally calibrates 15 minutes
> later. It may now be pairing a higher ISIG value than what was true
> for your 102 when you did your fingerstick. That starts to throw
> the whole thing off. I picture that 15 minutes as a holding period
> where i try to keep everything steady and the same. If we cal 15
> min before a meal, I do not retest but use that fingerstick value
> for the meal bolus.
> Wendy
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jan 5, 2010, at 12:17 PM, Heike Fischer <hef5683@yahoo.com > wrote:
>
>>
>> Wendy, you made an interesting comment about not eating for 15
>> minutes after calibration. Could you explain that rule, please. I
>> understand why you calibrate only when blood sugars have been
>> stable: You are trying to have a match between the current blood
>> glucose level and the reading on the CGM which reflects earlier BG
>> levels. But why do you worry about changes going forward? And how
>> do you determine the BG level before the meal: Do you do another
>> BG check? My 7 year old seems to be either moving or eating at any
>> given time, the best time to catch him with relatively stable BGs
>> is right before he eats. Unfortunately, for us the integrated CGM/
>> Guardian is not nearly as accurate as for your child, I would never
>> rely on the CGM for a bolus.
>>
>> I am curious whether others follow this rule as well.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Heike
>>
>
>
- 3f.
-
Re: Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake
Posted by: "Jennifer McMonagle-Harris" jennifer@jharris.net turtle4461
Tue Jan 5, 2010 1:45 pm (PST)
Heike,
If it were my child, I would do the calibration when I start fixing dinner.
Then, if you kid is a consistent eater, I would use that value to base the
meal bolus when the meal is ready. If they are not a predictable eater, I'd
use that value to give a bolus as soon as the meal is over. There are
nights when I do this when I'm not sure that I will be able to finish a meal
because of interruptions. When I was 7 the diabetes world was a much
different place, however if I have to do this with my kids, I will do my
best to allow them to eat when they are hungry, and not to have to fight
over eating more because of the IOB. This was a MAJOR issue for me as a kid
and the habit learned was not a good one for the rest of my life.
Best wishes,
Jennie
-----Original Message-----
From: diabetescgms@yahoogroups. [mailto:diabetescgms@com yahoogroups. ] Oncom
Behalf Of Signe Myhren
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 1:05 PM
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups. com
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food
Intake
--- On Tue, 1/5/10, Heike Fischer <hef5683@yahoo.com > wrote:
From: Heike Fischer <hef5683@yahoo.com >
Subject: [diabetescgms] Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups. com
Date: Tuesday, January 5, 2010, 12:17 PM
Wendy, you made an interesting comment about not eating for 15 minutes after
calibration. Could you explain that rule, please. I understand why you
calibrate only when blood sugars have been stable: You are trying to have a
match between the current blood glucose level and the reading on the CGM
which reflects earlier BG levels. But why do you worry about changes going
forward? And how do you determine the BG level before the meal: Do you do
another BG check? My 7 year old seems to be either moving or eating at any
given time, the best time to catch him with relatively stable BGs is right
before he eats. Unfortunately, for us the integrated CGM/Guardian is not
nearly as accurate as for your child, I would never rely on the CGM for a
bolus.
I am curious whether others follow this rule as well.
Thanks,
Heike
- 3g.
-
Re: Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake
Posted by: "Louis Diaz" louis.diaz@gmail.com louissdiaz
Tue Jan 5, 2010 6:36 pm (PST)
Currently, we only calibrate when bg is stable. Until now I had not heard
of waiting to eat after the calibration. (For the most part, the sensor
were very accurate.) We will start waiting to see if there is an accuracy
improvement.
One question, do people calibrate, then bolus for the meal, wait the 15
minutes, then eat? The insulin doesn't start working for at least 15
minutes anyway.
Thoughts?
On Tue, Jan 5, 2010 at 4:45 PM, Jennifer McMonagle-Harris <
jennifer@jharris.net > wrote:
>
>
> Heike,
>
>
>
> If it were my child, I would do the calibration when I start fixing
> dinner. Then, if you kid is a consistent eater, I would use that value to
> base the meal bolus when the meal is ready. If they are not a predictable
> eater, I’d use that value to give a bolus as soon as the meal is over.
> There are nights when I do this when I’m not sure that I will be able to
> finish a meal because of interruptions. When I was 7 the diabetes world
> was a much different place, however if I have to do this with my kids, I
> will do my best to allow them to eat when they are hungry, and not to have
> to fight over eating more because of the IOB. This was a MAJOR issue for me
> as a kid and the habit learned was not a good one for the rest of my life.
>
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
>
>
> Jennie
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> *From:* diabetescgms@yahoogroups. [mailto:diabetescgms@com yahoogroups. ]com
> *On Behalf Of *Signe Myhren
> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 05, 2010 1:05 PM
> *To:* diabetescgms@yahoogroups. com
> *Subject:* Re: [diabetescgms] Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food
> Intake
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- On *Tue, **1/5/10**, Heike Fischer <hef5683@yahoo.com >* wrote:
>
>
> From: Heike Fischer <hef5683@yahoo.com >
> Subject: [diabetescgms] Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake
> To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups. com
> Date: Tuesday, January 5, 2010, 12:17 PM
>
>
>
> Wendy, you made an interesting comment about not eating for 15 minutes
> after calibration. Could you explain that rule, please. I understand why
> you calibrate only when blood sugars have been stable: You are trying to
> have a match between the current blood glucose level and the reading on the
> CGM which reflects earlier BG levels. But why do you worry about changes
> going forward? And how do you determine the BG level before the meal: Do
> you do another BG check? My 7 year old seems to be either moving or eating
> at any given time, the best time to catch him with relatively stable BGs is
> right before he eats. Unfortunately, for us the integrated CGM/Guardian is
> not nearly as accurate as for your child, I would never rely on the CGM for
> a bolus.
>
> I am curious whether others follow this rule as well.
>
> Thanks,
> Heike
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
- 3h.
-
Re: Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake
Posted by: "Wendy Billingsley" billingsley.wendy@gmail.com mom2type1
Tue Jan 5, 2010 7:00 pm (PST)
Yes, we do bolus right after a calibration for exactly the reasons you
stated.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 5, 2010, at 9:36 PM, Louis Diaz <louis.diaz@gmail.com > wrote:
> Currently, we only calibrate when bg is stable. Until now I had not
> heard of waiting to eat after the calibration. (For the most part,
> the sensor were very accurate.) We will start waiting to see if
> there is an accuracy improvement.
>
>
> One question, do people calibrate, then bolus for the meal, wait the
> 15 minutes, then eat? The insulin doesn't start working for at
> least 15 minutes anyway.
>
> Thoughts?
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jan 5, 2010 at 4:45 PM, Jennifer McMonagle-Harris <jennifer@jharris.net
> > wrote:
>
> Heike,
>
>
>
> If it were my child, I would do the calibration when I start fixing
> dinner. Then, if you kid is a consistent eater, I would use that
> value to base the meal bolus when the meal is ready. If they are
> not a predictable eater, I’d use that value to give a bolus as soon
> as the meal is over. There are nights when I do this when I’m not s
> ure that I will be able to finish a meal because of interruptions.
> When I was 7 the diabetes world was a much different place, however
> if I have to do this with my kids, I will do my best to allow them
> to eat when they are hungry, and not to have to fight over eating mo
> re because of the IOB. This was a MAJOR issue for me as a kid and t
> he habit learned was not a good one for the rest of my life.
>
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
>
>
> Jennie
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetescgms@yahoogroups. com
> [mailto:diabetescgms@yahoogroups. ] On Behalf Of Signe Myhrencom
> Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 1:05 PM
> To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups. com
> Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] Waiting Period Between Calibration and
> Food Intake
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- On Tue, 1/5/10, Heike Fischer <hef5683@yahoo.com > wrote:
>
>
> From: Heike Fischer <hef5683@yahoo.com >
> Subject: [diabetescgms] Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food
> Intake
> To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups. com
> Date: Tuesday, January 5, 2010, 12:17 PM
>
>
>
> Wendy, you made an interesting comment about not eating for 15
> minutes after calibration. Could you explain that rule, please. I
> understand why you calibrate only when blood sugars have been
> stable: You are trying to have a match between the current blood
> glucose level and the reading on the CGM which reflects earlier BG
> levels. But why do you worry about changes going forward? And how
> do you determine the BG level before the meal: Do you do another BG
> check? My 7 year old seems to be either moving or eating at any
> given time, the best time to catch him with relatively stable BGs is
> right before he eats. Unfortunately, for us the integrated CGM/
> Guardian is not nearly as accurate as for your child, I would never
> rely on the CGM for a bolus.
>
> I am curious whether others follow this rule as well.
>
> Thanks,
> Heike
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
- 4a.
-
Re: Length of use of single MM CGMS sensor
Posted by: "Brandy Beeson" volleyheels13@yahoo.com volleyheels13
Tue Jan 5, 2010 10:11 am (PST)
I use the tops to outer parts of my thigh. I am still able to sleep on my side without sleeping on the sensor but I have great success there. I don't have a lot of bleeding. Actually the last spot I found, I had no bleeding at all. The first time I tried, I hit a blood vessel or something. I definitely had to take it out, but I moved it just a bit to the left and it was perfect. Sometimes it just needs to be moved 1/16" of an inch. I don't like using my hips because I hit them all the time. I am also trying to give my stomach and hips a big break. I have been switching my sensors from leg to leg and wearing my pump on my arms. It has been working great. Hope this helps!Â
--- On Mon, 1/4/10, Melissa Howell <melissahowell@embarqmail. > wrote:com
From: Melissa Howell <melissahowell@embarqmail. >com
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] Length of use of single MM CGMS sensor
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups. com
Date: Monday, January 4, 2010, 6:02 PM
Â

I am having the hardest time finding spots for the MM sensor. I put my pump in my stomach and have for 10+ years, that plus a pregnancy leaves that skin not elastic and full of scar tissue underneath. Since the skin is not tight I have a hard time getting it injected into that area. I have tried my upper front thigh a few times but each time I have hit something and get severe pain and bruising for weeks along with a ton of blood. I have moved on to my lower hips and the only problem I have here is tha i lay on my sides when i sleep and it hurts. Help, any other ideas????
melissa
----- Original Message -----
From: Brandy Beeson
To: diabetescgms@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 11:05 AM
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] Length of use of single MM CGMS sensor
Â
What Liz is saying is right on. I normally keep the Sensor in for anywhere from 14 - 21 days. 21 days was my max because I was too worried about infection. When I took it out, the skin was fine. The only spot I had that was problematic was a blister caused by the transmitter not the sensor. It can rub the skin so placing something under it helps a lot. I don't have any pain or anything. The sensor site actually heals really quickly which is amazing considering the whole diabetes thing. I do have scars but who doesn't. It seems we get scars all the time. Some of my infusion set sites are a lot worse as well. So I would keep going as long as you can. Save as much money as possible!!Â
--- On Mon, 1/4/10, Elizabeth Blake <poodlebone@yahoo. com> wrote:
From: Elizabeth Blake <poodlebone@yahoo. com>
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] Length of use of single MM CGMS sensor
To: diabetescgms@ yahoogroups. com
Date: Monday, January 4, 2010, 10:48 AM
Â
----- Original Message ----
> From: nelson55304 <Kelly.Nelson@ spps.org>
> When I started using the MM CGMS I was educated on the 3 day use and then told
> that you can acutally "re-start" the same CGMS and use it for another 3 days. So
> that is what I have been doing. I'm reading some postings here that talk of
> really extended use of single CGMS sensors. Do you continue to "simply" restart
> the sensor when it gets to a sensor end point? Do you do anything other than
> good skin prep to help prevent infection w/ a sensor in for an extended period
> of time? I am quite interested in maximizing the use of the sensors. Thank you
> for sharing your wisdom and experience.
With the Minimed system you will have to remove & recharge the transmitter after 7 days as it has a built-in timer. Many people will use a sensor for only 6 days and some will restart it a third time to get that extra day. Note that the time begins as soon as you attach the transmitter to the sensor, not when you do the first calibration.
I try to get as much time as possible from each sensor so every 7 days I carefully peel off the old dressing to recharge the transmitter. You do not want to pull the sensor out of your skin at all, so taping is very important. Using tricks that I've learned here & on other forums and adapting them to my needs, this is what I do.
1. Insert a new sensor and place a strip of tape over the plastic hub, making sure the two little prongs that connect it to the transmitter are not covered. Many people recommend using medical paper tape or similar but I find that a strip of Hypafix works best for me. I have Hypafix rolls in various widths and a strip of the 2" wide is perfect. Anything that will hold the sensor firmly in place will work.
2. I find that getting the dressing off of the transmitter is the hardest part. Some people will place a piece of tissue on the transmitter or smear a little Vaseline on top to make the dressing easier to remove. I have found the easiest way for me is to use some double sided *removable* Scotch tape. When I connect the transmitter to the sensor I put some of the removable tape on top, then tape it all down. Since both sides are sticky everything is held firmly in place but when I peel off the dressing a week later, it comes off easily. The sides/edges of the transmitter are still stuck firmly to the dressing but once I get one edge loose it all comes up.
3. I keep a finger pressed on the sensor while removing everything because you do NOT want that to pull out of your skin even a little bit. The strip of tape helps keep it in.
4. I use an alcohol wipe on my skin before inserting a sensor. Let it dry thoroughly before inserting. If I'm putting the sensor in an area where I know the transmitter has caused irritation in the past I'll slip a small square of gauze under the transmitter after it's connected and before I tape it down. I make sure the gauze is not too thick because I don't want it pushing up on my transmitter.
5. When I remove the transmitter to recharge it I might clean the area up if it looks like it needs it. The only problems I've experienced is irritation from the edges of the transmitter. Using gauze or tissue underneath and avoiding areas that get irritated easily (my abdomen) solves that.
6. The longest I've used a sensor was 34 days, and it was in my arm. My arms do not get irritated by the transmitter and the site looked perfect when I finally took the sensor out. It actually got pulled out by accident when I was trying to recharge the transmitter, otherwise I would have kept going since it was working perfectly. That sensor tracked extremely well and was rarely off from my meter readings. The site looked better than my infusion sets sites which are only in for 3 days.
--
Liz
Type 1 dx 4/1987
Minimed 722 + CGMS
- 4b.
-
Re: Length of use of single MM CGMS sensor
Posted by: "Elizabeth Blake" poodlebone@yahoo.com poodlebone
Tue Jan 5, 2010 3:52 pm (PST)
>From: Brandy Beeson <volleyheels13@yahoo.com >
>
>I use the tops to outer parts of my thigh. I am still able to sleep on my side without sleeping on the sensor but I have great success there. I don't have a lot of bleeding. Actually the last spot I found, I had no bleeding at all. The first time I tried, I hit a blood vessel or something. I definitely had to take it out, but I moved it just a bit to the left and it was perfect. Sometimes it just needs to be moved 1/16" of an inch. I don't like using my hips because I hit them all the time. I am also trying to give my stomach and hips a big break. I have been switching my sensors from leg to leg and wearing my pump on my arms. It has been working great. Hope this helps!
>
I also use the very upper part of my thighs near the top/side. Mine are usually right underneath the bend in my leg when I'm sitting down. I sleep on my sides and when I use this area I try to sleep on the side opposite the sensor. I have had issues with false lows in the night because I was putting pressure on the sensor. Moving off the sensor fixes the problem and the readings come back up.
I tried my hips and it didn't really work for me. I do use my arms a lot.
--
Liz
Type 1 dx 4/1987
Minimed 722 + CGMS
- 5.
-
New Navigator Receiver
Posted by: "Bonnie" bonnieandrachel@gmail.com bonnieandrachel
Tue Jan 5, 2010 12:08 pm (PST)
I just got off of the phone with Abbott. I asked them when the new and
improved Navigator (the one with the shorter start up period) would be
available. The woman told me that it has been approved by the FDA, but she
had no information as to when it would be available to customers. I
searched and searched the FDA site and couldn't find the approval date. The
woman from Abbott also could not find the approval date. Usually Stacey
Nagel knows ALL of that type of thing! :-) I was wondering if anybody in
their searches knows the date that it was approved. The reason I am curious
is because I figure about 6 months (ish) after approval, it may start
showing up in customers hands :-)
--
Bonnie S.
mom to Rachel, 11 type 1 2/02, celiac 2/04, Cozmo, Navigator and Apidra
- 6a.
-
MM CGMS caibration hints
Posted by: "Wendy Billingsley" billingsley.wendy@gmail.com mom2type1
Tue Jan 5, 2010 12:41 pm (PST)
This post is to explain how to calibrate a CGM effectively to achieve
overall good accuracy.
Also included is a description of the CGM's ISIG indicator and how to
use it to guage confidence
factor for each calibration.
Calibration
When you calibrate a CGM, you are telling it the current BG. The CGM
compares the BG you enter
with the sensor's electrical output (known as the sensor's ISIG).
Let's say that you enter a BG of 120,
and the sensor's ISIG at that moment is 12. The CGM then knows that
the current ratio of BG to ISIG
is 120/12 = 10, so from that point forward, all future sensor ISIG
values are multiplied by 10 to create
the on-screen SG (sensor glucose) display.
For example, if 10 minutes later the ISIG has increased from 12 to 13,
the CGM's SG reading will
increase from 120 to 130.
Bad calibrations happen primarily for these reasons:
When there is an inaccurate BG reading (such as when fingers are
contaminated with sugar)
When BG values are very high or very low. The sensor's ISIG at extreme
BG values can not
be accurately extrapolated to the normal BG range.
When BG is changing rapidly. This causes the BG you enter to
correspond to an ISIG that
is delayed in time.
Sensors near the end of life. Near the end of life, the sensor's
sensitivity declines by the hour,
so the BG-to-ISIG ratio is not stable. A calibration with an end-of-
life sensor is good only for
a short time period, if at all.
Therefore, the following practices help to insure a good calibration:
Make sure hands are completely clean and dry before the BG. This is
always important, and
especially important when relying on the data to calibrate your CGM.
Avoid using BG's under 70, or over 140 for cal's.
Only use a BG for a CGM cal if the CGM shows that BG has been
relatively "flat" for the past half-hour
Never cal right after you eat. BG is already rising 15 minutes after
you eat.
Never eat right after you cal. The CGM is counting on your BG
remaining stable for 15 minutes.
(In other words, avoid eating both 15 minutes before and after you
cal, if possible).
If you have no choice but to cal under poor conditions in order to
keep the sensor from timing out,
be sure to do another BG test and cal as soon as BG stabilizes again.
ISIG
The ISIG (short for Insterstitial Signal) is an electrical reading
that is proportional to BG. In theory,
the ISIG is linearly propoortional, but in practice it is linearly
proportional over a limited BG range,
which is why you always should cal when BG is within a normal range
such as 70-140. Cal's at 50
or 300 might not linearly extrapolate into an accurate reading when BG
is in the normal range.
The ISIG provides an additional tool to gauge confidence for each
calibration. On the Minimed Guardian,
ISIG can be read by pressing the ESC button twice. Most other meters
should have a similar option
to view the ISIG.
To make use of the ISIG to improve calibration confidence:
Each time you cal, look at the ISIG value at the time of the cal, and
determine the ratio of BG/ISIG.
For example, you may find that a typical ratio is 15:1, or 8:1.
For the lifetime of your sensor, the BG/ISIG ratio will remain
relatively consistent, but it will change
somewhat from cal to cal (which is why you have to do cals). However,
if your sensor starts at a ratio
of 12:1, it usually will remain in that general vicinity during its
useful life.
If you do a cal and find that the BG/ISIG ratio is substantially
different from prior cals, it is an indication
that something might be wrong with the sensor. For example - Let's say
you usually have a ratio of 12:1,
and then one cal has a ratio of 5:1. This is a suspicious cal. Check
your sensor to see if it has loosened,
or if maybe it has been subject to physical pressure such as sleeping
on it, or if it has been in use for it's
typical expected lifetime.
Another possibility when you see a suspicious BG/ISIG ratio is that BG
just started to change rapidly
around the time that you did the test. Watch the CGM reading over the
next 20 minutes. If you do see
a rapid change, cal again as soon as the BG stabilizes.
Finally, if you get a BG reading that differs dramatically from the
CGM, don't jump to conclusion that the CGM
is wrong. It might be a contaminated BG reading. Always re-check the
BG and don't re-cal the CGM until you
are certain the the BG is correct, or you may turn a good cal into a
bad one.
There is always a possibility that the CGM will be wrong and you'll
have a low or high bad enough to be symptomatic.
Not nearly as often though as relying on BG checks alone. The key is
to follow good calibration procedure, and
to use your judgement at all times in interpreting the CGM data.
The incidence of false CGM readings can be greatly reduced using the
methods above.
Here's an additional resource with even more complete
information:http://www.myparadigm.eu/
Edited 8-10-2009 - A tip to get good initial calibrations with the MM
CGM - install the sensor at least
2 hours before attaching the transmitter. We do this by installing the
new sensor at night, then switching
over the transmitter in the morning. This has helped get more
consistetly good initial calibrations.
Sent from my iPhone - 6b.
-
Re: question about inserting the sensor early in regards to the 2 ho
Posted by: "Pat Fields" ptfields@bellsouth.net ptfields@bellsouth.net
Tue Jan 5, 2010 1:30 pm (PST)
I have a question for those who insert the sensor the night before. How do
you protect it so that it is not knocked or disturbed until you get around
to attaching the the transmitter?
>>>>>> A tip to get good initial calibrations with the MM CGM - install the
sensor at least
2 hours before attaching the transmitter. We do this by installing the new
sensor at night, then switching
over the transmitter in the morning. This has helped get more consistetly
good initial calibrations.
Sent from my iPhone
- 6c.
-
Re: question about inserting the sensor early in regards to the 2 ho
Posted by: "Allison Herschede" herschede@gmail.com majicmaid
Tue Jan 5, 2010 3:27 pm (PST)
I just put a strip of Opsite Flexifix like always. I connect it to the
transmitter but don't turn on the sensor function. In the morning I do
"start sensor".
Allison
On Tue, Jan 5, 2010 at 4:30 PM, Pat Fields <ptfields@bellsouth.net > wrote:
>
>
> I have a question for those who insert the sensor the night before. How do
> you protect it so that it is not knocked or disturbed until you get around
> to attaching the the transmitter?
>
> **
> >>>>>> A tip to get good initial calibrations with the MM CGM - install
> the sensor at least
> 2 hours before attaching the transmitter. We do this by installing the new
> sensor at night, then switching
> over the transmitter in the morning. This has helped get more consistetly
> good initial calibrations.
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>
>
- 6d.
-
Re: question about inserting the sensor early in regards to the 2 h
Posted by: "Signe Myhren" jechante17@yahoo.com jechante17
Tue Jan 5, 2010 3:51 pm (PST)
Allison-
I personally am so afraid of sleeping without a working CGM that I insert the new sensor while the old one is still attached to the transmitter. I have never ever knocked out the new (uncovered) one!
Signe
--- On Tue, 1/5/10, Allison Herschede <herschede@gmail.com > wrote:
From: Allison Herschede <herschede@gmail.com >
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] RE: question about inserting the sensor early in regards to the 2 hour wait
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups. com
Date: Tuesday, January 5, 2010, 6:27 PM
Â
I just put a strip of Opsite Flexifix like always. I connect it to the transmitter but don't turn on the sensor function. In the morning I do "start sensor".
Allison
On Tue, Jan 5, 2010 at 4:30 PM, Pat Fields <ptfields@bellsouth. net> wrote:
Â
I have a
question for those who insert the sensor the night before. How do you protect it
so that it is not knocked or disturbed until you get around to attaching the the
transmitter?
 >>>>>> A tip to get good
initial calibrations with the MM CGM - install the sensor at leastÂ
2
hours before attaching the transmitter. We do this by installing the new sensor
at night, then switchingÂ
over the transmitter in the morning. This has
helped get more consistetly good initial calibrations.
Sent from my iPhone
- 6e.
-
Re: question about inserting the sensor early in regards to the 2 ho
Posted by: "Elizabeth Blake" poodlebone@yahoo.com poodlebone
Tue Jan 5, 2010 3:55 pm (PST)
>From: Pat Fields <ptfields@bellsouth.net >
>
>
>I have a
>question for those who insert the sensor the night before. How do you protect it
>so that it is not knocked or disturbed until you get around to attaching the the
>transmitter?
I attach the transmitter to the sensor and tape it all down as usual. Doing it this way means that you have to go without readings for the night. It also means that since the sensor is good and wet you avoid a lot of frustrations that can happen when you first start a new sensor and only wait the minimum 2 hours.
I like changing my sensor (or recharging the transmitter) right before or after dinner. To protect the sensor after I've removed the transmitter I'll usually put a non-stick pad over it and tape it down. Those giant Band Aids also work well. I know that if I have any clothing over an exposed sensor I will snag it and rip it out so I like to keep it covered.
--
Liz
Type 1 dx 4/1987
Minimed 722 + CGMS
- 7a.
-
Dexcom Seven
Posted by: "tm_pearson" tm_pearson@yahoo.com tm_pearson
Tue Jan 5, 2010 2:15 pm (PST)
Can anyone tell me if anything with the Dexcom Seven and the Plus is NOT compatible? In other words can I use my ole Seven (black) transmitter with the current sensors and my Plus Receiver? Want to use up the battery life that I have in my old transmitter first before I move over to the new Plus (Grey) transmitter.
So, if anything is not Compatible between the two please let me know.
Thanks,
Todd
dx 12/1986
MM 722 + CGMS + Dexcom Seven
- 7b.
-
Re: Dexcom Seven
Posted by: "masheville" masheville@yahoo.com masheville
Tue Jan 5, 2010 6:12 pm (PST)
Dear Todd,
I am having trouble understanding what you are doing.
Are you not upgrading to the Dex 7 Plus until your old transmitter dies? Your thinking is you want to let the old black transmitter run out first? But you are updating your receiver with the Dex 7 Plus software?
The Dex transmitter is compatible with the sensors. There should be no problem there. But the old Dex transmitter is not sending all the data that the Dex 7 Plus software can use. I don't know how the Dex 7 Plus software will work. Have you tried it?
I changed over to the Dex 7 Plus in May 2009. I got my original Dex set in March 2008. My transmitter was still working in May 2008 but I was technically out of warranty. Dex let me upgrade. That gave me a new warranty period on the new transmitter. I downloaded the software upgrade to the receiver. And the receiver continues to work (although it was out of warranty after 1 year in Mar 2009).
I started Dex 7 Plus in May 2009 and it was working ok but not great, but I found in Oct 2009 the Dex started working very well for me and continues to do so. All the time before that I got some help but never the spot on readings I get now. I have no idea why it got better but I sure am enjoying it. If it has anything to do with being on the Dex 7 Plus I wouldn't wait to upgrade. Especially if Dexcom would give you the upgrade price instead of a full cost replacement. Have you asked?
I'm not sure if you already have the new Dex grey transmitter. If you do, know that it is running and although you are using the time on the old transmitter, the new transmitter is also running down even though you haven't used it yet.
Maryle
discontinued Cozmo and Dexcom
--- In diabetescgms@yahoogroups. , "tm_pearson" <tm_pearson@com ...> wrote:
>
> Can anyone tell me if anything with the Dexcom Seven and the Plus is NOT compatible? In other words can I use my ole Seven (black) transmitter with the current sensors and my Plus Receiver? Want to use up the battery life that I have in my old transmitter first before I move over to the new Plus (Grey) transmitter.
>
> So, if anything is not Compatible between the two please let me know.
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> Todd
> dx 12/1986
> MM 722 + CGMS + Dexcom Seven
>
- 8.
-
MASSACHUSETTS and area pump support group
Posted by: "debm555" dgm555@verizon.net debm555
Tue Jan 5, 2010 7:18 pm (PST)
MA Pumpers insulin pumpers support group's next meeting will be on Saturday January 9th at Baldwin Park 1 in Woburn (directions below) from 9:30 AM til noon.
Please join us for a chance to meet, chat, share tips about diabetes and pumping, and have fun with other pumpers. All pumpers, potential pumpers and support people are welcome. If you've never been to one of our meetings I hope you'll start the new year by joining us. We are a small, friendly, informal group. Newcomers are always welcome.
Please RSVP (appreciated but not essential) to me either on this list or (even better) at dgm555@verizon.net . Feel free to send me an email if you have any questions about our group.
Members come from MA, CT, and NH and vary greatly in experience with diabetes pumps and cgms. We have members with all major brands of pumps and all 3 cgm systems so there is a LOT of info and experience in this group.
I wish you all a very happy, HEALTHY, (wealthy would be a bonus, of course) 2010.
DEB555
Directions to Baldwin Park 1 12 Alfred St Woburn From Rte 128: Take Exit #35 (Route 38). Once in rotary, follow signs for Route 38 North - Wilmington. Take a right at first traffic light (Alfred Street). Baldwin Park 1 will be on your left. It is the first driveway after the restaurant. Go in the side door with the Winchester Hospital canopy. We meet in the training room which is the third doorway on the right after you enter the building. It's literally seconds from Rte 128.
- 9.
-
any DexCom users in the UK?
Posted by: "Holly" holly@nerd.cx hollyow
Tue Jan 5, 2010 7:19 pm (PST)
Hello,
I am trying to find out whether or not, now that they are selling in the UK,
DexCom makes a unit that displays in mmol/L.
I spoke to the US customer service reps and they had no idea. (They were
actually unaware that different systems of measurement exist.)
Best regards,
Holly
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