1 2 3

Friday, January 8, 2010

[diabetescgms] Digest Number 1775

Messages In This Digest (22 Messages)

1a.
UV 3000 Waterproof? From: Signe Myhren
1b.
Re: UV 3000 Waterproof? From: Brandy Beeson
1c.
Re: UV 3000 Waterproof? From: Elizabeth Blake
2a.
Re: CGM for kids From: resmith315@aol.com
2b.
Re: CGM for kids From: Allison Herschede
2c.
Re: CGM for kids From: Tracy Winsor
2d.
Re: CGM for kids From: Signe Myhren
2e.
Re: CGM for kids From: Allison Herschede
2f.
Re: Hypo symptoms From: rosewoodquilting
2g.
Re: Hypo symptoms From: Elizabeth Blake
2h.
Re: Hypo symptoms From: Allison Herschede
2i.
Re: Hypo symptoms From: Greg Chapman
2j.
Re: CGM for kids From: Jennifer McMonagle-Harris
2k.
Re: CGM for kids From: Jennifer McMonagle-Harris
2l.
Re: CGM for kids From: Tracy Winsor
2m.
Re: Hypo symptoms From: Melissa Howell
2n.
Re: Hypo symptoms From: Brandy Beeson
2o.
Re: CGM for kids From: dmslof@yahoo.com
3a.
Re: Flexifix can be found on eBay too... From: Allison Herschede
4a.
Re: Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake From: jath622@wowway.com
5a.
Standard Deviation From: Tracy Winsor
5b.
Re: Standard Deviation From: Bonnie

Messages

1a.

UV 3000 Waterproof?

Posted by: "Signe Myhren" jechante17@yahoo.com   jechante17

Thu Jan 7, 2010 5:00 am (PST)



I'm wondering why everyone is concerned about the subject. My understanding is that, once you have inserted a sensor under the skin, and adhered the adhesive to your skin, it creates a waterproof seal. I get my MM sensors wet all the time, from what I can tell, and it has yet to affect their accuracy. Perhaps if I wanted to wear them past day 10 this would be an issue - or not!

1b.

Re: UV 3000 Waterproof?

Posted by: "Brandy Beeson" volleyheels13@yahoo.com   volleyheels13

Thu Jan 7, 2010 6:21 am (PST)



On the medtronic sensor, there is a hole basically.  Where the sensor is inserted in the skin, if you do not cover it with anything, it is open.  Your skin doesn't make a tight seal around the canula, so anything could technically get into the skin.  I was worried not because of how long I wear it, but because of my job and the constant germs I am around.  Technically, it can get wet, I am not disputing that.  I agree that it doesn't change the readings at all.  But I do know that having an opening it is easier to get an infection and wanted to find out what others have found out.  Like I had put earlier, I had a reaction to chlorine, so I don't want to have a repeat.  I am not sure I completely understand what adhesive you are talking about that makes it waterproof. 

--- On Thu, 1/7/10, Signe Myhren <jechante17@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Signe Myhren <jechante17@yahoo.com>
Subject: [diabetescgms] UV 3000 Waterproof?
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, January 7, 2010, 7:57 AM

 

I'm wondering why everyone is concerned about the subject. My understanding is that, once you have inserted a sensor under the skin, and adhered the adhesive to your skin, it creates a waterproof seal. I get my MM sensors wet all the time, from what I can tell, and it has yet to affect their accuracy. Perhaps if I wanted to wear them past day 10 this would be an issue - or not!

1c.

Re: UV 3000 Waterproof?

Posted by: "Elizabeth Blake" poodlebone@yahoo.com   poodlebone

Thu Jan 7, 2010 7:58 am (PST)



>
>From: Brandy Beeson <volleyheels13@yahoo.com>
>
>On the medtronic sensor, there is a hole basically. Where the sensor is inserted in the skin, if you do not cover it with anything, it is open. Your skin doesn't make a tight seal around the canula, so anything could technically get into the skin. I was worried not because of how long I wear it, but because of my job and the constant germs I am around. Technically, it can get wet, I am not disputing that. I agree that it doesn't change the readings at all. But I do know that having an opening it is easier to get an infection and wanted to find out what others have found out. Like I had put earlier, I had a reaction to chlorine, so I don't want to have a repeat. I am not sure I completely understand what adhesive you are talking about that makes it waterproof.
>

Brandy,

You're right, there is a hole in the plastic sensor hub but I'm not worried about it. Once you insert the sensor, your skin forms a seal around it. Any water that goes into that little hole doesn't get under your skin. Infusion sets aren't covered in waterproof tape (unless you do that yourself) and many people will never experience an infection even though there is a hole in your skin at that site as well.

By "waterproof", I think she meant the seal between the sensor & transmitter. That's the part you really want waterproof because if water gets into the transmitter, it could break it. Once the two parts are connected, it's waterproof. Most people will then cover the whole thing with a waterproof dressing but it's not necessary. Some people use big Band Aids, some use paper tape. You just need something to keep the sensor & transmitter secured to your skin.

--
Liz
Type 1 dx 4/1987
Minimed 722 + CGMS

2a.

Re: CGM for kids

Posted by: "resmith315@aol.com" resmith315@aol.com   ressy315

Thu Jan 7, 2010 6:58 am (PST)



One important lesson that I think the medical community misses is the
individual earlier warning signs of hypoglycemia that are not taught. As a RN
I remember the teaching about hypoglycemia signs and as a diabetic I can
say that if I waited until the traditional signs I would be in trouble.

Kids and adults too should be educated in the symptoms that each individual
body has for a lowering blood sugar. One for me is that I have a strong
desire to sit in my comfy chair and rock slowly. Now you would not find
that info in any book nor should you but it was something that I have learned
to recognize as one of my early signs of impending trouble. If we could
educate the younger kids on the individual signs of lowering blood sugar then
we would avoid the crisis of a hypoglycemia problem.

I have no scientific theory to back this up but one of the side effects
IMHO of diabetes is the loss of the natural feeling of being hungry. I
don't know what hungry is or feels like anymore. I eat based on numbers and
clocks and level of insulin in my system. This does not help with weight
control at all! But having the pump and the CGMS does help me see what is
causing the uncomfortable feeling that seems to call for food. Not sure if
it's hunger or not...

hth

Ressy


In a message dated 1/3/2010 8:30:52 P.M. Central Standard Time,
jeff@incredibleassemblies.com writes:

Wendy and Ron raised some very good points. No system is going to be
perfect for EVERBODY---at least not yet. (Those pump patches look like they
have great promise someday, though.) My eval was for MY relationship with a
CGM system and different people will interact differently with each of them.

One thing that really disheartens me is when I visit elementary schools
and hear from some of the diabetic kids that their doctors have them
targeting 150 for their blood glucose levels. I'm very glad that your son is doing
so well, Wendy.
There used to be that argument about tight control being ill-advised
because of the immediate dangers of lows. It would be good if we could put our
heads together and come up with a way to educate the medical community that
CGM can be used to avoid those dangers, thereby avoiding the neuropathy
dangers that poorly controlled kids will face later on. I have seen,
firsthand, that this education is a necessity. Any ideas, anybody?

-jeff toll-free: 1-888-967-3386
Award-Winning Children's Author, Jeff Nathan, presents
CurricuLaughs
Curriculum-tied Language Arts Education through HUMOR
"... by far, the best set of presentations I have seen in our school
system ."
Dr. Marc Kerble Assistant Superintendent Winchester Schools
Winchester, MA
"… a student said it best. "You Rock!" From the mouth of babes, Jeff you
were sensational. Thank you ever so much!"
Kristine O. Murray Media Enrichment Specialist Maghakian Memorial
School Brookline, NH
see these and other raving testimonials at _www.IncredibleAssemblies.com_
(http://www.incredibleassemblies.com/)


From: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com [mailto:diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Wendy B.
Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2010 8:14 PM
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [diabetescgms] MM CGMS--works well for us!

After reading Jeff's review, as well as several others, I wanted to add a
few thoughts regarding the MM system. My concern is that it has been given
a poor review by those it did not work for. I credit Jeff though for
very clearly indicating what he needed from a CGMS and why the Dexcom was
better for him. However, I wanted to add a few points regarding the MM system
that may not have be intuitive for someone new to this forum and CGMS
systems.


I have a six year old with D. We started using the MM CGMS about 14
months ago. We selected the MM pump when my son was four so that we could use
an integrated CGMS later if we wanted to. The MM CGMS has worked well for
us, has been accurate, and is contained to one unit if we want it to be.
We also recently received the Guardian this month and use that system at
night for better alarm covrage. When I looked at Jeff's numbers as compared
between the Dex, MM and finger stick, I was surprised to see such a
disprity between the MM system and the finger stick. On average, we are within 20
pts of a finger stick and often times, within just a few points. What may
not have been evident from the data that Jeff reported was that MM
displays an arrow (or arrows) when BG is moving quickly. Jeff did not mention
this arrow, but it is very very helpful in explaining what is going on and
clearing up why a discrepancy is seen between a sensor BG and a fingerstick
BG. We also are very careful to calibrate only when we are stable AND
never eat within 15 minutes after a calibration has been put in.


I would like to try a Dex with my son at some point because I like that
calibrating is easier. However, after playing around with The Guardian, I
realize one unit is enough in his little pocket. Because of our MM CGMS, we
are able to get great sleeping numbers. His A1c was has been 6.5 or 6.7
since beginning the system 14 mos ago. Our ped endo states that only 10
percent of his ped diab population is under 7 percent. We feel lucky to
have this system. What I really love about it is that my 6 year old uses it to
understand what he is feeling. When he is feeling low, he takes it out of
his pocket and notes that it might say 116 with an arrow heading down. He
understands that "yes---I am dropping". By the way---with Emla,
insertion is painless---even for a six year old. We are about to put a new sensor
in any minute--Sensor Sunday. OH---because if does have an ISIG displayed,
I can get a pretty good idea what is going on with his BG even when I have
not calibrated and a BG is not displayed. This comes with experience.


Off to change a sensor. Hope this adds an additional perspective.


Wendy


2b.

Re: CGM for kids

Posted by: "Allison Herschede" herschede@gmail.com   majicmaid

Thu Jan 7, 2010 7:08 am (PST)



Are you on a pump? I have not eaten by clocks for years.

Allison

On Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 9:57 AM, <resmith315@aol.com> wrote:

>
>
> One important lesson that I think the medical community misses is the
> individual earlier warning signs of hypoglycemia that are not taught. As a
> RN I remember the teaching about hypoglycemia signs and as a diabetic I can
> say that if I waited until the traditional signs I would be in trouble.
>
> Kids and adults too should be educated in the symptoms that each individual
> body has for a lowering blood sugar. One for me is that I have a strong
> desire to sit in my comfy chair and rock slowly. Now you would not find
> that info in any book nor should you but it was something that I have
> learned to recognize as one of my early signs of impending trouble. If we
> could educate the younger kids on the individual signs of lowering blood
> sugar then we would avoid the crisis of a hypoglycemia problem.
>
> I have no scientific theory to back this up but one of the side effects
> IMHO of diabetes is the loss of the natural feeling of being hungry. I
> don't know what hungry is or feels like anymore. I eat based on numbers
> and clocks and level of insulin in my system. This does not help with
> weight control at all! But having the pump and the CGMS does help me see
> what is causing the uncomfortable feeling that seems to call for food. Not
> sure if it's hunger or not...
>
> hth
>
> Ressy
>
> In a message dated 1/3/2010 8:30:52 P.M. Central Standard Time,
> jeff@incredibleassemblies.com writes:
>
>
>
> Wendy and Ron raised some very good points. No system is going to be
> perfect for EVERBODY---at least not yet. (Those pump patches look like they
> have great promise someday, though.) My eval was for MY relationship with a
> CGM system and different people will interact differently with each of them.
>
>
>
>
> One thing that really disheartens me is when I visit elementary schools and
> hear from some of the diabetic kids that their doctors have them targeting
> 150 for their blood glucose levels. I�m very glad that your son is doing so
> well, Wendy.
>
>
>
> There used to be that argument about tight control being ill-advised
> because of the immediate dangers of lows. It would be good if we could put
> our heads together and come up with a way to educate the medical community
> that CGM can be used to avoid those dangers, thereby avoiding the neuropathy
> dangers that poorly controlled kids will face later on. I have seen,
> firsthand, that this education is a necessity. Any ideas, anybody?
>
>
>
> -jeff toll-free: 1-888-967-3386
>
> *Award-Winning Children's Author, Jeff Nathan, presents*
>
> *Curricu**Laughs** *
>
> *Curriculum-tied Language Arts Education through HUMOR*
>
> "... by far, the best set of presentations I have seen in our school
> system ."
>
> * Dr. Marc Kerble Assistant Superintendent Winchester Schools
> Winchester, MA*
>
> "� a student said it best. "You Rock!" From the mouth of babes, Jeff you
> were sensational. Thank you ever so much!"
>
> * Kristine O. Murray Media Enrichment Specialist Maghakian
> Memorial School Brookline, NH *
>
>
>
> see these and other raving testimonials at
> www.IncredibleAssemblies.com <http://www.incredibleassemblies.com/>
>
>
>
> *From:* diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com [mailto:diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com]
> *On Behalf Of *Wendy B.
> *Sent:* Sunday, January 03, 2010 8:14 PM
> *To:* diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
> *Subject:* [diabetescgms] MM CGMS--works well for us!
>
>
>
>
>
> After reading Jeff's review, as well as several others, I wanted to add a
> few thoughts regarding the MM system. My concern is that it has been given
> a poor review by those it did not work for. I credit Jeff though for very
> clearly indicating what he needed from a CGMS and why the Dexcom was better
> for him. However, I wanted to add a few points regarding the MM system that
> may not have be intuitive for someone new to this forum and CGMS systems.
>
>
>
> I have a six year old with D. We started using the MM CGMS about 14 months
> ago. We selected the MM pump when my son was four so that we could use an
> integrated CGMS later if we wanted to. The MM CGMS has worked well for us,
> has been accurate, and is contained to one unit if we want it to be. We
> also recently received the Guardian this month and use that system at night
> for better alarm covrage. When I looked at Jeff's numbers as compared
> between the Dex, MM and finger stick, I was surprised to see such a disprity
> between the MM system and the finger stick. On average, we are within 20
> pts of a finger stick and often times, within just a few points. What may
> not have been evident from the data that Jeff reported was that MM displays
> an arrow (or arrows) when BG is moving quickly. Jeff did not mention this
> arrow, but it is very very helpful in explaining what is going on and
> clearing up why a discrepancy is seen between a sensor BG and a fingerstick
> BG. We also are very careful to calibrate only when we are stable AND never
> eat within 15 minutes after a calibration has been put in.
>
>
>
> I would like to try a Dex with my son at some point because I like that
> calibrating is easier. However, after playing around with The Guardian, I
> realize one unit is enough in his little pocket. Because of our MM CGMS, we
> are able to get great sleeping numbers. His A1c was has been 6.5 or 6.7
> since beginning the system 14 mos ago. Our ped endo states that only 10
> percent of his ped diab population is under 7 percent. We feel lucky to
> have this system. What I really love about it is that my 6 year old uses it
> to understand what he is feeling. When he is feeling low, he takes it out
> of his pocket and notes that it might say 116 with an arrow heading down.
> He understands that "yes---I am dropping". By the way---with Emla,
> insertion is painless---even for a six year old. We are about to put a new
> sensor in any minute--Sensor Sunday. OH---because if does have an ISIG
> displayed, I can get a pretty good idea what is going on with his BG even
> when I have not calibrated and a BG is not displayed. This comes with
> experience.
>
>
>
> Off to change a sensor. Hope this adds an additional perspective.
>
>
>
> Wendy
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
2c.

Re: CGM for kids

Posted by: "Tracy Winsor" ohboys@carolina.rr.com   winsortracy

Thu Jan 7, 2010 7:25 am (PST)



I want to add that I have a six year old diagnosed at 2 and so not able to really tell you if he "felt low" and not giving really identifiable symptoms all the time. We;ve had` the NAV since the spring AND I find it almost a useful biofeedback tool as it were wherein he can look at a number or an arrow and the movement it indicates and then think about how it feels. It's helping him understand his disease in a really concrete way (which is what is needed at his age) the connections between what the NAV says and what he feels. First and foremost, it is a lifesaver for us, BUT it has also been a GREAT diabetic teaching tool for him.
Tracy
----- Original Message -----
From: resmith315@aol.com
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 9:57 AM
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] CGM for kids

One important lesson that I think the medical community misses is the individual earlier warning signs of hypoglycemia that are not taught. As a RN I remember the teaching about hypoglycemia signs and as a diabetic I can say that if I waited until the traditional signs I would be in trouble.

Kids and adults too should be educated in the symptoms that each individual body has for a lowering blood sugar. One for me is that I have a strong desire to sit in my comfy chair and rock slowly. Now you would not find that info in any book nor should you but it was something that I have learned to recognize as one of my early signs of impending trouble. If we could educate the younger kids on the individual signs of lowering blood sugar then we would avoid the crisis of a hypoglycemia problem.

I have no scientific theory to back this up but one of the side effects IMHO of diabetes is the loss of the natural feeling of being hungry. I don't know what hungry is or feels like anymore. I eat based on numbers and clocks and level of insulin in my system. This does not help with weight control at all! But having the pump and the CGMS does help me see what is causing the uncomfortable feeling that seems to call for food. Not sure if it's hunger or not...

hth

Ressy

In a message dated 1/3/2010 8:30:52 P.M. Central Standard Time, jeff@incredibleassemblies.com writes:

Wendy and Ron raised some very good points. No system is going to be perfect for EVERBODY---at least not yet. (Those pump patches look like they have great promise someday, though.) My eval was for MY relationship with a CGM system and different people will interact differently with each of them.

One thing that really disheartens me is when I visit elementary schools and hear from some of the diabetic kids that their doctors have them targeting 150 for their blood glucose levels. I'm very glad that your son is doing so well, Wendy.

There used to be that argument about tight control being ill-advised because of the immediate dangers of lows. It would be good if we could put our heads together and come up with a way to educate the medical community that CGM can be used to avoid those dangers, thereby avoiding the neuropathy dangers that poorly controlled kids will face later on. I have seen, firsthand, that this education is a necessity. Any ideas, anybody?

-jeff toll-free: 1-888-967-3386

Award-Winning Children's Author, Jeff Nathan, presents

CurricuLaughs

Curriculum-tied Language Arts Education through HUMOR

"... by far, the best set of presentations I have seen in our school system ."

Dr. Marc Kerble Assistant Superintendent Winchester Schools Winchester, MA

"… a student said it best. "You Rock!" From the mouth of babes, Jeff you were sensational. Thank you ever so much!"

Kristine O. Murray Media Enrichment Specialist Maghakian Memorial School Brookline, NH

see these and other raving testimonials at www.IncredibleAssemblies.com

From: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com [mailto:diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Wendy B.
Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2010 8:14 PM
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [diabetescgms] MM CGMS--works well for us!

After reading Jeff's review, as well as several others, I wanted to add a few thoughts regarding the MM system. My concern is that it has been given a poor review by those it did not work for. I credit Jeff though for very clearly indicating what he needed from a CGMS and why the Dexcom was better for him. However, I wanted to add a few points regarding the MM system that may not have be intuitive for someone new to this forum and CGMS systems.

I have a six year old with D. We started using the MM CGMS about 14 months ago. We selected the MM pump when my son was four so that we could use an integrated CGMS later if we wanted to. The MM CGMS has worked well for us, has been accurate, and is contained to one unit if we want it to be. We also recently received the Guardian this month and use that system at night for better alarm covrage. When I looked at Jeff's numbers as compared between the Dex, MM and finger stick, I was surprised to see such a disprity between the MM system and the finger stick. On average, we are within 20 pts of a finger stick and often times, within just a few points. What may not have been evident from the data that Jeff reported was that MM displays an arrow (or arrows) when BG is moving quickly. Jeff did not mention this arrow, but it is very very helpful in explaining what is going on and clearing up why a discrepancy is seen between a sensor BG and a fingerstick BG. We also are very careful to calibrate only when we are stable AND never eat within 15 minutes after a calibration has been put in.

I would like to try a Dex with my son at some point because I like that calibrating is easier. However, after playing around with The Guardian, I realize one unit is enough in his little pocket. Because of our MM CGMS, we are able to get great sleeping numbers. His A1c was has been 6.5 or 6.7 since beginning the system 14 mos ago. Our ped endo states that only 10 percent of his ped diab population is under 7 percent. We feel lucky to have this system. What I really love about it is that my 6 year old uses it to understand what he is feeling. When he is feeling low, he takes it out of his pocket and notes that it might say 116 with an arrow heading down. He understands that "yes---I am dropping". By the way---with Emla, insertion is painless---even for a six year old. We are about to put a new sensor in any minute--Sensor Sunday. OH---because if does have an ISIG displayed, I can get a pretty good idea what is going on with his BG even when I have not calibrated and a BG is not displayed. This comes with experience.

Off to change a sensor. Hope this adds an additional perspective.

Wendy

2d.

Re: CGM for kids

Posted by: "Signe Myhren" jechante17@yahoo.com   jechante17

Thu Jan 7, 2010 7:40 am (PST)




Wow - Ressy, you put it very well! I cannot agree more with the idea that the usual feeling of hunger disappears when a person has Type I. I don't even know what it means to be hungry anymore.

As for the warning signs of hypoglycemia ... For me, when I was diagnosed many moons ago, my hands used to shake when my BG got to 70 (there were no meters back then, but I knew this from my monthly venous blood glucose tests.) I actually used to sit in my college cafeteria and wait till my hands shook before putting food in my mouth. I was on NPH and Regular in those days, so that didn't take long at all. I was constantly going low!
After 10 years of Type I (and, fortunately, the invention of the blood glucose meter) that symptom went away, and was replaced by my needing to wait until I felt really tired or in a really bad mood (for no good reason) before I knew I was low. Now, with my CGMS, I am a happy camper!
--- On Thu, 1/7/10, resmith315@aol.com <resmith315@aol.com> wrote:

From: resmith315@aol.com <resmith315@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] CGM for kids
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, January 7, 2010, 9:57 AM

 

One important lesson that I think the medical community misses is the
individual earlier warning signs of hypoglycemia that are not
taught.   As a RN I remember the teaching about hypoglycemia signs and
as a diabetic I can say that if I waited until the traditional signs I
would be in trouble.  
 
Kids and adults too should be educated in the symptoms that each individual
body has for a lowering blood sugar.  One for me is that I have a strong
desire to sit in my comfy chair and rock slowly.  Now you would not find
that info in any book nor should you but it was something that I have learned to
recognize as one of my early signs of impending trouble.  If we could
educate the younger kids on the individual signs of lowering blood sugar then we
would avoid the crisis of a hypoglycemia problem.
 
I have no scientific theory to back this up but one of the side effects
IMHO of diabetes is the loss of the natural feeling of being 
hungry.   I don't know what hungry is or feels like
anymore.   I eat based on numbers and clocks and level of insulin in
my system.   This does not help with weight control at all!  But
having the pump and the CGMS does help me see what is causing the uncomfortable
feeling that seems to call for food.  Not sure if it's hunger or
not...
 
hth
 
Ressy
 

2e.

Re: CGM for kids

Posted by: "Allison Herschede" herschede@gmail.com   majicmaid

Thu Jan 7, 2010 7:43 am (PST)



I haven't noticed anything besides the normal shaking, heart racing etc
except when I was pregnant. The only symptom I had was nausea which was
kinda scary cause I feel nauseated when I'm high.

Allison

On Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 10:40 AM, Signe Myhren <jechante17@yahoo.com> wrote:

>
>
>
> Wow - Ressy, you put it very well! I cannot agree more with the idea that
> the usual feeling of hunger disappears when a person has Type I. I don't
> even know what it means to be hungry anymore.
>
> As for the warning signs of hypoglycemia ... For me, when I was diagnosed
> many moons ago, my hands used to shake when my BG got to 70 (there were no
> meters back then, but I knew this from my monthly venous blood glucose
> tests.) I actually used to sit in my college cafeteria and wait till my
> hands shook before putting food in my mouth. I was on NPH and Regular in
> those days, so that didn't take long at all. I was constantly going low!
> After 10 years of Type I (and, fortunately, the invention of the blood
> glucose meter) that symptom went away, and was replaced by my needing to
> wait until I felt really tired or in a really bad mood (for no good reason)
> before I knew I was low. Now, with my CGMS, I am a happy camper!
> --- On *Thu, 1/7/10, resmith315@aol.com <resmith315@aol.com>* wrote:
>
>
> From: resmith315@aol.com <resmith315@aol.com>
>
> Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] CGM for kids
> To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Thursday, January 7, 2010, 9:57 AM
>
>
>
>
> One important lesson that I think the medical community misses is the
> individual earlier warning signs of hypoglycemia that are not taught. As a
> RN I remember the teaching about hypoglycemia signs and as a diabetic I can
> say that if I waited until the traditional signs I would be in trouble.
>
> Kids and adults too should be educated in the symptoms that each individual
> body has for a lowering blood sugar. One for me is that I have a strong
> desire to sit in my comfy chair and rock slowly. Now you would not find
> that info in any book nor should you but it was something that I have
> learned to recognize as one of my early signs of impending trouble. If we
> could educate the younger kids on the individual signs of lowering blood
> sugar then we would avoid the crisis of a hypoglycemia problem.
>
> I have no scientific theory to back this up but one of the side effects
> IMHO of diabetes is the loss of the natural feeling of being hungry. I
> don't know what hungry is or feels like anymore. I eat based on numbers
> and clocks and level of insulin in my system. This does not help with
> weight control at all! But having the pump and the CGMS does help me see
> what is causing the uncomfortable feeling that seems to call for food. Not
> sure if it's hunger or not...
>
> hth
>
> Ressy
>
>
>
>
>
2f.

Re: Hypo symptoms

Posted by: "rosewoodquilting" sonia@youcanquiltit.com   rosewoodquilting

Thu Jan 7, 2010 7:56 am (PST)



I usually have a nasty change in my mood and find that everything and everyone 'annoys' me.
I also get to where I feel really warm and I see a dark blob floating around. When I'm really low, my lip tingles.

CGMS has made most of these a distant memory.

Sonia
Las Vegas, NV

2g.

Re: Hypo symptoms

Posted by: "Elizabeth Blake" poodlebone@yahoo.com   poodlebone

Thu Jan 7, 2010 8:16 am (PST)



I'm sure I was told what the classic hypo symptoms were when I was diagnosed but I remember my first hypo (the day I was released from the hospital) was really scary. I was in denial for the first 11 years or so and my BGs always ran high (really high, I'm sure, though I wasn't testing) so I had strong hypo symptoms. I bet I was rarely ever actually hypo, just lower than normal. When I woke up and tried to get control and moved from 2 injections a day to MDI I gradually lost my awareness. That got me into a lot of trouble. Going on a pump didn't really help with my awareness but my lows were nowhere near as severe as they were on injections, because I had no long acting insulin in my system. Even Lantus caused nasty lows.

After I lost the classic symptoms I would sometimes know I was low because my tongue would go numb (but not every time) and my vision would get blurry and very dark. By that point I was sometimes too far gone to even realize that was a problem and would just get frustrated, holding the book closer to my face or putting my face right up to the computer monitor, trying to make out the words.

CGMS has been great because I catch the lows before I'm in the 20s and 30s. It is very rare for me to go that low anymore. If/when my CGMS alarm wakes me during the night I will often realize that I'm sweaty. Not drenched like I used to get, but hot & uncomfortable. A few times I've felt a little shaky. I really would like to regain my symptoms because with the lag time, I'm usually 15-20 lower than the CGMS when the alarm goes off. I have it set to go off at 78.

--
Liz
Type 1 dx 4/1987
Minimed 722 + CGMS

2h.

Re: Hypo symptoms

Posted by: "Allison Herschede" herschede@gmail.com   majicmaid

Thu Jan 7, 2010 10:25 am (PST)



My lips and legs go numb when I'm very low.

On Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 11:16 AM, Elizabeth Blake <poodlebone@yahoo.com>wrote:

>
>
> I'm sure I was told what the classic hypo symptoms were when I was
> diagnosed but I remember my first hypo (the day I was released from the
> hospital) was really scary. I was in denial for the first 11 years or so and
> my BGs always ran high (really high, I'm sure, though I wasn't testing) so I
> had strong hypo symptoms. I bet I was rarely ever actually hypo, just lower
> than normal. When I woke up and tried to get control and moved from 2
> injections a day to MDI I gradually lost my awareness. That got me into a
> lot of trouble. Going on a pump didn't really help with my awareness but my
> lows were nowhere near as severe as they were on injections, because I had
> no long acting insulin in my system. Even Lantus caused nasty lows.
>
> After I lost the classic symptoms I would sometimes know I was low because
> my tongue would go numb (but not every time) and my vision would get blurry
> and very dark. By that point I was sometimes too far gone to even realize
> that was a problem and would just get frustrated, holding the book closer to
> my face or putting my face right up to the computer monitor, trying to make
> out the words.
>
> CGMS has been great because I catch the lows before I'm in the 20s and 30s.
> It is very rare for me to go that low anymore. If/when my CGMS alarm wakes
> me during the night I will often realize that I'm sweaty. Not drenched like
> I used to get, but hot & uncomfortable. A few times I've felt a little
> shaky. I really would like to regain my symptoms because with the lag time,
> I'm usually 15-20 lower than the CGMS when the alarm goes off. I have it set
> to go off at 78.
>
> --
> Liz
> Type 1 dx 4/1987
> Minimed 722 + CGMS
>
>
>
2i.

Re: Hypo symptoms

Posted by: "Greg Chapman" gregc@mac.com   gregc_mcauliffe

Thu Jan 7, 2010 10:39 am (PST)



My eye focus gets bad for reading. Also brain focus for thinking (although I don't always notice this if I'm not writing code or doing something that takes a lot of focus). Tingly lips sometimes. If I let it go further, shakes + sweating.

But not much of any of this since CGMS. I love my Dexcom.

Greg

On Jan 7, 2010, at 10:24 AM, Allison Herschede wrote:

> My lips and legs go numb when I'm very low.
>
>
> On Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 11:16 AM, Elizabeth Blake <poodlebone@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> I'm sure I was told what the classic hypo symptoms were when I was diagnosed but I remember my first hypo (the day I was released from the hospital) was really scary. I was in denial for the first 11 years or so and my BGs always ran high (really high, I'm sure, though I wasn't testing) so I had strong hypo symptoms. I bet I was rarely ever actually hypo, just lower than normal. When I woke up and tried to get control and moved from 2 injections a day to MDI I gradually lost my awareness. That got me into a lot of trouble. Going on a pump didn't really help with my awareness but my lows were nowhere near as severe as they were on injections, because I had no long acting insulin in my system. Even Lantus caused nasty lows.
>
> After I lost the classic symptoms I would sometimes know I was low because my tongue would go numb (but not every time) and my vision would get blurry and very dark. By that point I was sometimes too far gone to even realize that was a problem and would just get frustrated, holding the book closer to my face or putting my face right up to the computer monitor, trying to make out the words.
>
> CGMS has been great because I catch the lows before I'm in the 20s and 30s. It is very rare for me to go that low anymore. If/when my CGMS alarm wakes me during the night I will often realize that I'm sweaty. Not drenched like I used to get, but hot & uncomfortable. A few times I've felt a little shaky. I really would like to regain my symptoms because with the lag time, I'm usually 15-20 lower than the CGMS when the alarm goes off. I have it set to go off at 78.
>
> --
> Liz
> Type 1 dx 4/1987
> Minimed 722 + CGMS
>
>
>
>

2j.

Re: CGM for kids

Posted by: "Jennifer McMonagle-Harris" jennifer@jharris.net   turtle4461

Thu Jan 7, 2010 12:19 pm (PST)



Allison,

I had this same experience when I was PG. I know that most folks say to
treat with glucose tablets, but I used sprite because I was reasonably
certain that I wouldn't see it again. It was also quite confusing because I
would test thinking I was really high only to find I was lucky to still be
standing!!

Jennie

-----Original Message-----
From: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com [mailto:diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Allison Herschede
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 9:44 AM
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] CGM for kids

I haven't noticed anything besides the normal shaking, heart racing etc
except when I was pregnant. The only symptom I had was nausea which was
kinda scary cause I feel nauseated when I'm high.

Allison

On Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 10:40 AM, Signe Myhren <jechante17@yahoo.
<mailto:jechante17@yahoo.com> com> wrote:

Wow - Ressy, you put it very well! I cannot agree more with the idea that
the usual feeling of hunger disappears when a person has Type I. I don't
even know what it means to be hungry anymore.

As for the warning signs of hypoglycemia ... For me, when I was diagnosed
many moons ago, my hands used to shake when my BG got to 70 (there were no
meters back then, but I knew this from my monthly venous blood glucose
tests.) I actually used to sit in my college cafeteria and wait till my
hands shook before putting food in my mouth. I was on NPH and Regular in
those days, so that didn't take long at all. I was constantly going low!
After 10 years of Type I (and, fortunately, the invention of the blood
glucose meter) that symptom went away, and was replaced by my needing to
wait until I felt really tired or in a really bad mood (for no good reason)
before I knew I was low. Now, with my CGMS, I am a happy camper!
--- On Thu, 1/7/10, resmith315@aol. <mailto:resmith315@aol.com> com
<resmith315@aol. <mailto:resmith315@aol.com> com> wrote:

From: resmith315@aol. <mailto:resmith315@aol.com> com <resmith315@aol.
<mailto:resmith315@aol.com> com>

Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] CGM for kids

To: diabetescgms@ <mailto:diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com> yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, January 7, 2010, 9:57 AM

One important lesson that I think the medical community misses is the
individual earlier warning signs of hypoglycemia that are not taught. As a
RN I remember the teaching about hypoglycemia signs and as a diabetic I can
say that if I waited until the traditional signs I would be in trouble.

Kids and adults too should be educated in the symptoms that each individual
body has for a lowering blood sugar. One for me is that I have a strong
desire to sit in my comfy chair and rock slowly. Now you would not find
that info in any book nor should you but it was something that I have
learned to recognize as one of my early signs of impending trouble. If we
could educate the younger kids on the individual signs of lowering blood
sugar then we would avoid the crisis of a hypoglycemia problem.

I have no scientific theory to back this up but one of the side effects IMHO
of diabetes is the loss of the natural feeling of being hungry. I don't
know what hungry is or feels like anymore. I eat based on numbers and
clocks and level of insulin in my system. This does not help with weight
control at all! But having the pump and the CGMS does help me see what is
causing the uncomfortable feeling that seems to call for food. Not sure if
it's hunger or not...

hth

Ressy

2k.

Re: CGM for kids

Posted by: "Jennifer McMonagle-Harris" jennifer@jharris.net   turtle4461

Thu Jan 7, 2010 12:53 pm (PST)



Hungry for me equates to shaking, sweaty, tired. Sounds a lot like low to
me. The best part of the pump for me was being able to skip a meal or two
if I wanted to. However, the lessons I learned for the first 10+ years of
this disease, that you ate because of insulin on board, or because of
glucose numbers have been long lasting for me.

If I had a child with T1 I wouldn't give meal bolus until they were done
eating and then I would bases it on the consumed carbs to avoid the food
struggle, that many of us lived for decades. I think it sets a healthier
way of living.

Jennie

-----Original Message-----
From: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com [mailto:diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Signe Myhren
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 9:40 AM
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] CGM for kids

Wow - Ressy, you put it very well! I cannot agree more with the idea that
the usual feeling of hunger disappears when a person has Type I. I don't
even know what it means to be hungry anymore.

As for the warning signs of hypoglycemia ... For me, when I was diagnosed
many moons ago, my hands used to shake when my BG got to 70 (there were no
meters back then, but I knew this from my monthly venous blood glucose
tests.) I actually used to sit in my college cafeteria and wait till my
hands shook before putting food in my mouth. I was on NPH and Regular in
those days, so that didn't take long at all. I was constantly going low!
After 10 years of Type I (and, fortunately, the invention of the blood
glucose meter) that symptom went away, and was replaced by my needing to
wait until I felt really tired or in a really bad mood (for no good reason)
before I knew I was low. Now, with my CGMS, I am a happy camper!
--- On Thu, 1/7/10, resmith315@aol.com <resmith315@aol.com> wrote:

From: resmith315@aol.com <resmith315@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] CGM for kids
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, January 7, 2010, 9:57 AM

One important lesson that I think the medical community misses is the
individual earlier warning signs of hypoglycemia that are not taught. As a
RN I remember the teaching about hypoglycemia signs and as a diabetic I can
say that if I waited until the traditional signs I would be in trouble.

Kids and adults too should be educated in the symptoms that each individual
body has for a lowering blood sugar. One for me is that I have a strong
desire to sit in my comfy chair and rock slowly. Now you would not find
that info in any book nor should you but it was something that I have
learned to recognize as one of my early signs of impending trouble. If we
could educate the younger kids on the individual signs of lowering blood
sugar then we would avoid the crisis of a hypoglycemia problem.

I have no scientific theory to back this up but one of the side effects IMHO
of diabetes is the loss of the natural feeling of being hungry. I don't
know what hungry is or feels like anymore. I eat based on numbers and
clocks and level of insulin in my system. This does not help with weight
control at all! But having the pump and the CGMS does help me see what is
causing the uncomfortable feeling that seems to call for food. Not sure if
it's hunger or not...

hth

Ressy

2l.

Re: CGM for kids

Posted by: "Tracy Winsor" ohboys@carolina.rr.com   winsortracy

Thu Jan 7, 2010 1:08 pm (PST)



We have always only bolused at the end of the meal based on what Ben ate although sometimes I'll do the correction if needed when he starts to get in front of an already high BG. The only rule we were given was to try and bolus within an hour of starting the meal. I sometimes nw wait for the CGM to show an increasing BG to give a bolus even if Ben is done earlier. I can usually count on the BG starting to go up at about the 45 minute mark past when food started being consumed.
----- Original Message -----
From: Jennifer McMonagle-Harris
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 3:53 PM
Subject: RE: [diabetescgms] CGM for kids

Hungry for me equates to shaking, sweaty, tired. Sounds a lot like low to me. The best part of the pump for me was being able to skip a meal or two if I wanted to. However, the lessons I learned for the first 10+ years of this disease, that you ate because of insulin on board, or because of glucose numbers have been long lasting for me.

If I had a child with T1 I wouldn't give meal bolus until they were done eating and then I would bases it on the consumed carbs to avoid the food struggle, that many of us lived for decades. I think it sets a healthier way of living.

Jennie

-----Original Message-----
From: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com [mailto:diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Signe Myhren
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 9:40 AM
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] CGM for kids

Wow - Ressy, you put it very well! I cannot agree more with the idea that the usual feeling of hunger disappears when a person has Type I. I don't even know what it means to be hungry anymore.

As for the warning signs of hypoglycemia ... For me, when I was diagnosed many moons ago, my hands used to shake when my BG got to 70 (there were no meters back then, but I knew this from my monthly venous blood glucose tests.) I actually used to sit in my college cafeteria and wait till my hands shook before putting food in my mouth. I was on NPH and Regular in those days, so that didn't take long at all. I was constantly going low!
After 10 years of Type I (and, fortunately, the invention of the blood glucose meter) that symptom went away, and was replaced by my needing to wait until I felt really tired or in a really bad mood (for no good reason) before I knew I was low. Now, with my CGMS, I am a happy camper!
--- On Thu, 1/7/10, resmith315@aol.com <resmith315@aol.com> wrote:

From: resmith315@aol.com <resmith315@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] CGM for kids
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, January 7, 2010, 9:57 AM

One important lesson that I think the medical community misses is the individual earlier warning signs of hypoglycemia that are not taught. As a RN I remember the teaching about hypoglycemia signs and as a diabetic I can say that if I waited until the traditional signs I would be in trouble.

Kids and adults too should be educated in the symptoms that each individual body has for a lowering blood sugar. One for me is that I have a strong desire to sit in my comfy chair and rock slowly. Now you would not find that info in any book nor should you but it was something that I have learned to recognize as one of my early signs of impending trouble. If we could educate the younger kids on the individual signs of lowering blood sugar then we would avoid the crisis of a hypoglycemia problem.

I have no scientific theory to back this up but one of the side effects IMHO of diabetes is the loss of the natural feeling of being hungry. I don't know what hungry is or feels like anymore. I eat based on numbers and clocks and level of insulin in my system. This does not help with weight control at all! But having the pump and the CGMS does help me see what is causing the uncomfortable feeling that seems to call for food. Not sure if it's hunger or not...

hth

Ressy

2m.

Re: Hypo symptoms

Posted by: "Melissa Howell" melissahowell@embarqmail.com   sabhow

Thu Jan 7, 2010 2:56 pm (PST)



i have the same symptoms greg. i will be reading my computer screen and then can't focus to read anyting on it. brain focus for thinking is gone and tingly face and lips
melissa
----- Original Message -----
From: Greg Chapman
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 1:38 PM
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] Re: Hypo symptoms

My eye focus gets bad for reading. Also brain focus for thinking (although I don't always notice this if I'm not writing code or doing something that takes a lot of focus). Tingly lips sometimes. If I let it go further, shakes + sweating.

But not much of any of this since CGMS. I love my Dexcom.

Greg

On Jan 7, 2010, at 10:24 AM, Allison Herschede wrote:

My lips and legs go numb when I'm very low.

On Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 11:16 AM, Elizabeth Blake <poodlebone@yahoo.com> wrote:

I'm sure I was told what the classic hypo symptoms were when I was diagnosed but I remember my first hypo (the day I was released from the hospital) was really scary. I was in denial for the first 11 years or so and my BGs always ran high (really high, I'm sure, though I wasn't testing) so I had strong hypo symptoms. I bet I was rarely ever actually hypo, just lower than normal. When I woke up and tried to get control and moved from 2 injections a day to MDI I gradually lost my awareness. That got me into a lot of trouble. Going on a pump didn't really help with my awareness but my lows were nowhere near as severe as they were on injections, because I had no long acting insulin in my system. Even Lantus caused nasty lows.

After I lost the classic symptoms I would sometimes know I was low because my tongue would go numb (but not every time) and my vision would get blurry and very dark. By that point I was sometimes too far gone to even realize that was a problem and would just get frustrated, holding the book closer to my face or putting my face right up to the computer monitor, trying to make out the words.

CGMS has been great because I catch the lows before I'm in the 20s and 30s. It is very rare for me to go that low anymore. If/when my CGMS alarm wakes me during the night I will often realize that I'm sweaty. Not drenched like I used to get, but hot & uncomfortable. A few times I've felt a little shaky. I really would like to regain my symptoms because with the lag time, I'm usually 15-20 lower than the CGMS when the alarm goes off. I have it set to go off at 78.

--
Liz
Type 1 dx 4/1987
Minimed 722 + CGMS

2n.

Re: Hypo symptoms

Posted by: "Brandy Beeson" volleyheels13@yahoo.com   volleyheels13

Thu Jan 7, 2010 7:55 pm (PST)



Okay so I am really glad that Liz said what she did about her vision.  For a while I have been getting blurry vision and I thought I was just going crazy, until I noticed it was when I got lows.  However, this is a new symptom.  Sometimes mine change (don't know why they have over the years).  For the most part, I get a metallic taste on the back of my tongue and my head feels foggy (I guess that is how to describe it).  If it is a really big swing, I will break out in a cold sweat and shake.  Other people have told me that my face will go pale.   I too don't notice the symptoms like I used to.  I did have my alarm wake me up this morning (finally - it was on the constant alarm) to tell me I had a low.  So YAY for CGMS! 

--- On Thu, 1/7/10, Melissa Howell <melissahowell@embarqmail.com> wrote:

From: Melissa Howell <melissahowell@embarqmail.com>
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] Re: Hypo symptoms
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, January 7, 2010, 5:56 PM

 

i have the same symptoms greg.  i will be reading my computer screen and then can't focus to read anyting on it.  brain focus for thinking is gone and tingly face and lips
melissa

----- Original Message -----
From: Greg Chapman
To: diabetescgms@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 1:38 PM
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] Re: Hypo symptoms

 

My eye focus gets bad for reading.  Also brain focus for thinking (although I don't always notice this if I'm not writing code or doing something that takes a lot of focus).  Tingly lips sometimes.  If I let it go further, shakes + sweating.

But not much of any of this since CGMS.  I love my Dexcom.

Greg

On Jan 7, 2010, at 10:24 AM, Allison Herschede wrote:

 

My lips and legs go numb when I'm very low.

On Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 11:16 AM, Elizabeth Blake <poodlebone@yahoo. com> wrote:

 

I'm sure I was told what the classic hypo symptoms were when I was diagnosed but I remember my first hypo (the day I was released from the hospital) was really scary. I was in denial for the first 11 years or so and my BGs always ran high (really high, I'm sure, though I wasn't testing) so I had strong hypo symptoms. I bet I was rarely ever actually hypo, just lower than normal. When I woke up and tried to get control and moved from 2 injections a day to MDI I gradually lost my awareness. That got me into a lot of trouble. Going on a pump didn't really help with my awareness but my lows were nowhere near as severe as they were on injections, because I had no long acting insulin in my system. Even Lantus caused nasty lows.

After I lost the classic symptoms I would sometimes know I was low because my tongue would go numb (but not every time) and my vision would get blurry and very dark. By that point I was sometimes too far gone to even realize that was a problem and would just get frustrated, holding the book closer to my face or putting my face right up to the computer monitor, trying to make out the words.

CGMS has been great because I catch the lows before I'm in the 20s and 30s. It is very rare for me to go that low anymore. If/when my CGMS alarm wakes me during the night I will often realize that I'm sweaty. Not drenched like I used to get, but hot & uncomfortable. A few times I've felt a little shaky. I really would like to regain my symptoms because with the lag time, I'm usually 15-20 lower than the CGMS when the alarm goes off. I have it set to go off at 78.

--
Liz
Type 1 dx 4/1987
Minimed 722 + CGMS

2o.

Re: CGM for kids

Posted by: "dmslof@yahoo.com" dmslof@yahoo.com   dmslof

Thu Jan 7, 2010 9:46 pm (PST)



We have found this also. My son was almost totally unaware of lows before CGM. Now he frequently (but not always) catches lows before he actually alarms. It is awesome - I think it has really helped him become more aware of how he is actually feeling and associate those feelings with a number.


Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

-----Original Message-----
From: "Tracy Winsor" <ohboys@carolina.rr.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 10:24:54
To: <diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] CGM for kids

I want to add that I have a six year old diagnosed at 2 and so not able to really tell you if he "felt low" and not giving really identifiable symptoms all the time. We;ve had` the NAV since the spring AND I find it almost a useful biofeedback tool as it were wherein he can look at a number or an arrow and the movement it indicates and then think about how it feels. It's helping him understand his disease in a really concrete way (which is what is needed at his age) the connections between what the NAV says and what he feels. First and foremost, it is a lifesaver for us, BUT it has also been a GREAT diabetic teaching tool for him.
Tracy
----- Original Message -----
From: resmith315@aol.com
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 9:57 AM
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] CGM for kids




One important lesson that I think the medical community misses is the individual earlier warning signs of hypoglycemia that are not taught. As a RN I remember the teaching about hypoglycemia signs and as a diabetic I can say that if I waited until the traditional signs I would be in trouble.

Kids and adults too should be educated in the symptoms that each individual body has for a lowering blood sugar. One for me is that I have a strong desire to sit in my comfy chair and rock slowly. Now you would not find that info in any book nor should you but it was something that I have learned to recognize as one of my early signs of impending trouble. If we could educate the younger kids on the individual signs of lowering blood sugar then we would avoid the crisis of a hypoglycemia problem.

I have no scientific theory to back this up but one of the side effects IMHO of diabetes is the loss of the natural feeling of being hungry. I don't know what hungry is or feels like anymore. I eat based on numbers and clocks and level of insulin in my system. This does not help with weight control at all! But having the pump and the CGMS does help me see what is causing the uncomfortable feeling that seems to call for food. Not sure if it's hunger or not...

hth

Ressy

In a message dated 1/3/2010 8:30:52 P.M. Central Standard Time, jeff@incredibleassemblies.com writes:



Wendy and Ron raised some very good points. No system is going to be perfect for EVERBODY---at least not yet. (Those pump patches look like they have great promise someday, though.) My eval was for MY relationship with a CGM system and different people will interact differently with each of them.



One thing that really disheartens me is when I visit elementary schools and hear from some of the diabetic kids that their doctors have them targeting 150 for their blood glucose levels. I'm very glad that your son is doing so well, Wendy.



There used to be that argument about tight control being ill-advised because of the immediate dangers of lows. It would be good if we could put our heads together and come up with a way to educate the medical community that CGM can be used to avoid those dangers, thereby avoiding the neuropathy dangers that poorly controlled kids will face later on. I have seen, firsthand, that this education is a necessity. Any ideas, anybody?



-jeff toll-free: 1-888-967-3386

Award-Winning Children's Author, Jeff Nathan, presents

CurricuLaughs

Curriculum-tied Language Arts Education through HUMOR

"... by far, the best set of presentations I have seen in our school system ."

Dr. Marc Kerble Assistant Superintendent Winchester Schools Winchester, MA

"… a student said it best. "You Rock!" From the mouth of babes, Jeff you were sensational. Thank you ever so much!"

Kristine O. Murray Media Enrichment Specialist Maghakian Memorial School Brookline, NH



see these and other raving testimonials at www.IncredibleAssemblies.com



From: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com [mailto:diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Wendy B.
Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2010 8:14 PM
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [diabetescgms] MM CGMS--works well for us!





After reading Jeff's review, as well as several others, I wanted to add a few thoughts regarding the MM system. My concern is that it has been given a poor review by those it did not work for. I credit Jeff though for very clearly indicating what he needed from a CGMS and why the Dexcom was better for him. However, I wanted to add a few points regarding the MM system that may not have be intuitive for someone new to this forum and CGMS systems.



I have a six year old with D. We started using the MM CGMS about 14 months ago. We selected the MM pump when my son was four so that we could use an integrated CGMS later if we wanted to. The MM CGMS has worked well for us, has been accurate, and is contained to one unit if we want it to be. We also recently received the Guardian this month and use that system at night for better alarm covrage. When I looked at Jeff's numbers as compared between the Dex, MM and finger stick, I was surprised to see such a disprity between the MM system and the finger stick. On average, we are within 20 pts of a finger stick and often times, within just a few points. What may not have been evident from the data that Jeff reported was that MM displays an arrow (or arrows) when BG is moving quickly. Jeff did not mention this arrow, but it is very very helpful in explaining what is going on and clearing up why a discrepancy is seen between a sensor BG and a fingerstick BG. We also are very careful to calibrate only when we are stable AND never eat within 15 minutes after a calibration has been put in.



I would like to try a Dex with my son at some point because I like that calibrating is easier. However, after playing around with The Guardian, I realize one unit is enough in his little pocket. Because of our MM CGMS, we are able to get great sleeping numbers. His A1c was has been 6.5 or 6.7 since beginning the system 14 mos ago. Our ped endo states that only 10 percent of his ped diab population is under 7 percent. We feel lucky to have this system. What I really love about it is that my 6 year old uses it to understand what he is feeling. When he is feeling low, he takes it out of his pocket and notes that it might say 116 with an arrow heading down. He understands that "yes---I am dropping". By the way---with Emla, insertion is painless---even for a six year old. We are about to put a new sensor in any minute--Sensor Sunday. OH---because if does have an ISIG displayed, I can get a pretty good idea what is going on with his BG even when I have not calibrated and a BG is not displayed. This comes with experience.



Off to change a sensor. Hope this adds an additional perspective.



Wendy








3a.

Re: Flexifix can be found on eBay too...

Posted by: "Allison Herschede" herschede@gmail.com   majicmaid

Thu Jan 7, 2010 6:58 am (PST)



I got my roll for under 10 bucks and I've been using it a year and still
have plenty. I went to google shopping and looked for the lowest price. I
think it was Ebay though.

Allison

On Wed, Jan 6, 2010 at 10:49 PM, Pat Fields <ptfields@bellsouth.net> wrote:

>
>
> I just purchased Flexifix off eBay. I would have never thought to look
> there if someone else on the list hadn't mentioned finding sensors there.
> ($33.75 +$8.95 shipping, 4" by 11 yd roll) I received it in less than a
> week. (Expiration date of Oct. 2012.)
> I always check the seller's feedback before I buy anything, though...
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com [mailto:diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com]
> *On Behalf Of *Richard Price
> *Sent:* Wednesday, January 06, 2010 10:33 PM
> *To:* diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
> *Subject:* Re: [diabetescgms] IV 3000 Waterproof?
>
>
>
> That Flexfix sounds good! . Is it more waterproof than IV3000? Also,
> where do you get it? Locally they don't have
> it but see it online with AllegroMedical. Who makes it? It sounds like the
> answer for securing my sensor.
> Thanks, Richard
>
> On Jan 3, 2010, at 8:13 PM, Elizabeth Blake wrote:
>
>
>
4a.

Re: Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake

Posted by: "jath622@wowway.com" jath622@wowway.com   jath6221

Thu Jan 7, 2010 10:00 am (PST)



Does this depend on the sensor you have? I have never waited to eat after calibration with a Navigator.

Judi in MI
------Original Message------
From: Louis Diaz
Sender: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
To: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
ReplyTo: diabetescgms@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [diabetescgms] Waiting Period Between Calibration and Food Intake
Sent: Jan 5, 2010 9:36 PM

� 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. com [mailto:diabetescgms@ 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 matc
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
5a.

Standard Deviation

Posted by: "Tracy Winsor" ohboys@carolina.rr.com   winsortracy

Thu Jan 7, 2010 2:36 pm (PST)



Quick Question...
I think I have seen some commenting on the CGM standard deviation number. I HATE numbers and so I never really paid attention to what you all said. HOWEVER, on our NAV I just figured out where that number is listed. Can someone again suggest what it represents AND what range I should want it to be in?

THANKS,
Tracy
5b.

Re: Standard Deviation

Posted by: "Bonnie" bonnieandrachel@gmail.com   bonnieandrachel

Thu Jan 7, 2010 2:42 pm (PST)



http://www.diabetesmine.com/2005/07/standard_deviat.html

Bonnie S.

On Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 3:36 PM, Tracy Winsor <ohboys@carolina.rr.com> wrote:

>
>
> Quick Question...
> I think I have seen some commenting on the CGM standard deviation number.
> I HATE numbers and so I never really paid attention to what you all said.
> HOWEVER, on our NAV I just figured out where that number is listed. Can
> someone again suggest what it represents AND what range I should want it to
> be in?
>
> THANKS,
> Tracy
>
>
>

--
Bonnie S.
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