Guardian RT

[someone]

Just ordered my Guardian RT today. It will be here tomorrow with overnight shipping. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

[Tony]

Is insurance paying or you?

We want pic's.

[someone]

For now, I'm paying out of pocket, but I will see what I can get covered by the insurance company.

[jenet]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Good luck on the coverage!
j

[FrankDr]

Just ordered my Guardian RT today. It will be here tomorrow with overnight shipping. I'll let everyone know how it goes.
I'm getting ready to do the same. Which rep are you working with? I've been getting emails from Travis, but apparently I'm not in his territory. He passed my name on to someone else, who I'm waiting to hear back from. I've been passed around since there are a few different territories in the DFW area. Also - Did you get the $1039 price? I think I saw that price mentioned in another post. One more question :) - How is MM handling training, or is there any required?

[someone]

I don't remember the name of the rep, but I did not have to switch or anything. She was able to enter my order and process the presceription. I then received a call from someone else 3 days later for the payment info and shipping address.

As for the training, the rep I talked to said it is not required. Even if you don't want the training, they have a local trainer contact you. I am still waiting for them to call but probably won't take the training unless I have problems over the next few days.

I just received mine today, inserted the sensor, and have about 1:30 left until I can do my first calibration. Yay! The sensor insertion was simple enough with the insertion device the starter kit comes with.

[BriOnH]

How long does calibration take?

[Tony]

How long does calibration take?
2 hours, B

[BriOnH]

not bad; not bad at all.

[Dewey]

I was in contact with the guy I met from the Expo, but he was out of town & passed my name on to another rep. I gave her my phone number, but haven't heard from her yet. :s:

[someone]

Well, the first day went pretty well. I have had readings for about 3 hours right now, and they have been very accurate. I just had one small problem at first, simply because they didn't say in the manual that the antenna icon will change at about an hour and a half. The first time I did the "new sensor" process, I saw the icon change and immediately thought it meant there was a problem, so I started the new sensor process a second time. The second time, I just ignored it, and everything was fine. If it works this well all the time, it is well worth the cost. The only other complaint I have is that the needle is quite long compared to the infusion sets I use, but for most people this probably isn't an issue.

[condensr]

Are you using the new, smaller transmitter?

[someone]

Are you using the new, smaller transmitter?

Yes. It is the minilink and the new Guardian that looks like a stripped down minimed pump.

[NoelD]

Yep, that 21ga needle looks a bit intimidating to stick in your side or legs. It's not that bad though. I haven't had a painful insertion yet. I think I am on my 9th sensor now.

[condensr]

Ok, ****, that looks sweet.. if its somewhat accurate (especially at showing trends) I think I might look in to that. MM will bill insurance directly too, whereas I don't think Dexcom will.

Keep us updated! :)

[someone]

Yep, that 21ga needle looks a bit intimidating to stick in your side or legs. It's not that bad though. I haven't had a painful insertion yet. I think I am on my 9th sensor now.

I just don't have enough fat on my stomach. The insertion wasn't that painful, but every once and a while when I move, it hurts. It's not bad enough that I don't want to wear it though, I have already become completely addicted to the thing.

Readings are very accurate if I calibrate when I am stable. It makes such a huge difference.

[NoelD]

I just don't have enough fat on my stomach. The insertion wasn't that painful, but every once and a while when I move, it hurts. It's not bad enough that I don't want to wear it though, I have already become completely addicted to the thing.

Readings are very accurate if I calibrate when I am stable. It makes such a huge difference.

I completely agree. So you're getting confident in it eh? I did after the first week of learning it's nuances. When I first saw how big the needle was, I was a bit intimidated. I do not insert in my tummy. I do it in either side directly under my armpits just above the waistline, about a 3-4 inch area there. I am trying to get up the nerve to try a thigh insertion. I just fear huge needles in my thighs for some reason, I guess because I had many painful insulin shots in the top part of the thigh. Maybe next time I'll do the outer thigh.

[someone]

Here is my first full day of data. Some of it is a little off since the clock on my meter was wrong, but it is good for the first day.

[Tony]

Is this with the carelink? They gave you the bd meter to upload the data?

[someone]

Is this with the carelink? They gave you the bd meter to upload the data?

The chart is from carelink. It supports most meters... just so happens I use the BD meter. I have used it for a long time, so no, they didn't give it to me.

[NoelD]

After you get at least 2 days in, it'll show trend info in the "Sensor Daily overlay" report (the black dotted line is the average for that period). The most you can get at once is a whole week. For instance, the first one below shows a week period of 7 days. The second one shows the accuracy I normally get. The black squares in the 2nd one are fingerstick tests.

[Tony]

The chart is from carelink. It supports most meters... just so happens I use the BD meter. I have used it for a long time, so no, they didn't give it to me.

How did you get a link meter?

[someone]

I don't have a link meter. I just have a regular BD logic. Carelink supports the regular BD logic as well as the link one.

Noel, your graph is certainly much more stable than mine.. but hopefully I will get there within a week or so..

I was wondering why I couldn't get to the overlay report.

[NoelD]

It helped me a great deal. Seriously. I would feel lost without it now. It's a good enabler tool to me. I used to be afraid to stay below 120 for going hypo too fast, but not anymore.

[someone]

Well, my last hbA1c was 5.7, so no problem there. The only problem is, I was getting a lot of lows. As you can see from the graph I posted, I went down to 55 last night when I usually wouldn't have been woken up to correct it.

On your glucose chart, it looks like all of your tests are right on the line. I really need to look into getting a different meter. Lol

[JasonJayhawk]

Thanks for posting your graphs. Very cool stuff! I literally just discovered drool coming down my chin! No joke!

[Tony]

Carelink supports the regular BD logic as well as the link one.



I understand that, what I don't understand is how you download the Guardian readings?

Thanks for posting your graphs. Very cool stuff! I literally just discovered drool coming down my chin! No joke!
Jason you going to be ok? They are pretty cool. It's nice to see what is going on all day to spot trends.

[someone]

To download the Guardian readings, you just log in to carelink and upload it via the "comlink" cable that it came with. At the top of carelink, you click upload and when the applet loads, you pick Guardian RT.

[Tony]

To download the Guardian readings, you just log in to carelink and upload it via the "comlink" cable that it came with. At the top of carelink, you click upload and when the applet loads, you pick Guardian RT. I know how to use carelink. I didn't know what was used for a cable. Where does the cable plugin into the Guardian?

[BriOnH]

**** that is a cool report!!! I think I am gonna get an RT. 2hrs clibration still sucks but I guess I can live with it.

[Tony]

**** that is a cool report!!! I think I am gonna get an RT. 2hrs clibration still sucks but I guess I can live with it.

The 2 hour calibration is only once a week, if you look at that way it's not bad.

[NoelD]

Yep, 2 hours only when you change sensors, which some get as much as 25 days out of, small price to pay. I might try for more than a week to see how I respond and see if accuracy suffers. I am on day 7 now, and it still seems really good even when I pull it at the end of day 7. I'll push this one to 9 days and see how it goes from there.

[BriOnH]

The problem is I am not going to have this hooked up all the time. I just want it on me when I am gong on long motorcycle rides, long runs, etc. Places and events in which its to hard to check my sugar while doing.

[someone]

I know how to use carelink. I didn't know what was used for a cable. Where does the cable plugin into the Guardian?

The cable does not plug in. It is infrared. The comlink is basically Minimed's infrared adapter. I just put the IR receiver up next to the Guardian. If it had a plug, it would not be "water resistant".

The problem is I am not going to have this hooked up all the time. I just want it on me when I am gong on long motorcycle rides, long runs, etc. Places and events in which its to hard to check my sugar while doing.

It's definitely not something you can just have on for a few hours.

[NoelD]

The problem is I am not going to have this hooked up all the time. I just want it on me when I am gong on long motorcycle rides, long runs, etc. Places and events in which its to hard to check my sugar while doing.

Well Brian, that'd kinda be a waste really wouldn't it? You mean you'd use a sensor for less than a day and pull it?

[BriOnH]

Well Brian, that'd kinda be a waste really wouldn't it? You mean you'd use a sensor for less than a day and pull it?

Yup, sure would! But you have a point, that could be $$$.

[someone]

Last night, I disabled the screen timeout, and now (after 2 days) the battery is on its last 1/3.

[someone]

Noel, I noticed that if you disconnect the transmitter, you will have to wait the 2 hour warm up time, regardless of whether you do new sensor, find lost sensor or reconnect old sensor. My guess is that when you reconnect the transmitter and see the green light, it resets resets the memory forcing the receiver to make you wait 2 hours. I know the transmitter has a memory because the user manual says that it store 40 minutes of data if you are not near the receiver.

[NoelD]

Yes, if you physically disconnect you do have to wait 2 hours. If you are at day 3 and want to keep using the same sensor, just say "New Sensor" without disconnecting. That works for me, and within 15 minutes I will get a calibration prompt.

[someone]

Yes, if you physically disconnect you do have to wait 2 hours. If you are at day 3 and want to keep using the same sensor, just say "New Sensor" without disconnecting. That works for me, and within 15 minutes I will get a calibration prompt.

But all I am saying is that it knows you only need 15 minutes because the transmitter has not been reset. At least now I know not to disconnect the transmitter.

[grove.armada]

I've got my Guardian RT two days ago and I got to say I'm frickin impressed.
I wasn't excepting it to be that accurate , I've put it on yesterday at 7am and let it soak for 2 full hours before I connected the transmitter, than I didn't eat for the next two to have a stable first calibration.
I've been checking my sugars every 30 min and everytime it's been +-10 between my accucheck compact, today after third calibration the difference is only +-4 !!!! and I can't believe it.
Now I'm just keeping my fingers crossed it will stay like that so I can build more trust in it.
There were couple times were the difference between the guardian and compact was -+20 but ten minutes later it was only +-10 on the first day.
I did notice today that tape around the sensor is peeling off around the edges so I used a 3inch 3M micropore tape over the whole thing, seems to be working fine after first shower.

Anyone have had any experience about getting free sensor replacement in case they fail or come off due too a adhesive problems ???

[someone]

I do not think they will replace the sensor because of adheasive problems. Mine usually runs around +-10, and if I calibrated it correctly, it is exact when I am stable. Sometimes however, it takes around 30 minutes for it to change when your BG is changing very rapidly.

I am just changing my sensor for the first time. This time I am trying IV prep since I was only able to keep the last one on for 3 days. If that doesn't work or hurts it accuracy for some reason, I'm going to try tegaderm. I posted pics of the old sensor in the gallery. Does anyone know if it is normal to see the cannula enter the skin right between the two sides of the adhesive pad slit at the very front of the sensor? It feels to me like I am asking for infection since there is not even anything covering where it enters.

[someone]

Well, I am going for 4 days with the sensor and so far not so good. I just put an IV3000 on it, and after a little over 3 days, I am noticing slightly less accuracy and jumpy readings. For the past 2 hours, my graph has been going up and down between 90 and 110 and everytime I test, I am 110. It could also be that I didn't have an IV3000 on before, and the sensor got a beating. Next time I will have to take better care of the sensor and see if I can get more than 4 days out of it.

[condensr]

Wow, that pic of the sensor you posted makes it look, err, rather large and evil. I hope thats not as painful as it looks.

[someone]

Wow, that pic of the sensor you posted makes it look, err, rather large and evil. I hope thats not as painful as it looks.

It's really not that painful. The second one looked more normal.

[someone]

Just an update..

So far the monitoring is going very well. I really haven't had any problems except for sensors only lasting 3 days, which I fixed by using tegaderm instead of IV3000. I find the difference between the 2 absolutely amazing. I can actually shower with the tegaderm. My only other complaints are the the sensors are a little too long (I find that it hurts when I bump something), and the transmitter range could be improved. I had one night where I had the receiver on my night stand, and it lost the sensor, so I got no readings that night. I haven't put it on my nightstand since. After that, I am a bit scared to try it again. The problem could however have had something to do with the angle at which I inserted the sensor, so I am not really sure why that only happened one night.

I have also learned that calibrating at the proper times is crucial for accuracy. Provided you do the following, you shouldn't have many problems:
* Calibrate when your BG has been stable for at leat 15 minutes -- the most important thing
* Calibrate when you are in a normal range. Calibrating when you are above or below your normal range causes it to be accurate for that range. For example, If I calibrate when I am 60, the guardian becomes accurate for the hypo range, and gets slighly more inaccurate when your BG starts to rise. The same applies for highs, but calibrating high is much worse than low.
* Cover your sensor/transmitter with a tegaderm, NOT an IV3000.
* Insert the sensor at the correct angle

Another thing is that the Guardian generally has not been accurate for me when I am over 250. About a week ago, when I woke up, it said 230 when I was actually 380.

It does have a couple flaws, but as long as you have decent control, it is almost perfectly accurate. If you are not in good control, it will help you get in good control. ;)

From my 3 week experience so far, I would strongly reccomend it. Although I never did try the Dexcom, I have not had any of the problems with the MM that people describe having with the Dexcom (such as noise).

If anyone has any questions, I will be happy to answer them. :)

[FrankDr]

After a number of delays getting prescriptions, paperwork etc done. I got a call from MM yesteday . . . to let me know the RT's are on backorder. The rep said they should have more next week and will call me when they ship it.

[someone]

By the way, I called my insurance about coverage, and they are supposed to call me in a few days to let me know what the deal is.

[Dewey]

After a number of delays getting prescriptions, paperwork etc done. I got a call from MM yesteday . . . to let me know the RT's are on backorder. The rep said they should have more next week and will call me when they ship it.

Yeah, I went to my endo Monday, faxed his office the prescription form that 'someone' had posted on Tuesday, and am just waiting for him to send me the letter of medical necessity & script so I can photocopy them & send them on to MM. I'm looking forward to getting the CGMS, but am on edge 'cause I knew I wanted one around the end of Feb./beginning of March & it's now April...Of course, waiting to see if insurance will cover it will probably take a couple (to several) more weeks, so.....Guess I'd better find some more patience! lol :tomato:

[FrankDr]

I got a call a few minutes after I posted about the delay. It was from MM saying they had new RT's in stock and they were going to send it out Monday. I guess next time there's a problem, I should post about it on DF :)

You might want to be careful, because they got the Guardian confused with the x22 upgrade. When they told me the wrong price, they checked again and made sure they were sending the right unit. They asked 'do you already have a pump?' which probably made them think I needed the upgrade for their pumps.

Anyway - we'll see what shows up on Tuesday. I gave them my work address so that someone will be there to accept it.

[Dewey]

I got a call a few minutes after I posted about the delay. It was from MM saying they had new RT's in stock and they were going to send it out Monday. I guess next time there's a problem, I should post about it on DF :)
Cool! I'm excited for you! You'll have to keep us posted when you get it!

You might want to be careful, because they got the Guardian confused with the x22 upgrade. When they told me the wrong price, they checked again and made sure they were sending the right unit. They asked 'do you already have a pump?' which probably made them think I needed the upgrade for their pumps.
Yeah, I'll definitely let them know exactly which unit I want...When I went to my endo, he said he wanted to be careful about wording so that both the insurance & MiniMed wouldn't get confused (as to what we're getting).

Good luck, Frank, and we look forward to hearing about your experiences with it, too! :thumbsup:

[someone]

Although I didn't initially plan on getting training, I finally got it today. The minimed trainer was very good, especially considering that it was her first time teaching the Guardian. Since I have been using the Guardian a couple weeks now, I was pretty well-versed. However, I did learn NOT to use IV prep before inserting a sensor. Like with the Dexcom, apparently IV prep screws up the readings. I also learned that since I am not overweight, I should position the inserter at an almost 90 degree angle when inserting a sensor.

[Dewey]

Cool that you learned some good tips & got good training. Did they say anything about you using the system before receiving training on it (hope not!)?

I received an e-mail from my local rep last week saying that my order had been received & was being processed by MM. Not sure how long it will take for it to arrive, but it's a step in the right direction. I also need to call insurance to find out about whether or not I'll have to appeal (Sheesh, I hope not!).

[NoelD]

Although I didn't initially plan on getting training, I finally got it today. The minimed trainer was very good, especially considering that it was her first time teaching the Guardian. Since I have been using the Guardian a couple weeks now, I was pretty well-versed. However, I did learn NOT to use IV prep before inserting a sensor. Like with the Dexcom, apparently IV prep screws up the readings. I also learned that since I am not overweight, I should position the inserter at an almost 90 degree angle when inserting a sensor.

I am a bit overweight, and I have always done 90 degree insertions, since the first was at about 60 degrees, and it was flaky, I found 90 degrees to work best for me.

[someone]

I am a bit overweight, and I have always done 90 degree insertions, since the first was at about 60 degrees, and it was flaky, I found 90 degrees to work best for me.

I have always aligned the feet of the inserter with my skin. It hurts like **** and doesn't really go in right.

[Dewey]

Someone, how long did it take you from the time you put in your prescription till the time you got your CGMS system? I'm curious to know, because I got the e-mail last Wednesday saying that my prescription has been processed with MM's ordering team, and that they would go ahead & order the Guardian for me. I'm hoping to get it soon, but was wondering if there's a wait (due to backorders, etc)?

[NoelD]

I have always aligned the feet of the inserter with my skin. It hurts like **** and doesn't really go in right.

Yep, my first sensor insertion was just like that and it was kinda painful and didn't want to go in. Straight up 90 degrees works best for me thus far. I am still as tickled as a schoolgirl on the first day of school over it. It's been an absolute boon for my overall control.

[someone]

I called, Minimed and got the number to fax the prescription to. It took about 2 days to process the prescription, then in about 4 days I was called for credit card info etc. I had my Guardian the next day.

[Dewey]

I called, Minimed and got the number to fax the prescription to. It took about 2 days to process the prescription, then in about 4 days I was called for credit card info etc. I had my Guardian the next day.
I imagine if they go that route (seeking payment up front by me), they'll likely call tomorrow or some time this week.

That said, I faxed my letter of medical necessity to the ins. company & the gal told me to put it through as "Urgent," so that the review board would look it over sooner (usually it takes 30 days, but when Urgent, it takes about a week or so). I actually have to call the insurance co. tomorrow to check the status of the review....I'm cautiously hopeful, but somewhat sad at the same time. I know that probably sounds ridiculous, but I don't want to get my hopes up only to be let down. I will fight - but in a way, I hate having to fight for what's right.

[FrankDr]

Someone, how long did it take you from the time you put in your prescription till the time you got your CGMS system? I'm curious to know, because I got the e-mail last Wednesday saying that my prescription has been processed with MM's ordering team, and that they would go ahead & order the Guardian for me. I'm hoping to get it soon, but was wondering if there's a wait (due to backorders, etc)?
Well, Mine arrived last week, the day before I had to go out of town.

Mine took about a week after someone from MM called and said they had my order. It was on backorder for a few days, and the sensos come in a cold pack, so they only ship on Monday to Thursday.

So far, I'm really happy with mine. The sensor I have in right now (first one I inserted - 6 days old) didn't hurt a bit going in. When I looked at the loaded inserter, I figured it was really going to go in hard, but I almost didn't feel it at all - suprise - I set it at a 45 deg angle according to the instructions.

The trainer is coming by my office on Thursday. Hopefully she'll have some hints and tricks. I've already figured out all the options, etc. I picked up a few secrets from the Yahoo cgms group.

I guess the biggest trick is to do the calibrations when you have steady bg's since the value you enter is held for 15 minutes for the sensor to catch up with the blood BG reading. Even if the numbers are off, at least the trend it good to see.

The only thing that is disappointing is that the carelink report only shows the line and doesn't annotate all the carb, insulin, exercise entries that you input. It does show up in the data table and logbook views, but I'd like to see it on the sensor report too.

For now, I'm putting everything in Excel and creating the graphs from there. It's a pain to retype all the numbers in, but the analysis is much better. I'll post a copy if anyone is interested.

[FrankDr]

Although I didn't initially plan on getting training, I finally got it today. The minimed trainer was very good, especially considering that it was her first time teaching the Guardian.

I have my training set up for Thursday. My trainer is going to be Linda M. Was that the same person you used? She's from the Plano area.

[someone]

I have my training set up for Thursday. My trainer is going to be Linda M. Was that the same person you used? She's from the Plano area.

No, I had someone from Tyler.

[Dewey]

Thanks for the info., Frank. I'm hoping mine will come soon...That said, I still have to call insurance tomorrow to find out if they'll cover it (or at least some of it). I'll probably call MiniMed as well, because I'm not sure if I have to pay them up front, then be reimbursed by insurance. If ins. will cover it (or even some of it) up front, awesome. If not, I'm just hoping they'll reimburse!

[someone]

I set it at a 45 deg angle according to the instructions.

According to my trainer, I don't have enough body fat to do that, so she suggested about 80 degrees.


The only thing that is disappointing is that the carelink report only shows the line and doesn't annotate all the carb, insulin, exercise entries that you input. It does show up in the data table and logbook views, but I'd like to see it on the sensor report too.

That was disappointing to me too, so I don't even bother. I would like to just write my own program for uploading my guardian, meter and pump.

[Dewey]

...I still have to call insurance tomorrow to find out if they'll cover it (or at least some of it). If ins. will cover it (or even some of it) up front, awesome. If not, I'm just hoping they'll reimburse!

Well, ain't that a.....called insurance to ensure they received my fax for the pre-determination of benefits, and they said they didn't receive anything. Guess I have to go fax it yet again! After all this leg work, I'm hoping they'll cover it! Sheesh! :(

[NoelD]

According to my trainer, I don't have enough body fat to do that, so she suggested about 80 degrees.



That was disappointing to me too, so I don't even bother. I would like to just write my own program for uploading my guardian, meter and pump.


Hmmm, my reports shows all of that, but maybe because mine is the Minilink/Pump combo.

[someone]

Hmmm, my reports shows all of that, but maybe because mine is the Minilink/Pump combo.

Where does yours show it? Maybe my graphs show it, just not where I would like them to show it. I was hoping there would be some sort of annotations on the daily graphs.

By the way, I am finally able to get more than 3 days out of a sensor! I am on my 4th day for this sensor, and it is running very accurately. I guess I'm not going to use my abdomen any longer..

[FrankDr]

By the way, I am finally able to get more than 3 days out of a sensor! I am on my 4th day for this sensor, and it is running very accurately. I guess I'm not going to use my abdomen any longer..

I got 7 days out of my first one. I removed it because I had training on it scheduled the next day and I probably wouldn't get kudos for hooking up before getting 'trained'. I'm on my second sensor and it's been about 6 days and everything is going fine - except for the golf-ball sized knot I got from hitting something during insertion. The swelling went down after a few hours but it left a fairly big bruise and bled a bit - However, the readings have been excellent. If I get a solid calibration, the numbers are right on.

I've been copying the data into Excel and reviewing it that way.

[someone]

I got 7 days out of my first one. I removed it because I had training on it scheduled the next day and I probably wouldn't get kudos for hooking up before getting 'trained'.

The trainer I had was very surprised that I was able to get it all working on my own.

I've been copying the data into Excel and reviewing it that way.

Are you using it to replace regular fingerstick tests?

[FrankDr]

The trainer I had was very surprised that I was able to get it all working on my own.
Well, there's not a whole lot to it. If you've learned how to use a pump, a CGMS system is somewhat less complex. I guess the trainers get to work with mostly inexperienced people.


Are you using it to replace regular fingerstick tests?
At first, I was actually doing more fingersticks, now I find myself skipping the 2hr after-meal checks since I can see the entire timeline. I'm just doing fingersticks before meals and for calibrations - and a few other times.

[someone]

Well, there's not a whole lot to it. If you've learned how to use a pump, a CGMS system is somewhat less complex. I guess the trainers get to work with mostly inexperienced people.

The trainer I had had never taught the Guardian before. There are a couple things you need to know to get accurate results from the CGMS though. They don't want some idiot getting pissed and throwing the whole thing in the trash before he/she knows how to use it. lol

You're right though, once you get calibrations and insertion angles down, it really isn't hard at all to use. Her suggestion to me for calibrations was not to calibrate when there is an up/down arrow. I thought that was a little misleading, considering it works 100x better if your BG is hardly moving at all.

At first, I was actually doing more fingersticks, now I find myself skipping the 2hr after-meal checks since I can see the entire timeline. I'm just doing fingersticks before meals and for calibrations - and a few other times.

Oh ok. So you just put the 2 hour checks in excel?

[FrankDr]

Oh ok. So you just put the 2 hour checks in excel?
Nope - I put all 288 daily readings into it. I get them from the table report and retype them in. It's a PITA, but it let's me work with the data much better.

[someone]

Nope - I put all 288 daily readings into it. I get them from the table report and retype them in. It's a PITA, but it let's me work with the data much better.

ARE YOU SERIOUS!? Why not just use the line graph?