MM CGMS Tomorrow

[jenet]

Just a quick update: I wore the MM Real-Time CGMS from Friday through Monday, and fell in love with it. I ordered one, and it should arrive tomorrow morning. :D I can't wait to get started!

cheers,
j

[am1977]

Woo Hoo :party:. That is exciting :D.

I wore a DexCom for a trial period and, though I didn't end up purchasing it, it was cool to have the power to see what my blood sugar was doing at all times :top:.

I did have my problems with it... lost signal TOO many times, and off range readings, but I did hesitate to give it back :(.

Good luck and please keep us posted ;)

[FrankDr]

I can't wait to get started!


I've had mine about a month so far. I wish I got better results with the sensors. Out of 4 - I've had 2 good, 1 so-so and 1 not-so good. Overall I'm happy with it. It takes some time to get used to the process.

Congrats-

[notme]

Can't wait to hear your experience with CGMS. Good luck.

[jenet]

I've had mine about a month so far. I wish I got better results with the sensors. Out of 4 - I've had 2 good, 1 so-so and 1 not-so good. Overall I'm happy with it. It takes some time to get used to the process.

Congrats-
Just curious: By "good, so-so and not-so-good", are you referring to the accuracy of the results or the length of time you got out of each sensor?

cheers,
j

[someone]

I have had 3 sensors so far that were bad. Most likely this is due to the angle at which I inserted them. Usually when there is something wrong with the sensor, it still gives readings. I have noticed the following symptoms of a bad sensor
1) You will get a weak signal error on the monitor screen, even though the transmitter is 2 inches away from the monitor. Once the sensor starts working again, it makes you wait the 2 hour warmup time.
2) Readings will be way off and trends will be wrong, regardless of the quality of calibration.

Make sure you position the inserter with about a 55° angle, that is where I have had the most luck. Here is a picture that might help.

http://www.diabetesforums.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=733&c=3

I have tried using a 90 degree angle (like my trainer said to do), but that hasn't worked at all, perhaps because I don't have enough body fat. I usually experience problems unless the angle is perfect.

[jenet]

Can't wait to hear your experience with CGMS. Good luck.
Pardon my enthusiasm and rambling on... my CGMS is here! I wanted to share my excitement with somebody, and I know you all will understand what a big day today is. :)

It's been a roller coaster ride since Tuesday, with some initial problems placing the order. Then I got a call last night. There was a mix-up on the address, and everything was going to my office on my day off - not my house (where I am on Fridays).

So, I went to work this morning just to hang around and wait for the goodies to arrive. UPS delivered my CGMS box at 10:00 AM, and I dived in. It had lots of things - everything except the sensors. Oh No! Where are the sensors? :eek:

Quick call MM Customer Service! They figured out that the UPS guy only delivered one of two boxes I was supposed to get. The other box was showing that it was in town for delivery "sometime today". :( OK, deep breath. Unpack the box I've got, put the battery in the receiver, do the iniital settings, install the software drivers on my PC. Do a test upload with no data just to make sure it's all working. Back to waiting... and waiting... and waiting... 1:45 PM the sensors arrive (bundled in multiple boxes with styrofoam and cold packs). Unpack one sensor so it can start warming up before insertion. Time to go home, now that I have all the pieces. :party:

I am so spoiled by Insets, I had to really psych myself up to put the sensor in - the insertion needle looked big. Big sigh of relief - done! :o The sensor is communicating with the receiver, and I'm in the two hour calibration period. It should be ready to calibrate before dinner, and I will be off and running.

I know my CDE will not be happy I started without her, but let's get real... I've been reading everything I could find on the internet about using CGMSs for 3 months, I have good computer/technology skills, I read the user guides multiple times, I had a successful test drive, and the worst I could do is mess up a sensor. It's a piece of cake after being on a pump. ;)

cheers,
j

[someone]

Good luck. I started using mine right when it came as well. The only part of using it that I have had trouble with are sensor angles.

[jenet]

Good luck. I started using mine right when it came as well. The only part of using it that I have had trouble with are sensor angles.
So, tell! What was the problem with the angle? Exactly 45 degrees? More shallow? Or deeper? (I read posts going both ways.) What worked for you?

cheers,
j

[tlongo]

Hey good luck with the new CGMS!! I am interested in them but will have to wait, I don't have the money and my insurance does not cover it yet.

[someone]

So, tell! What was the problem with the angle? Exactly 45 degrees? More shallow? Or deeper? (I read posts going both ways.) What worked for you?

cheers,
j

Well, the book says to put the inserter's legs flat on the surface of your skin. I just tilt them up slightly, barely at all. It makes a huge difference though. I would say it's about 55 degrees. Did you see the picture I posted?

[NoelD]

YMMV on the insertion angle. I personally get the best accuracy right at 90 degrees. My first sensor was bad because I inserted it right at 45 degrees and it was not accurate at all. A few people here in my city found the same thing. You might want to experiment to see which works best for you.

[someone]

YMMV on the insertion angle. I personally get the best accuracy right at 90 degrees. My first sensor was bad because I inserted it right at 45 degrees and it was not accurate at all. A few people here in my city found the same thing. You might want to experiment to see which works best for you.

I cannot get my sensors to work at 90 or 45 degrees. As I said before, I think it also has a lot to do with the amount of fat you have in the area. If you use about 55 degrees, it actually turns out to be around 45 degrees. For some reason, when I put the legs of the inserter flat, it really doesn't go in at 45 degrees. It actually goes a couple millimeters forward of the plastic part of the sensor and isn't underneath it. I think this is really something they need to look at with their sen-serter, so it isn't a guessing game.

[nab486]

Hi all,

I got mine about 2 weeks ago and I love it. I also use about 45-50 degree angle and it has worked all 3 times so far. The MM rep that helped me get started said to lay the legs on the skin but DO NOT press down.... just lay them there. I guess pressing will alter the angle some. So far all 3 have worked great.

Jamie

[someone]

Hi all,

I got mine about 2 weeks ago and I love it. I also use about 45-50 degree angle and it has worked all 3 times so far. The MM rep that helped me get started said to lay the legs on the skin but DO NOT press down.... just lay them there. I guess pressing will alter the angle some. So far all 3 have worked great.

Jamie

Hmm.. maybe I am pressing too hard? I have found it works just to tilt it slightly forward. You can instantly tell if it went it right when you go to pull out the inserter needle. If the inserter needle comes out easily, you know it's a keeper. If you have to fiddle with it to get the inserter needle out, then the sensor might not work so well.

This is what I have found in my experience at least. A perfect angle allows the inserter needle to slide right out.