722 Hooked Up

[duck]

I met with my pump trainer, the same one who trained me on my Cozmore, LOL, this morning, and I am now re-assimilated into the MiniMed collective. So far, so good.

The 722 does things a bit different than the Cozmore, so I am going to have to get used to that, but otherwise I can deal with it.

And I just got my Real Time System Sensors, so I need to get trained up on that stuff as well. Ooooooh, exciting times. :D

[jimbob]

Congrats! How's the size of the 722 compared to the cozmo? I've been wanting to try the cozmo but the size issue does worry me!

[iDream]

I'm on the 722. No complaints. Is it heavier than your previous pump? Even though its the only pump I've ever used, it seems a bit heavy. Use the bolus wizard, its great.

[NoelD]

I use the same setup. It's been great. You'll get addicted to the CGMS within a few weeks.

[duck]

The 722 fits better than the Cozmo when the Cozmo has its meter attached. Using stacked quarters, the 722 is about 9 quarters thick and the Cozmo with meter is about 16. When you attach clips, etc., both obviously gain a little bulk, but IMHO the 722 still is slimmer in that circumstance.

So far, so good. They both seem to weigh the same.

[kgm0612]

Congratulations, Duck. Keep us posted on how you like the 722 or what you don't like about it!

Karen

[duck]

Well, I slept real good last night...I can't remember the last time I said that!

[jimbob]

Glad to hear your back to good again and the 722 is a good fit!
:beer: Here's to more sleep filled nights!

[Tricia452008]

Congrats on enjoying the 722 pump Duck...that is the one i am leaning towards and i have heard nothing but good things about it.

[pumpman]

I was put on a trial of the Minimed 722 by my hospital (in Australia). It's is really good, i find it fun to look at the 24 hour BG graph (it's also really useful). I'm also using the new blood glucose transmitter (the smaller one).

Putting in two separate needles is a bit annoying, especially since the glucose needle is about twice as thick... I put the needle in by hand (don't use that serter thing).

I find the CGMS is sometimes quite inaccurate. The CGMS might say 12.0, but my actual BG is 5.0. Do you guys find the accuracy is sometimes off?

Are supplies for the new pump and CGMS expensive for you guys? I'm getting a month trial for free at the moment, but i heard the glucose sensor electrode needles are about $70 each!

[duck]

I was put on a trial of the Minimed 722 by my hospital (in Australia). It's is really good, i find it fun to look at the 24 hour BG graph (it's also really useful). I'm also using the new blood glucose transmitter (the smaller one).

Putting in two separate needles is a bit annoying, especially since the glucose needle is about twice as thick... I put the needle in by hand (don't use that serter thing).

I find the CGMS is sometimes quite inaccurate. The CGMS might say 12.0, but my actual BG is 5.0. Do you guys find the accuracy is sometimes off?

Are supplies for the new pump and CGMS expensive for you guys? I'm getting a month trial for free at the moment, but i heard the glucose sensor electrode needles are about $70 each!

The Sensors will cost me $35 each going forward...I'll be using some of the techniques espoused here to extend the life of the Sensors to bring the costs into a range I can afford (like using them at least 7 days, and maybe 14). Of course, I'll need to monitor sites closely as time goes on, but that should go without saying.

Also, in regards to accuracy--My first couple of days, I was a little annoyed by how far off this thing could be. At one point, I got a reading of 210, and when I checked with two seperate blood glucose monitors, both indicated I was 255 and 259. However, I suppose that range is within the range quoted by MM. I complained to my pump/CGMS trainer, and she reminded me that CGMS is neither accurate nor precise (like our glucose meters), but the true genius is being able to see a trend in almost-real-time and taking corrective action. She advised me to jump on those 200+ readings sooner! LOL

Also, earlier this week I was advised by NoelD and others to try and get my blood sugars into my target range before calibrating. My range is supposed to be 90-120, and if I can be in that range when calibrating, my next calibration is very accurate (this morning, for instance, I the CGMS told me I was 150, and my meter told me I was 154, not bad--now I just need to stop the late-night snacking before bed*).

I calibrate the maximum four times daily, and I try to do it "within target range" and while I am not fluctuating wildly.

* I tell you what, the one bad thing about getting CGMS is that my brain keeps telling me "Go ahead and eat that...let's see what it does to your sugars..." and mostly late at night. I need to stop that.

[NoelD]

Yea duck, it helps keep me in line too, knowing that I will see a big spike if I eat this or that, dreading the "HIGH" alarms. I just play nicely and try to stay in target. Also, I set my HIGH alarm to 130, just so it lets me know before it gets out of hand.

[pumpman]

The Sensors will cost me $35 each going forward...I'll be using some of the techniques espoused here to extend the life of the Sensors to bring the costs into a range I can afford (like using them at least 7 days, and maybe 14). Of course, I'll need to monitor sites closely as time goes on, but that should go without saying.

In which thread are these techniques?

[duck]

In which thread are these techniques?

Yo! CGMS Rocks!

http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/monitoring/20603-yo-cgms-rocks.html

[pumpman]

Yo! CGMS Rocks!

http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/monitoring/20603-yo-cgms-rocks.html
Sorry, couldn't find any techniques in that thread.

A question about the sensors:
-Would it be possible to re-use the sensors? I've found you can put the needle back onto the old sensor. Would it work if you just cleaned the electode with disinfectant and then re-insert in a different location?

[duck]

Sorry, couldn't find any techniques in that thread.

A question about the sensors:
-Would it be possible to re-use the sensors? I've found you can put the needle back onto the old sensor. Would it work if you just cleaned the electode with disinfectant and then re-insert in a different location?

I would very much advise against that...cellulitis can be a bad, bad thing.

Here's the references to "techniques"...maybe the word should be "advice" or "experience" as opposed to "techniques"...:D

Congrats, I'm sure you'll like it. Just some words of advice, I have had most luck by far when calibrating using a one touch meter. Freestyle was the worst for me. I could never get the thing to match up with what the meter said. BD worked pretty well, but one touch is still superior. Let me know if you find any difference calibrating with different meters, that way I can be reassured that I am not giving 1ul of blood per test for no reason.

Someone, the Freestyle was the worst for me too. I use the Ultrasmart by One Touch and it's worked great. Duck, another thing, remember, when you calibrate in the low 100's, it will be most accurate in that range say from 80-130, much more than that and it gets off a bit. For instance, you calibrate at 100, and later it says 130 or 140, I know it's time to test because I've seen it say 140 and I am 180. The farther you seem to get from your calibration BG, the farther out the window accuracy goes. That's why I try to calibrate at 85-90 and strive to stay in that range. Now, if you calibrate at 200 or 250 it'll be most accurate in that range. I'd say if you can keep your BG from fluctuating more than 30-40 points, you are good, and it'll be pretty accurate.

Good point. I have noticed the same thing, and it varies from sensor to sensor. Some sensors I have had, I calibrate in the 80-120 range and they are accurate in the 200s.

[Funnygrl]

I have training on my 522 Monday. Hopefully then I'll also get the letter of medical necessity from my doctor for the sensors so I can start the insurance process.

[pumpman]

I think the MM 722 just set a new record today...

I put in a new battery (Energizer Max Alkaline) on Sunday and the pump managed to use up ALL of the bars by today (and it gave the LOW BATTERY warning). That means the battery lasted a WHOLE 3 DAYS!

My old pump was the Animas 1200 and i was used to the pump lasting 4-5 months on one battery.

I have it on vibrate and have been bolusing a lot (and the stupid thing buzzes in every button push).

Is there an Animas pump with CGMS? I certainly will not buy this pump after my trial is over.

IMO the Animas pump has much better software (more settings and the ability to turn off certain alarms) and a better quality case. The MiniMed programmers are a bunch of monkeys.

[duck]

I have read this pump seems to chew through batteries. I haven't yet had an issue, however I need to qualify my experiences. I used a good ol fashioned Energizer AAA for a couple weeks, from July 24 through last Saturday (Aug 4) with the indicator at 3/4 bars. I have mine set to vibrate as well...

I was out shopping for a few things, and batteries were on my list. I got some more regular Energizer AAA's, and I bought their Energizer Lithium brand as well...the Lithiums are advertised as the longest lasting, but they are also at least three times more expensive, so I'll have to do the math shortly to see how long they would need to last to make a decent ROI. Anyway, August 4 they went in and they are still at 4 bars.

JediSkipp says Animas is close to debuting a CGMS system.

[valc3]

I have a Minimed 522. Mine is set to alarm, not vibrate. My battery last 6-8 weeks.

[mwalt2]

I got some more regular Energizer AAA's, and I bought their Energizer Lithium brand as well...the Lithiums are advertised as the longest lasting,
Can you use the lithium batteries in the MM pumps? I may be switching to MM 722 for the RTS, so I'm I'll miss the 3-4 month battery life the lithiums give my Animas pump. Also, I haven't heard anything about an Animas CGMS. With the recent release of the 'new' 2020, I thought it might be awhile before they actually release a pump with new capabilities/form factor (ie CGMS system).

[Funnygrl]

My 522 battery definitely lasts longer than my Cozmo battery, though I'm sure I'll lose osme of that life when I start the cgms.

[duck]

Can you use the lithium batteries in the MM pumps? I may be switching to MM 722 for the RTS, so I'm I'll miss the 3-4 month battery life the lithiums give my Animas pump. Also, I haven't heard anything about an Animas CGMS. With the recent release of the 'new' 2020, I thought it might be awhile before they actually release a pump with new capabilities/form factor (ie CGMS system).

Yeah, I guess you can, LOL. These are the Energizer E2 Lithiums I am using (the AAA variety):

AA Lithium Batteries (http://www.batterybank.net/digital/master/aalith.html)

As of this morning, I still am showing four bars, and it's been over two weeks.

[Funnygrl]

Yeah, I guess you can, LOL. These are the Energizer E2 Lithiums I am using (the AAA variety):

AA Lithium Batteries (http://www.batterybank.net/digital/master/aalith.html)

As of this morning, I still am showing four bars, and it's been over two weeks.
Duck, just be careful. The problem with lithiums isn't that they won't work. It's that the power left will read incorrectly. Keep an extra battery with you because it's possibly it will drop from 3-4 bars to nothing instantly.

[JediSkipdogg]

Can you use the lithium batteries in the MM pumps? I may be switching to MM 722 for the RTS, so I'm I'll miss the 3-4 month battery life the lithiums give my Animas pump. Also, I haven't heard anything about an Animas CGMS. With the recent release of the 'new' 2020, I thought it might be awhile before they actually release a pump with new capabilities/form factor (ie CGMS system).

You can....however when it dies, it dies. As in you will have full bars until the last day and then it will go from full to none in like 1-2 days.

There's a post on here somewhere where we talked about that and I showed graphs comparing the voltage levels of each over time. Basically, the alkaline battery slowly loses life evenly over time giving a change in voltage requirement that can be detected. The lithium however, is almost steady during that same span (but does lose it slightly) and then drops off. That is why the Animas pump has two different settings for the battery type, so that it knows which graph to follow and which voltage level to detect for.

[duck]

Duck, just be careful. The problem with lithiums isn't that they won't work. It's that the power left will read incorrectly. Keep an extra battery with you because it's possibly it will drop from 3-4 bars to nothing instantly.

Are you kidding me? I have batteries everywhere--a couple in my car, a couple at work, a couple in my briefcase, a couple in my monitor bag, a couple in my wallet...I'm like Battery Man. :D

[valc3]

Are you kidding me? I have batteries everywhere--a couple in my car, a couple at work, a couple in my briefcase, a couple in my monitor bag, a couple in my wallet...I'm like Battery Man. :D

But, do your children have any batteries in their toys?

[duck]

But, do your children have any batteries in their toys?

Heck no. Like I need to hear "Thomas the Train" all danged day long.

[someone]

I have found that the pump battery meters are really bad. I use the lithium batteries in my Guardian and just change them when I lose the first bar.

[JediSkipdogg]

I have found that the pump battery meters are really bad. I use the lithium batteries in my Guardian and just change them when I lose the first bar.

If you use a lithium in a non-lithium device, that would be right. The lithium would make the battery meter way off and drop extremely fast when it starts to drop. And as far as I'm aware, MM doesn't use any lithium batteries yet (well, have their software accept them.)

[RobiJo]

I'm just excited to have a pump that doesn't take special batteries you can only get from the company...AAA's are a piece of cake to find! I buy them in bulk at Costco for all my AAA battery needs. I find they last about 3 weeks with it on vibrate. (another feature my old Disetronic didn't have...)

[Funnygrl]

I'm just excited to have a pump that doesn't take special batteries you can only get from the company...AAA's are a piece of cake to find! I buy them in bulk at Costco for all my AAA battery needs. I find they last about 3 weeks with it on vibrate. (another feature my old Disetronic didn't have...)
Must be a nice feeling switching from Disetronic to Minimed, no?

[RobiJo]

Must be a nice feeling switching from Disetronic to Minimed, no?

Yeah. I still have that old thing laying around here somewhere. Maybe I should donate it to the Smithsonian. We show kids at camp old meters and other "what we used to have to do" and "see the size of that blood sample" stuff. I could add my first pump to the collection.

[duck]

If you use a lithium in a non-lithium device, that would be right. The lithium would make the battery meter way off and drop extremely fast when it starts to drop. And as far as I'm aware, MM doesn't use any lithium batteries yet (well, have their software accept them.)

Yeah, I am using the Lithium at my risk, and I am aware of that. Still, me likey four bars...:D