Medtronic paradigm Link users with pump

[SGT Shoutmore]

Medtronic has sent me the paradigm link glucometer with the paradigm 722 pump.

I use an accu-chek aviva and I really like it, however, I am open to other meters, especially if the one Medtronic is sending me is decent since it is supposed to send BG data to my pump for use with the bolus wizard, however, since adding manual entry is fairly straight forward, I can stand to use what I have now.

Whom among us has used the Medtronic link meter (info: Paradigm® Link Blood Glucose Monitor (http://www.minimed.com/products/insulinpumps/components/paradigmlink.html) ) that can give reviews if it pro or con, I realize this is supposed to be a new meter and there maybe insufficient information available, I'll look forward to what information amongst the membership can present.

[Jan B]

I love it - it saves time and I just think it's cool! It also uses a tiny amount of blood. The drawback is the coding . . . but that is going away with the next Link meter that Medtronic will send out for free. When I started using the Paradigm Link, I had recently gotten a great new little meter, but the linking capabilities won me over. The other one is just an extra.

New Meter Option in 2008 (http://www.minimed.com/products/insulinpumps/components/meter_announcement.html)

[Gary_W]

I love it - it saves time and I just think it's cool! It also uses a tiny amount of blood. The drawback is the coding . . . but that is going away with the next Link meter that Medtronic will send out for free. When I started using the Paradigm Link, I had recently gotten a great new little meter, but the linking capabilities won me over. The other one is just an extra.

New Meter Option in 2008 (http://www.minimed.com/products/insulinpumps/components/meter_announcement.html)

Thanks for that link, Jan.

I actually got given two new BG monitors yesterday at the clinic as the Onetouch rep was in the waiting room (good day all round really!); I currently use the Ultrasmart and she gave me a new one as well as a spare mini thing. She confirmed that there was a new meter coming out from them later this year but didn't give details.

As J&J own Animas, I would be amazed if this only works with the Minimed pumps; it would not be in their interests to make a competitor look better than one of their own products. For this reason, I'm hoping that the new one from them will also support the 2020 :)

[kgm0612]

When I started pumping 2-1/2 years ago, I used the "Link" for only a short period of time because I found it to be inaccurate compared to my One Touch Meters. Many times, it read 40+ points higher. What I did love about it was that it communicated with the pump and there was no need to manually enter a blood sugar reading.

I am looking forward to trying the new meter and hope that it comes out soon.

Karen

[Funnygrl]

It's known for terrible accuracy, poor battery life, and random problems. I went through a dozen of so of the plain old BD monitors trying to get one I could trust.

Also, if you use the sensor you can't use it- it treats every BG as an update.

[Jan B]

It's known for terrible accuracy, poor battery life, and random problems. I went through a dozen of so of the plain old BD monitors trying to get one I could trust.

Also, if you use the sensor you can't use it- it treats every BG as an update.

Hmmm. I haven't had those problems. But I haven't been using it that long. The last time I pumped (4 years ago) I didn't have any problems either.

[Funnygrl]

Hmmm. I haven't had those problems. But I haven't been using it that long. The last time I pumped (4 years ago) I didn't have any problems either.
It's odd, there's a handful of people who it works for, but it seems the vast majority of people won't trust it.

[xMenace]

Hmmm. I haven't had those problems. But I haven't been using it that long. The last time I pumped (4 years ago) I didn't have any problems either.

There's definately distinct differnces in experiences. Mine has been great and is by far my favorite meter. The only thing mine doesn't do well is keep history and averages, but that's very minor when the pump stores everything and you can upload to Carelink. I particularly like the blood size and action - very small error rate. Nothing I've tried competes with it, well FreeStyles are close, especially if you have to buy strips.

I know of many who have had complete lemons, some have had as many as five duds and finally packed it in. I don't know if there's an identifiable reason. Call Sanvita and order your new Nova Max. We're all hoping they are a step up.

[pegasus]

I got one with my MM 522, but my trainer said they are infamous for unreliability and it was worth waiting for the new one coming soon because it's from a company (I can't remember which) more known for reliability. I also felt, separately, that I wanted to give myself time to get used to the basics of pumping before taking on another new device.

I do love the idea of being able to send the info from meter to pump, tho I'm a little weirded out by the idea of the RF waves--so much stuff is done by RF now, I've got this kneejerk thought that one will interfere with the other and next thing I know, I'll be slumped down with a wisp of smoke coming from my waistband :hmmmm2: :hmmmm:

I'll get over it, I'm sure ... hopefully in time for the new meter ...

[palefacegirl03]

I have used my link meter since I started pumping and really dont have any problems. I also use my One Touch Ultra 2 , just depends on where I am at, as I keep a couple of meters going for work, purse, beside bed, ect.
My link and U2 numbers are usually not far off of each other, less than 10 points.

[Funnygrl]

I got my Nova Max and tested 3 times with it. 88, 78, 91. Not bad as far as consistency, but I found they get worse with age.

One thing I thought was cool was the lancing device. Apparently BD kept the rights to their's, so I got this one (http://www.owenmumford.com/us/range/31/autolet-impression.html), which I have been wanting to try.

[palefacegirl03]

So does the Autolet good. The ones they had out in the day, were not good.

[Funnygrl]

Multiclix still my favorite.

[SGT Shoutmore]

Multiclix still my favorite.

Yes, the multiclix IS the STUFF! I won't use anything else. Of course, I have darn near a lifetime supply of it, when my diabetic supplier sent me a stock up, they did it HUGE, I'll probably die of old age before I run out of the drums, seriously!

[stlduckhunter]

MM doesn't think much of its current meter, because they are dumping it in favor of One Touch Ultra later this spring. It has been discussed in other threads.

[xMenace]

MM doesn't think much of its current meter, because they are dumping it in favor of One Touch Ultra later this spring. It has been discussed in other threads.

I think it's more that Ultras are known as the #1 out there. I rate my BD much higher than my U2, but too many bad experiences have just about killed it. Both will be available.

What size of blood drop will the Ultra take?

[Coppernob]

I used the paradigm link meter for a little under a year. I thought it was great too - such a little amount of blood and sent the info directly to the pump - who could ask for more. Well then I realized that the accuracy was not great -as Karen said, the link was consistently higher - for me, at least 20 points. When I talked to the co-ordinator of a pump group I attend, she said that it was not as accurate as the OneTouch Ultra that I had been using. So I have gone back to that. By the way the newer OneTouch Ultra 2s are great, especially the mini that can fit in a pocket or a purse so easily.

[SGT Shoutmore]

Well, the Jury is back and it is NOT good.

COOL: Wow, I can send my BG results from my meter to my pump without an extra steps. I LIKE that big time.

I have had as much as 31mg/dL DIFFERENCE in the SEVERAL tests performed. Both HIGHER and LOWER!!!!!!!! This has a "pucker factor" of a solid 9 out of 10.

Conclusion:

The differences are TOO significant for MY comfort, this is not good. I am very disappointed in the lack of accuracy in MY paradigm link monitor by BD, and this seems consistent with complaints others have had in this same regard. This would explain WHY Medtronic is dumping the BD monitor and going with one touch. I called my Medtronic rep and spoke about this, he has said the new one touch link meter is "expected" to be sent out to MM paradigm users in April of this year.

Now, in the past, I have used one touch meters and the ultra 2, and I have found them pretty consistent with my accuchek meter results, so, I have a lot of trust there and I look forward to TESTING (before relying) on the next "LINK" meter, if all goes well, I WILL implement the NEW link meter when it comes out, until then, I will stick with my Accu-chek aviva and manually enter the BG data in my bolus wizard. (Something I have played around with MUCH since yesterday when I received my new pump)

Personal thoughts: I really wish the BD Paradigm link was as accurate, I had high hopes and I don't feel it is unreasonable to expect this meter to be as accurate and WORK for me as it is supposed to with my pump.

I fully appreciate EVERYONE who has participated in this thread. There are some that have had good success with this meter and I am glad their meter is working properly and I wish I had the same experience, honestly. And there have been a good amount of users both here and elsewhere in the web reporting wide inconsistencies with this meter that warranted a comparison testing of several concurrent BG tests with multiple meters, thus, these findings. Had I not done that, I would have been sadly ignorant of what was REALLY going in with my BG levels. This determination would not have been possible without all of the participation and feedback of the participants thus far, my thanks to everyone :)

[solox316]

Current paradigm link meter is useless to me. I did 5 tests in a row with it, with a range of +/- 100 mg/dl... with hands washed, steady glucose (not post meal/exercise)... My old Freestyle did nearly the same...

I can't wait til the new Lifescan meter... as I use an Ultra 2 now...

[Funnygrl]

Let me mention again that I hope the new meter fixes the issue of automatic sensor update.

[solox316]

Let me mention again that I hope the new meter fixes the issue of automatic sensor update.

A user on a different site mentioned her new paradigm now asks if the linked reading should be used as a calibration.

Her pump software was a different, newer version than mine... She just got her pump a few months ago...

[Funnygrl]

A user on a different site mentioned her new paradigm now asks if the linked reading should be used as a calibration.

Her pump software was a different, newer version than mine... She just got her pump a few months ago...
I saw a discussion on this on another board, and a lot of people said that they have that software version and their pump isn't this way. The person on yahoo seems to be the only one who got it to work that way.

[solox316]

I saw a discussion on this on another board, and a lot of people said that they have that software version and their pump isn't this way. The person on yahoo seems to be the only one who got it to work that way.

hmmmm.... maybe she is mistaken... i only remember reading it the one time, who knows... either way, hopefully we will all have that option with the new meter... as you said earlier...

[jennacool]

Hi,
I am new to your forums and I have some questions.. My main one right now is this.....Do all MM 722 come with the remote link..I was just wondering..Cause I don't want to go out and purchase this.. and I am interested in making life easier and not harder..ya know?..anyway. hope someone can answer this question for me.. I am so excited to get this stupid pump.. I have been battling the insurance company for 8 months..medicare was a total disaster and my secondary had to step in and get it for me..I got a purple one and its supposed to be on its way..woohoo..thanks for the help in advance.. Jennacool
:D

[palefacegirl03]

Hi,
I am new to your forums and I have some questions.. My main one right now is this.....Do all MM 722 come with the remote link..I was just wondering..Cause I don't want to go out and purchase this.. and I am interested in making life easier and not harder..ya know?..anyway. hope someone can answer this question for me.. I am so excited to get this stupid pump.. I have been battling the insurance company for 8 months..medicare was a total disaster and my secondary had to step in and get it for me..I got a purple one and its supposed to be on its way..woohoo..thanks for the help in advance.. Jennacool
:D

The link is the blood glucose meter that comes with all of the MM 522 and 722 pumps, it is a BD meter right now and sometime this spring , a blood glucose meter bases on the One Touch Ultra 2 is supposed to come out that will link with the pumps , the same way the BD link does so that glucose readings will go automatically to the pump when you test your blood.


I got the purple one too , I have been pumping since Sept 2007.

[fgummett]

I just got a new MM 722 this week and (in Canada) it came with an Ascensia Contour (http://www.ascensia.ca/eng/prodServ/products/contour/index.asp) which has the RF link to the Pump.

I actually now have two of these BG meters as one came with the new pump and another was sent out to me for my previous pump. I am very happy with this meter as I have been a long time Contour user and am comfortable with its use and readings. I love the fact that it now communicates with my pump and I can finally make use of the bolus wizard. :)

[palefacegirl03]

I just got a new MM 722 this week and (in Canada) it came with an Ascensia Contour (http://www.ascensia.ca/eng/prodServ/products/contour/index.asp) which has the RF link to the Pump.

I actually now have two of these BG meters as one came with the new pump and another was sent out to me for my previous pump. I am very happy with this meter as I have been a long time Contour user and am comfortable with its use and readings. I love the fact that it now communicates with my pump and I can finally make use of the bolus wizard. :)

Yes , Canada gets the Contour and the USA gets the One Touch, but we are still waiting. It does not make sense that there are two different meters.:confused: :cool:

[condensr]

I'd always used Onetouch meters until I got my link meter with my pump. I tried it with doubts, having read all the bad reviews. Well, I've had good luck with it. Test to test consistency is good, the one caveat though is in the low range (< 100) it definitely reads higher than the Onetouch meters. It does this, however, consistently, so I know when it says 70 I'd be more like 55-60 on a Onetouch, so I can plan and treat accordingly.

I was looking forward to the new Ultra-based link meter, but now I am not. I have gotten too hooked on the very small sample size of the BD/Nova meter, and my fingertips have too. I may, and probably will, stick with the BD/Nova meter.

[condensr]

Oh, one additional thing too: If you are wearing a sensor and do not want to calibrate, you can bypass sending the results to the pump by marking it as a control test. After you insert the strip, just press one of the arrows and that test will not be sent to the pump. If you still want to store that result in the pump, enter it manually and say No when it asks if the reading should update the sensor.

[solox316]

Oh, one additional thing too: If you are wearing a sensor and do not want to calibrate, you can bypass sending the results to the pump by marking it as a control test. After you insert the strip, just press one of the arrows and that test will not be sent to the pump. If you still want to store that result in the pump, enter it manually and say No when it asks if the reading should update the sensor.

Good idea, thanks. Although... how do control readings show up when you upload your meter's/pump's data?

[condensr]

Not sure about the meter data, but they won't show up on your pump upload at all unless you manually enter them.

[solox316]

Spoke a while to a friend of mine who is a regional sales manger with Medtronic. He says the Lifescan machines are packaged and ready to ship, they are waiting on final authorization to ship from Lifescan.

He says to expect it on your doorstep within the next two weeks. Hopefully it will go as planned.

In addition, he mentioned a Paradigm software update this summer, as well as many new things coming in the next 6 months... including a wireless speaker-like system to alert you of lows when sleeping, when using CGMS. All in all, should be a good pathway upgrade soon...

Let's hope all goes as planned...