CGMS Question - Help!

[belyro]

So I'm trying my first CGMS sensor, and it's not working. (I'm using the Minilink with a Paradigm 522.)

I inserted the sensor, I fully charged the transmitter, I waited the 5 minutes after inserting the sensor to attach the transmitter, but the green light on the transmitter isn't going on, and the pump is not picking up any signal. The tester works (i.e. the green light goes on and the pump picks up the signal), but when it's connected to the sensor that is in me it doesn't work. Suggestions?! Please?!

I inserted manually instead of with the Senserter b/c the Senserter scared the living daylights out of me. Is this likely the problem?

[NoelD]

Could be. Disconnect the transmitter and reconnect it after 30 seconds and wait to see the green light flash .Then you know the connection is working between the transmitter and sensor.

[belyro]

Could be. Disconnect the transmitter and reconnect it after 30 seconds and wait to see the green light flash .Then you know the connection is working between the transmitter and sensor.

I've done this multiple times.....still nothing.

[Funnygrl]

It probably means the sensor hasn't "warmed up" to your body temperature yet. It's yet another problem I had routinely when using CGMS.

Take off the transmitter, let the sensor rest for an hour or two, then reconnect the transmitter and restart the sensor.

[belyro]

It probably means the sensor hasn't "warmed up" to your body temperature yet. It's yet another problem I had routinely when using CGMS.

Take off the transmitter, let the sensor rest for an hour or two, then reconnect the transmitter and restart the sensor.

So I"m not *definitely* screwed? That's a relief.

This is totally going to throw off my calibration times, though, unfortunately. :P

Bad start. I shouldn't be surprised. Pumping was a bad start too. Thankfully I"ve grown to love that. :)

[NoelD]

Funny is correct. Try disconnecting and wait 15 minutes. I was told to wait 15-20 minutes after insertion to connect the transmitter. Then again, you might have a bad sensor. I've had a few.

[solox316]

While it is optimistic to think you aren't totally screwed, you could be. (Sorry to be a buzzkill)

Every now and again, I just get a totally bad sensor, that never seems to connect. After messing with it and trying all the tricks over the course of 24 hours, I gave up.

Call minimed if you cannot get it to work, at least they could send a replacement if they deem it as bad...

Hopefully you will get it working tho :)

[belyro]

While it is optimistic to think you aren't totally screwed, you could be. (Sorry to be a buzzkill)

Every now and again, I just get a totally bad sensor, that never seems to connect. After messing with it and trying all the tricks over the course of 24 hours, I gave up.

Call minimed if you cannot get it to work, at least they could send a replacement if they deem it as bad...

Hopefully you will get it working tho :)

I hope if it's a bad sensor that they're going to replace it. I'm paying for these out-of-pocket. Ouch.

[duck]

Should I thank my lucky stars that the only "bad" thing to happen to me so far with my Sensor Experience is the one insertion I flubbed all on my own?

[belyro]

Should I thank my lucky stars that the only "bad" thing to happen to me so far with my Sensor Experience is the one insertion I flubbed all on my own?

Yes, you should ;)

Do you guys all use the Senserter, or do any of you ever insert manually?

I found I had a hard time getting it to go in, but it wasn't painful. It just required a really big steady push.

I had a bad experience with the Quickserter when I was using Quicksets, so the Senserter just looks like a torture device to me.

[NoelD]

I couldn't do it manually. The needle doesn't seem to penetrate the skin easy enough for me. I have always used the Senserter. Quick and easy.

[solox316]

I hope if it's a bad sensor that they're going to replace it. I'm paying for these out-of-pocket. Ouch.

I think they will... I have heard of others having them replaced. I never tried tho, to be honest.

I always use the serter. Never tried it by hand.

[belyro]

IT WORKS!!! WHEW!

Thanks for the hint about waiting for a long time FG :) I'm so relieved!

Now my calibration times will be less than ideal, but hopefully they'll still work out OK.

[duck]

Use the Senserter...It's bark is worse than its bite, though admittedly I hold my breath every time.

[Funnygrl]

I use the senserter each time. I can't imagine doing it without it, and I still have this problem every other sensor or so. Make sure if you keep them in the fridge you let them sit out for 15 minutes or so before inserting.

[RobiJo]

Use the Senserter...It's bark is worse than its bite, though admittedly I hold my breath every time.

Me too, but I always use the sen-serter. As annoying as it is, I like the consistency and quickness of the serter. It does sting more than an infusion set though...I really do hate putting new sensors in! (Need to go do that now...got it out of the fridge a few hours ago and there it sits)

belyro--make sure you let the sensor sit out for a few and get to room temp before you put it in. Also, wait a minute or so between taking the transmitter out of the charger and connecting it to the sensor.

Keep us posted on how your readings/sensor match up, and how long your able to keep it in.

[Funnygrl]

Beth- Minimed has replaced all my sensors that just wouldn't start. Not sure if they're customer service is different in Canada though, eh?

[belyro]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions!

I'm not keeping the sensors in the fridge (since they now don't have to be refridgerated), so that won't be an issue.

So far so good with the sensor! It's working! I got a message that it failed a self-test, but apparently it's not a "Bad Sensor" until it fails two, and it didn't, so we were good to go.

I had one reading last night that was slightly over the 20% difference, but otherwise they've been very close. It really gave me peace of mind to sleep with it, knowing that I'd know if I went too low/high and/or if my pump quit on me (which has happened at night before). And it's been totally comfortable. It didn't hurt at all to put it in, and it hasn't hurt at all since.

Now...if only my insurance company would pay for it. I'm not too keen on paying over $6K annually for them. Does anyone in Canada know if that would qualify for a tax credit? The pump does (I paid for that myself too), but I'm not sure if the CGMS supplies do.

[Gangrel]

Now...if only my insurance company would pay for it. I'm not too keen on paying over $6K annually for them. Does anyone in Canada know if that would qualify for a tax credit? The pump does (I paid for that myself too), but I'm not sure if the CGMS supplies do.

Well, seeing as how I work here, this is so typically vauge of us. :P

List of allowable medical expenses (http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/individuals/topics/income-tax/return/completing/deductions/lines300-350/330/allowexpense-e.html#infusion)

"Infusion pump including disposable peripherals used in the treatment of diabetes - prescription required."


Now, I have no idea who determines what's a valid "disposable peripheral" is, so I'd certainly phone the infoline first to ask, but it almost appears broad enough that if you have a perscription, you can include the cost as your "medical expense" on line 331.

[dmorisse]

Hey Beth, I just got approved for the disability tax credit and I am going to claim all pump supplies (including the cgms supplies) including batteries and barrier wipes. I'm guessing that I will be audited this year due to the very high medical expenses. Pump and CGMS purchase
Darlene

[belyro]

Hey Beth, I just got approved for the disability tax credit and I am going to claim all pump supplies (including the cgms supplies) including batteries and barrier wipes. I'm guessing that I will be audited this year due to the very high medical expenses. Pump and CGMS purchase
Darlene

Darlene, how did you manage the disability tax credit? Don't you have to prove you spend TONS of hours on your diabetes? (Emphasis on "prove")

[dmorisse]

I printed out the gov't form, filled out what I could, then took it to my Endo. He was all for it and said if I didn't quailify no one should. The governing body sent a letter to my Doc asking for further info and 2 weeks later I rec'd a letter granting me the tax credit for the yrs. 2006-2011 after that I have to re-apply. It's that easy!

[belyro]

I printed out the gov't form, filled out what I could, then took it to my Endo. He was all for it and said if I didn't quailify no one should. The governing body sent a letter to my Doc asking for further info and 2 weeks later I rec'd a letter granting me the tax credit for the yrs. 2006-2011 after that I have to re-apply. It's that easy!

Wow. I should have done that this year. I think I'll try for next year.

[dmorisse]

Beth
Apply for it at your next appt. The worst REV. CAN. can say is no and could very likely say yes. It means $$$ so that sensors won't hurt your pocket book so hard. I'm pretty sure you can file amendments for prior years too.

[CrazyGramma]

Hello there

I am in the process of applying for the disability tax credit and Revenue Canada has just sent my endo the request for more info. I am so happy to see that others have received it. When I sent my initial application I also asked for a reassessment for the last seven tax years. If that went thru I could actually afford to buy a few sensors!

[steph1]

Hi,

I have been receiving the credit for 2 years now. It is a fairly new tax credit, so they may only go back 2-3 years...but it is definitely better then nothing! My endo filled out the forms and then I received a cheque. Good Luck :)

Steph