Feedback on your experience with a CGM

[Joanne Stawicki]

My experience with my CGM has been a bit frustrating, at best. The jury is still out on whether or not I am going to keep using this technology. I start to feel like ****, knowing I am low and the pump feedback says I am 96 and the finger stick reveals 56. I have been off by much more than the 20% +/- that they claim in the training. I have more to say about this, but this is my first post and I don't want to rant. To end on a positive note, I LOVE MY PUMP

[orange81bird]

When the feedback was reading 96 were than any down arrows next to it? I've been using CGMS myself for awhile now (off and on) and haven't noticed anything like this. Though depending on where you have the sensor inserted, it may take longer for readings to come close to the finger sticks. I mainly use this system to help catch highs and see how I trend throughout the days.

[RobiJo]

When the feedback was reading 96 were than any down arrows next to it?

My question as well. My experience has shown whenever the arrow or both arrows are there a fingerstick will NOT match very closely. This is due to how the CGMS gets its reading.

[poodlebone]

I've only been using the CGMS for two weeks and so far I really like it. I left the first sensor in for 10 days and pulled it because the edge of the transmitter was irritating my skin (in just one spot). The second one, which I'm using now, I inserted on Saturday and except for the very beginning, in the first few hours, (had a reading that was way, way off) it's been working perfectly. My meter has backed up the sensor very well.

Based on only two weeks of data and two sensors, I think it's very helpful. I test a lot and it's still hard to not want to do a meter BG every time I see a number out of range on the sensor. When I do check, I see the sensor is tracking well. I'm hoping to cut back on the 12-15 BG tests I've been doing each day.

I've done some basal testing and the sensor has been a big help there. It's fascinating to see how different foods affect my BG, and how quickly. I have to admit that I never gave much thought to the glycemic index but I try not to eat a lot of fast carbs, and I'm happy to see that I don't get massive spikes after meals. According to the sensor, my meals tend to peak in the 150-160 range at most.

My insurance does cover the sensors so I can't see stopping them even if I do have some bad ensors/bad days/bad readings.

[wastcougr]

I'm so glad someone asked about this. I think I'll be going on one of those, as well, and I was curious what other people were experiencing. As for the sensors, how long is "normal" to leave them in? And is there a delay in reporting the results once it takes a measurement? In other words, the number it displays is how old?

Finally, how do you all feel about having something ELSE stuck in you?

Thanks for answering, and Joanne, I'm sorry about not being able to answer your question, and then asking my own. I probably should have started my own thread, and I'll do that next time.

[poodlebone]

I'm so glad someone asked about this. I think I'll be going on one of those, as well, and I was curious what other people were experiencing. As for the sensors, how long is "normal" to leave them in? And is there a delay in reporting the results once it takes a measurement? In other words, the number it displays is how old?

Finally, how do you all feel about having something ELSE stuck in you?


My only experience is with the Minimed CGMS. It shows results on the pump every 5 minutes. I was told that the sensor actually does a reading every 5 seconds and then the 5 minute number is the average them. I might be mistaken about the 5 second part, but I know it was multiple times per minute averaged into the every 5 minute number you get on the display. I think one of the other systems might show a number every minute.

With the Minimed, you can look at two graphs directly on the pump screen. One is a 3 hour graph (3 most recent hours) and you can scroll back in 5 minute increments. The other is a 24 hour graph and you can scroll back in 20 minute increments.

I'm only on my second sensor. I left the first in for 10 days and changed it when one edge of the transmitter was kind of digging into me when I bent over. My current sensor was put in on Saturday, so almost a week ago. I plan on changing it Sunday, and then starting a new one every Sunday. It's approved for only 3 days but everyone leaves them in longer, and there are no involved steps to get the pump to think it's new.

I don't really mind having it on. It's small and since I'm not constantly changing it, I forget about it.

[kidvid]

I've been using a Dexcom Seven for 11 months now. I see discrepancies as great as 20% on occasion. They are usually on startup - before calibration is kicked in. Or at the end of life for a sensor. The data is displayed as a graph and as the last last individual reading.

I'm convinced every T1 ought to be issued a CGM upon diagnosis. They aren't perfect. In fact they have miles to go as a tech support device. (I still do finger sticks about 5 times a day). But I won't live without one now.

Joe

[xucub]

There have been several threads in this forum re. the accuracy and usefullness of the continuous monitors. In general, it sems like about 60% of the people have good experiences and 40% have bad experiences.
I personally quit using the sensor. With no arrows on the screen, 3-4 hours after a meal, I was finding that finger stix and the continuous monitor could be different by 30 - 40%. And I found that somewhat consistently. I guess it did show trends, but you have to have good numbers as well as the trends. I am hoping the next generation monitors are better for me.

[HMikeyD]

I am a type 1 1/2, been on the CGM going on about a month now. Everyone is getting a lot of misleading readings and seems everyone is trying to hard to base insulin need on the CGM reading and to try and get away from finger sticks.

Read the material that came with your transmitter, it states your readings are 20 min. on an average behind finger sticks and usually 20% off of reading.

People who are trying to get a number of extra days out of a sensor are usually not disconnecting after 3 days and recharging, most people are doing this only every seven days. Every third day stop disconnect and recharge, and restart as a new sensor in the menu, follow all instructions in the material you received, insert sensor at 60 to 90 degrees this way when it lays it will be at proper 45 degree angle, tape sensor and transmitter this stops movement, I have done 3 sensor now for 15 days each and they all were still working when I pulled them with isig of around 20. I pulled them because after seven days body starts to reject the sensor and by day 15 I am really starting to itch at the insertion site.

As far as readings it takes one every 5 minutes, or 288 times in a twenty four hour period. You can find out how many times it takes a reading in the menu system for twenty four hour period, it allows for start time and times sensor is not working so it actually gives a true count of readings.

Respectfully Submitted,
HMikeyD

[millyyates]

My daughter is on a MM722 and we got a hospital owned CGMS to try. We have been on it for a day and it is fantastic. It is the way of the future for sure. Get one if you can.

[imnskp]

my wife is on the MM722 and the CGMS. the first couple days of using the sensor was really frustrating and confusing. there was a consistent difference of about 30-40 points between her meter bg and what the sensor was reading and it confused the boluswiz in her pump. the low/high bg alarms were incessant. when she had her first training session for the sensor they repeatedly stressed the importance of calibrating the sensor with a stabilized, pre-meal bg from the meter. the pump demands that the sensor be calibrated at certain times, and when you are using an ultralink meter to test bg, the reading is sent directly to the pump. when the sensor is demanding a calibration, it gets confusing when your reading is in the middle of a bg rise or drop following a meal or exercise. the first few days it was difficult find an even-keel with it. now she enters her sensor calibrations 15minutes before meals with the linked meter, and confirms the sensor's readings an hour after meals and boluses with her older, non-linked meter so as not to make the pump confusing. when we time the calibrations just right, the sensor's accuracy is pretty remarkable.

does anyone have suggestions as to where on the body the sensor's accuracy is most optimum? least optimum?