Figuring out the CGMS

[Bethanne]

I'm hoping for some feedback on the CGMS. I feel like a fickle friend! I have a Minimed pump and love it. I tried the MM cgms and, though I liked the linked to my pump feature, I thought the transmitter needed some work. I love the Dexcom transmitter and decided having the extra device was a better con than the MM transmitter... So, I went with the Dexcom and have been wearing it for about a week.

But, I'm beginning to think the CGMS takes a certain mentality that I might not possess yet. I feel more out of control now than I did when I was fingersticking 10 times a day. I don't know if that's because I'm watching the graph go up and down. Do I just need to get used to it? My other issue is, now that I have the Dexcom, I'm seeing the benefits of having the CGM linked to my pump. I'm watching my CGM graph lows or highs and then I need to go to the pump to see if my insulin is adequate, or too much, or how many carbs did I eat last? Etc. I can't see any alarm or event history on the Dexcom without downloading, that, I don't like.

I'm not usually such a spazz, but I feel like returning the CGMS and saying "forget it"!

Is this normal? What do I do to acclimate myself to this new type of management? What are people using the CGMS to determine? Do you actually look at the numbers as a guide for eating or insulin? Or is it just for the warnings? Can you even do basal testing with this thing? There's always this slight variation because it's testing the interstitial fluid... so, what's the point?

Help! Please.

[htown484]

I have been using the CGM's for a couple months now. At first I was very frustrated with it because the CGM's readings were never very calibrated.

A few things I have learned:

1. Only calibrate 2 to 4 times a day, never more than 4.

2. Calibrate at times when blood sugar should be stable i.e., when first waking up, before going to sleep.

3. Never calibrate right after eating.

I was told to wait at least 2 hours after eating before calibrating. If you watch your graph, dont get discouraged when you see the up arrows, just make sure you are bolusing yourself correctly for what you eat.

I was really frustrated to begin with because i had alarms going off from what seemed like every 5 minutes. Since I have gotten more used to using the CGM's, they have become a great tool to help me monitor blood sugars without having to stick my fingers 10 times a day. Now I check my blood 3 to 4 times a day and I have more freedom to go about my daily routines without being interrupted. Not to mention how much better it makes me feel. I hope you get the swing of things.