CGMS Sensor Longevity

[Shotokan]

Here is an interesting post from another forum concerning the 3 day limit on the MM sensors from a Canadian using the MM 722. I don't know whether the same thing will work on the U.S. version.

I have used the Paradigm Real Time (MM 722) for a month. (I live in Canada) and I noticed several comments on the system. I thought I would share my experience.

There are two sites one for the usual insertion of the insulin delivery infusion set. The other site is for the insertion of the sensor. This site has nothing coming into the site. Therefore my experience is that it does not get sore and red and inflamed even after 7 days in place. The sensor simply reads the glucose levels in the fluid between the cells.

Although MM says the sensors only last 3 days and need to be replaced, what actually happens is that the pump times out the sensor after 72 hours use. I then turn off the sensor function on the pump for about half an hour or an hour and then turns it on again and tell the pump it is a new sensor is in place. I do this again after the second 3 day period and I have obtained at least 7 days from each sensor.

The sensor itself must be protected by tegaderm from getting wet. The transmitter is waterproof and can be wetted in the shower. I am sensitive to the adhesive on the pads to stick the transmitter to my skin so I place the sensor on a tegaderm patch to prevent irritation.

I find the addition of the sensor a minor issue and the advantage of continuous monitoring has been worth that.
I have found many unknown lows and highs. As I can set the parameters for warnings from the pump - I set my low warning for 3.8 and the high for 8.5 - I can run much tighter control. I am looking forward to my first A1C after getting the new pump system.

The only issue I have had with the system so far has been the BD Paradigm Link meter. The first one I got read 4.7
but the hospital lab readings were 3.4 and 3.5 respectively - my hospital sent a sample to another to make sure it was my meter and not their equipment that was out.. BD sent out a new meter and it tested out at the hospital lab at 5.4 when the meter read 6.4. I'm doing another test later with my meter reading in the 4's to see if the gap is as large at lower levels.

If I can't get the meter within more acceptable levels, I will forego the radio frequency link and enter BG results manually from my one touch ultra which I actually have real confidence in.

Despite the issue with the meter, the system is excellent and I know I'm getting much better control of BG.

[JediSkipdogg]

I see what the user is saying but I do not recommend that. The body does not like items implanted in itself. Therefore it attacks anything and builds up scar tissue. What do you think an earing is? It's a build up of scar tissue around the metal stuck in the ear.

With leaving a sensor in the same spot over 72 hours you give the body a chance to attack that area with scar tissue. External scar tissue (like an earing) is easy to get rid of as over time it will flake off and close back up. But internal scar tissue has no where to go, which is what an infusion set and sensor can cause.

No matter what, people are going to find ways to cheat the system. Heck, in the Dexcom thread today I posted a chart showing BG results of a CGMS vs. a fingerstick. The differences on results were amazing. And if a person gave insulin based on a CGMS result without a fingerstick, got behind the wheel of a car, and drove, the situation could be fatal and drastic to the diabetic community and others. And people that leave sites in for 72+ (I'll even give an extra 24 hour buffer) are ones that will abuse devices in other ways and those are the ones that cause the problems and make life difficult for the good ones.

[spike]

I see what the user is saying but I do not recommend that. The body does not like items implanted in itself. Therefore it attacks anything and builds up scar tissue. What do you think an earing is? It's a build up of scar tissue around the metal stuck in the ear.

With leaving a sensor in the same spot over 72 hours you give the body a chance to attack that area with scar tissue. External scar tissue (like an earing) is easy to get rid of as over time it will flake off and close back up. But internal scar tissue has no where to go, which is what an infusion set and sensor can cause.

No matter what, people are going to find ways to cheat the system. Heck, in the Dexcom thread today I posted a chart showing BG results of a CGMS vs. a fingerstick. The differences on results were amazing. And if a person gave insulin based on a CGMS result without a fingerstick, got behind the wheel of a car, and drove, the situation could be fatal and drastic to the diabetic community and others. And people that leave sites in for 72+ (I'll even give an extra 24 hour buffer) are ones that will abuse devices in other ways and those are the ones that cause the problems and make life difficult for the good ones.

Jedi, I agree with you that going way over 3 days is not a good idea.

[spike]

Here is an interesting post from another forum concerning the 3 day limit on the MM sensors from a Canadian using the MM 722. I don't know whether the same thing will work on the U.S. version.


Where did you find that? I can't find it with Google. is it the IP forum? I hardly go on there

[Shotokan]

Where did you find that? I can't find it with Google. is it the IP forum? I hardly go on there

Yes. It was on the IP forum today.

I agree. I'm kind of surprised there is talk that the FDA will approve the Navigator for 5-day use when they have been so insistent on 72 hour limits on infusion sets, the MM CGMS, etc.

[arath13]

I heard the FDA asked ADC to extend the life of the sensor for the NAVIGATOR!

Someone mentioned that to me!

[Cyborg]

I think DexCom is always working on getting approval for keeping the sensors in longer than 3 days. I know also that you can trick the unit into thinking you've replaced the sensor. :listen:

[spike]

I think DexCom is always working on getting approval for keeping the sensors in longer than 3 days. I know also that you can trick the unit into thinking you've replaced the sensor. :listen:

But not with continuous readings, right?

[middnite03]

what amazes me.... MM still has not learned to dump that piece of **** BD meter and use something that wont put people in the hospital becuase of false readings..... I mean it's a new pump, cut your losses with BD and use a meter that will give better readings....

[Cyborg]

But not with continuous readings, right?

Right, it will think it is a new sensor and has to be calibrated.

[spike]

what amazes me.... MM still has not learned to dump that piece of **** BD meter and use something that wont put people in the hospital becuase of false readings..... I mean it's a new pump, cut your losses with BD and use a meter that will give better readings....


LOL! I just got on the IP site and read a message from a guy who's having issues with the BD Logic. don't we ALL have issues with that piece of garbage. Anytime I read that someone likes their BD logic, I wonder how many times they actually used the thing.