CGM Sensors

I am not using these because they are soooo expensive and my insurance doesn't pay for them. "Maybe some day" is what the insurance co. tells me. I am also on Medicare. Does anyone know if Medicare covers these? Thanks so much. GSG

I've been using them ever since they were available (since July 2006). They are useful, but there are several things you need to be aware of.

First, it does take a bit of time to figure out how to get good results from it.

While some people use SkinTac or IVPrep, it is recommended not to use these with a sensor. Clean the area with alcohol (some people use soap and water rather than alcohol).

The most important thing is the insertion. You need to get the insertion technique down in order to get the good results. Although they recommed inserting the sensor at a 45 degree angle, I (and other people as well) have found a steeper angle (closer to 60 degrees) is better. Also, if you can stand it, keep the inserter needle in for a few minutes before pulling it out (this helps reduce bleeding if there is any).

Once you do have the sensor in, you need to prevent it from moving around. What I do is tape the sensor down with paper tape. After I attach the transmitter, I cover both the sensor and transmitter with OpSite FlexFix tape (other people use other tapes such as IV3000 or Tergaderm).

Once a sensor is inserted, it needs to be wet enough to work properly. This is why it takes two hours before you will get an initial reading (for some people, the two hours aren't enough and the first few hours of sensor reading may not make sense).

The sensor is best for looking for trends and patterns. You are not supposed to base food boluses or correction boluses on sensor readings (I sometimes do but not very often).

I also find that I need to keep the pump on the same side of my body that the sensor is on. If I don't, I find that I will get a weak signal.

You can use a sensor for more than 72 hours (although MiniMed won't provide support on any sensor that has been in for more than 3 days). I've heard rumors to the effect that this may change to 6 days when the new paradigm pump comes out.

Although MM provides a LINK meter that sends BG reading directly to the pump, you need to turn this feature off when you are using the CGMS. The pump treats every linked reading as a calibration and this can confuse the sensor. You do not want to calibrate any more than 4 times per day.

Also, you should only do calibration readings when your BG has been stable for the last 15 minutes and you expect it to be stable for the next 15. (When you do a calibration, it takes 15 minutes for the calibration to take effect).

I do find the sensors very useful. The longest I've gone without a sensor is about 1 day. Generally, I use the sensors 24/7.

There are some issues with the alarms - mainly that they can be hard to hear.

I'm sure there are more things to say about the sensor. Ask any ohter questions you may have. (All that being said, also be aware that there are some people for which the sensor just won't work).

I completely agree with everything Aaron has just written. I could have written it all myself. I started my pump in February and went on the sensor in May. I love them both. Since May I have lowered my A1c from 8.9 to 7.3. I hoping that with a few more months on the sensor I will lower the A1c even more.

Which CGM are you getting? I use the MM Paradigm CGMS so I have information about those; if you are getting are the Dexcom or the Navigator, I know very little about those.

Aaron

I am using the the mini-med sensors also.

How are they working for you. Is it a waste?