CGMS - Recent Threads

OpSite Flexifix?

Laura — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:59:37 GMT

Anyone use this to extend the life of your sensor's adhesive? I'm on day 6 of my sensor (Dexcom) and the adhesive is coming off. I'd like to get as much life out of my sensors as possible, as we all know these puppies ain't cheap!

Anyway, if you use OpSite Flexifix, how do you like it? And, do you use the 2" or 4"? I'm about to buy some from Amazon.

Thanks!

Do I really need training for my new Dexcom?

Laura — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 18:13:54 GMT

I received an email from Dexcom requesting that I make an appointment for training to use my new CGM (due to arrive Tuesday, woohoo!) I was under the impression that the manuals and directions they supplied were pretty sufficient. Do I really need to set up a training session?

Where do you wear your CGM?

Laura — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:54:27 GMT

I am venturing into the land of CGM (have a pending Dexcom G4 Platinum order). I'm trying to determine where I should start as far as site location. I typically insert my pump on the back of my hip/upper rear end. I'm not a fan of inserting in my tummy as I feel like it's always getting in the way. however, i've read that this is the optimal place for CGM placement.

Just wondering where people have their CGMs, pros/cons of that location, etc. I know it will be trial and error...

New Medtronic CGM

Jason — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:26:22 GMT

Does anyone know when the new Medtronic CGM is coming out. The one I have is the clamshell size (about the size of quarter) and must be changed out every three days. The new one that Medtronic is coming out with would be the third-generation CGM and is available anywhere in the world except for in America where the FDA has not approved it... YET. My endocrinologist assurers me that HE will get clearance to prescribe this device within the year. But it seems like every time I go in, he says over and over and over, "The FDA has not approved it yet"

I could get one at home, in London, but the endocrinology clinic's in America are not set up to read them yet.

You change the sensor needle out about once a week and the needle is microscopic compared to what Medtronic currently has to insert. And from what I have read on the internet, my doctor and understand from Medtronic, this sensor provides a lot more medical information to your endocrinologist.

I really wish that the FDA would approve it soon. Does anyone have any more information on this?

http://asweetlife.org/feature/enlite-sensor

Non-invasive CGM

Ebgineer — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 07:18:21 GMT

C8 Medisensors has developed a non-invasive NIR CGM. They will first start selling it in Europe, and have started taking reservations for it there. They have also opened a facility in San Jose, California which I presume will be a manufacturing or final assembly and packaging location.

The NIR (near-infrared) method transmits low power light through the skin to reflect off glucose molecules. The concentration is then calculated by the receiver.

See the "Non-invasive Glucose Monitoring Explained" video on this page (and LOL at the suggestiveness at 1:11-1:19):

http://www.c8medisensors.com/experience/

Pros and Cons as I see them:

Pros

- Nothing poking in my skin! <--- this is a big one for me

- Won't hurt if it gets bumped

- No adhesive sticking to you (some people can't use existing CGMs due to skin reactions to the adhesive)

- No disposable sensors to buy (and fill up landfills later)

- Can take it off and put it back on any time

- Communicates via bluetooth to a smartphone app (finally a company that gets it!)

- Does not require calibration using a regular meter (so says their web site, not sure why not)

- Uses light, not electricity like the glucowatch did, so less likely to cause skin irritation

Cons

- Needs gel applied on skin under light source, so there are still supplies to buy

- Bulky, the belt carrier looks like a big girdle in the video

- Power hungry, requires big power cells (see: "Bulky", above)

- First available in Europe, could be a long time for the US (freaking FDA!)

- Supposed to be used in addition to, not as a replacement for a regular meter

- Info wasn't clear, but this is probably ISF, not serum glucose measurement (15 min lag time)

CGM & Medicare/Medicaid Coverage

Gina — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:10:33 GMT

In November, 2007, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued billing codes for continuous glucose monitoring technology. The billing codes are used by public and private health plans to facilitate claims processing and payment for CGM technology. The codes issued by CMS for this technology are: A9276 for the sensor, A9277 for the transmitter, and A9278 for the receiver. The codes have been available for use beginning on January 1, 2008. JDRF strongly advocated for billing codes for continuous glucose monitoring technology and wrote letters in support of issuing the billing codes over the past couple of years.

Some health plans are currently granting individual or case by case coverage for continuous glucose monitors. The JDRF website has information about the CGM coverage policies of select plans. We encourage people who are using or plan to use CGM technologies to apply for case by case coverage. The JDRF website also contains a step-by-step guide for gaining coverage for CGM technology that we have obtained from insurance experts that can increase your odds of success.

Can you tell me how it feels and some tips?

elismommy — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 03:15:41 GMT

Hello,

My son is diabetic, he's two, but we have a Dexcom Platinum. We know it's not FDA approved for children under 7, but we feel that the pros outweigh the cons, especially when dealing with a child not really old enough to communicate how he feels (highs/lows). Our CGM serves as kind of an early warning system for us, so even though we are still having to check his blood sugar with the meter several times, the CGM gives us some extra comfort in his diabetes management.

Recently, I have noticed that my son's site has a little bit of blood around it (a few drops). Also, he pulls at it, like it's bothering him and I'm not sure if this is causing it, but the site never lasts more than about 5 days before the sensor fails. So my questions for any one currently using a CGM, specifically a dexcom are:

Are there any tips or tricks you can give me for placing the site? Usually he's not so compliant, so he is stressed while placing it and I know that effects it. I've tried placing it on his back/upper buttocks but it seemed to be much less accurate.. Is there something I can do to make it less painful when placing it? If the sites weren't so expensive and scarce around here, I'd try it on myself to get a good painfree technique down but that's not really an option... Any feedback would be helpful!

Thanks

Lilly

indecisive about CGM?

daisy — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:01:06 GMT

Hello everybody, first of all I wish all of you had a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year. So today I had an app with my endo and he recommended to put me on a CGM, at first I did not want to because I have heard that it hurts more then putting on an insulin pump. I just wanted to hear from fellow diabetics who are on a CGM, does it hurt when you put it on? is it uncomfortable? and do you like it? My issue is that I'm thin with little fat and I keep thinking it is going to hurt. So if anybody wants to give me an idea on how it works I will appreciate it. Thank you.

I HAD ONE :)

Ashley — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 20:51:50 GMT

I had a CGM that I loved for a short time! I plan to blog about my experiences here.

Hey there. My name is Ashley. I have been Type 1 Diabetic for 4 years now. I have a blog that normally revolves around diabetic topics and I would love if you would read some of my posts and give me some feedback. Also, I am asking for suggestions for topics! What do you want to hear about?! :) Please leave comments.

Here is the link to the blog: www.iamjuvenated.blogspot.com

UK Petition for CGMs to be available on the NHS for all T1s

RebeccaSmith92 — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 19:53:14 GMT

Hi there!

My name is Rebecca Smith, and I am running a campaign to help get better healthcare for type 1 diabetics on the NHS.

The campaign endeavours to make NHS budget managers, MPs and the public more aware of the way that type 1 diabetics are not receiving (in some cases) the most efficient health care.

At present, treatment of diabetes is variable across the UK, with a postcode lottery determining if T1 patients can have insulin pump therapy as a treatment method or not: clearly this is unfair on the T1 diabetics who want it, but for whatever reason (be it not fitting into NICE guidelines, or lack of departmental funding in that particular hospital). Therefore, this petition proposes that pump therapy be, at the very least, optional as a method of treatment for ALL T1 diabetics. With Israel having more pumps in operation than the UK, I feel it is fair to say that the UK are failing a whole group of T1 patients, and not providing the most modern and potentially most effective (patient dependant) care possible.

There are also issues with blood glucose testing strip availability on prescription on the NHS. Many T1 patients are reporting of only receiving 50 test strips per month, when a T1 needs a minimum at 5, and up to 10 if driving, playing sports, or experiencing symptoms of hyper/hypoglycaemia - many T1s are also of student age, and working long hours, not sleeping regularly or eating regularly, and so may consume even more; being prescribed less than the needed amount will hinder attempts for good glyceamic control and result in future diabetic complications. Therefore, this campaign also endeavours to attempt to get continuous glucose monitors available on the NHS for T1's. The information on CGMs indicates that hypo fear is reduced, glyceamic control better, patient outlook better and patient compliance improved. With depression being 2x more common in diabetics as opposed to non diabetics (Diabetes UK 2012 statistical report), CGMs really could help T1s control their diabetes better. The long term financial benefits of reduced diabetic health complications has been proven again and again in America, and therefore, it seems short sighted of the NHS not to invest in such a modern treatment.

The campaign has a petition available to sign: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/41620

The campaign also asks that people send letters to arrive to their local MP and health authority on the same date (Thursday 16th May 2013). I have attached these letters for you to read. The campaign asks that people sending them amend them as they wish to. The principle idea of this is to get MPs across the region talking about T1 diabetic care, and see it as an issue that needs addressing promptly, with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes increasing.

There is also a page that people can like on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/campaignforpumpsandcgms?ref=hl

And a group that people can join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/131796363637159/

And an event to remind people to send out letters: https://www.facebook.com/events/554152251267504/

- Raise awareness of inadequate care that some T1s receive

- Attempt to alleviate the present post code lottery of consultancy care, pump therapy opportunity, and amount of blood glucose testing strips

- Allow all T1 diabetics, at the very least, the opportunity of insulin pump therapy as a form of diabetic treatment

- Allow CGMs to be accessible through the NHS to improve diabetic control

Many thanks,

Rebecca Smith

Love it!

brad68der1 — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 15:27:01 GMT

I've been useing the CGM from Medtronic with my mini med and I think it's awesome! Knowing what my sugars are doing has literally saved my life! It may not be 100% accurate but know if I'm rising, falling, or staying stable has helped me so much! my control is outstanding and my life is so much better. When I was a kid I loved bow hunting and gave it up because I was afraid of lows. I now enjoy every thing the out doors has to offer.

Thank you medtronic.

Dexcom CGM: Do the pros outweigh the cons?

Stephen England — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 16:52:08 GMT

I have been 'pumping' for over a year now and am still very much hesitant to get a CGM. Please comment on your favorite pro and con of the device.

NEW CGM!

Asha Pecher — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:04:59 GMT

im getting a cgm for the first time on the 7th of August, im super active and am wondering if there are anythings that i should be aware of that can effect the cgm and my activness. any tips on exercise and the cgm would be great:) thanks!

New CGM

Dana — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 15:02:57 GMT

I just got my CGM a few weeks ago, and I've decided its more of a frienemy than anything else. I loved my pump when I switched to it, and was hoping I would love the CGM just as much. I think part of my problem is a quest for perfection, which I believe is nearly impossible with this crazy disease. Anytime I see my numbers creeping upward on my receiver I correct, and if things don't come down quick enough, I tend to correct again. This leads to huge swings between highs and lows and leaves me frustrated and emotionally and physically drained. I'm hoping that this is just a newbie habit and will wear off as I get used to having this influx of data.

I have also experienced some body image issues relating to wearing two devices now that I really didn't experience much when I first started pumping. I'm much more self-conscious now that I have two sites on my body than when I had just one. It didn't really help that one of my best friends asked to see my CGM site and then gasped and turned away when she saw it. I know I just need to get used to it and eventually I'll be ok with this being another part of who I am and how I look, but for now I'm struggling a bit with it.

Love/Hate Relationship with CGM

pumpinmomofthree — Fri, 18 May 2012 02:38:42 GMT

My CGM often hurts when I insert it, since the minimed needle is freakin gigantic and the insertion is pretty rickety in comparison to inserting my infusion set. I know that we're waiting for the technology to improve, so I deal.

I also have soreness on the third day where I almost count down to when the 72 hours are up and it's time to take it out. I get irritation and soreness on the site. I don't believe that it's my process since my pump sites are not like that. I know that I sometimes bump it and that def adds to the irritation.

I keep using it because of the benefit of knowing which direction my numbers are going. I had two unconscious hypos where my young children (6,7 and 9) had to call 911 so I insist on having my cgm. The pump and the cgm have prevented this from happening again and any nuisance pain/discomfort I go through is totally worth it.

Is anyone else sensitive to the minimed cgm and have you found any tricks that help?

Bleeding when I put the Cgm in!!!

Jenni — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:20:00 GMT

I am going to keep this short but I need help! I have gone through about 8 of the needles for Medtronic that you put in to set up the Cgm and I do it by the book every time, I have started to try going softer and hardly touching the inserter to my skin too but then almost none of the needle goes in. I am at a loss here. I am bad at "sensing" on my own and my sensor use dropped my a1c to almost normal again so I need it! These things are 30/piece and I can't afford to waste more. Please help!

CGM 'minimed' used longer then 10 days, normal? and above all good?

Margot Vanfleteren — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 19:01:23 GMT

Hi!

I'm new here and my first blog! Excited :D

My question does any one have experience with wearing a CGM from Minimed longer then 10 days cause I did it last weel and the results were great. Just haven't told my doctor... ;)

Are there people who do this more and have some good infromation about it, I mean from doctorsor educators...

Getting A CGM

SarahTheUnicorn — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:05:18 GMT

Hi! I recently had a hypoglycimic (ahh so wat I can't spell?) seizure in my sleep. Because of this I'm going to get a CGM! i'm super exited. (Like I said before I'm no good at spelling.) is there any tips, tricks, advice, anything I should know outthere? please leave me a reply!!!

CGM and pump sites

Nbee03 — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 11:21:00 GMT

I'm thinking about getting a CGM with my pump, but I don't want two sites. Do any of y'all bother having two sites?

Dex com 7 and a medtronic pump

Marta Hohnstadt — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:02:03 GMT

I switched to the dex com cgm primarily for the ease of the transmitter. The Medtronic one seemed like the needle was too big.... anyway, has any one heard if there might be a dex-com integrated into an insulin pump?

Where is the best place to wear the sensor?

Angie — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:49:22 GMT

Getting my Dexcom tomorrow and just wondering where everyone like to wear it and if anyone has any tips, suggestions or advice for me?

lost cgm transmitter

traceystar16 — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:06:54 GMT

I accidentally threw out my minimed cgm transmitter after only the third use. I'm so mad at myself. I'm looking to see if anyone has a transmitter they aren't using anymore, I would happily buy it from you!

Scars

Heidi123 — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 13:51:50 GMT

My 10 year old daughter scars easily. She's got tons of tiny scars left behind from her pump and CGM sites. I'm very worried as she gets a little older she will become self conscious about it.

Anyone have any ideas on how to minimize scarring?

Sticky

Erica1710 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:41:12 GMT

I currently have a medtronic pump and CGM. For the most part, I'm happy with it. What is bothering me the most is the type of sticky tape I'm using to cover it. I use the IV3000 tape. What I found is that it doesn't stick very well around the edges especially and that it irritates my skin when I pull it off, leaving a red mark for days. Last night I put my CGM on my arm, used the tape, and it's bothering me already. I know that pulling it off will be even worse there. Do any of you use a different kind of tape? How well does it work for you?

cgm-medtronic

corcor1828 — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:49:40 GMT

i have a medtronic insulin pump and it has the cgm component with it, but when i first started on the medtronic i didn't want to try and do too much at once. however, now i am trying to gain back control of my diabetes because for the last year i have not been doing the things that i need to be doing to take proper care of myself. i am thinking that a cgm might be a good thing to have, but not real sure yet?! just wondering how others feel about it all....