CGM choices for MM pumper, long lasting? accuracy? Options

[clau]

Hi!
i am not sure I should post this here, but...

I may be able to have a CGM, and not sure which to choose
I have a MM pump (measure my glucymias about 7-8 times a day- ouch!)
I tend to prefer the MM CGM just because its possible "dialogue" with the pump and the fact that can last longer than the 3 days MM says.

for how long do you wear your MM senson in average?

the negative is that it seems less accurate than 7+( my other option)

for how long the 7plus wear (average) your sensor?
is something I should be thinking that I don't know? do you have some experiences that can be shared with me (pleeease) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/a-ok.gif)
THANKS!

[Linda B]

There are many reasons why most of us with MM pumps use their CGMS. These are a few:

It is fully integrated with the pump. When you look at the CGMS screen on the pump, it not only shows you the Sensor Glucose numbers, it also shows when you bolused. There is no need to carry a receiver with you all the time because the pump screen is the display for the CGMS. This is a BIG thing to me.

The Carelink reports are phenomenal, and some of them include information from both the pump and the sensor.

The amount of time people wear sensors varies dramatically. I wear mine for one week. They are covered by my insurance and I find that is the best interval of time for me. There are others on this forum who leave them in for weeks.

Accuracy also seems to be something that varies from person to person. I find my sensor to be very accurate. I can depend on it between meals and during the night. I always do a finger stick before meals because I want my insulin dose to be 100% correct.

There is a new sensor which is in the process of being approved by the FDA. For some people it has offered better accuracy.


The two systems (MM and Dexcom) are both reliable and good choices.

Linda B.

[gigem99]

.... There are others on this forum who leave them in for weeks....
Linda B.

I am among this group. My insurance won't cover syringes, much less infusion sets or senors. So, I try to stretch them out as long as I can.

I'm currently ending day 21 of this sensor, so I just now pulled the tape off my sensor/transmitter, and the xmitter is on the charger getting charged for (hopefully) another 7 days. I can't remember how long my longest sensor lasted for - I'm not sure whether I've made it to 28 days or not.

Liz is the expert on that whole deal. She can get longer out of a sensor than anybody I've heard about on the 'net.

As far as accuracy, I think the Dexcom probably holds the edge. However, the integration with the pump far outweighs that advantage for me. However, if the Animas/Dexcom integration ever happens....well.....

I'm not holding my breath on that. I've heard for too long that it's pretty much just 'round the corner. That corner has come around too many times. I'll believe it when I see it.

Tom

[Liz]

Hi!
i am not sure I should post this here, but...

I may be able to have a CGM, and not sure which to choose
I have a MM pump (measure my glucymias about 7-8 times a day- ouch!)
I tend to prefer the MM CGM just because its possible "dialogue" with the pump and the fact that can last longer than the 3 days MM says.

for how long do you wear your MM senson in average?

the negative is that it seems less accurate than 7+( my other option)

I have only used Minimed so I can't compare it to Dexcom. I've been using Minimed's CGMS for almost 4 years now. I did not even think about the others when I got it because I was not willing to carry a separate receiver with me. The MM works well for me. I don't expect it to match my meter exactly or be exact during times of quick change - after eating or during exercise, for example. Just seeing the trends is great and when I'm not in the middle of anything, it does stay in the range of my meter most times. So, if it's been 3 hours since my last meal/bolus, my sensor reading will usually be in the same range as my meter if I test.

I use each sensor as long as possible because:
1. It's a chore to insert a new one and get it all taped down
2. Some sensors take a day or two to really get going. Once I have a good sensor going I don't want to give it up.
3. The tape can irritate my skin at times, especially during winter, so I'd rather have it stay in one place for 3 weeks than in 3 places for one week each.

My record was 44 days, I think. That sensor worked very well the entire time and then it died very suddenly. Lately most of my sensors have only been lasting a week, but they've been expired for more than a year.

[clau]

whow! thank you all!
I hope I can get one...!
yeap: MM the receiver and pump in one is very nice, the accuracy seems very light of a difference for what I see so far and that last longer than they say its a very important point to me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
thanks!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/Kiss 2.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/a-ok.gif)

[aggie168]

Hi Clau, you already got many good answers... Mine are similar...

1. MM allow me to carry one device. So the decision is simple.
2. The learning curve (aka commitment) is steep to use it to it fullest. But it is rewarding.
3. I average 7 to 9 days per sensor. My shortest is immediate (messed up) and my longest is many weeks.

[DonEdward]

MM is more customizable than Dexcom.

[clau]

Thank you Aggie for your info (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Don: what is your days-average per sensor?

what are the features you find useful to you in the MM that don't find in others?

[JohnG]

Thank you Aggie for your info (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Don: what is your days-average per sensor?

what are the features you find useful to you in the MM that don't find in others?

I wear my sensors for 6+ days with great success. Day 3,4,5,6 are my best days and day 1,2 can be a little unstable at times. I could
wear most of my sensors for 6 more days but this adds more unpredictability and I'm looking for stable routine and 6 days has worked
the best for me.

[tedm]

One more comment. There are some people (I'm one) for whom, the MM sensor just doesn't work well but other systems (e. g. Dexcom) work better. All of the sensor manufacturers offer 30-day trials of some sort (e. g. you pay but can get a full refund), though you will have to pay for the sensors used. Be sure to make full use of your trial period. Be prepared to bail out if it just doesn't work well.

Note that the "trial" may be complicated if insurance is paying for the system. Be sure to check on this if it applies.

This post has been edited by tedm: Mar 5 2012, 05:54 PM

[Liz]

All of the sensor manufacturers offer 30-day trials of some sort (e. g. you pay but can get a full refund), though you will have to pay for the sensors used.

I believe Minimed will not allow you to return sensors, even an unopened box. They do sell boxes of just 4 sensors so I suppose if someone was just looking to try it out, that would be an affordable option.
If you can get in touch with local reps they will sometimes lend you a unit to try for free.

[DonEdward]

My Dexcom averages about 10 days a sensor in my body chemistry.

[tedm]

My Dexcom averages about 10 days a sensor in my body chemistry.

I'm getting typically 10-12 days for a Dexcom sensor. This brings up another comment. Medtronic and Dexcom (and Abbott before they discontinued the Navigator CGMS) price a month of their sensors at approximately the same cost (not exactly). However, this is at the rated lifetime. This means that Medtronic provides 10 sensors (3 days each) for around the same cost as 4 Dexcom sensors (7 days each).

So if you get the same lifetime out of each brand sensor, Dexcom will cost you about 2.5 times as much! I use to get 20 days out of a Navigator 5-day sensor, before it was discontinued. Now that I get only 12 days out of a Dexcom sensor, I'm paying a lot more!

This post has been edited by tedm: Mar 6 2012, 06:27 PM

[DonEdward]

I agree, sensor life is a big factor in the cost. I suspect that my body chemistry would allow MM performance near or at par with Dexcom and I would get a smaller receiver, more customizable settings, and option for integrated pump. The more comfortable Enlite might grab me when it comes out.