I have been pumping for 4.5 years, but it is the CGMS that I cannot get into training until 1/8, and now I have decided not to try on my own, but to wait. If you ever have time, please post some of your tips for the CGM.

Thanks a bunch for responding.

Alone? I couldn’t answer that. Injecting the infusion site isn’t a big dea, but I’d still probably check with your doctor for advice. One important thing my trainer did was set the basal rate MUCH lower than what my daily Lantus was.

I took 25 units of Lantus – but my pump is set at 16 units daily (.60 per hour). I’ve upped it a bit, but she said many people set the basal rate equal to their 12 or 24 hour insulin, creating massive lows.

Just something to consider… Happy New Year – james…

Karen congrats on the approval. With your Paradigm 722 experience and knowledge I’d guess phasing in the CGM should be a fairly simple.

I’m working on writing a “tips” post also – basically my user observations (and annoyances too) that I’ve compiled after a month of using the CGM device. Kerri was considering the Minimed Paradigm as well so I’m planning to send it to her.

As great as the CGM is it’s not a complete liberation from normal blood glucose checks, so I want to be express my feelings accurately and not “oversell” it.

Thanks both for the comments! I appreciate it and will definitely post a follow up now.

My husband is type 1 and I’m type 2 (and no, I didn’t get it at 29 just from eating fast food…ahem…thanks to genetics and underactive thyroid and a wee bit of inactivity). Anyways, he’s reluctant to get a pump, but agrees that CGMS would be awesome.

And well, we also enjoy the Denver restaurant scene and travel. And he’s a software engineer. so, hello!

My sister who is type 1 also uses the 512 and I’ve been recanting my new experiences to her.

As of last month I was completely new to the insulin pump and CGM. I picked up the CGM a few weeks after the pump, so had some time to learn each one separately then together.

And yeah the availability of the CGM to me was more of a catalyst than the actual pump. But now seeing how the pump holds blood sugars in such a tight range makes me wish I had started on one a few years back.

I think we’ll see vast improvements with future CGM systems. Currently there are the variances and small lags with the blood sugar reports, and it takes a couple hours for a new sensor to start reporting. I think five years from now we’ll see this generation of sensors as clunky as the first generation of iPods. Better design as Amy mentioned, and cool things like sending the CGM info to a PC app or cell phone (in which a parent could remotely monitor their child throughout the day.)

But back to the present – other than a couple of bent cannulas I’ve been absolutely thrilled and wouldn’t even consider going back.

Amy I’ve seen some posts about the Omnipod and people seem to really like them as an alternative to pump/tube. In my opinion (only that) it appears a bit large. (I’m thinking tight clothes here too.) Is it removable at all during the course of it’s life? Just curious – it’s great to have an option for those not wanting the tube. That was just my impression having not seen in person.

Perhaps I’m fortunate also because I’ve found I can remove my pump for an hour or so (for swimming or active sports) and be temporarily “non-tethered” without any major fluctuations.

All the best to you both.

I am actually on the cool new tubeless pumping system called the OmniPod. Definitely worth checking out.

All the best,
AmyT

Are you on the Minimed 722? I’m on a 512 at the moment and am currently mucking through the upgrade process for a 522. Have you used a CGM before? I have a Dexcom but am wicked excited (whoops, there’s that RI upbringing cropping up) to use an integrated machine.

Excellent blog you have here. I’m looking forward to reading through your archives.

Thanks again, and enjoy your new gadget!

– Kerri.