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If you have diabetes should you bother with a Medtronic Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)?
That has been questionable for me over the years. It is sort of a love/ hate relationship for me. When it is working really well I love it, when it isn’t my love runs dry. As I sit here writing this, I just cleared a “sensor error”. 
CGM’s are user heavy. People will often assume it is doing the work for you, you see your blood sugar on the screen, you’re done. That is far from the truth with CGM’s and it makes me realize how far we are from target with the Artificial Pancreas Project. In theory it sounds fabulous but the CGM part has to be dialed for the rest of it to be feasible.
Upon initial exam of the shipment from Medtronic, I was immediately turned off by “THE HARPOON”- my name for the CGM inserter (see the picture). This reminds me of my first finger lancet device in the 1980′s. What isn’t to dislike about a visible needle on it’s way to puncture your lilly white skin? I know, they say you shouldn’t even feel it right?
Most ironically, the sites are called “Sof-Sensors”. Notice Medtronic was one letter short of “soft”, good marketing move for sure.
When I approached my daughter with this rather large, generously exposed needle she was of course intimidated (elephant tears). With any new diabetes equipment everyone is a bit anxious with the first experience- especially if you are a child or have anxiety issues in general. My daughter has always told me she was “more scared than it hurt” when we are done with new painful diabetes “things”. Looking at the needle never helps, nor does the inserter’s loud popping noise.
Check out what Australia has for a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), coming soon to the US?
Well, I am a skinny girl and it does hurt most of the time when I insert it. I also bleed a lot when I insert it and then my sensor won’t work. When I followed the instructions the first time I felt like I nailed my ovary through my abdominal wall, and then I got blood back. What was that anyhow? It couldn’t have been good- that needle is really long… Really, I am well practiced over the past 28 years as a PWD, a nurse and as a pancreas for my daughter too.
After many adjustments, the last sensor I harpooned didn’t hurt when I inserted it and I didn’t bleed. I really didn’t follow the directions on the package very well either, as that obviously wasn’t working for me. My process has turned into a comfortable angle of 40 degrees, not holding the skin taught, but- holding the legs of the inserter in place. I thought I was onto something until today when I got that “nailing an organ” feeling again and blood return in the catheter. Hmmm. I wonder if this sensor will work. I will find out in 2 hours after it has its serous fluid bath required before starting the sensor.
Here is my A+ day. I must share this photo as I was super impressed with its accuracy 
a few times last weekend. 
I’ll continue with my Medtronic Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) review next week and be sure to compile a list of the pro’s and con’s that we have found as a Mom and Daughter duo with type 1 diabetes. I’m still wearing it, so that’s saying something!
I’m sure this has probably occurred to you, but it works so well for me….EMLA to the insertion site about 20-30 minutes before. Slick as a whistle.
I just got my Medtronic CGM and inserted it today with the EMLA. Not bad at all. Now I’m waiting to see if I’m impressed with it. Right now, not so much. When I scroll back through the glucose history, it tells me I’ve been between 120-130. That’s nice, but I had Chinese for dinner (late, RN ICU/TU working and busy) and the pump alarmed me with a high sugar at 10:00. Not sure why it didn’t include that in the history….
Yes, we always use EMLA cream for my daughter. I guess after 28 years with type 1 I don’t expect to need it myself or the product is disappointing. I threw in the towel on my Medtronic CGM a long time ago and dust is acquiring on the boxes. After a week of wearing a loaner Dexcom CGM I was sold again on the idea of a CGM. Here is my review of Dex http://www.shesugar.org/insulin-pumps-and-cgms/dexcom-7-continuous-glucose-monitor-a-nurses-review/ They have a newer version out now check it out http://pinterest.com/pin/30469734950250962/ they have fee upgrade programs if you like their product. I found it to be night and day from my Medtronic CGM experience. My daughter and I haven’t goe a day without our Dex for the past 6 months- impressive! Best, Jewels
Ok so I am glad to see I am not the only one in high frustration with the CGM. I just started wearing it on 7/31/13 and I have been through a box and a half of sensors due to weak signals and sensor errors. Today is 8/23/13 so not even a month later. I have called Medtronic several times only to find out if you have stretch marks from having a kid or scar tissue you may get these errors a lot. Why I was not told this at the mandatory training class I had to wait a month to attend or before I even got the CGM is ridiculous. The FDA only approves it in the abdomen, so they don’t recommend it anywhere else. So in frustration, I had to take it out once again last night while trying to sleep and turn it off. I laid it on my night stand and when I got up it was gone. The dog got it! I called Medtronic told them what happened and was transferred to a voicemail. Really! The night before, I was told to talk to my doctor so they can tell me where to insert it, really? At this point I would say SAVE YOUR MONEY and test 6 times a day you will be better off! Or maybe that is what the CGM is supposed to do for us, you think?
Brenda, So sorry to hear about your frustrations. Give Dexcom a try they have trade in programs to get you over to their product – which is an excellent one. I haven’t taken mine off in over a year. Check out this article I wrote about it. http://www.shesugar.org/insulin-pumps-and-cgms/dexcom-g4-platinum-continuous-glucose-monitor-nurses-review-type-1-diabetes/ Jewels
I have been wearing mine about 6 months, I’m very disappointed with it. I couldn’t get it to stay on my stomach. And although it isn’t recommended, I have it on my arm, and it appears to be more secure. I wish I had gotten the Dexcom now. Although there is usually a difference with my finger sticks, it is good to let me know if I am trending down.
Try calling Dexcom to see if they have any conversion deals to get you over to their product. I’m training for a 105 mile JDRF bike ride and my Dexcom is clutch – its almost always spot on. Best, Jewels