Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jared on June 18, 2012 at 2:14pm

I am using both a pump and CGM and I love both but if I had to make a decision I would definitely give up my pump before I gave up my CGM

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Permalink Reply by Terry on June 18, 2012 at 2:59pm

I use both a pump and a CGM. The pump allows me to administer insulin in a way that is customized to my unique needs. The CGM, on the other hand, gives me invaluable BG and BG trend info.

I don't understand your reluctance to carry both devices. As far as I'm concerned they have both earned a place in my life. I would not want to give up either one. If I had to choose, I would give a slight edge to my CGM, but I sure would miss the convenience (and good memory!) of my pump. I would most likely, in addition to my mealtime bolus insulin, have to take split doses (two, maybe three) of Lantus or Levimer.

You know, the only time I was ever transported by ambulance to the ER was because I drew up fast acting insulin instead of basal insulin by mistake. I went to bed that night and the next thing I knew the paramedics were in my bedroom!

Do the arithmetic. If you take four shots per day, you'll take 1460 per year. The discipline, attention, and memory needed to be right 100% of the time is beyond me!

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Permalink Reply by Jgos on June 18, 2012 at 3:04pm

I would agree. I use the navigator (i pay myself) and the Omnipod. But if forced to would forego the pump first..

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Permalink Reply by olu Oog on June 18, 2012 at 3:49pm

guys, where do you wear the to "insets"?
Before i stopped CGM, i wear the 2 insets in opposite side of my belly. That was probably one of the reasons why i sacrificed the cgm; the cumbersomeness of wearing the 2.
I am also waiting to see what H1c will be in July. if my H1c remains under 7 w/out the CGM, then i will stick to my decision to scrap use of it, if not i will resume its use.
I have 4 packs of the dexcom sensors unopened as well as 2 monitors. If i do decide not to resume cgm, i will give the sensors out and keep the monitors

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Permalink Reply by Dave T on June 19, 2012 at 6:41am

I wear the Dexcom on my butt. I like it better there as it is out of the way. I place it right about where the top of your back pocket would be. Because it is covered it seems to stay longer than when I had it on my stomach. On average I keep it 17-20 days before having to replace it. That said, you could try that site location since having the pump and CGM on the stomach is too much.

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Permalink Reply by olu Oog on June 19, 2012 at 7:48am

I haven't tried the butt real estate yet. Will give it a try when/if i decide to give my cgm another try.
I think 10 yrs from now, when diabetic technology has improved so much, we will giggle at the thought that we carry those equipment and sensors around with us. It will be like a scene out of the cell phone tech advancement

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Permalink Reply by Jim on June 18, 2012 at 4:46pm

Unfortunately the pump would have to go. Love both but if I had to choose it would be the CGM that I would keep.

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Permalink Reply by Leo2 on June 18, 2012 at 5:24pm

Goodbye pump.

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Permalink Reply by acidrock23 on June 18, 2012 at 6:06pm

I've got Medtronics, still both sides of my belly but it only has the one dingus to lug around, along with the "aftermarket" meter.

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Permalink Reply by smileandnod on June 19, 2012 at 6:26am

I use Dexcom and OmniPod and love both. I am also somewhat hypo unaware so would never give up my Dexcom....especially since I've been using my Dexcom, my lows have mostly been eliminated because I can see the downward trend early and adjust. So that makes it worth whatever I have to carry.

I wear my Dexcom sensors on my upper arms - even though it's not FDA approved to wear them there, many people here do and I find the results to be more accurate than when I wore the sensors on my abdomen. I've worn my OmniPod on my arms before but lately have been doing a rotation of abdomen, hips, legs for my pump.

You may want to try some different sites for your cgm and pump instead of both on the abdomen to see if that makes you feel any differently. My husband calls me the bionic woman because of my "equipment" but I don't think about it much because it's mostly covered by clothes.

As far as carrying two devices, my OmniPod PDM is also my bg meter and I would have to carry a meter anyway. I think ladies have it easier because I stick the pump PDM in my purse and the Dexcom receiver in my pocket. I've never forgotten or lost either and it's just habit now.

I start patting myself down looking for where things are and when I wake up in the morning sometimes I have to pat the bedcovers to find my Dex receiver but it's always there.

You may just want to take a break from the cgm then try again with experimenting with different sites until you find something that works for you.

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Permalink Reply by Terry on June 19, 2012 at 7:26am

Smile - I'd like to start using alternate CGM sensor sites. Are you able to insert the Dex sensor on your arm yourself? Do you orient the sensor to align with the length of your arm or across it? Do you locate the sensor about halfway between your shoulder and elbow or closer to your shoulder? I'd appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by smileandnod on June 19, 2012 at 11:14am

Hi Terry, I orient the sensor to align with the length of my arm but it can go either way as far as which end is up and which is down. It usually depends on if my husband is home to help me. I can do it by myself if I make sure I put it where I can press the plunger and rock off the throat piece after it's inserted.

Usually I insert it and get my husband to pull off the throat piece after. I usually will sort of play with the placement before I take off the paper covering the adhesive.

I place the sensor closer to my shoulder around where my arm meets my body (even with the armpit area). If I do this, short sleeves will hide the sensor.

Good luck! I've been using the Dex since September, 2011 and have gotten really comfortable with the placement.

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