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Permalink Reply by acidrock23 on February 9, 2013 at 12:50pm

I think you can get ibuprofen codeine or vicodin. I don't recall noticing a huge problem w/ the Medtronic sensors and Tylenol #3 a few times I've had it rx'ed.

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Permalink Reply by Mocha on February 9, 2013 at 1:41pm

I've taken NyQuil while using the Seven+ a few times, and it contains acetaminophen. For me, the CGM said that I shot up to 400+ mg/dL for a few hours and then I "dropped" like a brick back to where I started. I was paranoid the first time this happened, so I was doing finger sticks every 20 min or so to reassure myself that I was still in my target range. I haven't taken anything with acetaminophen since switching over to the G4 Platinum, so I don't know how it reacts for me.

I don't think hydrocodone will affect the CGM accuracy, though, since it's not acetaminophen, but I'd be doing extra checks anyway. You can always check with the doctors and make sure, and if it is a concern, you could always ask to have the medication switched.

Good luck on the surgery!

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Permalink Reply by MegaMinxX on February 9, 2013 at 1:59pm

I had surgery while using Dexcom CGMS, and also wanted to avoid tylenol. I discussed w/Dr, and was given Hydrocodone BT-IBU (vicoprofen) instead.

I have taken tylenol while using Dexcom7 CGMS (by mistake), and it was totally wacky for about 4 hours each time I took it, sometimes showing ???.

I had heard rumors that Dex Gen4 might not be affected as much, but the Gen4 user guide still gives warnings.

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Permalink Reply by Brian (bsc) on February 9, 2013 at 2:05pm

Tylenol (acetaminophen) can mess with the chemistry of the sensor of CGMs (and even meters), so it would be preferable to either take an alternative NSAID or give up the CGM for a while. Acetaminophen has a half life of just a fraction of the day, but will linger in your body for a few days.

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Permalink Reply by sh4dowdrifter on February 9, 2013 at 6:16pm

I would recommend talking to his doctor and seeing if he can be given something without tylenol or ibuprofen as there are pain medications that do not have either and that work better. I have to use a lot of pain meds due to my pain issues and medical problems and I know they have given me medications without either of those to analgesics.

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Permalink Reply by rick phillips on February 9, 2013 at 7:00pm

I have a metronomic CGM and use Hydrocodone every day. It is not a big issue. However, sometimes the cgm will run 10 - 15 points off (high or low) given that the CGM is not much more accurate without the hydrocodone. I suggest trying it, and I am guessing it will be fine, but if not you can switch to a different drug. Good luck with the surgery Here is hoping everything goes wonderful.

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Permalink Reply by AustinMom on February 9, 2013 at 7:24pm

Thanks for the information. I didn't know there was a version of hydrocodone with ibuprofen instead of acetaminophen - I'll ask the surgeon about it. That might be the best solution for him. If he needs tylenol, I'll give it to him knowing the CGM might be thrown off. In the scheme of things, him being in as little pain as possible is more important than getting good CGM data - we still finger stick regularly with the CGM, so we'll have good numbers with which to make decisions either way.

Thanks again for sharing your insight!

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Permalink Reply by jrtpup on February 9, 2013 at 7:30pm

My dentist gave me Vicophen (with acetaminophen instead of tylenol).

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Permalink Reply by acidrock23 on February 9, 2013 at 7:55pm

acetominophen is tylenol, just generic...

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Permalink Reply by jrtpup on February 9, 2013 at 8:27pm

Oy, thanks AR - can you tell I'm tired? Substitute ibuprofen in the above ;)

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