Weak Signals with MiniMed CGM
I have been experiencing Weak signal for over a month now
After contacting MM, I was told that I needed a new Transmitter, and that mine was out of warranty anyway,so we''l put in for it and get you a new one.
I asked if it was possible that the box of sensors I had just opened could be bad, because each one
had given me at least 2 Weak signals each some times 3
No I was told, more likely the transmitter
The transmitter arrived and I set it up with a new Sensor from my current lot
That very night, late evening, I got a Weak signal.
On the phone to MM again
I explained the issue again, was told that they would be sending me two new sensors to try.
Would I be willing to try them?
I told the Rep yes,and was told to call back when I was on my last day of the second sensor
I was also asked if I used Carelink for Uploading my readings from my pump, I said yes.
Ok I'm game if they are
First sensor from MM, I got a Weak signal in the morning about 2 am, at the same time my Revel alarmed for a low battery. Coincidence? Will probably never know
Got one more on the second sensor, can't figure that one out
Time to call MiniMed again
I did and was on the phone for almost 40 minutes going over my reports from Carelink with a Rep
You never get the same one twice.................
During that time I was asked about Laptops, Cellphones and etc that might interfere with
the CGM.
The distance between the pump and Transmitter, are they both on the same side??
Had I entered the new Transmitted ID correctly into my pump? , uh it does not work unless you do...........sarcasm used to help, but not in this case.
She went back three weeks which was when I first called in about Weak Signal problems
As she went thru my reports she said that there was a pattern of Weak Signals, late at night any where
from 10 pm on
Some of her statements just do not make sense to me.
She felt that my Weak Signals could be caused by rolling over on the Sensor/Transmitter at night
to not being active enough.
How active are you when sleeping??? Yes I know sarcasm no longer works..
When I pointed out that the first or second call into support resulted in Minimed putting in for a new
Transmitter because of the Weak Signals problem, she dodged it artfully
Never mind the fact that they pushed a new Transmitter on me and my Insurance, never mind the fact I am still getting Weak signals with the same lot of Sensors either.
Ok now is anyone here in CGM land having any Weak Signals and if so, what has MM told you?
Gary
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Timothy on -
I get weak signals from time to time, but they always resolve on their own. The transmitter will store 45 min of data, so there should be no gaps in the data. Unless it has been a long time and then you should get lost sensor. I suggest that you push in the transmitter hard, even more after the click.
I noticed that At the gym, the heart monitors in the treadmills will interfere with the pump receiving the data. When ever I'm near one it stops communication. It comes back when I am a few feet away. Maybe you have something near your bed, like a wireless phone transmitter or cell phone too close to your bed.
The battery only lasts about a year in the transmitter, so if you are out of warrantee, You prob do need a new one.
I used to have a Dexcom 7 and that one did not have a rechargeable battery. IT just went when it went. I got missing data all the time and even the clockradio would interfere.
I did find a way to use my Dexcom sensors with my MM pump, I had 7 sensors left and and a exengineer for DEXCOM told me how to do it. I wont share that here as he asked me to not EVER tell anyone. I think the dexcom sensors are better, but the MM system is superior in transmission and collection of data. Besides they don't sell you Dexcom transmitters unless you own a Dexcom system. It only would help those who have sensors left over.
I'm thinking that Minimed should just allow us to use Dex sensors. I think people would be more likely to buy a MM pump if it was more versatile. Everyone wants to have propritary stuff these days, but i think they would sell more if they opened up the system.
Anyway the communication technology is exactly the same in the two systems. I don't know why one would work differently, unless the the transmitters on the dex are better, but the power on the dex is lower, so I would think it would be less effective.
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Permalink Reply by caseylynn39 on -
I just got my CGM Thursday and have already had 2 weak signals today. I figured it was me, I have a tendency to cause electronics to short out but it seems like that's not the case. At any rate, if it happens mostly at night, you can turn the alarms off at least if you don't want to be woken up. It's really a matter of do you want to know if it's lost the signal at 2 AM and fix it or would you rather just sleep through it and find out in the morning. I figure in the morning but I don't have many night time lows either. But if it wakes me up 2-3 times at night, I'm going to call and in the mean time I'll shut the alarms off.
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