Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chris on May 22, 2011 at 9:19am

Angie,
I have been using Minimed and CGM for a year.

All you have to do is connect as NEW sensor (in the Minmed Screen...>Sensor > Link to Sensor>New Sensor) and it will restart the 3 day clock. To keep the sensor in place and waterproof, I use the Smith & Nephew brand called IV3000 1-Hand, the 4inch x 4 3/4 inch size. Google it or go to local drugstore and ask for it or something similar. Works like a charm for over a year now.
Chris

Permalink Reply by Angie on May 22, 2011 at 10:22am

Do you need to unplug the transmitter to do the restart? Or do you just do it all on your pump. Do you need to wait 2 hours to calibrate the sensor and again before 6 hours? Sorry for all the questions and thank you for helping me figure this out.

Permalink Reply by Wendy Jackson on May 22, 2011 at 7:10pm

Must recharge after a tad over 6 days. I usually can't get another 3 days but have cme close. Gets goofy after that

Permalink Reply by becks316 on May 22, 2011 at 9:27am

Angie,
I use the same IV 3000 Chris mentioned below. You can actually order them directly through medtronic and they just bill you. Its possible your insurance might cover them as well.
I just got my sensor two weeks ago so I am still adjusting as well but the IV prep swabs and IV 3000 really help keep it in place.
Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Chris on May 22, 2011 at 9:39am

Yes, its a constant adjustment for me, even after a year but I have found this piece of the solution to be pretty valuable. If anything, just knowing where you stand, or seeing yourself bast off after that extra piece of pizza. :) Its pretty accurate, as long as you do your calibrations and make sure you KNOW when the sensor is going to expire or need a calibration, or you will find yourself up at 3-4 am doing what we do. There are times when the sensor attachment I think gets toward its end of life, after the 6 days, where things get very erratic, so just me sure to swap out for a new one and recharge ! It beats the fingersticking obviously ! Chris

Permalink Reply by rickyd7 on May 22, 2011 at 6:06pm

I dont know if you are stating that you want to prolong the time restraint for it, just go to new sensor, and start a new one, and keep the old one in, I dont know how long you can extend the life?
But go to the sensor menu and chose New Sensor, and then you will have to do the usual starting a new one.
dressing? My comes off also, I used duct tape when I first started on one! The tape is garbage to me, the tape is not user friendly! And the research team doesn't really know about the pros and cons of it, even though they think they do!

Permalink Reply by rickyd7 on May 22, 2011 at 7:13pm

I got taught by the Medtronics rep, that when it says sensor end, to start a new sensor on the pump and leave it in, then after the second time it say sensor end, take it out!

Permalink Reply by Korrie on May 22, 2011 at 9:58pm

Tape hints - some people put a piece of tegaderm or IV3000 down first, but you have to cut a small hole where the sensor will insert, do not poke it through the tape. (never worked for me, I just sweat those tapes off)
You can paint the tape after insertion with mastisol, again make sure you do not get it on the needle before inserting, messes it up. I would paint with a q-tip after I inserted all around the tape edges and then attach the transmitter. It is super sticky, so make sure you let it dry.
Look for opsite flexifix tape - you can get it in a roll, I would cut a piece and tape over the entire sensor. To use this tape, peel the cover off sticky side first, tape it down, then peel the top plastic (grid) layer off. This is what was my lifesaver to keep the sensor on, a hint - use a piece of paper tape and put it on the top of the transmitter, just cut it to fit. When you remove the flexifix to either recharge the transmitter or to replace the flexifix if you sweat under it, it makes it so much easier to get the flexifix off of the transmitter without pulling the entire sensor out.
And finally you can try hypafix by smith and nephew, though I am not sure if it is waterproof. I never used it for the MM, but heard others do.
Re restart - long time users of MM taught me to just restart the first time (day 4), usually you are prompted right away to enter blood sugar. (as you are if you insert a sensor the night before and begin it in the morning). If trying to restart for a 3rd session (to begin day 7), most said to unplug and recharge the transmitter first, reattach after charging, and then restart.
FYI - I believe FDA requirements do not allow Medtronic support to tell you to do anything different than what FDA has approved the sensor for, which I believe is still 3 days of use.
Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Michelle Hughes on May 23, 2011 at 8:03am

Go into sensor and push start new sensor. What cover ups do you use over the ssnsors? I use the larger transderm. It keeps it on there for almost 6 days, I have been a medtronic user since 2007. Life is so much easier now.!

Permalink Reply by becks316 on May 23, 2011 at 8:16am

Just curious since I am new CGM user as well. How long do you guys keep the same sensor in before changing it out? My endo told me 6 days, but it sounds like some people keep it in longer. Would just love to get thoughts on that!
I have been using the IV3000 tape and always use an IV prep swab to "glue" the steri strips down before I put the tape on. My trainer suggested using two pads, but I have been able get away with just one so far. Although it is coming up on lake season so we shall see how that goes!

Permalink Reply by Chris on May 30, 2011 at 9:02pm

Becks,
I have played around with going more than 6 days several times, but it seems like the accuracy suffers the longer you have the sensor. A few times I thought I was humming along proudly at 110 or so, did the fingerstick and was at 200+. So be wary, I dont think it hurts to experiment but make sure you are taking some fingersticks just to make sure ! When in doubt I just do the swap and start fresh.
Chris

Permalink Reply by Angie on May 24, 2011 at 4:55pm

Thank you every one for helping me through this. Its new and is going to take time but I am sure after some time it will come more easily.