Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by MegaMinxX on May 31, 2012 at 7:00pm

Hi Terry - good luck !

MM has many videos on their website you may want to view while you wait for the training.

Sometimes it seems complicated to start, and so many things to remember. There are the 'mechanics' of how to use it, and change infusion sets, and then the experimentation phase to see how to best use it to fit YOUR life.

Permalink Reply by Mayumi on June 1, 2012 at 6:52pm

Congratulations on getting the pump. I remember when I got mine I was so excited. Something else you need to remember in all the excitement of being trained on the pump is to alternate your infusion sites so you don't get those hard lumps underneath your skin.

Permalink Reply by Terry L Long on June 2, 2012 at 1:18pm

Thanks I WILL remember that :)

Permalink Reply by Terry L Long on June 2, 2012 at 1:22pm

I am VERY new to this world of pumps and CGM. What is or where is MM ??

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

Sorry, MM is Minimed. The website is Minimed.com, which will take you to www.medtronicdiabetes .

Here is a link to the basics for the pump and CGM. Since you posted in the Minimed group, I assume you are getting the Minimed Revel pump.

http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/treatmentoptions

and here is a link to the infusion set options, and videos on how they are used.
http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/Products/InfusionSets

If you're very new to both the pump and CGM, you might consider starting just one at a time. I was using the MM pump for 10 years before starting CGM. Some say they wished they started CGM first, then later add the pump, others say they did it the other order.

I assume you are currently doing MDI (multiple daily injections) with a 'basal' (Lantus or Levemir) and 'bolus' for meals with carb counting and IC ratio ? If so, then switching to the pump would be easier, since basically it's just a different way to deliver the insulin.

Check with your medical team on what would work best for you. Some people start on the pump with saline, while they continue using injections. Using saline gives time to practice the mechanics of using the pump, but still use a syringe/pen for insulin.

Permalink Reply by Terry L Long on June 2, 2012 at 3:35pm

Wow !!! Thank you soooooo much :) I've gotten more info here than all my visits combined. You've given me things I will bring up with my medical team. I can't thank you enough, what a GREAT site.

Permalink Reply by Scott E on June 1, 2012 at 7:10pm

Good luck Terry! It's tough having that cardboard box with the pump sitting next to you, knowing you've got to wait before you can start using it!

Permalink Reply by Terry L Long on June 2, 2012 at 1:20pm

lol...It's been 4 days since it got here. I finally move the boxes so I can't see them.

Permalink Reply by dside on June 2, 2012 at 6:59pm

In addition to the official MM videos check out what's on youtube. There are some really helpful videos on the pump, inserting infusion sets and CGM. I had a lot of anxiety about starting both and it was helpful to see people's videos. Made it a lot easier, especially to see young kids inserting their own sets and CGM. I'm a 47 year old guy and still not a fan of shots. After almost a year on the pump and 5 months on CGM, infusion sets go in without batting an eye - CGM sensors are a little tougher but still not as bad as they seemed like they would be. Good luck and just plan on it taking a little while to figure out how everything will work best for you.