Since I've been on an insulin pump for several years now, I have been lucky enough to see some of the diabetes technology devlop. All in all, I think (because my memory is too fuzzy to really remember) I've had at least 3 different Medtronic Minimed (MM) pumps. The latest and greatest 530g just came out as the successor to the Revel. I never got to experience the Revel first hand but one of the improved features was predicted alerts for the continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). I'm going straight from the MM Paradigm to the MM 530g, who's updated features included the linked CGM that allowed you to see your bloodsugar on the screen of your pump. If I'm wrong about this, I'm sure someone out in the DOC interwebs (because we're usually brighter than the average bears) will correct me. The funny thing about this whole experience is that while the Paradigm had the CGM ability, I only used it a handful of times before being so frustrated that I nearly pretended it never existed in the first place (which is saying quite a bit for someone who has the patience of an educator).
Regular readers will know that I've grown very attached to my Decom CGM that I lovingly call Eggy. I switched from MM to Dexcom two years ago because of that silly shell shaped transmitter. The transmitter would never stay put even with the assistance of every type of tape under the sun (that I could get my hands on at the time). The sensors were also crazy innacurate, and I could never get the calibration to work with my insane college schedule (really, who is stable for two hours when there are hormones and caffiene raging through you?). I held out for 4 months before deciding not to order another 3 month supply.
One of the other major things that bothered me was that the transmitter need to be recharged for EIGHT hours once a week. Add on the two hour calibration for every new sensor and replacing a sensor every three days. There goes 12 hours of glucose monitoring for your week.
In my mind, I expected that Minimed would change this as the technology improved, because this continuous monitoring thing was too new still. Or at least realize that they should send people two transmitters for the investment. That kind of logic is entirely false apparently. Even with a newer sensor that is FDA approved for SIX days of wear (the Enlite), you still lose eight hours of calibrating (ten if you add the two hours of calibration). This is all extremely perplexing when you add in the benefits of CGM plus low glucose suspend. If I chose those ten hours to be overnight while I'm sleeping, there goes the necessity of that feature. If I chose those ten hours to be during the day, I lose the ability to track my meal bolusing. I know that we're still miles away from "true" continuous monotoring but losing eight hours to charging the shell shaped transmitter seems asinine especially when compared to Dexcom system. All you lose is two hours a week for new sensor calibration if your efficent. Switching over has been a hard sell, my friends. But for aomeone who's struggling with perpetual hypoglycemia, I couldn't say no to a system with low glucose suspend and the timing for an upgrade just worked out.
I'm being adventurous and faithful to a company that has served me for over a decade. I'm also trying to keep an open mind. Maybe it won't be as bad as last time. My CGM training is tomorrow afternoon so hopefully I can throw in a new sensor before bed. I will try the dual Dexcom and Enlite for a little while since I've got the mother load of Dexcom sensors left...
If you have any specific questions about the system, let me know in the comments!
