Training process for the minilink

[jilmarie]

For those of you using the minilink with the minimed pump, what was the training process like? Is your endo or CDE downloading the data and suggesting adjustments? I am considering trying a sensor, but I would be one of the first in my endo's practice..

[WestinsMom]

I was the first in our endo's practice. I did a lot of research online before being hooked up. My rep let us try the guardian. She met me to insert Westin's sensor and I ended up doing at as I felt prepared. She had expected to put us through training when we actually purchased, but I had done all my homework.

No one is downloading my data other than myself. My rep did download to use for demonstration purposes. I took my data in at our first endo appointment after starting CGMS and my endo and I looked over the info and I pointed out the areas I saw as a problem. He agreed and I made changes. I had already been making changes prior to the appointment. I think it depends on your endo's style of care. Mine is very supportive if I ask for support, but basically lets me do my thing. My endo also isn't sold on CGMS so that might make a difference too. He just doesn't think it is for everyone, which I have to agree with.

I see him again next month and I really don't expect that he will show that much interest in it...but I could be wrong. I think every endo is different.

[jilmarie]

Thank you for your quick response! I was assuming that the training would be less intensive than a pump start.

My endo is fairly "hands-off" and not too familiar with CGM, so I was curious to see how other endo's were embracing the technology.

[hrermgr]

Our training was done at the endo's office by a Metronic rep. The training took longer than the pump but I think that was because we were already familiar with the pump--dad has one! Because of T's age (2), she didn't go to the training but our Medtronic rep came by help with the 1st insertion.

T was the youngest in the clinic to start on the minilink so they were very interested in following up with us. We had a 2 week follow up visit to go over everything.

Our clinic asks us to download the sensor data and bring the previous 2 weeks with us to our regular quarterly visits. Thankfully our endo has worked a lot with CGMS and is very familiar with them. She can spot things that I swear, no other human could!

The time, effort and patience we put into the training and follow up has been worth it. We are very happy with it!

Good luck!

[Mama2H]

Hailey is the first and , as far as we have been told, the only child at our endo's practice with the cgms. Our endo has asked us to download the pump every 2 weeks but rarely asks questions. It was mentioned that Hailey's endo would be doing a "study" with Hailey's downloads so I am assuming this is why we have to download every 2 weeks. The office did make us go to an appointment but I think it was more for thier education than ours, we knew (and still do) more about the minilink than they do.