View Full Version : How exactly can one determine MM sensor life is really finished?
payam7777777
02-10-2007, 10:01 AM
How exactly can one determine MM sensor life is really finished?
rickst29
02-10-2007, 08:16 PM
How exactly can one determine MM sensor life is really finished?
According to Nikos, they begin to "stick" near normal values (they won't read more than 140, even if you're actually at 200). I feel Nikos to be the most expert of all Minimed users.... AFAIK, he's still the only person without an MD to be certified as an expert in their CGMS products. (That was after he took part in a European training seminar).
This is certainly less dependable than they way Dexcom starts "jumping around", and MIGHT be a reason not to push them to the very end.
bkfkmc
02-10-2007, 08:54 PM
I find that interesting. I am certainly an amateur, but our experience has been (most of the time) that it shows highs constantly even when my son is in range. For instance he may be 100 and it will show 250 with arrows up. Of course if I calibrate I get a Cal Error. I have tried unplugging and doing a restart but then soon get a bad sensor after I try to calibrate. I still have a lot to learn especially with prolonging the use of the sensors, but we usually get "stuck" with sensor numbers that are reading high. I'll be interested to hear other people's experiences.
payam7777777
02-11-2007, 07:58 AM
Isnt there a more definitive criteria?
EmmasMom
02-11-2007, 12:17 PM
Isn't there a more definitive criteria?
No, the only definitive criteria is "Sensor End" which we all disregard...;)
When our sensor is "dying" it's just not as accurate, it may be higher or lower, and it will try to correct with a calibration but cant quite keep up. We start getting cal errors followed by a "Bad Sensor" alarm. I have only had one sensor come back from a Bad Sensor alarm and work well, so I usually consider that the end.
I rarely get calibration errors until the sensor is nearing the end of it's life. (usually 6-9 days)
davisxa
02-16-2007, 12:24 AM
Isnt there a more definitive criteria?
Yes, with the MM CGM it will say BAD SENSOR, which is kinda funny. I got away with 9 days last time.