Feeling not so sure about this...CGMS

[JenFur]

Hi everyone, ok here's the scoop.

Just got both my girls on the MM 522 and I just got the Minilink today. I'm just not so sure about this, that darn needle seems kinda big and I know there is a learning curve and getting use to the new technology and all. I guess I'm wondering if it really is worth all the trouble. I have read how much those that use it love it and all. I guess I'm just feeling a bit tired of diabetes stuff at the moment.:rolleyes:

My oldest really doesn't want to try it, my youngest is more up for trying things but because she heard her big sister talking about not wanting to use it she is thinking it is something bad.

Those that use it on your little kids, I'm guessing you use numbing cream? We already use that for her site changes. Has anyone tried it and not liked it? How has your kids reacted to it?

Thanks for reading, I know you guys will understand. :o

Jennifer

[WestinsMom]

My nine year old is using it. He doesn't like sensor changes, but I think it is just his "thing" to complain about. He use to complain about site changes, now he is happy if it is a site change and not a sensor change! We emla for both. I leave the emla on longer for the sensor change. We emla a site change for a half hour, a sensor change for 1-2 hours. Today it was a full 2 hours as I forgot to get the sensor out of the fridge to warm up. He didn't complain at all!

Key, let you sensor warm for quite a while. Second, ice the area before prepping for insertion of the sensor. This helps stop any bleeding, or at least most bleeding. We also try to go in a little deeper than the inserter naturally suggest.

I hope this helps. We love it! Westin gets so much more freedom to go to the neighbors and such with the CGMS on. I don't feel like I have to constantly worry that he isn't going to pay attention to how he feels. Plus, since he hasn't had any lows in so long, he feels low at around 90 now! Works for me!

[JenFur]

Thanks for the reply, so is bleeding at the sensor site something that happens a lot? Or just once in a while? So, once its on, he doesn't mind it?

Westin is just like Kimberly. She is also dx'd at 2, pumping at 4 and is 9yrs old. lol How 'bout that.;)

Now, did you figure it all out easy or was the transition hard for you to start it?

thanks

Jennifer

[Mama2H]

I have some blog posts about our experience if you would like to read about it. I agree completly with the icing it, that has stopped most of the bleeding issues we had in the begining. If you want to read my blog you can click on the link in my signature.

[aidensmom23]

So how big is the needle? We use the Silhouette insertion sets and everyone complains about that needle size. Is it comparable? Besides the $$ factor our biggest concern with the CGMS is putting another site on Aiden. He has NOT been a fan of site changes lately. I don't think it is really a pain thing, just a 3 year old thing;)

[WestinsMom]

Thanks for the reply, so is bleeding at the sensor site something that happens a lot? Or just once in a while? So, once its on, he doesn't mind it?

Westin is just like Kimberly. She is also dx'd at 2, pumping at 4 and is 9yrs old. lol How 'bout that.;)

Now, did you figure it all out easy or was the transition hard for you to start it?

thanks

Jennifer

Jennifer, ironic that we have the same stats!

We have always had a smidgen of blood...but the change before last we had our first bleeder. It was controllable and only lasted a few minutes. Nothing that ruined the set or anything. We still got our 6 days, which is what we shoot for. I didn't even try to go longer. (We have always tried but it never seems to work and we just end up suffering through a few days of screwy numbers that you can't trust.)

I read LOTS of post about "how to insert" and tips and tricks. Emmasmom has great advice! We tried a guardian first and our rep came to insert it and I did it instead. I think she was shocked that I knew what to do. She basically just reassured me that I was right on. We were off and running from there and have never had a bad insertion. We had one sensor only last 4 days, but the other all went past 6. I would say we are on sensor 9 at this time.

If you have ever used a silhouette pump set it is very simular. Don't let yourself get scarred of the needle. It does look intimidating. Definitely don't let that be the reason not to try it. I had no idea how much I would love it and come to rely on it so quickly! (That is why I changed this time at the end of day 6, I rely on reliable numbers! If I could figure out how to keep it reliable after day 6, I certainly would go longer.)

Good luck!

[miss_behave]

I found these great pictures of inserting the sensor

http://curemoll.com/2007/04/02/the-minimed-continuous-glucose-sensor/

eek at the big needle though :eek: but you pull it out anyway..

[Cyndi]

My daughter is 3 and just started on the Guardian. We used the Emla cream with the first insertion but after taking the tape off of it to clean the area before insertion we noticed she developed a rash so we had to insert in a different area. She cried but not too bad. The next insertion we iced the area instead. I even had to insert the sensor twice due to me forgeting to tape it down before removing the needle and pulled the whole thing out. She didn't feel it either time. She got a little nervous from me panicing from removing the whole sensor the first time but other than that it went great. We also change the sensor every 6 days. I haven't tried to push it any longer than that just from fear of infection. We are still getting reliable numbers on day 6. Also, we insert in a 60 degree angle.

She does bleed a little bit after insertion but I have read that this is pretty normal and the icing should help to minimize it.

My husband and I were reluctant to try the Guardian at first because of the needle for insertion. We were trying to wait around on the Navigator to be approved. I am so glad we didn't keep waiting. You will love it!!

[JenFur]

Thanks again for the replies. We will give it a go with the numbing cream and see how we like it. I'll have to start reading up on all the posts about the MiniLink. I just really wish our kids didn't have to deal with this day in and day out.:(

Jennifer