Lately I've been having some issues with my CGM. The sensors aren't working right and I'm getting tons of Bad Senor Errors. (Yes, I am going to call Minimed about it - I just
Sunday I decided to move farther around my lower back. I knew it would probably be out of my reach, so I asked Pea if he felt up to inserting the sensor for me. He's a pro at helping me attach the transmitter and apply the tape, but inserting the sensor would be new ground.
To start, I told him that it would hurt. It always hurts, even when I do it. I told him not to spend a lot of time worrying about if it will hurt me. It will, but it's worth it and I'll get over it. Then I had him do a trial run with an empty inserter. This way, he could get an idea of how hard to press the button and what it would feel like.
Once that was done, I loaded the sensor and took off the needle guard. One . . . two . . . three . . . shunk. A small pinch, but not as bad as when I insert them. One second later . . . OUCH!!!! What was THAT?
As soon as the sensor was inserted, Pea was hit with a rush of excited pride and nervous panic. The adrenalin caused him to yank the inserter away as quickly as possible - without holding the sensor down. I turned to see the inserter in his hand with the sensor still in it. A glance in the mirror showed nothing on my lower back except a small drop of blood.
Attempt #1 at the CGM? Fail!
Footnote: Attempt #2 happened mere minutes later and when off without a hitch. Diabetic and CGM are both doing just fine!
LOL! I imagine he felt terrible at the time, but hopefully he's able to laugh about it by now. I use my lower back and regularly recruit Jason to help. Having good help opens up new real estate, and as you know, we need to use all the real estate we can get our hands - and the hands of our partners'- on.
ReplyDeleteHey Karen! I feel your pain (literally!) I;m giving the cgms another run, and the last one hurt me, too. I worked a JDRF walk on Saturday with my friend (a medtronic rep) and he gave me a great pointer to avoid all the errors:
ReplyDeleteInsert the sensor at night before bed (along with transmitter), but don't turn it on (in your pump) until the AM. All the errors are the sensor acclimating to your body, it's not the pump. So let it get accustomed overnight, and when you wake up, turn it on in your pump. Within 15 minutes you'll get your cal. message, and your good to go!
Also works during the day...insert, wait 2 hours, and turn on (in pump).
The error messages were driving me CRAZY and I set the sensor aside (twice). This time, no problems at all and I'm loving it.
Hope this helps! Keep up the great blog!
Oh man, poor Pete! I bet he was a nervous wreck, and felt bad afterward too.
ReplyDelete