I usually wear each sensor for six or seven days. As long as it's giving me good readings, I'll leave it in. While we were on the cruise, I must have had a Super Sensor because that puppy lasted twelve days!! I did recharge the transmitter half way through, but it was great to have it giving accurate readings during my entire vacation.
Yesterday I noticed my sensor felt pretty itchy. I was only on Day Four. It usually doesn't bother me at all, even towards the end of its run, so I thought it was kind of odd. I took a look at the site.
Yikes!! There was a red outline on my skin. I've never seen anything like that before. And I'll admit I started to panic. So I sent out a Tweet with a picture and asked what I should do. Unfortunately, it was at the time of day when Twitter has a lull, so I didn't get any advice back. It was time to weigh the pros and cons on my own.
I thought about how I hate to waste a sensor because they are so expensive. I thought about how this one hadn't been giving the best readings. Sometimes it was spot on, but sometimes it was way off. And then, I thought about how I could be risking an infection. I did one last finger-stick. My meter read 119, the CGM read 68.
And then I yanked it. Even if it had been reading correctly, I probably would have taken it off. As much as I love it, wearing it isn't worth risking an infection. I've decided to go without it until Sunday. Maybe my skin needs a break. Also, I'm going to a pool party tomorrow. The research I did on the MiniMed Web-site says the transmitter is waterproof and safe for swimming at a depth of 8 feet for up to 30 minutes. But I think I'll just let it stay safely tucked in my dresser drawer while I swim tomorrow.
I'll admit I do keep checking my pump to see where the CGM says I'm at. I miss having that information just a button push away. Sunday can't get here fast enough.
Ouch. Good that you yanked it tho.
ReplyDeleteBetter to avoid an infection.
Is this checking your pump like someone who drives stick then jumps in an automatic and reaches to the right? ;-)
wv: derswiti
Hee hee.
Sure glad I derswiti'd that sensor.
Yes, avoiding the infection is best. When I did the 7-day CGMS at my endow office, I ended up with an infection at the site. 2 weeks worth of Cipro seemed to clear it up tho...
ReplyDeleteTwitter has luls? LOL!
ReplyDeleteBesides - you had gotten a long run on that bad boy. I think you did the right thing too. How's it looking so far?
I think it was probably a good idea to yank. I've had a similar thing happen before. I took a few days off then too. Sometimes I think our bodies just rebel at being poked and attached to stuff all the time. :)
ReplyDeleteBTW, my post will be up shortly. I'm writting it now. :)
I had to do that the other day, and it really sucked. I was on day 5, but the thing was hurting so bad I couldn't take it any more. Also, the sensor said I was at 101 and the meter said 247, so obviously something wasn't working right.
ReplyDeleteSide note: Do you use the IV3000 thing over the sensor all the time? I only tried it one time, but the sensor started bleeding a lot and it basically just turned into a blood-filled pillow. Does it get all sweaty in there when you exercise?