PLEASE do NOT read this as a warning against using the sensor. I am VERY in
favor of it: I am just more and more aware that the 'warnings' from Minimed
on taking a finger stick to 'check' the blood sugar if it is out of range is
VERY important and not just a 'safety check' (at least not yet)!!



I called Minimed on Wed. (last week) about repeated horrible results with
the sensor. After the 'standard' questions (time between removing from
fridge and inserting, time between insertion and hooking up the transmitter,
distance from catheter, 'look' and 'feel' of the insertion site) I was asked
if I use the LINK meter (and have it communicating with the pump). I
answered "Of Course, it's great".



I was then told that

1] Taking more than four tests a day which are 'reported' to the pump
MESSES UP the calibration!

2] Taking calibration tests when the sugar is either 'out of range' or
'changing even semi-rapidly' will

mess up the calculations the pump makes towards calibrating the
sensor.

3] One should NOT use the LINK with the pump if they're using the sensor
(or at least turn off the communication

mode).



I am thinking of having two 'main' meters: one a link and one a logic (and
another a freestyle, as the link's reported blood sugars have led me to
thank G-d I only have 10 fingers to try to duplicate a reading on (last
night got a 20, 65 and an 87 within four minutes from three VERY clean and
nice sample sized fingers)!!





I don't know how other people are handling the sensor but I've also
discovered that PLACEMENT could make major differences in how long they last
AND how accurate they are:



I put one in the leg after four straight NO GOODS (results off, bleeding,
etc). The one in my thigh is going on it's fifth or sixth day, happily
reporting results in a 'reproducible' way (using both freestyle and BD to
check).



Yerachmiel Altman



{Who, having now achieved 26 years of pumping and approaching his 46th year
anniversary of diabetes, is ready for the next big challenge (convincing
myself that the sensor results are good enough that I would WANT to close
the loop)}







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