Sensors

Good day!

Yesterday I had a consultation with the nurse for diabetes education.

He saw with his own eyes the difference in the measurement of the sensor compared to the capillary, in addition to the fact that the sensor gets stuck when I have a sudden variation, it stays thinking and that is usually when I need it the most.He told me that they would definitely change it but he didn't know which one they would give me, it would almost certainly be the dexcom one plus.Does anyone know how those sensors are doing?

He also let me put in a pump or, at least, a smart pen... I didn't understand why he offered it to me, I'm in range, even in the worst case of "interpreting" the sensor data, 99% of the time, with values ​​around 100mg/dl (85-110).I have spikes but he told me that they were not important and that he would also return to the target after a short time.I don't know why he offered me the pump (to be put in the medium term in case I accepted it).I asked him and he told me because yes, I'm a candidate for it... For now I'm passing on it, but I don't know why he offered it to me if there are people who want it and they won't give it to them, I don't understand anything.And about the smart pen...I don't know, I don't see much advantage to it, but I do worry about damaging it or losing it...Can someone explain the advantages to me?And the differences in the sensor (dexcom one plus/ libre 2 plus)?

Thanks in advance.All the best!!

Hello @Maguina

It's good that you share your experience, because exactly what you mentioned about the gap between sensor and capillary has happened to many of us.The sensors, especially when there are sudden changes in glucose (for example, after eating or exercising), tend to “go a little” or take a few minutes to reflect the real value.It does not mean that they are wrong, but that they measure interstitial fluid, not directly capillary blood, and that small delay is normal.

Regarding the Dexcom One Plus, most of those who have tried it agree that it is quite reliable, very stable and with fewer “false” alarms than other models.In addition, it now allows you to easily share data with your mobile phone, something very useful if at some point you want someone to follow your measurements.

As for the smart pump or pen, it may be that they offered it to you not because you have poor control, but because you meet certain technical criteria (for example, you take many measurements, use a continuous sensor, administer several doses a day, etc.).It is not an obligation, just an option that some professionals propose to improve comfort or reduce small variations.If you feel good with your current treatment and your range times are so good, it is totally reasonable that you would prefer to continue like this 👍.

And regarding the smart pen, its main advantage is to automatically record doses and schedules, helping to avoid forgetfulness or duplication.But if you don't see any use in it, nothing happens — in the end the important thing is that the treatment works for you and you feel comfortable.

Thank you for sharing your experience, I'm sure it helps others who are considering changing sensors or trying new options.

@Maguina said:

Good day!

Yesterday I had a consultation with the nurse for diabetes education.

He saw with his own eyes the difference in the measurement of the sensor compared to the capillary, in addition to the fact that the sensor gets stuck when I have a sudden variation, it stays thinking and that is usually when I need it the most.He told me that they would definitely change it but he didn't know which one they would give me, it would almost certainly be the dexcom one plus.Does anyone know how those sensors are doing?

He also let me put in a pump or, at least, a smart pen... I didn't understand why he offered it to me, I'm in range, even in the worst case of "interpreting" the sensor data, 99% of the time, with values ​​around 100mg/dl (85-110).I have spikes but he told me that they were not important and that he would also return to the target after a short time.I don't know why he offered me the pump (to be put in the medium term in case I accepted it).I asked him and he told me because yes, I'm a candidate for it... For now I'm passing on it, but I don't know why he offered it to me if there are people who want it and they won't give it to them, I don't understand anything.And about the smart pen...I don't know, I don't see much advantage to it, but I do worry about damaging it or losing it...Can someone explain the advantages to me?And the differences in the sensor (dexcom one plus/ libre 2 plus)?

Thanks in advance.All the best!!

Very good, my opinion about what you say is that they kill flies with cannon fire, why?Very simple diabetes theories know by heart the magic formula that never changes despite the years of weighing food, calculating portions/units and using a sensor is equal to good control.But they have no fucking idea about practicing diabetes, because to be able to have it, there is an art to being diabetic.Then you go with your sensor and capillary measurements, they see the imbalances and another brand sensor enters the solution loop.The issue of the pump, well similar, they may be short of patients with a pump and they could use a patient with a pump and your control to give wings to other patients.

They called me yesterday from the hospital for a recycling course (I don't know how many times they have made me do it) I think that every time I go to the endocrinologist and they see that I don't say if there is a magic formula, they sign me up for the course.Well, on Friday, November 14, at the La Paz hospital in Madrid (they called me to go today but I didn't feel like going to spend the morning and with financial expense) I will have to spend the whole morning selling myself the use and practice of the magic formula and the sensors to keep good control, and I leave with the feeling that it seems that diabetics don't work and we are oblivious to everything, we have 24 hours to dedicate to diabetes as if we received a pension for it.

Returning to the topic, they will change your sensor and at the same time you also prove that it is as beautiful as they paint it, they will give you freestyle again and if in a loop, don't believe that they are going to issue a report to health so that they can complain to Abbott for a better product, no, not that.

As for the smart pen, it's a fool's errand (unless you're extremely forgetful), which won't help you with those sensor reading errors, but hey, if I convince you to bring other gadgets...

@fer said:

Hello@Maguina

It's good that you share your experience, because exactly what you mentioned about the gap between sensor and capillary has happened to many of us.The sensors, especially when there are sudden changes in glucose (for example, after eating or exercising), tend to “go a little” or take a few minutes to reflect the real value.It does not mean that they are wrong, but that they measure interstitial fluid, not directly capillary blood, and that small delay is normal.

Regarding the Dexcom One Plus, most of those who have tried it agree that it is quite reliable, very stable and with fewer “false” alarms than other models.In addition, it now allows you to easily share data with your mobile phone, something very useful if at some point you want someone to follow your measurements.

As for the smart pump or pen, it may be that they offered it to you not because you have poor control, but because you meet certain technical criteria (for example, you take many measurements, use a continuous sensor, administer several doses a day, etc.).It is not an obligation, just an option that some professionals propose to improve comfort or reduce small variations.If you feel good with your current treatment and your range times are so good, it is totally reasonable that you would prefer to continue like this 👍.

And regarding the smart pen, its main advantage is to automatically record doses and schedules, helping to avoid forgetfulness or duplication.But if you don't see any use in it, nothing happens — in the end the important thing is that the treatment works for you and you feel comfortable.

Thank you for sharing your experience, I'm sure it helps others who are considering changing sensors or trying new options.

Hello, Fer!

Thank you for taking the time to read and answer, I learn a lot in this forum.

The sensor lag, up to a point, is acceptable, I find some that give me acceptable speeds.The problem is that most of them give me 40-50mg/dl below...and... Of course...being at 110 is not the same as being at 50. Every time I have to change, no one can take 3-4 attempts away from me.I manage the replacement through the website and they change them without any problem...but it frustrates me a little, although I didn't complain because I thought it was normal.But the nurse told me no, it couldn't be like that.And what you are left thinking about...is that it literally gets stuck and takes at least an hour to show signs of life again.He told me it was because I barely have a pancreas (they removed almost the entire pancreas) and that generates very very abrupt changes and the sensor does not have it.But of course, that's when I need it most 😕.It will be a matter of trying... there is no other option...

@LuVi said:

@Maguinasaid:

Good day!

Yesterday I had a consultation with the nurse for diabetes education.

He saw with his own eyes the difference in the measurement of the sensor compared to the capillary, in addition to the fact that the sensor gets stuck when I have a sudden variation, it stays thinking and that is usually when I need it the most.He told me that they would definitely change it but he didn't know which one they would give me, it would almost certainly be the dexcom one plus.Does anyone know how those sensors are doing?

He also let me put in a pump or, at least, a smart pen... I didn't understand why he offered it to me, I'm in range, even in the worst case of "interpreting" the sensor data, 99% of the time, with values ​​around 100mg/dl (85-110).I have spikes but he told me that they were not important and that he would also return to the target after a short time.I don't know why he offered me the pump (to be put in the medium term in case I accepted it).I asked him and he told me because yes, I'm a candidate for it... For now I'm passing on it, but I don't know why he offered it to me if there are people who want it and they won't give it to them, I don't understand anything.And about the smart pen...I don't know, I don't see much advantage to it, but I do worry about damaging it or losing it...Can someone explain the advantages to me?And the differences in the sensor (dexcom one plus/ libre 2 plus)?

Thanks in advance.All the best!!

Very good, my opinion about what you say is that they kill flies with cannon fire, why?Very simple diabetes theories know by heart the magic formula that never changes despite the years of weighing food, calculating portions/units and using a sensor is equal to good control.But they have no fucking idea about practicing diabetes, because to be able to have it, there is an art to being diabetic.Then you go with your sensor and capillary measurements, they see the imbalances and another brand sensor enters the solution loop.The issue of the pump, well similar, they may be short of patients with a pump and they could use a patient with a pump and your control to give wings to other patients.

They called me yesterday from the hospital for a recycling course (I don't know how many times they have made me do it) I think that every time I go to the endocrinologist and they see that I don't say if there is a magic formula, they sign me up for the course.Well, on Friday, November 14, at the La Paz hospital in Madrid (they called me to go today but I didn't feel like going to spend the morning and with financial expense) I will have to spend the whole morning selling myself the use and practice of the magic formula and the sensors to keep good control, and I leave with the feeling that it seems that diabetics don't work and we are oblivious to everything, we have 24 hours to dedicate to diabetes as if we received a pension for it.

Returning to the topic, they will change your sensor and at the same time you also prove that it is as beautiful as they paint it, they will give you freestyle again and if in a loop, don't believe that they are going to issue a report to health so that they can complain to Abbott for a better product, no, not that.

As for the smart pen, it's a fool's errand (unless you're extremely forgetful), which won't help you with those sensor reading errors, but hey, if I convince you to bring other gadgets...

He told me that just this week the entire team had had a meeting with representatives of Abbott and that they are tired of telling them that not like that, that this discrepancy cannot be... that there are patients who are doing very well but many who are not doing so well... I don't know if that complaint will be formal, if it will be useful for something at the hospital level (if it is formal) when it should be at the autonomy level, which is who has the powers...

I don't see the thing about the pen either...in the end you have to calculate the rations so that the pen knows how many units to give you...when what I want is to be taught how to count rations...maybe at one time I don't think the same, but now that's what it seems to me.And the pump...pufff...no way...my airways are infected like nothing...I don't want any more problems of that type.The sensor already starts to itch after it has been on for 8 days and it takes me a while to heal the wound it leaves me with...I don't feel like taking unnecessary risks.