I was at the outpatients clinic recently to see my diabetes nurse for our 6 monthly catch up and it couldn’t possibly have been better timing I have to say.
At the time I’d had a couple of rough weeks due to a lot of stress from various things that had been going on (which lead to this post) so it was good timing to be meeting with the diabetes nurse to be able talk over the hiccups and what might be going on to cause them. Lots and lots of highs had been causing me no end of problems and I needed to talk through some strategies to get things back on track.
One of the options that came up as a possibility was for me to plug myself into a CGMS for three days to get a detailed look at what is going on for a full 72 hours. It’s definitely something I have considered having followed Nic’s journey using the Dexcom but the costs are so prohibitive to do it constantly and as such I never actually went through with it.
In this instance though, the hospital are generously offering to supply it to me for three days free of charge so I immediately signed up, keen as I am to use any tool I can to get better control.
There are a lot of questions I have still about whether my basal rates, insulin to carbohydrate ratios and insulin sensitivity are as optimal as they can be (they aren’t, to cut a long story short) and this is going to be a great help in shedding some light on where I can improve things.
It’s not the top of the line model and it doesn’t display the results as they come in like the Dexcom so I’m going to have to wait for it to be downloaded from the sensor before I’ll know anything but I am very much looking forward to the potential of getting even 
better control by finding out what is going on ‘in the background’ and then having the expert team at Greenlane pour over it for me.
Truth be told, I feel quite spoilt and if I wasn’t heading to Canada to live I might have thought twice about doing it so that someone else could have the opportunity. That said though, I am moving to Montreal and I’m not going to have access to a healthcare team there so there was no doubt to be had!
I’ll let you all know once I find out dates and will tell you all how it went of course so stay tuned for the next installment!
- Aaron
Posted in CGMS, General, Medical Services, Monitoring, Technology & Equipment, Travel
Tagged as basal rates, CGMS trial, insulin sensitivity factor
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12 comments have been made on this post
Corrina wrote
They are quite good and give information which is really useful
I am just about to have my CGMS take off today, I’ve had it attached for the past 6 days. I have also had them twice before with good results.
which is a bit of a pain. However the info is worth it 
The only annoying thing about them is if you want them on for 6 days you need to re-activate the sensor after 3 days and unfortunately for me, mine kept alarming and carrying on for the last 3 days
Roy wrote
Interesting looking device all right, especially the trend info: I assume MDI folk use them just the same, even though we are fast becoming the minority treatment option.
Hard to believe stress is as much an enemy as is any of the negatives that affect control. Mine always seems to be related to medical personal and not seeing any for as long as is possible was the solution for many years. Now back at square one of regluar visits and the fact I volunteered for some fine tuining of the control that has lead to the current bout doesn’t help.
For what it’s worth Aaron, my current relief only (no solution yet), was arrived at thus. I needed a new washing machine and would get it before GST went up. I guess my stress level must have be more than I thought, because I finished up with a new computer kit and one of these wide screens, which I don’t need for standard word processing and music creation. I do; however, have an uncontrollable passion for flight and flying simulators (well all right, flying games), and now being able to run a free open source monster I have more than releaved the stress level learning to fly a Spitfire in Realistic Mode. Ten attempts so far to take off and although none have gone down the runway and eight have been fatal, two have succeeded, control is possible against all stress.
Just pack your bags boss and get on the plane, you will be back on track in no time. All the best.
James wrote
@Roy – did you know that Type 1’s can (and do
) fly light aircraft solo, legally, in NZ.
At least, “microlights”, before you say “argh, flying clothesline”, modern microlights in NZ include some beasts as 80% scale P51 Mustangs, in fact, many modern microlights are pretty comfortable high performance aircraft which will out climb and out run traditional “GA”.
Rachel (Spouse & Mum of type 1 diabetics) wrote
My 8 yr old son has CGMS few weeks ago, using device like that. Was heaps better than the old wired version, BUT it kept loosing sensor and having been attached Fri pm to Mon am the nurse was only able to download 1 24hr block which was frustration and disappointing. Aside from that, great device.
Roy wrote
Hi James. No I did not know that. The only country I know of that people with Diabetes can fly an aircraft is Canada and they have to be T2. This is for national domestic airlines and the same people could not fly anything solo.
Flying anything solo with T1 is an interesting can do for NZ I think.
Wouldn’t you expect something 80% scale to be more than microlight specs: aye?
I have not heard of the term flying clothesline, you will have to enlighten me. I can tell you I have hit a tree, an anti-aircraft gun and a building, getting this Spit of the deck in Realistic Mode. In Novice Mode no worries! The perfect T1 Green 2 MDI Carpet Squadron (54 Kiwi), control.
Aaron wrote
Corrina – thanks for the head up on the alarm. I’m a little worried about that as I’ve heard it several times now but now point in getting ahead of myself.
James – I never knew that but the topic of jobs that we can’t do could be a good topic so thanks for the idea! I will duly note you when I post it
Rachel – I think that Nic had an issue like this too so I’m also a little worried about this but again, don’t want to get ahead of myself. My goodness you must have you hands full with a partner and child with T1. Hats off!
James wrote
@Roy Don’t want to drag off topic here, but yes NZ’s microlight class is pretty liberal regards aircraft specifications and pilot requirements.
If you are interested in learning more about microlights – http://www.recwings.com/ and http://www.raanz.org.nz/ are good places to start. And here is a microlight “Titan T51″ mustang … http://www.campbellaeroclassics.com/id55.html
Medical is as for driving.
@Aaron A blog on “jobs and other things we can’t do” would be good, it’s pretty much the thing I hate most about diabetes, that even though everybody says “oh it’s no limit really”, when you come down to it there just ARE some things that we can’t really take part in. General aviation, air traffic control, commercial driving, I think even scuba is out?
Heidi-Jane wrote
I’m hooked up to a CGMS Guardian Real-Time at the moment. It belongs to the Hutt Hospital but I’m looking at buying on of my own. I love it! I love the Real-Time graph feature. Its the best device (apart from Insulin Pumps) ever invented for dibaetes. I can’t wait to see my results on Monday. Will keep you posted on results. Heidi-Jane James
Aaron wrote
Heidi-Jane, please do let me know how it goes!
Rachel (Spouse & Mum of type 1 diabetics) wrote
Yes Aaron, life is busy in this household. We have 4 kids aged 14 to 6 yrs, 8 yr old is t1 diabetic and also coeliac. Hubby t1 also. Meals can be a trial with the coeliac’s thrown in. Hubby and 6yr old both currently awaiting biopsy’s as suspect they’re both coeliac too. But I know of families worse off, and one only needs to see someone struggling more than them to appreciate what we have.