Note to self: Never say never, and never brush aside any tool that might possibly be able to help you smooth your wild glucose excursion rides.
Not long ago, I declared my happiness being untethered from my CGM. But as of about two weeks ago, I am wearing my continuous glucose monitor again. If you read my last post, you know what that means: I consider it my go-to solution when things are not going well. Yeah, so guess what? The holidays kicked my b(g)hind. Like everyone else in the country, I ate more, more carbs, and more irregularly than usual. I’d hoped a renewed devotion to workouts would calm my BG seas, but that didn’t happen. After a run of nearly four days straight over 200 mg/dL, I practically ran screaming to my Dexcom [disclosure].
So here I am hooked up again. Somehow the insertions seemed easier this time around. And oddly, wearing it hasn’t bothered me so much — although probably at the expense of using it to its fullest advantage.
That is, I stopped stressing about going “out of range” so often when I’m at home. I keep the Receiver in my purse, and somehow my purse is often downstairs when I’m upstairs, and vice-versa. Whatever, right? (oy)
In order to avoid the urge to chuck the thing out the window when it keeps beeping us awake at night, I’ve instigated the “one strike rule”: if it beeps unnecessarily just once overnight, I stuff it in my underwear drawer where we can’t hear it till morning. OK, so it spends a lot of nights in the Walk-In closet. This is a shame, I know, because I really want the data to understand what’s happening overnight. I’m pretty much always low in the mornings, sometimes very early, but I’m hesitant to change my early-morning basals because for such a long time in the past, I was too high at waketime. And heck, I’ve always woken up early feeling extremely hungry, even long before I had the diabetes.
Another wonky thing is that the CoPilot software on my computer has decided it doesn’t like my OmniPod anymore: for some reason, I can’t upload my data, even after re-downloading the software. I know I should call Customer Support and spend lots of time on the phone getting this figured out, but I haven’t squeezed that into my schedule yet. It’s down on the list after keeping this blog going, caring for three children, and making time for exercise (not necessarily in that order).
When I look at my OmniPod averages today, I cringe: 60-day average – 151. Min reading: 35, Max reading: 442 (wtf? That was after a pod malfunctioned and I ate without knowing it.)
I am hoping the Dexcom can help me out of this funk, all the while knowing that tossing it in a drawer overnight makes me a Bad User. Noncompliant Patient. Stupid Diabetic. Aaack!
One more true confession before I wrap up this sad-sack post: Now that I started wearing the Dexcom again, I find that like Kerri, I can’t seem to kick the habit of taking that little egg-shaped Reciever everywhere, even when the sensor has pooped out and it isn’t doing its thing. I guess subconsciously, I’m hoping just the sight of the CGM will remind me to test more and carb-count better and overall be a better PWD. Stupid diabetic tricks we play on ourselves…?
Thought bubble: "If you don't use it right, maybe I will!"
)
I’m sorry, all I could focus on in this post was “Damn, woman has an awesome belly after three kids!”
Sysy- I was thinking the same thing. Amy needs to share her tricks and tips.
“Sad-sack” or not, posts like this are some of my favorites on this site. I like hearing the “real side” to people’s lives with diabetes. More of this, please.
Good grief, woman, is that really your tummy?! Yowza. I couldn’t even concentrate on what I was reading just wishing my tummy looked like that.
The belly is awesome, I agree. But the cat is spectacular. Is that your cat?
I think the CGM is like wearing contact lenses. It becomes really irritating after awhile and you need to take a break for a week or two. But, eventually, the desire to see again brings you back.
I like the creative angles on those Dex and pod placements!
I had a lot of trouble with the Dexcom, insertion of the sensor was crazy hard for me! I am addicted to the sensor, but because we got a new insurance plan, I have to wait until we meet our deductible to order more…they are crazy expensive for one month’s worth of sensors! I’m looking forward to getting it back so I can constatnly look at what my blood sugar is!! lol
And really cute pants too! But yeah I kinda hate being so connected up to things. The available real estate is a challenge but you do it well.
When I first got the Dex, I was concerned I wouldn’t be able
to “slow poke” the insertions but I can and this a big relief.
I don’t fret insertions at all.
Gee, I have never gone without my CGM (Medtronic type) for more than 1 day in the past 4 years since I got it! I cannot bear to be without data., and since I live alone I depend on the system to catch any during-the-night low BGs. I recently lost a friend to complications of Type I, and I only wish that the insurance plan he had (after going on disability) might have made it possible for him to have worn a CGM. The friend in question had gastroparesis, retinopathy and neuropathy. He had lived with Type I for 50 years at the time of his death; I will have lived with it for 40 years this coming summer. Perhaps it’s because I spent 10 years without even a blood glucose meter – just a once-monthly fasting or afternoon BG via a venous blood sample – that I love this technology.
Aw, June, that makes me cry – I’m so sorry (and I just had 30 years diaversary last summer myself).
But as to CGMs, I’m having major annoyance with Minimed customer service these days. Am starting to hate them almost as much as my mail order pharmacy, Bioscrip. When I started with MMD in 1997, customer service was fab. Now you need to (wait on hold and) give them all your personal data just to transfer to someone who says they are not trained to help you with your CGM, and then (puts you on hold and) tries to connect you with someone (who is remote in their home), and then you get disconnected – repeat. Argh! Long story short, I’ve been on a 7-month CGM hiatus and am now having trouble getting my sensors again because I’m in a Minimed time warp. Feh.
Amy, I was more struck by the fact that your tummy doesn’t look like a pin cushion like mine does! (we already knew you were trim & fit
— I mean, red dots, a few bruises, tape marks, etc. etc. etc. In any case, hang in there. I hope it gets better.
Your cat is adorable; I’m sure he would love to play with Dex if you leave the Receiver around…. so take it with you! Your tummy does not look as if you have been over-indulging on carbs but I’ll take your word for it. 154 average on the meter… we’ve always had about that most of the time, with a few forays into the 130s. For some reason her BGs are usually in the 6s, even with the 150ish average. But if you usually do better, Dex will help get you back into shape for sure. I’m sure you will reach your goal next time. Good luck!
@Yup, Jessica et al: that is my cat! It’s a she, and she’s a beaut!
Thanks everyone for the encouragement. My belly is flattered
, and my brain is reminded to be thankful for the wonderful tools I have at my disposal.
Glad to hear you’re back on the CGM and hope it’s a smooth ride back in that saddle again!
Amy,
Get Dex to send you another receiver and calibrate them at the same times. Then you can leave one downstairs and one upstairs! Also, you should just turn the alarms off on one of them and keep that one near you every night to get readings…
My son’s dex has spent many a night under the towels in the bathroom closet; some of the alarms can’t be turned off. And when it decides it wants to alarm all night, it doesn’t care if you are asleep. But *usually* it’s indispensable. I can’t bear to get one for myself though (two of us w/type 1); too many alarms, with 2 pumps already, 2 meters, 1 dexcom… although I’m sure it would help. Not to mention that I don’t like needles. Pathetic.
I was a Medtronic user for 14 years and recently switched to Omnipod. I have struggled with the concept of wearing one catheter let alone two for a CGSM which in all reality is a trending device because you still don’t eliminate the tried and true finger sticks. That said, it would be nice to know which way a blood sugar is heading!
I also voiced a complaint with Omnipod and Abbott labs that they don’t support Mac users! How do you dissmiss a population like that, knowing that the tools offer such a benefit to the user to be able to download the data and make much easier adjustments.
Lastly, I made the switch to Omnipod for something different and I give the medical community 3-4 years for a newer, non-invasive treatment and then I’m out.
Amy, where did you get your awesome pink case???