Category: Blog

I continued experimenting dosing using Seven.  Yes, it works.

Sensor is still on and working.  I got the sensor expiration screen this morning.  I just told it I had moved the sensor, and then told it I put in a new sensor.

Since I wasn’t doing anything yesterday, I decided to give it a try of dosing on the Dexcom and cutting down on the number of finger sticks.  Saw no adverse problems.

I do find that the steadier I keep my blood sugar the more accurate the Dexcom Seven is — but that was true of the STS-3 system too.

I should be having to “change” my sensor soon.

I’m still not happy with the numbers — however, the trends are definitely accurate, which is what they advertising.

However, the numbers are getting closer as I go along.

Well, not really, but the Animas IR1250 arrived this morning and it was SO nice to be able to set up my pump using the software, rather than having to rely on the screens.

I still had to do the basal settings by hand but everything else is good.

Now I’m trying to figure out the best way to log. 

Also trying to figure out how much data from Dexcom to import into EzManager.  I’m thinking every 15 minutes, but haven’t decided.

First, she told me that I should receive EzManager by August 31.  Sorry, I giggled.  I’ve heard that every month.

However, they are shipping me an IR1250 and I am keeping it as a loaner until the software ships.  I have two weeks after I receive EzManager until I have to return it.

I wish they had given me that solution months ago. 

Oh well….

I’m using Wingman’s post as a catalyst to do some thinking about this of my own. 

Have others of you noticed the dramatic effects a chaotic change to your normal routine can have on your bs?

Ring The Bolus: Sleep & Blood Sugar

Yes, changes in normal routine DO very much affect my blood sugar.  It’s been a huge problem since diagnosis.  Even more so, since I’m a teacher and have frequent changes in schedule.

I do a really good job of controlling blood sugar during normal teaching days.  It does take frequent checking of blood sugar (Dexcom Seven is going to be invaluable for that).  If they change my lunch during the year, I have to tweak things differently.  Typically I have “C” lunch, but they have changed me around a few times and even 1/2 hour can make a huge difference.

One of my toughest challenges are workshops — as I have blogged extensively about that.  Workshops alone are stressful — you are in a room full of people and it is worse for me when I know quite a few of them.  Oh, by the way, giving workshops is really no different than teaching.  It’s the sitting still that bugs me. 

I typically use up to 50% more insulin on a workshop day than I do on a normal teaching day.  I typically use about 20% more insulin on a non-teaching day.

Agility days can be even worse.  Again, they take about 50% more insulin, and sometimes even more.

One thing I’m going to have to look at during my next endo’s visit is adjusting basal insulin, especially at night because I’ve been going high and have been whining about that for months, even though we’ve made a few changes.

I “installed” my first Dexcom Seven sensor. 

Hint:  I’m keeping the whole assembly at least this round until I know everything is working okay.  Makes it easier if you have a sensor failure to return things.

My last STS-3 sensor failed in the shower today.  It was working fine, and I think that the weatherproofing finally went away.  I could try drying everything out and resetting but I just don’t think it’s worth it.  This sensor did last more than a week.  And I do think it’s time to send the system back.  One less thing to keep up with.  I’m doing my last download of data now.

There lots to like about the Dexcom Seven.  One really big plus is the warm-up progress screen.  I was never really sure that the old system was warming up, and couldn’t remember when I started it exactly. 

Insertion is a bit harder.  I think that is to insure waterproofing.

Amy has been trying the DexCom SEVEN and writes about it: 

It’s just that I’m still a little disgruntled from my first experience. 

Diabetes Mine: Seven Days with DexCom SEVEN

Funny, but I’m had a completely opposite experience with the 3-day system.  In fact, this sensor I have in right now is working so well, I’m just not ready to go to SEVEN.

First, I haven’t needed the shower caps — I use them sometimes when I soak in the hot tub but haven’t needed to, in fact, I just got out of the shower, and while I missed the readings while I was in the shower, I am getting readings again, and they are within 5 points of the Dexcom.

I’ve even left a shower cover on over night — forgot to take it off, with no adverse results. 

The only reason I missed the readings in the shower, is because I left the receiver here in my office.

One other thing — i am just not as body conscious as Amy is.  I wear a one piece suit and get over it.  Occasionally someone else ask questions, and it’s often a good educational moment.  In fact, we had a lot of fun with it at my teacher workshop — but then we’re all computer teachers and are into geek things.

In other words, I still think Dexcom is very very cool.

I just can’t express how having the Dexcom made a difference this week.

I would not have been able to search for Marcie the way I did if I did not have the Dexcom to rely on. 

I really can’t wait to try the Seven system, as I really feel that it will be more accurate since the regular system has been.

The website that I used to find Marcie is http://www.petfinder.com — I would have found her the next morning because of the shelter, but I did get some peace of mind.