Ok it has now been nearly 6 months of wearing a CGM. I know time fly's when your having fun. Anyhow I have experienced stress, illness, happiness, fun and hardship. I have worked, been on holiday and just been at home. All in all no matter the situation I see the CGM as a valuable piece of my arsenal in this battle with T1.
I have had insertions that have not gone right. For example when you hit a blood vessel and the fluids that the sensor uses to monitor levels are in short supply. The readings can be skewed or in 1 or 2 situations the sensor has had a failure however when it hits the right spot the sensor is in tune to what is happening. In recent months the sensors that I m using, Medtronic Enlite, have also been upgraded for performance as well as comfort. The actual surface size of the sensor component has been reduced and the delay between the blood level and the sensor level and once it is in I have had no problem with even knowing it is there. Other than every now and again catching the sensor on a piece of clothing but that also happens to my site sometimes and I quickly remember it is there and am more careful.
On the old sensor my daughter, who is quite fine in stature being 3 and all had some difficulty with finding the right spot. We had to find some tissue where the stores of fluid under the skin were stable. To tell you the truth we went through a number of sensors that either wouldn't begin or only lasted a day or so before they began alarming and failing. Since moving to the Medtronic Enlite advanced sensors we have had a lot more success. The sensors have been accurate and they have had no problem lasting the 6 days that they are active for. We have had some assurance and piece of mind over night knowing that if there is a unsuspected drop then the alarm will sound and we will be alerted before it becomes a problem.
In recent weeks including a weeks stay in hospital due to my 3 year old T1 catching influenza A, the CGM was invaluable. We could see when things were just not working and we were able to keep her out of DKA. Her ketones were out of control but we managed the fluid intake and the BSL level for as long as we could at home before we had to make the move to hospital. With the Flu and a viral eye infection she looked like hell but we kept her from what we would consider a night mare in DKA. Even when getting into hospital the doctors where surprised that we were able to maintain as we did for the time we did. We are thankful for the tools we have that are there to help each and every day.
Looking at the advancements in the last 23 years I now wonder what is next. I see articles trying to say that they are close to understanding why T1 happens and I see the trials of a artificial pancreas that will be able to administer both insulin and glucagon in small amounts to make sure levels are maintained. I see articles on all other types of pumps and thoughts on management such as inhaler medications and I am excited as to what is next. Working in the IT industry I see how quickly the world is changing and I know that the advancements that are to come will come thick and fast. There will be a option that will suit all of us and hopefully will make us even more successful I managing this disease.
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