I went to return MY Navigator today. I shed a single tear as I ripped the adhesive from my arm, pulling off my last sensor. They downloaded my info and I filled out a very long survey similar to the last one with questions about the trade-off of having a smaller sensor (See my post on January 14, 2007). There wasn’t a comment page, so I said if you want to know what I really think from the perspective of my daily use go the www.diabetesselfcare.blogspot.com. I did manage to squeeze in some notes into an area of the survey that had room for comments about things that had nothing to do with my actual thoughts.
My Endo came in to look over my readings and was shocked at my last week. I was in the green—that’s normal-- almost all the time. He noticed my sharp drops to almost-low post meal and we changed my bolus ratio slightly, but overall I am kicking booty.
I spent a lot of time with the woman who works for Abbott Diabetes and who is responsible for this trial. I sat down and told her what I thought. First, I told her how impressed I am with the Navigator; that this is the best invention since insulin. I described how it saved me from countless lows and in the very last week of the trial I fully realized the power of constant readings—we made such minute adjustments to my bolus wizard and basal rates that I am in really good shape for a while. BUT without checking in with my CDE or Endo on a regular basis, I could not have realized what this information means for my control. I also told her about the issues that I felt needed addressing (also see Jan 11 post).
So what else can I tell you? OH! I think the Navigator may be out before Christmas! She wasn’t specific, other than to say it is probably coming out this year.
6 comments:
I could MAYBE borrow a CGM from my CDE for a few days..... IF I THROW A FIT! I am not sure it would help for such a short time period. My D doesn't stay stable. It can change several months down the line. I CAN test as much as I want and I do NOT have high postprandial bg values except on those days when nothing is working correctly, ie the bad days. I really do not know if I should bother borrowing a CGM for such a short time! What do you think? My last HbA1c was 5.2. Another problem is finding s spot on my body to put the CGM stuff. I am small and thinnish and it is already hard to find enough good spots for the needle of my pump.
5.2!!! You don't have diabetes! That is AMAZING, but I hope it isn't that fabulous due to hypos!
You know, I wore a CGM for three days provided by my CDE a few years ago that didn't have instant readouts, but I kept a careful log of my blood sugars pre and post meal and then we compared it to the CGM (also got to see my blood sugars dance while I was sleeping). I would bet they have a way to do that for you and I bet it would make their job a LOT easier to help you balance out.
What I have done in three days after meeting with my CDE and having the CGM has changed the quality of my control significantly. You should AKS!
Thanks for your answer, but it is just that I get ZERO help from my CDE..... If they get involved and start applying "general rules", I am afraid management will get worse NOT better! Maybe if I could have a CGM permanently and could use it in a way I think will work......I appreciate your input.
Hi Wendy,
It sounds like the Navigator has been very helpful for you. I guess I was a bit disappointed to hear that it may not be available till the end of '07, as a local rep. had told me (last September) that it was due out either December of '06 or Spring of '07. Of course, both times have come & still no Navigator, but maybe I'm just being impatient? ;)
I look forward to hearing your take on the MiniMed CGMS, once you start using it. If you do the upgrade, are you going to do a comparison of what you like about MM's CGMS vs. the Navigator? That would be so helpful, as I'm seriously considering going on the MM Guardian Real-Time in conjunction with my Cozmo pump. Thanks so much for any help or info. you could provide.
Best wishes always!
I'm looking at the dexcom 10 hour run in time. Is the navigator similar?
I am totally unfamiliar with the Dexcom, so I'm not sure what you are asking. THe Navigator in trail had a 10 hour calibration period taht you could not see readings. It took some doing, but I was able to manage this alright.
I however, am much more appreciative of the Minimed CGM's calibration process. I love the MM, minus some minor irritations.
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