Hi
@dancer, thank you for that - didnt know about the 7th day!
I used to extend the sensors every now and then (and sometimes got quite a few extra days) but eventually just felt it was too fiddly.
I guess I’m hoping to hear from folk with Medtronic pumps who have switched to t:slim or... from folk with Medtronic who have stuck with Medtronic and have their eyes set on the 780. I have the 640g so slightly old technology and I’d love to stick with them but my main issues have been with the sensor so am just wondering if I’d in the end be happier with Dexcom etc. Hope you don’t mind me pushing for answers on this
@LizLola!
Sorry all, it’s a mess of a message/question - just feel a bit lost!!
Hello! I am so sorry, for some reason your reply went into my spam.
Brilliant! Hope you like it!
Do keep us updated, please. Would love to hear how you find it.
I’m currently going for the tandem but the backlog at the hospital etc is probably long enough for me to change my mind a good few times. And regardless of that, am interested in any case.
Well, I went for the Tandem. I am not happy.
When you fill the reservoir you first have to fill a syringe with insulin and then remove the air from the reservoir (which is like a plastic bag - this is how they get the pump so small) through the insulin holding the cartridge upright and pulling the air out with your right hand (or left if left handed). I find this tricky as have arthritis and also a trigger finger.
Then also the membrane over the cartridge you put the syringe needle through 'cores', fills with a bit of the membrane, and the needle gets blocked so you can't do the next stage, the filling of the cartridge with the insulin. It's a very stupid and cack-handed system. They will not replace the needles so lost, which means you have reservoirs and syringes left over which cost you or the NHS money. I think it is fraud.
I find that it puts insulin back in too soon and when I should still be in suspend and this does not work for me, I remain at about 4 or less in a straight line and never come up at night. It's supposed to check that you don't get a rebound high but I rarely did anyway.
The good thing about the supplies are that they are in this country for me, and I don't have to worry about Medtronic stuff not getting here after Brexit. I like the no testing Dexcom but for me it is not as accurate or fast responding as the Medtronic sensor.
I like the fact it is lighter but dislike the touch screen as it is SO easy to do something you don't want to do. I hate that the graph does not tell you when you did a bolus right there so you can see the response, and also does not have the time on the bottom - it tells you what the levels are by graph for 3, 6 and 12 hours but it doesn't tell you what time he divisions on the graph are - and they are NOT on the hour, so thinking back and making an adjustment is not as easy.
On a good note, uploading the pump literally takes seconds wherever you upload it and you can see results very easily like that - but not when you are on the hoof!
You don't get as many sets with it - just the old fashioned sof sets like with Medtronic - no mios, wonderful mios. I guess it depends what is important to you.
I have not yet been on the control IQ bit as when you change pump all your levels go haywire - it's like being on a pump for the first time, and you have to change everything. I am on Fiasp insulin - they will not guarantee the pump with that in in, although how they would tell I don't know. So atm i am just on basal IQ which I don't find as good as the Medtronic (640G) one. That might be the fact i am not controlled as well yet.
When I go over to control IQ, the insulin action is based on 5 hours. You cannot change this - it is set up for Novorapid. So if you want to make sure your blood sugars come down you may have to make your ISF pretty aggressive. But the reports of its control are excellent for some.
The other thing is there is a sleep pattern and a daytime pattern. The sleep pattern is more aggressive and some people use that all the time. The exercise pattern is useless for me as it simply suspends earlier. I need an 0% basal to be able exercise (just dog walking!) and still have to consume glucose. I will have to have a basal pattern of 0% set up just so I can exercise and then of course, what happens if I forget t turn it back to normal basal pattern? I know i will forget.
So this is info for you if you have not made up your mind yet.
I am allergic to the Dexcom tape. And the filling problem is key for me. I want to go back to the Medtronic.