I have an iphone, but plan to use my pump for my navigating cgm. I may change my mind. In my profession (attorney), I don’t feel comfortable checking my phone in certain situations (consultations, court hearings, etc.), but I do feel comfortable doing it with a medical device. Plus, I don’t want to be any closer to my phone than mandatory.
Medtronic 780g + Guardian 4
- Thread starter **shell**
- Start Date
Wanderer89
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 60
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
I have started the Medtronic 780G with guardian 4 sensors 2 weeks ago. My in range % has improved significantly already. Absolutely love it. Less stress & worry. The tape to put the sensor on can get tricky but if you want tight control, this is definitely the one.
Last edited:
How has it behaved when exercising? I tend to struggle with lows when working out or drinking alcohol, even if I’m in temp target. I often have to suspend delivery, which us bothersome.
Wanderer89
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 60
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
With exercising for me it notices the drop in levels in advance & it stops the insulin completely which seems to slow the rate it drops giving me enough time to top up if needed before it hits the lower levels. Much better than before when my drops were heavier & less time to treat. Although I’m not sure how intense your exercising is. Drinking alcohol I haven’t done yet as only 2 weeks in.
How reliable is the
I wish I had seen your post a week ago!, I'm about follow you. I had CGM on the 640 and it was a disaster (no complaints with the pump, it's a keeper). The CGM would wake me all night and they never lasted. Did you have the G3 or G4, I'm guessing G3 by your reference? I'm not going to tollarate any more sleepless nights due to poor tech. I was made to think I was the problem and the only one that had issues, now the selling point of the G3 is it's much more reliable than earlier models and the G4 NO strips need to be filled with blood samples, hang on a minute I was being told I was the issue with the earlier model way back then! I bet the same will be in another 5 years (at least by then we will hopefully have the iWatch and as it's from Apple, it will be expensive, but it will just work. My issue with the old CGM was it just kept loosing communication with the pump, and none lasted 7 days some even failed to start and the pump would go NUTS. They had even built in AI, guaranteed it would play up at the worst possible time, in meetings, in the theatre, at funerals, etc. I fear you have got the decimal point in the wrong the spot. Medtronic tried to tell me that I was the only one with a fault with the 640g. a few weeks later a recall was issued, sorry they don't do a recall for an issue for 1 pump. I'm determined to give the G4 & 780 a good go, but the first sign of trouble the 640 is going straight back into service and I can think of a few choice places (that I can't mention here as this is a polite forum) where the CGM and 780 can be shoved.
I see reports where people have issues with the CGM, sensors, losing signal, etc, and I do believe it. I don‘t assume the fault of the user. I wonder why, though. It’s such a mystery. Almost, the only time I have encountered it is when I have extended my sensor past the 7 days. So, I get 7 days PLUS more days…..possibly 14 days! On rare occasions have. Extended it twice! Although, the sensor usually starts acting up updating a lot after day 10. I wonder if there are electronics that are causing interference.
Can I say I was on 640g till Feb 22 when I started 780g with gaudian 4 cgm I can personally say I have had to have 4 new pumps in that time because they keep failing 1st time the pump stopped pairing the rest of them been the infusion sets if I disconnected to go in shower when I reconnect would stop working levels would go so high or would change would work for less than a day would just give out cgm fed up with waiting so long gor warm up then to find they don't work or just go from one extreme to the other with levels don't Match up my last blood test was 43 but really be surprised if is now consultant today said would change pump to different one but think about it 1st as it is the best on the market
I've been on the 780G pump upgrade and Guardian 4 sensor since Oct. I absolutely live the pump and love not having to pick my fingers for calibrations. What questions do you have?
I have been very happy with the 780G and G4 sensor. My A1C is 6.9 down from 7.2 since July. The only problem I'm having mostly is I have alot of discomfort on the arm where I have to insert the G4. It hurts most of the time. Is this unusual or is it just me?
I believe the sensors are the same size, so there shouldn’t be a reason the G4 should hurt more than a G3 sensors. I’ve never felt much discomfort from them. When I have, it was the adhesive not the sensor that caused the discomfort, though I initially thought it was the sensor. The thing is tiny. So, I finally saw how the adhesive was the culprit…at least for me, it was like that. I hope you can find a remedy, since you like the 780.
Currently using Medtronic 640g. Transferring to 780g with G4 sensor. Can you place sensor in thigh as this is how I have always done it with 640g. Also is it safe to swim with sensor in situ
I haven’t started 780 and G4 yet. And, I can’t speak as to what the company approves as proper sensor site, however I wear mine on my upper arms, which I believe is the approved location. It just works well for me there. I tried the thigh area once, but it interfered with pulling my pants down. I never could get passed that. You might get reports from others who wear it that way online. I try to stay active in the global, online, diabetes community. Taking Control Of Your Diabetes site may have some input too.
I shower with my sensor (G3) in and have swam with it before with no issues. With specific questions on water exposure, you can call a rep. Also, they say there are depth limits and time sensor and transmitter can be underwater. They may not transmit to pump during that time…..so, I’d do a lot of research and approach it cautiously. I’ve decided to hold off on swimming right now and do other exercises at the gym.
My wife is on 780G with guardian 4 - had nothing but problems with it - has ditched closed loop and back on manual - even then it suspends for way too long causing swinging. Guardian 4 are a lot less reliable and more out of range than the 3’s often when blood sugar is not changing dramatically. Have been 4.5 out but regularly out by 2+. The closed loop can’t cope with highs or lows very well and is terrible for exercise, periods or sickness. The only time it was sometimes good was over night but also wonder if the cgm data is a bit massaged to look better than it actually is. The closed loop algorithm was bought in (3rd party) and was originally designed to control blood sugar overnight so it kind of fits with how it performs.
I was on G3 until about a month ago, started on G4 and find them not as good (less confidence in them at the moment compared to G3). My 780 has been absolutely brilliant since I've been on it (nearly 3 years) so I hope that I've just got a faulty box of G4 sensors.
If the G4 sensors offer me problems, I’ll just use G3, which I think are possible with Medtronic 780. If not, I’ll resume using my Medtronic 670 pump with G3. I need automode, so that is my priority.
And, if that doesn’t work, I’ll switch to something else. I’ve read plenty of complaints of all systems. Some are complaining of Dexcom G7 which is supposed to be very good. It seems to be a mixed bag.
And, if that doesn’t work, I’ll switch to something else. I’ve read plenty of complaints of all systems. Some are complaining of Dexcom G7 which is supposed to be very good. It seems to be a mixed bag.
I have been on Guardian 4 for about 9 months with the 780 pump, much better that Guardian 3, I only take my blood once a week when changing sensor, you just take your blood reading from your pump for a start, I wouldn’t go back to a 670 and no sensor! If you are being funded, take it, I unfortunately I have to pay for my sensors!
