Medtronic 640

[philipking]

I’m being recommended to move from the Accu-Chek Insight to the Medtronic 640 because of severe hypos and no awareness. Any thoughts or recommendations please?

 

[Juicyj]

Hi @philipking I can only guess they are intending to switch you to the 640g because it has a Smartguard feature which when used with the Enlite CGM sensor enables the pump to switch off insulin supply when you run below a preset BG level. I use the 640g but haven't had the advantage of using the enlite system due to cost, however from what I understand it is an incredibly clever feature to have particularly if you've lost awareness, hopefully this will recover in time. I have to admit that since I started the 640g 2 years ago that I rarely get a hypo below 2.6 mmol/l, and the majority of hypos are above 3.2 now, I do keep a pretty close eye on my readings though and send them over once a month to my DSN on Carelink the medtronic program so we can review and adjust if necessary, the additional support has also been a great help.

https://www.medtronic-diabetes.co.uk/minimed-system/continuous-glucose-monitoring

 

[tim2000s]

Hi @philipking - I wrote about SmartGuard about half way down this page: http://www.diabettech.com/smartguar...with-the-spirit-combo-that-i-used-previously/

And also here: http://www.diabettech.com/artificia...-own-activity-and-a-few-useful-lessons-gbdoc/

Hopefully those will help you to understand what it is and why it has benefits.

Depending on how long you're likely to be waiting for your pump, the Android APS team is now actively working on getting the Insight on to AAPS as a proper DIY Artificial Pancreas solution, but there's no indication of when that will be available.

 

[Bluey1]

I’m being recommended to move from the Accu-Chek Insight to the Medtronic 640 because of severe hypos and no awareness. Any thoughts or recommendations please?

I have the Medtronic 640g. I also have the enlite sensor. WOW is all I can say. It has prevented a number of hypo's at night, I'm still being adjusted so there is a small chance of me having Hypos. The Smartguard kicks in and job done. Although it indicates on the screen that it has stopped insulin supply it doesn't wake you or disturb you if it can prevent the hypo from occurring.

Stuff up the carb counting and you will still get a hypo through a bolus, the pump goes mad before well before the Hypo actually occurs, so you can correct it.

I had a problem sensor that was reading low. The pump kept waking me at night telling me I was going low. I know it would wake me during a real hypo, no doubt about it. I switched off the sensor alert to resolve that problem for the rest of the night. Medtronic were great and although I'm in Australia, I think we all use the same support team in the US, replacement sensor on the way, no issues unlike Abbott. You won't be disappointed. The Smartguard works really well.

 

[Angusc]

I have elites and smart guard and it comes into Action 3-10 times a week it means you can run tighter Controls with less worries as I get very sudden drops with no warnings from 17 to 3 in less than 20 mins so have it set to suspend on approaching low now rarely drop below 3.5 except yesterday hit 2.2 but don't really get effected by lows till around 1.2 so as long as it catches it before then it's ok