Continuous Glucose Monitoring System - a first review

I got fitted with a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) today. I've had it on for 6 hours. It's been working for 4 hours. It's already changing my life.

Before I get into that, let me rewind to 4 weeks ago. I am an avid reader about diabetic technologies, and have heard about the CGMS coming from several companies. Being a bit jaded, I decided that this was another technology that would come and go, and be a great idea that wouldn't last - as has happened to many good diabetic technologies.

I filed this technology in the "unicorn" bin - you know - the one that just will never exist no matter how bad you really want it to. I get sick of testing. I get sick of wondering if I have enough test strips. I get sick of sore fingers. I get sick of running out of test strips when I'm away from home. I get sick of just NOT KNOWING what my blood sugar is.

The last is the worst part. The neurotic feeling of "something feels off - is it my sugar or is it just because I'm human?" I test. Everything's fine. I feel a cold coming on. I test. The weather is dramatically different than yesterday. I test. I want to go to the gym. I test. I just got back from the gym. I test. I'm tired and want to go to bed. I test. I wake up in the morning. I test. I ate something that I don't normally eat. I test. I'm thinking about eating. I test. I ate 2 hours ago. I test

If you think this is repetitive, it's because it is. It's habitual. Testing is a part of everything. Physical activity, weather, eating, pre-eating, waking, going to sleep. Everything has a test associated with it. It's ritualistic. Nothing goes by without triggering an urge to test. I have to remind myself that I've tested in the past 2 hours, so everything should be fine.

It *should* be, but it isn't always. But testing more than every 2 hours is expensive, even with great insurance. So, I ration the tests. Unless I'm not feeling well and I can confirm it is blood sugar related, I have to hold my self back from testing. It makes me nuts - not knowing. Having blind spots. Not seeing trends well.

From the first time I heard about the CGMS, I thought it was amazing, inspiring, hopeful... it was the Barak Obama of technologies for a diabetic. It was what I wanted more than a pump. I know how insulin works in my body, so pumping was always only of marginal interest to me. If anything it removed the social stigma of pulling out needles at a meal with people that I've just met. The only compelling reason to get a pump was to make other people feel better. Not me.

But the CGMS... that is life altering. For those who are playing the home game and aren't familiar with the CGMS, it's a small sensor, about the size of three quarters stacked up, and it contains a small needle. This needle and sensor is "infused" into your skin and taped in place with medical tape. The sensor then transmits a signal every five minutes to a receiver which gives you an instantaneous readout of your blood sugar. There are only 2 times a day that require testing manually, and those are for calibration of the sensor. That's it.

I read about this and immediate wanted to read "user reviews." The initial reviews were compelling. The people who had them for trials didn't want to give them back. People who were issued the first releases of them couldn't wait to upgrade. People who had upgraded espoused the virtues of the latest revision.

That's it. I'm sold. This is a proven technology and it's exactly what I want (it's been out for over a year now). I need this.

I spoke to my doctor about this, and he referred me to a different doctor. I explained to him, that I wanted a pump with an integrated CGMS. He explained the benefits and problems with the pumping approach. Truth be told, I couldn't care less about the pump, I really want the CGMS. I need the CGMS. I have a neurotic need to know what my blood sugar is at all times, and must have the CGMS.

So, I've had the CGMS inserted into my abdomen now for 6 hours, and I've had to remind myself 8 times that I don't need to test right now. I just need to pull out the receiver and look.

I will have this CGMS for 1 week (it's a trial while my doc helps me figure out my carb to insulin ration - better carb counting, basically). I've had it for 6 hours, and can't imagine giving it back. If it weren't for the fact that I know I'll have one of my own in a month, I would never give this back. I'd steal it and move to Canada where I can get infusion sensors for free.

I've had this for 6 hours, and I'll never have to not know what my blood sugar is again.

This is life altering. This is a good day.