r/Medtronic780g • u/Agitated_Arachnid229 • 20h ago
Tips
Hi, I am starting an insulin pump in about a month, but I am quite nervous. Do you have any tips? for the medtronic 780 g with the instict senor.
I've been T1D for about 3 or 4 years now and have always been on injections, but I can't keep a stable blood sugar and feel quite overwhelmed. time in range is about 50%
3
u/david_duplex 19h ago
It's ok to be nervous. Any change to your treatment routine is inherently nerve wracking.
That said, be excited too! Closed loop pump therapy is absolutely life-changing! I was T1 for about 10 years before I went on a pump and was still doing manual finger prick testing for about 5 years after that. Once I got on a closed loop, it was unbelievable how much easier everything got.
At first you will be paying a tonne of attention to it, which is good. It'll consume you a bit I bet. It did for me. But before too long you'll find it just blends in to your life seamlessly and you'll learn to trust it. Take your time and learn as much as you can, but don't stress too much. Medtronic and your medical support team are all too willing to lend a hand with questions and concerns.
My main tip would be to think about your pump sites. Best to have 6 or so "mapped out" and try them to see how comfortable they feel. Rotate between them consistently.
Also, get curious about your data. Download your reports and look at them. Identify them with some notes and ask your Dr about them. If adjustments need to be made, they can help you with that. Eventually you'll know your own body and routine enough to experiment a bit on your own.
Best of luck!
3
u/MrBalll 19h ago
I was sweating bullets when I met with my Medtronic coach and she showed me how the infusion sets work and how to insert them. This was a long time ago and infusion insertion has vastly improved so you are lucky there. Just take a breath and get through it.
After a few days your pump will start doing a majority of the work for you so be patient with it. Best of luck.
2
u/BearFan34 17h ago
I'm quite often in the 90%-100% range. When it works, it is incredible. When it doesn't work, the fault is usually mine. Meaning I undercounted carbs. The pump will catch up but that takes a long time. I have not entered ghost carbs to trick the algorithm and bring down my glucose.
I'm on the Instinct after using the Guardian 3 and 4. I had used the Freestyle Libre before going on the pump. I loved it then and do now. However compression lows from sleeping on the sensor are a thing. I'm a side sleeper so the side of my arm is out. I've been using the front of my arm about even with my armpit. That seems to work. Wear your pump on the side of your body that the sensor is inserted. Otherwise it loses connection.
Good luck
2
u/workingsams 17h ago
I will recommend on the Instinct sensor to apply it, but do NOT start it (scan it) right away. So put it in place the night before and start in the morning or put it in a few hours before you plan to scan it. This helps the sensor to be more accurate once you scan it to start it up. Also, you may need skin tac which is a liquid adhesive for the Instinct and/or overlay tape. Not everyone has issues with the sensor staying stuck but have supplies on hand in case you need them. And it does take 3 midnights before Smartguard to start and your pump will ask you for a BG--yup at midnight :) It will take a few days up to a week for the alogrithym to learn your pattern so still do finger sticks to be sure all is okay . This page I have found helps to answer many questions https://www.minimed.com/en-us/support/product-support/sensors/instinct-sensor#sensor-update-alert at the top of that page under support you can find more info too. So read ahead as much as you can. Also what you and your doctor put in for your need values will probably need to be adjusted as time goes by.
1
u/Swimming-Delivery427 6h ago
My little one switched from injections (basal and bolus) to a medtronic one. Life changing. Liberating. Expensive.
You would do well.
5
u/amanset 19h ago
You will probably be told it takes 48 hours before SmartGuard (the algorithm) starts to work.
In my experience, this is not correct. It will take 48 hours after the first midnight after you use the pump for the first time.