Myth vs. reality: Insulin pumps and CGMs
When you first heard about automated insulin delivery systems, did you have questions or thoughts of how they would work and what they might be like? Maybe you were concerned about how using the system might would affect your life.
Even though you may wear an insulin pump and/or CGM, you may still not have all the answers. Maybe friends ask you questions, and you're never sure how to answer. Let’s look at a few misconceptions, or “myths,” that people tend to associate with an insulin pump and CGM, and we’ll tell you the real answers.
Insulin pump myths
Myth: I don't know a lot about technology, so I could never use an insulin pump.
Reality: Using a pump is often as easy as entering your blood sugar and meal information and then pressing enter. Your pump also does the work of keeping track of your insulin, so you don't even need to write anything down.
Myth: If I wear the pump, everyone will know that I have diabetes.
Reality: There are very discreet ways you can wear your pump, so using one can be as private or as public a display as you want! You can hide your pump underneath your clothes or wear it on the outside of your outfit, depending on how noticeable you want it to be.
The good news is it's completely up to you how and where you want to wear it! Check out other ways people wear their insulin pumps.
Myth: You still have to do shots with a pump, and it's painful.
Reality: The process of inserting an infusion set is similar to what you feel when injecting insulin with a needle. However, with a pump, you have a dramatic reduction in needlesticks — going from 3–4 injections per day with multiple daily injections to just 1 needlestick when inserting an infusion set every 3–7* days with a pump.
*Medtronic insulin pumps can be worn for up to 7 days when combined with the Medtronic Extended™ infusion set.
Myth: Wearing an insulin pump will interfere with my daily activities.
Reality: Insulin pumps are designed to easily be worn on or under your clothes very securely, and there’s also a variety of cases and clips available to wear with your pump. The pump can also be disconnected from your body for up to an hour for activities like swimming, showering, exercise, and other activities you enjoy, so it won't stop you from living your life.
Continuous glucose monitoring
Myth: If I get a CGM, it will replace my fingerstick tests.
Reality: CGM therapy does not completely replace fingerstick testing. Since sensor readings are taken from your interstitial fluid (the fluid surrounding the cells in your tissue) and not your blood, you will still need to test using a blood glucose meter at certain times after this.
This is required to calibrate the sensor at startup, to make sure the glucose sensor maintains accuracy over time, and always when deciding whether or not to make a treatment decision.
Myth: Readings on my sensor should always match the readings on my meter.
Reality: It’s important to note that sensor glucose (SG) readings are taken from your interstitial fluid, whereas fingerstick tests are taken directly from your blood.
There is a natural lag between glucose levels in the interstitial fluid and glucose levels in the blood. Therefore, it's normal (and should be expected!) for your SG and BG readings to be different, but for the most part, they should be close. Learn more about sensor glucose vs. blood glucose here.
Myth: Wearing a CGM alone is enough to manage my diabetes.
Reality: A CGM gives you a more complete picture of your sugar levels, which is helpful for viewing trends. Unfortunately, without being paired with an insulin pump, that’s all it will do. By connecting the CGM to a pump, it goes above and beyond simply monitoring. When connected, the system does more of the thinking, remembering, and acting when it comes to managing diabetes.
What other diabetes-related myths have you heard? Share below!
[Originally published 2013-07-13. Updated 2024-05-01]
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
- Medtronic Diabetes insulin infusion pumps, continuous glucose monitoring systems and associated components are limited to sale by or on the order of a physician and should only be used under the direction of a healthcare professional familiar with the risks associated with the use of these systems. - Successful operation of the insulin infusion pumps and/or continuous glucose monitoring systems requires adequate vision and hearing to recognize alerts and alarms.
Medtronic Diabetes Insulin Infusion Pumps
- Insulin pump therapy is not recommended for individuals who are unable or unwilling to perform a minimum of four blood glucose tests per day. - Insulin pumps use rapid-acting insulin. If your insulin delivery is interrupted for any reason, you must be prepared to replace the missed insulin immediately.
Medtronic Diabetes Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Systems
- The information provided by CGM systems is intended to supplement, not replace, blood glucose information obtained using a home glucose meter. A confirmatory fingerstick is required prior to treatment. - Insertion of a glucose sensor may cause bleeding or irritation at the insertion site. Consult a physician immediately if you experience significant pain or if you suspect that the site is infected. For more information, please visit MedtronicDiabetes.com/isi.
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Blog comments
Above, it says that using a pump reduces the need for injections to 1 every 3 days or so. I have been on Medtroni0c pumps for longer than I can remember. At least for 15 years. In all that time, I have not needed to take an injection once. I do not even have any needles or pens around the house. I had them at one time for backup in case my pump failed, but then I had to maintain a long acting insulin as well as the short acting that is in my pump. Since my pumps never failed, I never used the long acting and had to end up throwing away perfectly good insulin due to expiration. Since Medicare replaces my pump every 5 years, I have two working (older models, same reservoirs) pumps. I don't know why you would suggest a need for an injection at any time while on a pump.
Hi Robert, thanks for your feedback and I apologize for the confusion in the way that was written. When talking about the pump we were referring to the needlestick one receives every three days when inserting a new infusion set. I have edited and clarified this above. Thank you.
The notes with CGM and BS reading should always match
Along with lag time ?? You fail to say there is at least
A 25% to 30% difference in readings,,, I use to use
The CGM, tried it for 3 to 4 months this yr. and for the MOST
part was disappointed in the sensor readings,,, many times had alarns going off
Wiith high alert, and my BS was 180,,, sensor !!!
the other issue
Is if people have scar tissue, like I do ( been pumper for about 12 yrs )
I have devolved alot of scar tissue, around my navel area
Which is ONLY area that CGM can go. Had to restick with new sensor
And had to call support to send me a new one,,
These notes is NOT complete,,,,
I no longer use CGM monitor, until the Next product
Is available, will stay with my finger pricks !
Give potential CGM user the WHOLE truth,
I was lucky as to my ins did cover CGM sensors,,,
Our Govt. MEDICARE DOES NOT,,,
Tks for reading,,,
Dave
Hi David, thank you for sharing your experiences, I am sorry to hear that you have had some issues. You raise important points that we cover in our training such as where you can insert the sensor, how to best set your alarms and when to test your blood sugar to minimize the differences between the BG and CGM reading. We are always here to help, so if you would like I can connect you to a member of our team who may be able to discuss these points in more detail and any other concerns you may have.
I would agree with this prior to the new Enlite sensor. This new sensor is amazingly close to my meter readings. The only time it it's not worth in 5 mg/dl is when BS is changing rapidly. Even then the display shows 1 or 2 arrows indicating rapid change so you know it's less accurate. You should give new sensor a shot. I had stopped using the original but love the Enlite.
Greg, I’m so happy to hear you’re doing well and enjoying the Enlite sensor! Keep up the good work!
As grandmother to a grandson with diabetes, I am trying to understand what is going on and how I can assist and be knowledgeable in his quest to manage his diabetes so as to live a long and vigerous life.
I need and want the CGM system
I am an insulin dependent diabetic who has used Medtronic Mini Med Insulin Pumps since 1994 and recently upgraded to the 723 Paradigm-Revel insulin pump. Insulin pumps have been a great help to me in managing my diabetes.
I experience sudden low blood glucose readings. My endocrinologist has prescribed the CGM to warn me of these occurrences. However, Medicare does not cover the CGM system, as it is not on their list of approved durable medical equipment.
No one is able to answer why Medtronic’s CGM is not a Medicare approved device. Please advise why Medicare will not cover the CGM system. One reason we were told was that the CGM is not guaranteed for five years and therefore is not considered a durable medical product.
However, the CGM technology has been approved by the FDA for some years and has proven to be extremely effective in warning the patient at least 1/2 an hour before a low or high blood glucose event occurs
There are many seniors on Medicare that have Insulin Dependent Diabetes. Some of us have severe issues with low blood sugars. These include unawareness of lows, passing out, insulin shock, strokes and even death.
The CGM is expensive; however, its annual cost is low when measured against the cost of one ER or hospital stay due to a serious low and or high blood glucose event.
It is no longer reasonable for Medicare or health insurance companies to not provide coverage for diabetes patients who need better glucose control to improve the health and quality of their lives.
What action can you take to get Medicare approve and cover the CGM system
Your prompt attention to my request will be greatly appreciated. .
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Yours truly,
Roy Taylor
Hi Roy, thank you for taking the time to leave me this comment. You raise some good points and you’re correct, Medicare does not cover CGM for most patients. Medtronic is actively working with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to ultimately establish coverage consistent with other healthcare insurance companies in the US. Our goal is to ensure consistent access for CGM and insulin pump therapy for all who can benefit. The first step is to work with CMS to assign CGM to a benefit category. We are excited to work this through with industry partners and will keep our community updated. We do offer financial assistance to those who qualify, which you can learn more about here www.medtronicdiabetes.com/billing. Please let me know if you have any other questions or if you would like to be connected with a team member to learn about your options.
not-a-myth: the infusion set adhesive doesn't work well on hair, so men are much more limited in acceptable surface area. Which takes a toll on tissue integrity and insulin absorption! Thus medtronic stock photos are always skinny hairless women... Maybe they can invest in better glue technology with increased profita from moving to Ireland.
Only one answer to that, shave.... I have to.
Derek, I’m sorry to hear you’re having issues with your infusion set adhesive. We recommend not taping directly to body hair, and keeping the site areas clean shaven. You may find our new tape tips resource informative that you can find here: http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/sites/default/files/library/download-l…. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Got a CGM. I received a list of things to do before the trainer would ever see me. Finally hooked it up when a Friend came to my house. My friend is a CDE. :(
Kimberly, I’m sorry to hear about this. I’ll have a member of my team reach out to you to make sure you’re taken care of.
Every body is different , you need cgm and blood glucose plus a medical proffesional to monitor your pump therapy .plus the concept of carb counting .the pump can be made silent by using the feature silence alearts .here you can put a time line you want sensor not to disrupt you with alarms .
I've been 0n a pump for a long time,a tried and true Paradigm model out of warranty. I'd like to upgrade to a new Medtronic pump,don't need CGM at this time. Are there any Medtronic pumps that can be used without CGM?
Thanks!
Yes, Scott. If you'd like to discuss options available to you, please give us a call at 1.800.646.4633, option 3 when you are ready.
Hi there,
This may have been asked before. I'm T1 - can I get a CGM system as a standalone and sync/ link the data to my phone for warnings and trends etc.? I don't mind the pen injections... there has to be such a system out there?
Thank you for your answers.
Eduard, great question! At this time, we do not have a standalone CGM system. We do have a team working hard on future technology though.
I currently have a CGM and use multiple shots daily but am thinking of going to an insulin pump, my insurance will cover the XXXX pump. Will I still be able to use my current CGM? It looks like from what I have been reading that the XXXXX has a different CGM
Thank you for reaching out, Mary. These products are not manufactured by Medtronic, so I don't have any information to share. If you'd like to speak with one of our therapy specialists about options for Medtronic products, please give our team a call at 800.646.4633, option 3.
My daughter is 9 years old and has had the Medtronic pump for 4 years now. I am trying to figure out where else I can place her port. We always use the left or right side of her lower stomach. I've noticed when I place it on her right side, that her glucose readings are higher verses putting it on her left side, and it's totally different readings. Can you please help me so I can help her. Thank you.
Hi there, Tracy. Check out our website here http://bit.ly/2S9TaJ2 for information on approved insertion site and rotation tips. If you're using Medtronic products, please feel free to reach out to our 24-Hour Technical Support team to learn more.
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