Sensor Glucose Readings (from the sensor) V. Blood Glucose (from the meter) feels more and more like a intergaltic civil war from scienece-fiction. Illustration made with image found at https://www.contournext.com/contentassets/be760c34e03445bfb6796beb01840051/mdt_670g_frontview_final_mc_reflection_waves.png

A Diabetic Cyborg’s Health Journey: Sensor Glucose V. Blood Glucose

The odd issues and mistakes continue but hope lives on

Adam, The Diabetic Cyborg
The Rabbit Is In
Published in
5 min readJun 10, 2018

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As I discussed the last few weeks, I have an “artificial pancreas,” A.K.A. an insulin pump. The daily progress of getting my blood sugar to a consistently good level that is not hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic. The sensor issues are continual and it seems like they’ll stay that way. Of course it might change if I get another pump in the distant future, or an actual internal artificial pancreas comes into existence. I know there are insulin pumps that do this, but the Medtronic 670G I have does not have that ability. Dealing with my 670G is my reality. I love this pump for all its faults and do not wish for a second to go back to the old ways of insulin pens and a non-continuous glucose monitor (CGM). So here I am and these are my latest dealings with my pump.

I wound up going trough 2 sensors in 4 days. I wore one for 4 days. I had issues with it showing 50 to 60 points lower than my actual BG was. The sensor was making me check my BG every two and a half hours. I have to get up and use the bathroom at least 3 times a night, so checking my BG was not that annoying throughout the night. My BG was 93 when I got up and the sensor glucose (SG) was showing less than 70. So I decided to pull the battery to charge it to see if that helped. The battery was put on at less than 100% charged, and I hoped that would help. I reattached it and the BG and SG readings were not any closer to being the same.

I called the 1–800 helpline and talked thorough the scenario with the phone agent and was about to hang up agreeing to watch the sensor to see that it was not going bad. I then looked at my pump and it was showing 184 SG and I knew my BG was now where near that. I then did the finger prick test and my BG was 135. The agent then said he would get another sensor to me “as a courtesy.” We agreed to see if it gets better through the day, but I fought this sensor for the past 10 or so hours at that point. I just pulled it and started charging the battery to insert and start a new sensor. I hesitated to use my arm again. The last phone agent said sleeping on it could cause issues. So I decide to try further up from my stomach toward my chest on my torso. I tried there before, but had the sensor bounce off me. I used the inserter for the senor like usual.

It was still in my hand before the whole inserter and sensor. This time I swore it was actually went in skin and stuck. I went as far as pulling the detachable needle out. That was where I went wrong, because the probe was not attached like it should be. The whole thing just pulled off my body. I could have stuck it in my skin myself if I recognized that the probe was not in. I did that the last time I tried the same spot and one time when I tried the front of my arm and the senor bounced off. I decided I guess I will call the 1–800 helpline again and talk the agent into another replacement somehow. I expected a challenge in getting one when I just got one for the last one going bad. However, the agent just took my information of what happened, and he said another would arrive in a week or so.

I had issues later with another sensor I had to get replaced. I noticed that my SG where getting lower but thought nothing of it until it hit 75 and I knew my BG was not that. I tested it and it was 124. I was tired of the messing with the senor for since the night before. I rolled up my sleeve ready to rip out the sensor, but was stopped by the blood all over it. I then pulled it out and stopped the bleeding. I knew then that the next censor would have to go on my stomach. I guess the arms are not a place that I can put them after all. I know people use their arms and that one worked awesome for me 3 weeks ago, but no more try my arms from now on after it costs me 3 sensors. I called the 1–800 helpline and got another replacement. The agent told me the blood made the SG go low and basically ruined the sensor anyway. I thought that I might have to lie or beg for another replacement, but the “blood at site,” as she called it, meant that the sensor had to go anyways.

She documented the blood and sent me the canister you always get for the return of the exchange of old and new sensors. I did not think I had a bleeding problem, but the arm sensors and the last few weeks have shown ne that I just might. I guess a medication I take does that to me without it being a “known” side effect, or at least not one that I know about or have seen listed anywhere online.

A screen shot that Clay Rivers sent me to show my last post was on the front page of his Medium App. I was stoked on that.

The feedback and interaction with my blogs the last few weeks were so awesome! I frankly have a hard time thinking my story is worth so many people’s attention. I just do what we all must and keep going. I simply use my knowledge and lessons I learned over the years and be as kind as possible. I strive to bring a smile to every person’s face that responds and make all whom read my posts laugh at least once. More people have greater struggles and things to deal with. I don’t even have a terminal disease or a drug habit that constantly dogs my life into darkness. I love the rapport I have with the people that read this and the Medium network in general. Like I said before, this is my social life these days. Yes, a social network is used for the purpose of being social. Imagine that! 🙄😁

Contribute to my health care costs if you wish at:

Thank you for anything you can give! My family and I owe you my life. 😁

Therapy was good and no huge revelations were made. It is still a good thing to check my head every once in a while. I did realize it was since our last talk that I had been out of the house beyond getting the mail or the newspaper in the morning. No, I do not think that I am an agoraphobic. I am fine with leaving the house. I just did not have a reason to go anywhere. The loss of my car and not being able to drive does not help the fact I hardly ever leave the house.

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Muslim, SPMS Patient, Chronic Lyme Survivor, Optimist, History/Poli. Sci. Prof. w/ no class. 💍 on 10/6/21, 1/17/22. Writing Here Since 2016