Things you wish you had asked

Technology & Management
21

I wish I had asked - I’m concerned about getting my supplies in time. How do you make sure you don’t run out - and what do you do if you do?

22

I wish I had asked Will pump companies ever take back a pump, and if so how do you go about it? Is there a time limit? Do you get your money back?

23

I wish I had asked How long does the approval process take and what do I need to do?

24

I wish I had asked how do i know what my insurance will cover?

25

I wish I had asked how do you keep the tubing from snagging on things?

26

I wish I had asked, if something is not working, when do I call my endo and when do I call tech support?

27

I wish I had asked If my device comes off or stops working sooner than it should, can I get a replacement? I’m afraid I’ll run out. And how long does it take?

28

I wish I had asked I may be traveling. Is the device supported where I’m going? How do I arrange to get my supplies if I’m taking am extended trip?

29

I’m planning to move overseas. I wish I had asked if the device supported where I’m going.

31

I wish I had asked What do I do if I my closed loop isn’t working for me? Can I change the settings? Can I turn it off (go manual) and what do I need to do if I do?

32

I wish I had asked, should I learn how to use a pump first as a delivery device, before using a closed loop? Is there any value to that?

33

I wish I had asked What if I can’t use a CGM? Can I use a pump if I do fingersticks, and what’s different?

34

I wish I had asked What do you do with your pump when the warranty expires? Do you have to replace it immediately? Can you give it to someone else or donate it? How do you dispose of it? What is the effect on the environment of pumps that are discarded?

35

I wish i had asked! For those freestyle libre users who set the alarms to get highs and lows alerts, are the alerts bothersome? Do you get the low alerts while you aren’t actually low when you do a fingerstick??

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36

Hi @Ibrah I’m going to assume you want an actual answer to this question- so here goes nothing: CGM alarms are typically good things. You can alarm very early or if you are dropping fast. The more earlier you set the alarms the more alarms you will get. The irritation usually comes if you set them too high or too cautiously.

False lows are possible with CGM for example many people find that if they sleep directly on the sensor the sensor will falsely read low. We call these compression lows. Yes if I get a low alert and I don’t feel low I’ll check with a finger stick. Same with a high alarm, I always double check a high alarm because mine are set very high. I can also feel my highs which makes my CGM like a secondary alarm system.

The longer you have diabetes the more likely you will get hypo unawareness. This is when you are actually low but don’t feel it. I find the CGM very useful as a secondary alarm system and a continuous feedback for my insulin therapy. Even after 40+ years with very good hypo awareness, I find CGM useful and worthwhile.

Are CGM perfect, magical, do they eliminate finger sticks: no on all counts.

Good luck :four_leaf_clover:

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