Hello from the UK

[hefinland]

Hi,

My name is Hefin and I live in the UK, thought I would join a US forum as you guys tend to know a bit more about pumps.

I am interested in the Paradigm REAL-time system by people who use it, I want to know things like is it a feedback system where it takes your BG and then automatically adjusts the amount of insulin that it pumps?

I'm 34 and was diagnosed in Jan 2002, so the 7 year itch has started and wondering is multi injections is the best way.

Hopeing for some good advise.

Hefin

[Vytautas]

Hello and welcome to the forums.

Now first of, this isn't really just a US forum and everyone is welcome (I myself am from Lithuania) and I encourage to call friends aquintances (sorry for bad english) and others diabetic people to join. All kinds of experience can help.

Now down to the busines concerning the pump. I myself don't know too much about it (using an Accu-Check Spirit myself) but I know a few people who are trying it and I believe someone's here in the forums with it. But from what I've heard it simply is another infusion in your body that keeps track of your BG but does not automaticaly adjust the base of bolus. Though I think it should give off an alarm if your BG is going down or up fast (shows 2 down or up arrows respectively and perhaps beeps, not sure)

I've heard another rummore here as well: saying that the BG levels shown with the pump aren't that real time, but rather are a bit behind... Not sure about that one. Perhpas it varies from person to person...

Well hope you get a clearer answer. Good luck and have a nice stay at our forums.B)

[Blair]

Hi Hefin, welcome to the forum Unfortunately I also don't have experience with that pump but I think I remember another member here that has. Hopefully he/she will read this soon and react

[LINDA]

Hi Hefin,
I've been a diabetic for 48 years and a pumper for about 14 years. I just started on the CGMS system (continuous glucose monitoring system) and it will not read your blood glucose as your meter does. It is a system that uses fluid via an insertion site just like the pump only separate and then you must calibrate the system usually around 4 times a day. The warning is that the system is most valuable for spotting trends in you glucose levels and must be checked with the traditional finger stick whenever you are considering a corrective bolus or eating. It has been a valuable tool for myself as I have a tendency to go very low at night and can at times go into unconsciouness. The system can be set to alarm you if your bg goes over a certain (as set by you) or below a certain level. I have the Minimed 722 Paradign pump and the CGMS that goes with it. If you have other questions please feel free to contact me here. I've been on this now for 45 days and am very happy with it.

[hefinland]

Thanks all.

Apologies Vytautas, Seem to be many US members that's all.

48 years! Linda, you don't look old enough! Does the pumping keep you looking youthful too?

It's a shame that it's not a full loop system, but I guess it would be a very brave company that would put such a product on the market.

So you have two things stuck to you, do you use the same site, or do you move them about, and where on your body could they go?

Thanks again,

Hefin

[LINDA]

Hey thanks for the compliment! I'm 56 - got diabetes in 1961 when I was 8 years old. Youthfulness is in the mind. I've always been just a big kid. We had to use glass syringes and reuse giant old needles (had to boil them every morning) way back then. Thank God things have progressed albeit slowly. I think the full loop system will come about some day - hopefully sooner than later but for now this is what we have to work with. Yes I have 2 insertion sites. Have to be kep at least 3 inches apart so what I do is alternate sides of my stomach area. Pump on one side, CGMS on the other. Unlike the pump site, you can leave the CGMS site in for about 6 days since there is no fluid coming into the site. For me it remains painfree and not to cumbersome. Minimed says 3 days but my trainer told me otherwise. You can use thighs, arms, hip etc but I prefer stomach area and sides. If you go on Medtronic web site it explains the system in better wording. I also subscribe to another forum "Tu Diabetes" which has lots of pumpers and CGMS users. You should check it out. Anway this is getting kinda wordy so welcome and let me know if you have other questions. Linda