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The CGMS seems to be working out okay this time around. Maybe my numbers are more stable. Maybe it's just a "fresher" sensor. Maybe it's just the heavens smiling down on me for once. But since Saturday night, I've had very few bumps in the continuous monitoring road.
Since I haven't run any type of pattern program yet, I can't say if it's going to help me spot the trouble areas in my routine. But I can say that it's giving me a better sense of what my blood sugars are doing before they actually do it. I've caught several lows, including one at 5AM that the CGMS caught at 84 instead of my normal night lows in the 50's. It also helped me today in class when I just didn't feel like double checking the low (I felt low, the CGMS said I was low)...although I definitely don't advocate anyone else doing that because sometimes you just never know with technology and our bodies.
It's also given me a good idea of where my numbers end up after I eat. Yesterday, I watched a beautiful rise to the 160's after a spaghetti dinner at my dad's house. Then I started to see the torrential climb into the 200's a few hours later after a cobbler dessert finally settled. I got to celebrate the smooth spaghetti and head off what could have been a gross high.
It's also given me peace of mind this week as I've amped up my exercise routine. Last night, I increased my speed and distance on my normal jog. And today, I started a new "Guts & Glutes" class at my gym. Between both those things, I've run a little lower than normal. And the CGMS has been there to help me watch for the plunge and the rebound.
Even though I'm having an easier time with the CGMS this time, I definitely still have my doubts about its accuracy. For one, my blood sugar tends to drop and rise very quickly. And unfortunately, the CGMS can't keep up. My low alarm is actually set at 90 because when it was previously set at 75, I was dropping to the 50's before it'd even alarm me (and with the increase in hypo-unawareness, I can't be trusted all the time). The high alarm is set at 250 because highs tend to take a lot longer to come back up and I get exhausted with clearing the alarm every half hour.
Just today, after my rec class, the CGMS showed a fairly stable number in the 150's. Yet the meter read 128...which is what I believed with how I was feeling. And after a juice (I could swear I felt a low coming on), the CGMS still read a constant 150ish number. But my meter surprised me with a 251 (the glucose finally released from my muscles). So with exercise or quick rise and falls in numbers, I can't really trust this technology.
And occasionally, it likes to take a crazy turn. Like Saturday night when it claimed that I was in the 50's for several hours when I was perfectly okay. In the past, I've always had trouble with the first few hours of the sensor...even having to change it multiple times...before it finally kicks in with reality.
But at least it does give me a better idea of how my routine works for me and where I might need to make a few changes. I might consider wearing it more often if I continue to have such a peaceful run with it. I doubt I could wear it 24/7/365, but I might wear it at least one week out of the month...or even two if I wanted to push it. I guess I'll see how this love-hate relationship continues to blossom.
