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Alert: Product and Recall NoticesGetting Back to Adventure without Diabetes in the Way
Today we’re thrilled to share an inspiring guest post from Joel, a successful writer, advertising expert and adventure-lover who has lived with type 1 diabetes for 39 years. His story of overcoming some fears – fears that are likely all too familiar for many of you – is one you won’t want to miss.
Back in my pre-pump life, I almost drowned when I went low while swimming near Waikiki Beach. The 4-hour difference between Chicago and Honolulu had messed up the usual timing of my shots and meals without my realizing it. If it hadn’t been for a watchful lifeguard hauling me up on his board and paddling me back to shore, I would’ve died. After I recovered, I was both frightened and embarrassed.
I had another close call a couple of years later, when I had a severe low while stalking mule deer in deep snow on a Wyoming mountainside in the Shoshone National Forest. I love the outdoors, but Mother Nature sneakily kept trying to use my diabetes to kill me. After that, I limited my exposure to that kind of risk, which also unfortunately meant I limited the kinds of fun I could have.
How things have changed. Recently, I went swimming and snorkeling off two different beaches and several reefs near Isla Mujeres, Mexico—cruising the coral for colorful fish, lobsters, eels and octopus without any problem. The difference? This time my MiniMed 670G system was constantly checking my glucose levels and making adjustments. It’s waterproof at snorkeling depths, so wearing it while I was swimming was a no-brainer.
Honestly, this wasn’t something I’d really thought about when I was considering upgrading to the MiniMed 670G system. I’d been more excited about how it might improve my daily numbers, and whether it would bring down my A1C—my regular exercise levels aren’t usually demanding enough to cause problems. But, swimming in the ocean, especially in a strong current, can really bring your sugar down FAST—even when you take in extra carbs beforehand. As you follow fish along the reef, it’s very easy to lose track of how long you’ve been out, and it was very reassuring to know the pump was there to alert me and automatically suspend my basal before I got into trouble. My glucose never got below 90 while I was in the water.
Now that I’ve proven to myself how well the system works to protect against lows, I’m considering getting back to other outdoor activities I’ve avoided or limited due to worries about going low. Think snowshoes in the winter, and Canadian fly-in fishing camps in the summer. A big ‘thank-you’ to the Medtronic folks who made it possible!
Important Safety Information
The Medtronic MiniMed™ 670G system is intended for continuous delivery of basal insulin (at user selectable rates) and administration of insulin boluses (in user selectable amounts) for the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus in persons, seven years of age and older, requiring insulin as well as for the continuous monitoring and trending of glucose levels in the fluid under the skin. The MiniMed™ 670G system includes SmartGuard™ technology, which can be programmed to automatically adjust the delivery of basal insulin based on Continuous Glucose Monitor sensor glucose values,and can suspend delivery of insulin when the sensor glucose value falls below or is predicted to fall below predefined threshold values. The system requires a prescription. The Guardian™ Sensor (3) glucose values are not intended to be used directly for making therapy adjustments, but rather to provide an indication of when a fingerstick may be required.
A confirmatory finger stick test via the CONTOUR®NEXT LINK 2.4 blood glucose meter is required prior to making adjustments to diabetes therapy. All therapy adjustments should be based on measurements obtained using the CONTOUR®NEXT LINK 2.4 blood glucose meter and not on values provided by the Guardian Sensor (3). Always check the pump display to ensure the glucose result shown agrees with the glucose results shown on the CONTOUR®NEXT LINK 2.4 blood glucose meter. Do not calibrate your CGM device or calculate a bolus using a blood glucose meter result taken from an Alternative Site (palm) or from a control solution test. It is also not recommended to calibrate your CGM device when sensor or blood glucose values are changing rapidly, e.g., following a meal or physical exercise. If a control solution test is out of range, please note that the result may be transmitted to your pump when in the “Always” send mode.
Pump therapy is not recommended for people whose vision or hearing does not allow recognition of pump signals and alarms. Pump therapy is not recommended for people who are unwilling or unable to maintain contact with their healthcare professional. The safety of the MiniMed™ 670G system has not been studied in pregnant women. For complete details of the system, including product and important safety information such as indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions associated with system and its components, please consult http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/important-safety-information#minimed-670g and the appropriate user guide at http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/download-library
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About Author
Amanda Griswold
Principal Specialist, Social MediaAmanda Griswold started working for Medtronic in 2005, after graduating with a degree in Journalism. She’s held a variety of roles including sales, professional relations and marketing. During this time she also obtained her MBA. Amanda became personally involved with diabetes when she met her husband, who has type 1 diabetes, in 2008. They have a unique story about how they met, which you can read about on the LOOP blog. Since she knows how diabetes affects someone, she’s passionate about making life easier while living with diabetes, from products on the market to customer service. Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband and three young children.
I always remove my 670G before going swimming; however, we’re going to Mexico in 2 months and will be snorkeling. I’m so paranoid about going in the water with the CGM. I use plenty of tape to cover it; but I’m concerned about it coming loose and losing the transmitter. We will be in Mexico for 7 days and will spend plenty of time in water. I don’t want to have to remove the transmitter and sensor every day and then re-insert a new sensor. Those sensors are so expensive. Any ideas on what I can do? Are there any waterproof bandages I could use to completely cover the transmitter to keep it safe?
This is interesting. I’m 90 years old and have had the older Medtronic Diabetic pump since I turned 80. I’ve been traveling with it for all those years. Many over seas as Scandinavian countries, Rome and Greek Islands, Spain, Cuba, and China, as well as Vietnam. It’s been my constant companion as well as family members. Just wondering if I could learn to use the new one. Seems a little complicated. Sincerely Harolyn O’Brien.
Absolutely you can, Harolyn! We offer comprehensive in-person training and our 24-Technical Support team is available for any questions you may have. If you’d like to explore your options, please give our therapy specialists a call at 800.646.4633, option 3.
How long will it be before the closed loop system will be approved by Medicare? I’ve had type 1 for 55 years and am looking forward to using the closed loop system as opposed to mixing brands between my CGM and pump.
Hi, Carolyn, we appreciate you reaching out. We currently don’t have a timeline to share for Medicare approval, but know we are working with both Medicare and the FDA for updated labeling to secure access to our therapies for those that can benefit. We will share more information as it becomes available.
I was told I can not submerse my pump in the water. I am also on the 670g system so I have been disconnecting my pump and putting it in a dry bag on my board. it would be so much more convenient if I could wear the pump. I got my pump in January of 2018, is my pump waterproof and able to be submerged for long periods of time? That would be so exciting!!
Thanks for reaching out, Eileen. At the time of manufacture, the pump is waterproof in up to 12 feet of water for 24 hours at a time. The Guardian Link transmitter is waterproof in up to 8 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. We recommend that you still take care of it and don’t go swimming with it, as it is an important medical device, but if this can’t be avoided, be sure to check your pump for any damage or cracks prior to taking it in the water. If you’d like to discuss this in more detail, please give us a call at 800.646.4633, option 1.
I went swimming for the first time in many years with my 670g. It was a heady moment when I first dipped it into the salty water, but it was such a relief when all was well and I could have fun in the water again.
One odd thing, after a time the pump reported “interference” communicating with my sensor. I stayed in the water for about a half-hour or so. Minutes after leaving the water, the sensor re-established itself and put me back in Auto Mode.
Was this due to the salt water or something else? I was in shallow water.
Thanks for checking in, Jonathan. We’re all thrilled to hear you’re enjoying the waterproof feature of our newest pump system. It is expected to “lose connection” with your pump and sensor while spending time in the water, but once you’re out, it should re-connect fairly quickly. If you have more questions, please give us a call at 800.646.4633, option 1.