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For people who have experience with both an insulin pump and CGM: If you could only choose to use one of these devices, which one would you use? Share why in the comments!
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I would hate to have to choose but if forced I think I would take a CGM over the pump. I am hypo unaware so being able to see when my BG is dropping is really crucial.
I have never felt my pump settings are correct. So, I would definitely go with the CGM over the pump. I have tried checking my basal rates, etc on my own and every time I think I’ve got it right something goes wrong. I have not been able to find an endo in my area who can help with this. It’s very frustrating!
Why chose either or?? The technology is there to have both. The CGM makes the insulin pump that much smarter and more benefit to the user. I am a brittle diabetic and CGM is crucial for knowing where my blood sugar is going. The insulin pump is crucial for the very fine tuning of insulin delivery to try to keep me somewhat in good numbers.
Hypoglycemia unawareness makes my Dexcom a priority above my pump.
This was a good question…difficult to answer. For 15 years I used a pump with no CGM. My control was good, not great. I then used the Medtronic CGM for a while, and saw minimal improvement to my control, but I also grew very frustrated by the daily regimen required by that CGM. Now I’m using the Dexcom G6 CGM (its been about 2 years) and I love it. My control has been better than ever, and the Dexcom has improved my daily regimen considerably! With all of that said, I can’t imagine NOT using a pump. However, it’s a question I’d like to ask my endocrinologist: “Could I maintain good control with injections and the Dexcom CGM?” If I could, I’d definitely choose a CGM over a pump. But, my guess is that my control is due to both my pump and my CGM working together. I’m very grateful for the technology advancements I’ve seen in my lifetime.
The pump changed my life 32 years ago and the CGM changed my life two years ago one without the other itās a hard choice but I would pick the CGM just to know where I am at all times
I have to choose pump even though I would hate to give up CGM.
I could not live with one basal rate/day or deliver it according to my needs.
I guess it would be (for me) the pump. While the pump is not as useful without a CGM, I used a pump for many years without a linked CGM. While I am sure there are people out there that use a CGM with MDI’s, I don’t think that it is a popular combination.
In my opinion, the advance in CGM technology is the most important game changer in terms of managing T1D. I was on MDI for over 19 years and started using a pump in 2017. I go back from time to time to MDI to take a break from the pump. I can certainly live without a pump if I were forced to only choose one of the two.
I have had very scary experiences with very low blood sugars, so a CGM has save me and my husband a Lot of Grief!
A CGM can keep you safe from hypoglycemia in the night. If you know your Sensor Glucose, you can easily use a smart pen instead of a pump. Preventing lows is more important than convenience. No pump does take away the ability to auto adjust basal and calculate bolus amounts though. Tough choice.