Samantha Walsh
Samantha Walsh has lived with type 1 diabetes for over five years since 2017. After her T1D diagnosis, she was eager to give back to the diabetes community. She is the Community and Partner Manager for T1D Exchange and helps to manage the Online Community and recruit for the T1D Exchange Registry. Prior to T1D Exchange, Samantha fundraised at Joslin Diabetes Center. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelors degree in sociology and early childhood education.
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If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), have you ever been asked to remove it for a medical procedure? Share more about your experiences and what procedures you had to remove it for in the comments! Cancel reply
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MRI’s I remove when I get there I then call dexcom for a replacement They are very accommodating.
MRI
The only procedure I’ve had done when I was cgm’ing (been cgm’ing since the old DexcomSeven) was cataracts – so I gues two. Anyway, for the first eye, I had to advocate. The gas-girl paid close attention, thought it was totally cool and when I went for the second eye she told me how she was singing the praises of CGM’s to her anesthesiologist colleagues. WOOHOO advocating one specialty at a time.
MRI, try and schedule it for the day of a sensor change
MRI
I already knew to remove my sensor and pump before my MRI’s and fortunately the staff knew to check as well. I have not needed to remove it for my X-rays, though the techs did ask about it.
Most radiology scans have had the CGM removed: MRI, CT, SPECT.
I’m not sure if the x-ray required it or not.
I’m not sure whose benefit it was for (besides MRI who allows no metal), the scan or the sensor.
Only for MRI. Never for CT scan, mammogram, regular x-ray, DEXA scan or surgery.
Removed my CGM for all of the MRI’s I have had over the ;last few years.
MRI
MRI
With every surgery I have had I was told to remove it. I said no surgery unless the pump and CGM remains on me. So let me have my way then. It is a struggle each time. I broke my fibula yesterday so surgery is probably next with another fight to keep my things connected.
I would be told ahead of time by asking the people if I could wear it if they said no I removed it before leaving and if I had time on it before it expired called dexcom and they sent a replacement
For a relatively fast surgical procedure three months ago two nurses said I’d have to remove my CGM. However, the anesthesiologist was very interested when she learned I was wearing one and agreed there was no reason to remove it and she used it to check my blood sugar a couple times while I was under anesthesia.
I have been instructed to remove my continuous glucose monitor (CGM) prior to having an MRI. However, there have been times when I have removed the sensor for convenience during other tests or procedures.
I knew I couldn’t wear it for an MRI so had removed it before I went in. For other scans, PET, CT, ultrasound, I’ve always called ahead and checked with the radiologist – no issues with any of these. It was a different story with pumps and surgery (I had 5 surgeries last year), hospital insisted on insulin infusion for all of them. Turns out the anaesthetist for the last surgery had a type 1 child, and said I could have left my pump on in the theatre and avoided the infusion.
Removed the cgm for an mri. Left on for an xray but advised to watch my readings.
I had to remove my CGM for MRI. I contacted to manufacturer and they sent me a complimentary sensor to replace the removed one.
No I haven’t
I have had to remove CGM for MRI, and some CT scans.
I have removed it for MRI always received a replacement from Dexcom
Of course for an MRI. Also for an abdominal ultrasound. Dexcom is great about sending replacements! For gallbladder surgery, I put the sensor on my arm and left my pump on as well. They were impressed when I told them that I purposely let myself go a little high (180) so as not to risk a hypo. I taped my pump to my thigh so that it wouldn’t get tangled when they moved me. All of this was done with the approval of the Anathesiologist–they are the ones in charge, not the nurses. One thing to watch for is the IV drip they hook you up to. It’s routinely a dextrose solution. At my request, they switched mine to plain saline. All went well!
Removed the sensor and the pump for MRIs
There needs to be an Other option, I chose Asked to remove and had to; when I began wearing a CGM in 2007 yes from lack of general knowledge however now after advocating for myself for a few years, it stays on along with tSlim. That being said they both come off MRI’s, I’ve witnessed what metal does to a MRI machine.
I had to remove my pump and CGM FOR open heart surgery. I have had other procedures that were shorter duration and I was able to keep them on.
An MRI procedure.
Like many other people, I have removed for MRIs
I don’t remember if I had to remove for CAT scans or not. Possibly if the sensor was on the part of my body being scanned.
I always let them know about my Dexcom, for ex, when they take my blood pressure. Then they do it on the other arm. When I had cataract surgery, the dr said I could bring my phone so I wouldn’t lose readings. They took my blood sugar right before the surgery and it only took less than 10 minutes.
An MRI was canceled once when an X-ray, meant to check for a leftover endoscopy capsule, showed my infusion set. They didn’t believe me when I showed it to them and said it was plastic, not metal. They made me remove it and get another X-ray before the MRI. Also, I had to remove my pump and CGM before bilateral knee replacement surgery, over my objections. They infused too much insulin during the surgery because they went by the basal rate in my chart, not the lower rate I told them I was using after 18 h fasting. Their hourly finger sticks didn’t catch it soon enough and they gave me glucagon for the first time in my life. I don’t know why they didn’t just give me IV glucose. It’s frustrating to have decades of experience managing my own diabetes discounted.
I have had to remove my CGM prior to getting MRIs
I also have MD so I have to get MRIs. They will not allow you to where one when getting an MRI. This happened just last week and I had just put in my last sensor I had. I could not renew my subscription yet so I had to wait a few days. Really annoying.
I said NO but that is not correct. I’ve had scheduled procedures (MRI/CT scans) that I schedule around my change date. I’ve had one appointment make that said I couldn’t have the procedure because of the CGM – I later spoke with the supervisor. I’ve been told that I could leave my Dex in because it wasn’t going in the machine.
Mri
I had to remove it for an MRI. It means you have to wait for the MRI until it is the day the Dexcom Expires. Or you waste a Pod and have to go without because irresponsible insurance company refuses to let you get your pods before you run out. I wish that the Dexcom G6 could stay on during an MRI. I had three MRIs in 2023 and having to wait, because there really is no other choice, meant I was in pain for a lot longer.
For an MRI of the area it was attached.
Yes, for a mammogram (2 times) and a bone density scan, even after asking the radiology dept. head if I would need to remove the sensor and being told it wasn’t necessary. The tech gave me the choice of leaving immediately or removing the sensor, period. After the last occasion I filed a complaint and was contacted by the radiology top MD for the whole healthcare organization. She was very polite, asked pertinent questions and told me that she would be in contact with Dexcom to get specific information and would update the information provided to the radiology techs in the organization. That was last year. Two months ago I needed to schedule another bone density scan for osteoporosis. Not only was the earliest available date 11 months later, I was also told by the scheduler that I would need to remove all of my medical devices prior to the appointment. So, so much for advocating, ha!
I have never been asked to remove the CGM for bone density and mammograms.
Can you go to a different facility?
all the best
MRI.
Have to remove these for MRI machines, which I’ve had to do a few times. I try to schedule MRI’s as close to the last day of a session as possible. Though Dexcom will replace them if you have to remove them for this reason.
I have removed it by choice for bone density scans.
Had a MRI so I had to remove my CGM.
After advocating for myself for some surgeries and showing medical staff how it works and how they could turn it off if they felt they needed too, I was successfully allowed to keep it running as it communicates with my insulin pump and keeps my sugars in range.
If I only had the CGM they probably would have had me remove it regardless of what I told them.
Medical staff need some training in current diabetes care. Most don’t know it though a few do. My endocrinologist had to help with some instruction to my surgical staff. I think that really helped me.
I had to remove it for an MRI. I scheduled the MRI at the end of my CGM sensor cycle so I could get the most use out of my sensor before removing it.
I had cataract surgeries and did not have to remove my CGM or Pod. Furthermore, the prep nurse and anesthesiologist were both very interested to learn about the CGM. 🙂
Need to have an “Other” category for my most recent experiences. I am being tested for possible cardiac issues and was scheduled for a Cardiac Calcium CT scan, an Echocardiogram and a Nuclear Stress test. After receiving these test orders, I contacted Tandem to obtain their guidance. They advised me to remove my pump and CGM for all three procedures. (I think that other than for the CT which is specifically mentioned in their manual, they were unsure about the other tests and “played it safe”. When I arrived for the CT scan (Dec 28), the technicians advised they saw NO reason for me to remove either. Since the Tandem and Dexcom literature is clear that these devices should not be subject to a CT scan, I removed the CGM and disconnected from my pump. I was prepared to do the same on Jan 4 when I arrived for my echocardiogram but chose to keep both devices on. Both continued to function well. On Monday, Jan 22, I’m scheduled for my Nuclear Exercise Stress test. I’m inclined to disconnect from the pump and may keep the Dexcom G6 CGM on unless they advise to remove it. I did keep my CGM on during my last mammogram and encountered no problems.
OTHER: Never for surgery when I’ve kept my CGM and pump active allowing it to manage my diabetes when I was asleep.
I have been asked to remove everything, and I knew enough to follow direction, during several MRI experiences.
Multiple (non D) hospitalizations the last year. MRI’s, C.A.T. Scans, X-Rays, Scoping’s, most procedures demanded proforma removal with no valid justification. The sole time I submitted (and accepted) removal was the initial time. After then I quickly refused and became openly hostile to any procedure which did not guarantee my CGM got replaced by the hospital. Over a hundred dollars (cash price) per sensor, I will not submit or allow them to be removed. Hospitals are not remotely competent re: T1 care or our technology in any manner. I was forced to explain in simplistic, extraordinary detail to all techs, doctors, nurses the specifics, limitations and usages of the D. tech. They were all literally ignorant, and had zero (0) knowledge if/when CGM’s were mandatorily removed. SIGH…
Had to remove it for an MRI
I have to remove for MRIs
MRI they make me remove it. I have had surgery and the nurse told me to remove everything. I told her I wanted to talk to the surgeon before I removed anything. After talking to the surgeon she said he said to leave it alone. Surgeons would much rather your device takes care of it so there is one less thing for them to worry about.
I haven’t had a procedure that required removing my CGM. My mom (also T1D) has had multiple MRIs which require device removal. We always bring it up too.
My mom also recently underwent major surgery. I was thankful that team was receptive to my requests to allow her to remain on her CGM + pump. Nothing beats Control IQ for controlling BG while fasting. Hospital policy is that patient can’t be on device if patient not alert enough to operate themselves. This is for safety because nurses don’t encounter us T1Ds often, and are not trained to operate our devices. I was allowed to stay in the hospital with her and man her pump for her. Everyone was really interested and impressed with our tech.
I always remove my sensor for medical scans. I was told to do so by the manufacturer!
I was also asked to remove both my CGM and my pump when hospitalized with pneumonia. I advocated for myself and kept both on!
Mri
The only procedure I’ve had is a colonscopy and simply announced that I was wearing a CGM.
I had to remove it for surgery and I was not aware of my BS for at least 5 + hours.
I do not let the technician make the decision whether to remove it or not. I know what procedures/tests require removal of the CGM (Xray, MRI, etc.). No one has ever had to say ‘you have to take that off’.