780 Users

I have been asked about the training and how to set up the 780 with HCL, but thought that this might be more useful generally.

What a contrast for me with the training for my new 780

When I started on the 780 four years ago to go on to HCL it was all quite new and only available self funding. My DSN was learning alongside me. We had two sessions on Zoom booked in. One to introduce us to the pump which arrived a week before. We were all previous pump users, although for me this was a new manufacturer. Very similar to my old combo but different language and different ways of calculating active insulin etc. We had all out in our settings such as basal trades and carb ratios before the session and they answered any questions that we had. We then had a couple of weeks in manual and then a second session to start HCL, go into Smartguard.

For me there was then a couple few weeks when I abandoned HCL as I did not let it get on with its job and kept interfering so it did not have a chance to settle. I just found it very hard to let the pump take on all that I had been doing and didn’t trust it. My DSN came up with a plan and we had another start which was more successful. This was followed up with another sessions with the Medtronic trainer.

Excellent technical support on the Pump care line whenever I have needed it. I have also intermittently logged into the Medtronic Webinars on topics such as exercising and dealing with illness which I have found very useful and these showed how they were adapting their advice based on the experiences of users.

Nearly four years later I am about to get my new 780 and the new Simplera sensors.

We are able to collect our pump and sensors before the training and I have been sent a link to their seven pre training modules. My heart sank when I saw how many there were but they were very clear and a useful checklist. These took me through each of the stages of setting up my pump. They also included advice on what settings to use if you have not had a pump before and included references to work with your DSN as necessary. I shall be well prepared for the training session which is face to face for four hours. This will ensure that we are all set up in manual mode. For those new to HCL there is a follow up a week later to do the switch over. For those of us already using the system we do this ourselves and have a check in a month later with our own hospital teams.

This all seems very organised.
What have other people’s experience been?
 
SB2015 said:
hat have other people’s experience been?
Click to expand...

I had my training in a tent at a festival dressed as a pirate :rofl:😛

We tried to reschedule, but it was the only option!

It was a couple of hours, we sped through some sections as I’d had 2 Medtronic pumps, and an alternative HCL before.

At one point my phone got so hot it just shut down 😱

There was a brief follow-up afterwards, and actually overall it was really clear and I felt well equipped to start.
 
Sorry for late entry. The 780G warns of Sensor remaining time (and Bolus levels) so I disconnect the sensor a few hours early each week, by removing it from my thigh (works well there for me), stick a new sensor in (at least 4” away from removed one), plug the transmitter into the charger, charge for one hour, connect transmitter to new sensor and than the several hours wait for everything to warm up. It now seems to take 3 hours! This all means I change sensors at the same time every week, but have to waste 3 hours of ‘warming up’ time.
I really don’t find much pattern in my Type 1. Every day is different. After 68 years of Type 1, I used to take (6months ago) 4.2U bolus of Nova Rapid at 7.30am and ate 18gms breakfast which either lasted me to nearly lunchtime or left me hypo at 11.00am. Now I have 14gm C (the same nut muesli and 3.2U bolus and am usually low by 10.00. I changed my carb ratios which is why 14C and 3.2U is a different ratio to 18gm and 4.2U. I’ll have to reduce the bolus ratio again. Every Day is Different, but I am having a toasted crumpet and jam with good coffee at 10.30 instead which is lovely. I am envious of all you BG between 5-6 mmol constantly. Good news: I’m still singing, allotting and walking (raised £800 in the 5 mile Wellness Walk in September). Best to all.
Adam
 
It sounds like you have got round some of the issues that you had @adamrit and are making it work for you. I am looking forward to getting to use the new Simplera Sensors with my next pump later this month. I will let you know how that goes.
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
I had my training in a tent at a festival dressed as a pirate
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I wonder whether that is something that they could add into the training. What fancy dress should I choose?
 
SB2015 said:
I wonder whether that is something that they could add into the training. What fancy dress should I choose?
Click to expand...

Haha!
 
Mike did not add that rather than the expected Norwegian Blue, he usually sports an electric guitar to go with that outfit. Though my immediate reaction was to think that the eyepatch couldn't have helped :rofl: :D:rofl:
 
Doing some preparations before my training to switch over to Simplera
Reading through the manual makes me realise that there are things that I had taken for granted or not noticed before so …

With the new sensors how are people disposing of:
  • Inserter
  • Sensor now that it has transmitter with it
  • Vial or reservoir of insulin with a dribble left in it
  • Tubing (ends have not been near any bodily fluids - same as a pin - in bin?)
I know that it says follow local guidelines but just interested.

And some other questions:
  • Can spare sensors in hand luggage go through x Ray at airport?
  • Does anyone wipe the top of the insulin vial when loading a reservoir after the first one
  • On the basal delivery graph with the blocks of different thickness how much insulin does one thickness of bar represent. It seems to go up to a max of three thickness
  • When it tells us that no bolus required and ‘carbs saved for future use’ what do they mean
 
SB2015 said:
Doing some preparations before my training to switch over to Simplera
Reading through the manual makes me realise that there are things that I had taken for granted or not noticed before so …

With the new sensors how are people disposing of:
  • Inserter
  • Sensor now that it has transmitter with it
  • Vial or reservoir of insulin with a dribble left in it
  • Tubing (ends have not been near any bodily fluids - same as a pin - in bin?)
I know that it says follow local guidelines but just interested.

And some other questions:
  • Can spare sensors in hand luggage go through x Ray at airport?
  • Does anyone wipe the top of the insulin vial when loading a reservoir after the first one
  • On the basal delivery graph with the blocks of different thickness how much insulin does one thickness of bar represent. It seems to go up to a max of three thickness
  • When it tells us that no bolus required and ‘carbs saved for future use’ what do they mean
Click to expand...

  • Inserter
Many would just say ‘landfill’ as the sharp is concealed. I am doing as I did with Libre - prize apart with pliers and put the sharp in sharps bin, then landfill the rest.
  • Sensor now that it has transmitter with it
Rep said this was NOT to go in sharps (like Libre). General waste to avoid risk of explosion when incinerated
  • Vial or reservoir of insulin with a dribble left in it
Vials I put in sharps. Reservoirs in general waste. I have NO idea why this is
  • Tubing (ends have not been near any bodily fluids - same as a pin - in bin?)
I snip off the ends and put them in sharps, then coil and cut through the tubing so it goes in gen waste in 10-12cm lengths (to avoid wildlife getting tangled in it later).

These aren’t official advice, just my habit.
  • Can spare sensors in hand luggage go through x Ray at airport?
No idea on official advice, but mine go through xray
  • Does anyone wipe the top of the insulin vial when loading a reservoir after the first one
I don’t. I never have had a problem not doing so.
  • On the basal delivery graph with the blocks of different thickness how much insulin does one thickness of bar represent. It seems to go up to a max of three thickness
I had the same question. Asking an experienced friend he said no pink = no basal. Small pink = standard basal (based on its learning over recent days). Bigger pink = boosted basal. There always seems to be a ‘suspend’ after meals. If he is right (and I believe he got it from Rep) each bolus is acting as a ‘super bolus’ (for anyone that remembers that technique) or ‘safe bolus’ and is incorporating post-meal basal. I have had to increase meal ratios to accommodate this.
  • When it tells us that no bolus required and ‘carbs saved for future use’ what do they mean
Only had this once. Mine was triggered by descending BG and decent amount of IOB. Pump calculated that more insulin added was too great a hypo risk, and the food carbs were better off slowing/stopping the dropping BGs. It ended up not being right as it happens. But then I was having cake. :rofl:o_O😱
 
Funnily enough Mike, I was only considering super bolussing in the last couple of days, having had a succession of non absorbent cannula sites over the last few weeks so I've had far too many highs until I'm pig sick of them. I'm desperately trying not to over use my slightly inner thighs so those bits don't suffer the same affliction as my belly and bum.
 
trophywench said:
Funnily enough Mike, I was only considering super bolussing in the last couple of days, having had a succession of non absorbent cannula sites over the last few weeks so I've had far too many highs until I'm pig sick of them. I'm desperately trying not to over use my slightly inner thighs so those bits don't suffer the same affliction as my belly and bum.
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Yes it was a bit of a 'blast from the past' when my friend mentioned it!

Interesting that Medtronic seem to have built it into their algorithm for the MM780g.
 
Aaah - that makes sense - ISTR you 'borrowed' X amount of basal to add to your bolus whenever, which was mega helpful when ladies were pregnant and desperately avoiding 'any' BG increases above the lower pregnancy targets when they did anything eg eating the tiniest bit of carb that they knew would increase their BG and at the time was popular with those ladies and also fully endorsed by their preg diabetes teams in different parts of the country. But - no idea now what method was used to calculate how much or when, so not much help, am I, daddy!
 
Started on my new pump with the new sensors. Even though I have used the system for 4 years I still found dealing with new phone, new pump and new sensor a bit stressful

The Simplera sensors are so neat compared to the Guardian 4 and the insertion is a doddle in comparison. No more oval tapes to make a mess of and no more ouchy attaching the transmitter ince the sensor is in.

I had the 48 hour warm up time when I had to stay in manual mode. A big contrast to HCL and a reminder that it is ‘a while’ since I had checked my basal rate profile for such a situation. I usually only use it briefly during a two hour warm up or in moments when sensor loses contact with the pump. I kept forgetting that it was me that needed to sort out any corrections needed and that I needed to be more accurate on carbs. A very good reminder of what the HCL is doing for me.

Now in HCL but the pump uses the past six days data, which it has not got that yet, so it is just using my rubbish performance in manual at present. TIR Day 1 42%, Day 2 64%, Day 3 76% (looping again). All heading in the right direction.
 
SB2015 said:
Now in HCL but the pump uses the past six days data, which it has not got that yet, so it is just using my rubbish performance in manual at present. TIR Day 1 42%, Day 2 64%, Day 3 76% (looping again). All heading in the right direction.
Click to expand...

Great to hear @SB2015

Yes the Simpleras are super-simple aren’t they? How are you finding they track for you against your BG?
 
The calibration at the start was close, and now I don’t bother to check unless asked to. Woke this morning to TIR 99%!!!!

Love the new sensors.
 
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