Medtronic – 2nd Diabetes Internet Forum

By | 22 February, 2011
Unauthorised use of the Medtronic logo

Unauthorised use of the Medtronic logo

Avid readers of your soaraway Shoot Up will dimly recall that everyone’s second favourite pump manufacturer Medtronic flew me to sunny Lausanne last year to talk about diabetes-related stuff with other European bloggers.

Obviously my defamatory comments about Medtronic delighting in drowning puppies (that is, after all, what Big Pharma loves doing) in my write up of said event didn’t put them off inviting me again. They’ve also seen fit to invite m’colleague Alison out there too. Alison has been out to visit Medtronic before, so they do know what they’re in for. Again, you would have thought they would have learnt their lesson. Ours is not to reason why.

Anyway, that aside, as your unelected, self-appointed diabetes representatives please do let us know if there’s anything in particular you would like us to bring up while we’re there. If you use Medtronic stuff then what do you love about it? What do you hate about it? What do you think Medtronic does well? What do you think makes them rubbish? What would you like to see in the next generation pumps?

More generally are there any other questions you want answered? Why are pumps so expensive? What can Big Pharma do to raise awareness of diabetes issues? What can the industry do to lobby the NHS to provide CGMS (if, indeed they should)? Why do they drown so many innocent puppies for no reason?

So let us know – either in the comments below or by emailing us at tim / alison @shootuporputup.co.uk.

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About Tim

Diagnosed with Type One when he was 28, Tim founded Shoot Up in 2009. For the diabetes geeks, he wears a Medtronic 640G insulin pump filled with Humalog and uses Abbott's Libre flash glucose monitor.

24 thoughts on “Medtronic – 2nd Diabetes Internet Forum

  1. Stephen

    When is CGM going to be accurate enough to trust implicitly without having to finger prick. Also, what’s up and coming in the CGm world, any new stuff? Can I have some? 😀

    Reply
  2. Hairy Gnome

    As most of you know, as a humble T2 I have no vested interest in pumps and their paraphernalia, unlike my many chums on our soaraway Shoot Up. That aside, I will however, be very interested in the results of your visit to Medtronic, and will read the subsequent write ups avidly. At the same time, I will be trying desperately to suppress my insane jealousy of your good fortune in being flown to foreign climes for oodles of gratuitous corporate hospitality. Have fun! 🙂

    PS: Don’t get too fond of the puppies!

    Reply
      1. Hairy Gnome

        Thanks @lesley1966, that was very interesting, I do have one problem though. Most of the results showed a marked increase in BMI, that would be the last thing I wanted, my BMI is already gargantuan, I seem to be the one person in which hyperglycaemia doesn’t cause weight loss! 🙂

        Reply
  3. Tim Post author

    @Stephen – good question
    @Teloz – we do spend quite a lot of time in a room in a building on a light industrial estate. It’s not *that* glamorous, so don’t be jealous!

    Reply
  4. Anna

    Hi everyone,

    I’m a new member to this blog and very glad I found it. I write my own blog which I started last year when I nervously plugged in my pump for the first time. I have also been invited to the Medtronic forum and have no idea what to expect!

    I guess I’ll see you there!

    x

    Reply
  5. Tim Post author

    @annamacThe Medtronic forum is very interesting and the informal chats around dinner, etc., are – as is so often the case – the best bit. Anyway, look forward to meeting you!

    Reply
  6. Mike

    @annamac Welcome to shootup. Along with @tim and @alison you will have the pleasure of my company too.. 【ツ】

    Will concur with what @tim said, the informal gathering is the best part usually a plentiful dose of cuisine and beverages to suit all tastes.

    @teloz we will see if we can get some photographic evidence of the puppies.. I think they get to try out the latest pacemakers!

    Reply
  7. lizz

    I would like to know the answer to the question: Do the Minimed CBG sensors leave part of their membrane polymer in the skin like the Freestyle Navigator sensors. I can’t find any info about this and it worries me.

    Reply
  8. Bellebe

    How far off are they from integrating the CGMS sensor and the pump cannula?

    Reply
  9. Tim Post author

    @Lizz – if you hit “Reply” next to a comment it puts your reply beside that comment rather than at the bottom of the page. It should indent replies to make it obvious it’s a reply, but it doesn’t work properly and I’ve never bothered sorting it out.

    Reply
  10. Tim Post author

    Alison and I are going to attempt to keep you updated on this Medtronic milarky by tweeting over the weekend. You can follow us on twitter directly here http://twitter.com/#!/shootuporputup or failing that I’ve put a feed on the right hand navigation bar which should update from time to time.

    Reply
  11. Alison

    Alison is currently trying to work out how to tweet. My technological expertise and interest is generally focussed around pumps and CGM. Twittering via mobile is a whole different world!

    Reply
  12. lizz

    If anyone can explain how to tweet (simply, in words of one syllable, max two) or even READ someone’s tweets, I’d be thrilled. I count myself as pretty computer savvy but tweeting has foxed me. My sympathy Alison.

    Reply
  13. Mike

    there may also be some tweets from me @elgringoinspain.. if I do, I will CC in @shootuporputup so all can see. Perhaps a #shootup hashtag?

    Reply
  14. aileen

    All of your questions Tim! Just ask, ask, ask and have a good weekend!

    Reply

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