Rock the boat lyrics
Medtronic UltraLink.
As I mentioned last week, there was a random package from Minimed left on my doorstep. And being the big geek that I am, I think I actually clasped my hands together and said “Oooh, what’s this?” Funny how an unexpected diabetes gadget can bring such instant joy. The techno-joy in me implodes and I’m eager to rip open the box and push all the shiny new buttons.
But I’ve digressed again. Imagine that?
I’ve been using the Medtronic UltraLink for a few days now, watching as the results ping directly to my insulin pump. This is a good thing, because I never, ever entered my blood sugars manually before this. I’m quick to test but not very vigilant with data management. Having tools like the Dexcom and now this UltraLink are useful because I can go about my daily diabetes business and then load up the data every few days. For someone like me, with a schedule that doesn’t allow for much mucking around, this convenience is crucial.
The UltraLink is a bit bigger than my Ultra2 - not by much but apparently by enough to make the meter case about 25% bigger. Thankfully, syncing my meter up to my pump was very easy. I just needed to go into my pump settings, input the serial number on my meter, and viola! it’s pinging results with a happy little beep. The ping is almost instant and the results are logged in my pump, so when I upload my data to Carelink, it’s easier to see the Big Picture, with insulin doses and corresponding blood sugars hanging out there together.
I’m all for convenience. Because I, unfortunately, do not have the time to do all this blood sugar logging. Making the process all-inclusive is a nice change from “Okay, grab the meter, load up the results to my blood glucose spreadsheet, then write in the insulin doses manually … what the … ugh, the thing turned off while I was scrolling through … I can’t remember if this bolus went with that result … is Nip/Tuck on? I’m sick of this crap already.”
The lancing device that came with UltraLink is smaller, by comparison, than the older device I was using. Funny how the meter got bigger but the lancer got smaller. It’s the same one that came with my UltraMini, so I was already accustomed to it’s teeny shape. A smaller lancet device works best for when I am sporting some fancy dress and teeny purse combo, forcing me to ditch my meter case and leave my testing goodies roaming loose in my purse.
Overall, I’m finding the UltraLink to be a convenient, relatively painless switch over. I’m still using my Ultra2 in addition to the UltraLink because I don’t have enough brain cells these days to make any management changes. Once the wedding is over and my brain starts to regain a recognizable shape, I will most like swap meters and go with this UltraLink version.
So, rest o’ the blogosphere, what’s your take on the UltraLink? Are you using it faithfully? Does its size make you a little “eh” about it? Are you tempted to cover it with stickers and give it a name? (I’m looking for small squirrel stickers and am planning to call it “Harrison,” but that’s yet another digression.)
Related posts: Nfl draft radio, Crackle.com, Countess, Nagarjuna university degree results, Kstp news
