Comments on: DexCom and Me Update: Managing Expectations

By: Gary Krauch

Gary Krauch — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 12:57:23 +0000

Diabetic Rebel writes:

“On the other hand, my experience with the new Paradigm pump/sensor was entirely different & utterly fantastic! I found that to be extremely accurate & reliable. Just waiting on the insurance coverage to purchase that one.”

Gary writes:

CGMS with DexCom is definitely a “YMMV” (your mileage may vary) deal. Although I’ve only been on it for 2 weeks, I have not had the same experiences as diabetic rebel; the DexCom tracks my Ultra quite well.

Note the following comments from the New York Times article on CGMS:

“The main problem was that the sensor was simply not as accurate as a blood-glucose tester. MiniMed’s studies show the sensor’s accuracy can be off by as much as 18 percent. Another sensor, just approved by the F.D.A. and made by DexCom, is said by some researchers to be a bit more accurate, as is a third device, from Abbot, which has not yet been approved. But none are as accurate as a standard blood-sugar test.”

This is from the August 29th article in the New York Times.

By: DMW

DMW — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 20:13:00 +0000

Just finished a DexCom trial too – if this had been my first experience with the continuous glucose monitoring, I’d have been sooo disappointed. Found it so very inaccurate – most of the time. Anywhere from 30-60+points different. Repeatedly warned me I was low (50′s) when I wasn’t (80-90′s)… expensive sensors quit on me 24hours early…and although the company kindly offers to replace any that do this – come on. This should be a rarity not a “most of the time” incident. Being able to view only a 9hr max graph is frustrating as well. The download software for users should have been priority for the company, even before releasing this to consumers. It appears that the Dexcom system needs some work. Disappointing because the concept sounds so promising! I am a CDE as well, and can’t trust the DexCom enough to recommend it to my patients. On the other hand, my experience with the new Paradigm pump/sensor was entirely different & utterly fantastic! I found that to be extremely accurate & reliable. Just waiting on the insurance coverage to purchase that one.

By: Diabetic Rebel

Diabetic Rebel — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 02:59:52 +0000

Amy:

I’m actually thinking about getting the Dexcom myself because I want to get pregnant and I think it would help me tremendously! On the other hand, I heard it’s pretty expensive and I saw in your answer that it’s not covered by your medical insurance. I hope in the future we will all be able to get access to these devices just as easy as a regular testkit.

How long do you wear the sensors and do you wear it all the time? How easy is it to insert them?

(I love your blog and I’m always excited to read your new postings, it is very helpful!!!)

By: PrintCrafter

PrintCrafter — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 14:05:31 +0000

Pump or MDI; I predict that in five years CGM monitors in various flavors will be as common as BG meters are today.

Thanks for Sharing, Amy, it is a great serivce to all of us!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 04:11:14 +0000

Amy
My comments were not directed towards you, just general observations about me. I am interested in your DexCom experience because I will be using it next week and it will be fun to see how worthwhile it is.

By: AmyT

AmyT — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 21:09:08 +0000

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’ll do the pump when I’m ready.

Meanwhile, I’m taking Continuous Monitoring (and the notion of wearing a sensor attached to the body) for a test drive

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 17:16:24 +0000

Re the pump. I use it and frankly it rarely gets yanked out (Maybe twice in four years)despite small kids being carried, and other yanks on the tubing. I am casual about it and just clip it on to my pockets or waistband without a case. I could never get the basal control I wanted with any of the long acting insulins-my base rates change too much over 24 hours plus my insulin daily requirements flucuate by quite a bit and the pump allows me to make corrections up or down to the basal amount sooner. But many people get great results from shots without some of the downsides of pumps. I am starting a DexCom unit this next week. I really want it for nighttime tracking. I already test 10 to 15 times a day so have a pretty good idea of what is going on but need more nightime info, exercise info without having to stop and check, and would like to pick up basal changes quickly when my needs are jumping up or down. Type one 35 years, pumping 4 yrs.

By: AmyT

AmyT — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 16:22:03 +0000

Hi Megan,
For me, the pump is just another way to get the insulin in, which is not really my pain point. What’s more important is knowing when to intervene and correct.

Also, considering how many times I’ve lifted my 3yr-old and had her little shoes banging and tangling with the DexCom Receiver (hooked to my belt), I am damn glad there wasn’t any tubing on me. An infusion site with tubing would have been yanked out multiple times by now.

By: Megan

Megan — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 03:51:19 +0000

I was just wondering what made you chose to use the dexcom when you aren’t pumping. It seems like if you are going to be hooked up to something you may as well pump too, plus I wouldn’t think the info would be as useful without pump to fine tune things better. But I know shots work well for some people.

By: AmyT

AmyT — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 01:33:06 +0000

Type1: unfortunately not, except (I hope) for the visit to my clinic, which is where I go for treatment anyway.