And ABSOLUTELY try JaysonJ’s suggestion: better adhesive! I live in low humidity (Reno NV= high desert), so my Sensor adhesive pads don’t get ratty until way after a week. (Trouble, if it happens at all, happens during days 12-20.) I just use gauze tape to tape down the ratty edges. But high-quality adhesive would be much more effective, TRY IT!

When you leave the Sensors on for a long time, you might start to react to the adhesive. an ‘IV Prep’ liquid might also be helpful.

Are you using good Sensor locations, or just whacking your belly (to close to insulin infusion sites)? Their instructions that you can be just an inch away from visible old infusion site scars, and even right on top of invisible ones, were BAD for me. I never got more than 5 days until I switched to my sides, and they were failing even before 3 days until I moved. Now I average 17-18, very consistently. (Personal record is 20.)

I think you can cut down on that bill somewhat. I only use the shower patches for swimming. For showers, I’ve found that a sheet of Glad Press and Seal (basically, sticky saran wrap) works well enough. The sensors can take a good bit of water, so if some gets through, you’ll still be ok. I actually had a shower patch open up when I was swimming laps once. Despite being completely underwater for 10 minutes, the sensor came back to life after I towelled off and sat in the sun for a few minutes.

I’m another one of those who’s gone from needing 10 strips a day to 3-4. If you’d like, I can send you some OneTouch strips.

For me, the cost of my Dex is going to be about $2000 a year (I’m getting 7-10 days per sensor, despite running and biking in 100 degree heat, and my OneTouch strips are paid for by insurance.) If I were paying full price for either 10 strips a day, or 3-4 per day plus Dex, I think I’d break even.

The real punch line for me is this: my A1C has gone from 7.5 – 8.0 to 6.5, my energy’s up, and I can do things I could never do before.

Sorry about the test strip dilemma Amy. Hopefully they won’t give you a hard time about switching brands!

You also have to keep in mind, these devices are being marketted as supplements to fingersticks. So while you think only 2 fingersticks a day is needed, you really are suppose to do more, and insurance companies see that and see they aren’t saving much money.

Lastly, you have the accuracy of the devices. Google Minimed CGMS Accuracy and Dexcom Accuracy and you’ll be amazed at some of the charts you see. The devices are good, but not ready for full blown use.

Another key part in price that wasn’t mentioned in the original article. For Dexcom, the transmitter has to be replaced every 6-12 months because of battery life, and that’s a $250 replacement. Then the receiver has to be replaced every 12-18 months for the same reason, and that costs $500. So now the insurance has an additional $1000 each year to replace for the basic devices just because a $2 battery can’t be user replaced.

Anyway, I saw in your post that you are having trouble getting the tape to stick. I had this trouble with my pump a while ago when I lived in AZ. I bought a product called Mastisol Liquid Adhesive from MiniMed and it worked great. You also need to by Detachol Adhesive Remover to get the extra adhesive off. I don’t think it cost a lot but it has lasted forever. It may be worth a try.

Hmmmm… Would you pay us $119 to make you home-made shower patches out of garbage bags and duct tape? Let us know, and I’ll go get some scissors and some Quackeriffic-brand Duck Duct tape!