So, I’ve been on the Animas Vibe since August and the Dexcom G4 CGM for about a month now. The D Educator told me to forget about the receiver, so I did, but last week the Endocrinologist asked if I knew how to send them the info from my CGM. Naturally, I said “no” and decided I’d try googling it.
Well, I’ve gotten hits on the G5, the receiver and having an Apple or Android watch. Unfortunately, I’m still at a loss of how to get the information from the CGM.
Does anyone have a suggestion? Thanks in advance!!!
I’m not sure where you are located, but here in Canada there are two ways you can download your G4. You can either use Dexcom Studio, which is software made by Dexcom, or you can use Diasend, which is online software that can upload multiple devices (CGMs, meters, insulin pumps, fitness trackers). In order to use Diasend with your Dexcom, you’ll need a Diasend account, which (at least here) is provided free by Animas. You’ll also need to download Diasend Uploader to upload your Dexcom and send it to the site, after which the information is veiwed online.
I would call the Animas customer service help line and ask. I’ve just gone through the Animas Vibe Owner’s Booklet and it doesn’t mention uploading data. I have uploaded the Animas Ping pump data to Diasend like @Jen mentions. Perhaps the Vibe also stores the CGM historical data.
I’ve always had a separate CGM receiver and that’s the device I’ve connected via a cable to my computer to upload data to various places.
Hmmm, I hope the Vibe allows uploading. It’s listed on Dexcom as a supported device. I’m about to submit my paperwork for a Vibe, but if it doesn’t store and upload CGM data, that would be a deal breaker (only other options are Medtronic and OmniPod, though…).
I think the majority of CGM users only use their data for real-time alerts and perhaps glancing back over the last 24 hours. That’s only using half the CGM’s capability, but I realize that’s critical safety info and is worthwhile. Looking back over 7, 14, 30, and 90 days provides important information to me for my current treatment. I wonder how many Dexcom users upload to Clarity.
I agree with you, Jen. If I couldn’t regularly review my historical CGM data, then that would be a deal-breaker. I suspect that my interest in the data side of CGMs, however, does not align with my cohort.
Here’s the US Animas Vibe owner’s booklet. When I did the google search, I noticed a UK and a New Zealand version but I didn’t see any links for Canada.
I upload the CGM data from my Vibe using Diasend. You will need to set up an account. You will also need the Infrared wireless communications interface gizmo which pugs into a USB port. Animas will supply this and provide a link with the drivers.
Thanks! I already download data from my Ping, so Diasend is already set up and I imagine it’s the same IR cable. (Here’s hoping the Vibe downloads a little faster than the Ping!)
Sorry to disappoint you but downloads from the Vibe are pitifully slow. Also the ridiculous IR interface means the connection is not only weak but (unlike bluetooth or even Medtronic’s wireless system) line of sight. I have my IR interface sitting on top of my PC. To download the pump, I have to first remove the belt clip and skin. Then stand it on a small box, propped up on its end so it is close enough to the IR receiver to get a signal. Half the time it falls over during download!
I agree about the IR cable. I don’t understand why they couldn’t have just included Bluetooth in the pump for data transfer. Heck, even a USB port would be better (my Dexcom G4 downloads in about 10 seconds over USB). I put my pump and IR table on my desk, plugging in the IR cable as needed, so at least don’t have to worry about the pump falling and disconnecting midway through.
The technology in the Vibe goes back to the original Animas pumps which precede Bluetooth. They probably don’t think it is worth the effort to certify a new system for safety. Maybe when the introduce a genuinely new model. Medtronic uses a wireless technology albeit non-Bluetooth. They claim that it is safer as it does not share frequencies with other Bluetooth devices. I am unconvinced. Roche uses Bluetooth - probably because they were the last manufacturers to introduce remote communications.
I got the infrared cable last week and downloading the info from the Vibe was no problem. Unfortunately, it only had info from inputted finger sticks. I think it did go as far back as a month…don’t know if that helps or not, but I’m in better understanding of why the Endocrinologist said she didn’t have enough data.
I am trying to download the Dexcom g4 now and it has been over an hour, but I stopped it twice. Going on 20 minutes now and still nothing. Insofar, do you guys think I’m doing something wrong?
I once had repeated problems downloading my Dexcom (either G4 or G5-can’t remember which) to Diasend and worked with Diasend customer service for two days. They questioned my network settings that had never been a problem before. Then they asked if the software in my router was up to date. It wasn’t and when I updated the router, my Dexcom devices downloaded immediately.
I assume that you are using the charging cord that came with your G4. Some people have found that although they can charge the Dex with different cords, downloading doesn’t always work with those cords.
What program are you trying to download to?
If you are trying Diasend, contact their customer service by email. They are usually very helpful but it might take a day to get an answer. If you are trying to download to Dexcom, contact their customer service.
I have a couple of thoughts. I’ve mostly had success uploading my Dexcom receiver to both Diasend and Dexcom’s Studio and Clarity programs. I did have one upload cable go bad. When it wouldn’t upload with the cable, I used a new one and it worked.
I learned when using my Ping pump, if I used the carb bolus instead of the normal bolus, the Ping would keep track of my total carbs.
I agree with @Laddie. Call Dexcom customer service. The initial phone tree contains a selection for software questions. Good luck! Please update with what you discover.
I apologize for not being able to come back and update everyone. (Please don’t feel bad, I haven’t gone back to see my Docs in about 8 months now too.) However, back to the topic originally written upon:
I spoke with a Diasend representative (a helluva’ long time ago) and he simply told me that I misunderstood the program. The CGM is simply for current readings throughout the day and that is it. The data does not get stored anywhere and it most certainly does not get uploaded like the info on the pump.
Learning that I can get uploads from my CGM, I will try calling Dexcom instead of Diasend. Thanks again!!!
I have the vibe and I was able to upload my data to Diasend and my endo was able to download all my CGM data from my pump and reviewed it during a recent appointment.
I’m sure the Dexcom people will be able to help you out.
You can download Dexcom G4 and G5 to Diasend using the receiver. In the United States you cannot link your G5 Mobile account automatically to Diasend although I think you can in Europe. I used to pull out my G5 receiver for the two weeks before my endo appointments so that I could have all of my devices in one program. Gave it up. She gets Dexcom Clarity reports for my CGM and I use Diasend for my pump and meters.
If you are using a Vibe as your receiver, you should be able to see all of your CGM data going back several months (I think three) simply by downloading your pump to Diasend. The pump will only display the past 24 hours CGM data, but stores the back data for download.
If you can download your pump data to Diasend, you should see all of it in the reports. CGM data appears under the tab “CGM”. The tab “Glucose” will show any fingerstick results that you have input into your pump (e.g. for calibration of your CGM or for bolus)
I like the Compilation report in Diasend that shows the summaries for my pump, meters, CGM, Carbs, and Fitbit on the same page.
Also when you’re in the Glucose logbook you can choose to include or not include manually entered numbers. So if I want to see the combination of my meter results and the glucose results I’ve entered into the pump, I include manual entries. This is good when you want to show that you test many times a day to submit proof to insurance or Medicare. If you don’t include manual entries, it is just the numbers from your meters.
If Diasend would include the numbers from my Dex 5 Mobile, it would be perfect for me. As I may have said before, Diasend indicates that it is a Dexcom delay.
