I’ve had type 1 diabetes for 15 years now and I had my first hypoglycemic coma which sent me to the hospital as the paramedics weren’t able to bring me back.
All is well now, but the scare has made me look into what other options might be available to me to better assist in keeping track of my blood glucose (even though I already check about 10 times a day) it didn’t help in the rapid drop in glucose which was I wasn’t even aware of (first time that ever happened).
So I know a lot of people in America who have been using these continuous glucose monitors, but I’ve never seen them where I live in Johannesburg, South Africa. From what I’ve searched the best one out there is the Dexcom G5 - anyone have any opinions on this device or any others that are better? And does anyone know how and where I can get one in South Africa?
I would visit the Dexcom website and find their number on the site or email them about your interest. Ask them where the closest representative is to you.
Dexcom is in South Africa. In South Africa, Dexcom is distributed by a company call Ethitech. A key question for you will be how well it is covered by insurance.
I just got the G5 back in June. It has worked out very well. I can’t really provide a comparison against the G4 or the Medtronic Enlite. Gary Scheiner did a good comparison of the Enlite against the G4 which he updated to compare the Enlite against the G5.
Thank you for all the info! I know I have no idea what I’m in for in regards to costs, but I somehow think it may be worth it. That Gary Scheiner comparison is great! Appreciate your response
It sounds like Dexcom is a MUST! If for some reason you cannot afford–or insurance does not cover it, there are people who refurbish dead transmitters. You could possibly look into that as a last resort.
Well I have just spoken to Ethitech - they gave me pricing… I knew it would be expensive but I almost had a stroke when I saw the actual the pricing, I had no idea it would be so outrageous. I don’t know where everyone else is & what it compares to your pricing (I’m still new to posting on this site) but the Dexcom G5 receiver is ZAR8000. The transmitter is ZAR6000 but the shocker of it all is the is the sensors at ZAR4400 for a box of 4 which only lasts 7 days each! (The Dexcom G4 has the exact same pricing).
So my next step is definitely a call to my medical insurance, although Ethitech says medical insurance will more than likely not pay for everything.
Do check with insurance. While I am sure you are shocked at the pricing, ZAR800 is about $585 USD. My Dexcom starter kit was more expensive. Dexcom billed my insurance $2150 USD (over $29,000 ZAR). But in my case the insurance negotiates a better rate which $1200 USD (still over $16,000 ZAR). The real thing that makes it affordable is that the Dexcom is considered durable equipment (DME) which means that in my case I have only a 10% copay which resulted in my only paying $120 USD ($1650 ZAR).
Even if you medical insurance doesn’t pay for everything, you may find that they will pay a substantial part of it and that will make it much more affordable. And in order to get coverage you may need your doctors help, but you really, really need this as you had a very serious hypo.
ps. And many of us stretch our sensors out beyond 7 days. I regularly get three weeks.
This is about 25% more expensive than the UK price, so not way out-of-line. You might find the G4 somewhat cheaper in practice. The G5 transmitters have a 3 month life and have a built in timer, so you can’t use them for much longer. The G4 transmitters (which are the same price in the UK), have a 6 month guaranteed life, but you can continue to use them until the batteries die. I got 12 months out of my last one.
As noted by others, although the sensors have a 7 day life, almost everyone extends this typically to 2-3 weeks using a simple trick. When the sensor reaches 7 days, it turns off. Rather than inserting a new sensor you just leave the old one in and tell the receiver, you are starting a new sensor. Works a treat. If you decide to go ahead, check out this site for tips on how to tape up your sensor to extend its life.
Also, with the G5, do you need the receiver or can you just use an iPhone?
Oh I didn’t realize the transmitters needed to be regularly replaced as well? I thought it was just the sensors that needed to be regularly changed.
I’m a little nervous about using the sensors past 7 days, just to begin with at least, because I’m guessing its going to take time getting used to it and I believe the accuracy of the readings aren’t as precise the longer you go past the 7 day mark, but good to know!
I just presumed I had to get the receiver, but I also read somewhere that the receiver is good to have when flying, when you have to turn your phone off on the plane you can then use the receiver which is safer and easier? But I’ll ask them about that as well.
and I thought I had it bad, but I’m glad you got away with a relevantly small co-payment. Ethitech did say I needed a doctors prescription and I will also ask my medical insurance if a doctors letter might help, I know that has with some things in the past if a doctor writes a letter confirming/ pushing the need for it.
My son was diagnosed early last year, and has been on the G5 since fall. This device has changed our lives. We treat differently (much more aggressively). We can sleep so much better at night knowing that we will (likely) get an alarm. His in-range time went from 65% before dexcom to 85-90% after Dexcom. You can prevent a lot of highs and a lot of lows by looking at the data.
I can’t tell you how it compares to others because this is the only CGM we have had. But I can truly say that, once you wear a CGM, your life will never be the same again. I really hope you can find a way to get one!
I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Good luck, and don’t hesitate to PM me if there is any info I can share with you.
I can just imagine! I even wake up at night and check my sugar because I don’t want to miss a low. I know I would be a lot less anxious with something like this, but the companies that sell these devices really don’t make it easy. I’m not even too worried about the initial purchase of the receiver & transmitter, but its the ongoing costs to use this thing every month. Worst case scenario its ZAR4400 a month (if I use the sensors as directed) and then every 3 months its ZAR10400 because I believe you need a new transmitter every 3 months.
I have now spoken to my medical insurance and they won’t pay anything towards it so I struck out there. The other option is now shopping around for a new medical insurance because I believe there are some that do pay a portion, but I’ve done that so many times before and the biggest downfall is always that they don’t pay enough to cover my insulins (which are expensive) etc compared to my current insurance. So it’s a tricky situation.
I won’t give up though, just a tougher hurdle to overcome than I thought.
Do you know anything about using this G5 while on a plane? I know you can turn your phone onto airplane mode and then apparently it will allow you to turn the bluetooth back on? but I believe using a receiver is safer and easier, and that was my only thought about keeping the receiver and also to have something as a back up if I ever had to worst case scenario loose my phone or it got stolen or whatever the case.
In my experience, I never use the receiver. My insurance issues me a new one each year–so I have multiple receivers. I keep them charged and off for emergency situations–but mostly just use the iPhone. I don’t have much experience on airplanes, but think that it should work fine in airplane mode (although I’ve never tried). Maybe someone else has some experience with that.
I’ve never had any trouble using my iPhone on a plane in airplane mode to get my Dexcom readings. I do charge the receiver to make sure it works and take it on trips as a back-up.
In the US, even if the insurance won’t normally pay for something, your doctor can say that it is necessary for your condition, and it may end up being paid for. Is there some such thing in SA?
You have such a GREAT attitude! Let me know if there is anything at all I can help you with, or information you need/ could use. I will keep on cheering for you from afar:-)
I think the smallest overall cost may be opting for the G4 system due to the longer transmitter life. The G5 transmitter will last a maximum of 112 days and is guaranteed for 90 days. The G4 transmitter is guaranteed for 6 months but will usually last 9-13 months. You may use it until the battery expires. The G5 transmitter is hard-wired to the calendar and you will not get more than 112 days of service.
The G4 does not send its signal directly to an iPhone but can be viewed on an iPhone provided your Dexcom receiver is on and working. I use the G4 since I don’t mind carrying both the receiver and iPhone and the longer life transmitter provides better value. I’m also aware that some G5 users complain about intrusive warnings that come out of the iPhone and can’t be turned off in settings.
I have found that the sensors often get more accurate in the second week. For financial planning I would count on replacing the sensors every two weeks. Some people get more than two weeks consistently but my experience is closer to two weeks.
I’ve used a CGM since 2009 and its value is tremendous in terms of personal safety. It’s one of the best diabetes tools I’ve used in my 33 years of living with D. Good luck with your decision. If I didn’t have insurance, knowing what I know now, I would find a way to pay out of pocket.
