I don’t get the rationale for this. A CGM is a safety device that is all the more important for someone newly diagnosed. It can wake you up while sleeping to warn you of a significant hypoglycemia event. If it were me, I would appeal this policy decision.
This policy reminds me of of some clinicians insisting that a patient could not start on a pump until they have 6-12 months of using multiple daily injections (MDI). I understand the medical providers concern that a patient learn about how insulin works before they take on a more sophisticated treatment tool, but withholding the tool may, in the end, place the patient at unnecessary risk.
An insulin pump and even moreso, a CGM, is not rocket science. It does take some work to gain this knowledge but withholding technology that protects the patient from danger is not helpful.
If you’re not up for this fight, I fully understand. That last thing you need is unnecessary stress added to the mix. You could help mitigate the absence of a CGM by amping up the quantity of fingersticks. For many years I tested my BG with my meter about 15x/day.
You will benefit even more if you thoughtfully conduct a schedule of testing that will educate you. I would recommend testing when arising in the morning, at each mealtime and two or three times after a meal, say at the 1, 2, and 3-hour post meal times. I would also test before driving and every one half hour while driving. Finally, I would test before going to sleep. You should never accept your “hunch” about what your BG is if safety, like driving, is involved.
All this testing will render more knowledge if you keep a hand-written log. Sometimes it’s hard to see the forest for the trees, but a log will show you some important trends. You are not signing up for a life-long burden of logging BGs. This will be temporary while you’re learning more about how your husband’s glucose metabolism works.
I am slightly concerned with your active interest and participation here. That’s definitely a good thing and support from close loved ones can make all the difference to the person with diabetes. What is your husband’s take on all this? Is he willing to change his habits by embracing diabetes technology? Perhaps he’s overwhelmed by it all, even if he’s slowly adapting.
None of the suggestions I or others have made will matter if he’s not on board. I’m worried that your enthusiasm, prompted by love, may be getting ahead of where he feels comfortable.
It took me 28 years to finally fully own my diabetes. From that point everything turned toward the better, especially quality of life issues There’s a whole psycho-social dimension to this disease and none of us move along some standard schedule.
I wish you both the best.