I have the MM722+CGMS and have had incredible success with it. I also have hypo unawareness and have gotten into some real serious situations going low. One time I had a seizure in my sleep, so I take this hypo very seriously. My CGMS is set at 85 for my low and when it goes off, I test and sure enough, I’m dropping. My CGMS will show my reading and if I am dropping quickly, 1 or 2 “down” arrows will show, indicating just how fast I am dropping. The “trend” feature on my pump has been my real life saver. One look at it will let me know how things are running. At a glance I can know how I’m doing. I love that.
Dex is a Continuous Glucose Monitor made by DexCom.
I need to get on CGMS. However, right now, I’m underemployed and uninsured. Crap system we’ve got when you’re out of it.
I’m on a pump and monitor using test strips. I have to just be hyper-aware. I don’t have the symptoms I used to have. I’m not unaware per se, as much as it too a few dangerous close calls (and one fall on my head, an ER visit complete with stitches) to make me realize my hypoglycemic symptoms have changed.
I used to physically shake. I don’t anymore. I get mentally slow now. I’m usually very quick. So when I’m suddenly tired and can’t concentrate, I’ve learned to realize that’s an insulin reaction. Of course, at the end of a long day, I’ve mistaken tired for just that, being tired. I just confirm it with a test. Tonight I had one, but I also realized I’d given myself a pretty big dose of insulin (had pizza at a meeting but didn’t eat as much as I thought I was going to eat). I already suspected I might go low.
I definitely have to look into upgrading to a CGMS when I’m working and insured.
Wow. I had never heard of a Dexcom, but definatley wouldnt mind looking into it.
For me, I tend to catch lows by looking at my palms. It’s kind of strange, but they turn completely pale, and i have a cold sweat & shiver, and then of course, the poor coordination which then leads to checking. The middle of the night lows have fortunately always been caught. I wake up sweaty and uncomfortable… i fear having a low and not catching it in my sleep so much. I seriously think I have a low blood sugar phobia.
I too get the spots in my vision thing…I usually notice that I have trouble reading my computer screen, test and I am lower than 50 usually. I agree that CGM is the way to go and look forward to trying the DEX soon. I have 10 of the MM sensors and have already IDed much too high nightime basals, lows I do not feel, insulin resistance around my hormonal shifts…etc. I think everyone should have the option to try it and use it if they find it helps. My newest “low” sign is that my legs and back feel like I have just put bengay on them! Minty:) I also have the odd taste in my mouth…usually minty taste, too! Take care Terry and glad to hear yet another person confirming that DEX is helpful in catching those lows.
My most recent problem is that eating a low CHO diet…my blood sugar is so low all the time and then “drifts” down slowly. I wonder if that is why I am not catching these most recent lows. I am used to the crashing lows that show up as sweaty, shaky, etc. My new lows are so undetectable and have odd symptoms like the minty taste in my mouth, etc. I agree… the CGMS is a lifesaver:) I am going to compare the 3 and then make a choice. I am currently using the MM and it has caught a lot of different trends.
Know the feeling well. Have had some luck w/ lowering my insulin dosages on a lower carb intake…but, still have lows and they are a little less noticeable…I think it may be because I am so low all the time. Not a bad thing to be “normal” blood sugars…, but need a real plan to prevent the hypo-unawareness. Thanks again for your response and reaffirmation of accuracy of the DEX. I love the info I am getting on trends w/ my MM…, but could be better accuracy and bg tracking. Find I am checking my blood sugar much more often just to get a handle on what is really happening w/ my blood sugar…would never trust the numbers I am getting…mine actually are 10-20 (sometimes more) mg/dl higher than I actually am at that adjusted time frame.
Agree w/ you on the 10 hrs:) but, I actually find that I would prefer a receiver/watch/monitor of my CGMS vs the pump/receiver in one option of the MM. I want to be able to “see” my blood sugar data w/ a glance…this is why I say watch…even though one does not exist at this time. I do not want the data in my pocket or on my waistband…I want to glance over and see it as I am in the middle of doing whatever I am doing. Would love it to be integrated w/ my pump features…just in a more accessible form:)
Actually, this is (pardon my language) complete bull$#!t … avoiding lows does not restore lost counterregulatory function, although it may work for some people, there is little scientific evidence that it works for all patients.
Hi Scott, there is a good chance that the total avoidance of lows AND a higher target value can lead to a higher awareness for lows. There are no guarantees of course but most diabetologists in germany will offer special trainings to those with hypo unwareness:
-CGMS monitoring at the beginning to find the cause
-higher test frequency for longer periods of time
-reduction of deviation within one day: reduction of carbs per meal and more meals per day
-higher target value (130 mg/dL or higher) for a longer period of time
I’m not cavalier about it, but I realize that it’s something that comes with the disease and it’s probably more prevalent because I wear a pump. I try to simply be more sensitive to changes. I’ve noticed my lows are a lot more subtle. It used to be very physical, mostly shaking. Now it’s mental slowness and I get really tired. That’s scary because, from what I’ve read, I’m in the secondary symptoms of hypogycemia.
A few times I gave into being tired and went to sleep. I wake up, thank God, realize I feel weird and test. Sure enough I’m low. (I’m thinking sleeping gives you enough reserves for your brain to work a bit closer to normal as that’s happened to me a few times.) Anyway, now if I have to think twice about something, I’ll check. If I suddenly feel VERY tired in the middle of the day and I know I’ve had enough sleep, I’ll check. Usually, without fail, my glucose is low.
I try to avoid lows but I’m in a new city and there is a lot of change right now :-/
It’s time for me to change pumps, the one I’m on is antiquated at this point. I’m going to see if I can get on CGMS because I need it.
I do not feel lows at all and as troubling as it is for my doc am fully functional at 35 or at least in my oppinion course others say I slur my speech and am like a drunk but even they dont generally notice until I gone under 45. My dogs start letting me know I am dropping way before then though if I am at home. They start irritating 
me around 70. My doc realized I was unaware when I took 15 trips to the ER for severe lows in one year the first 10 times he told me to quit ignoring my signals. he eventually learned I really didnt know when I was carrying on a convo with him and was absolutly fine and his nurse checked my sugar it was in the low forties.
Most of the time, the way I find a low BG is by testing. Other times, my dear wife of 51 years suspects it. Of course, she insists that I test, so I guess testing is the only way I find out. My endo says I need to be on CGM but Medicare won’t pay for it and I’m on Social Security so I can’t either. Praise the LORD anyway!
I am hoping that reimbursement will change with recent studies show the utility of CGMS in lowering HgA1c’s and risk of hypos. They (insurance) first said folks w/ low Hga1c’s would not benefit because they already had good numbers…but, they did not acknowledge how we got those numbers…at risk of many lows. I think documenting the number of hypo unawareness episodes has been helpful in getting my potential coverage. I would have not been able to do that if I had not purchased a box of sensors myself…because I didn’t even know they were happening!! Good luck to you…and I hope we get coverage for you soon:) Be well.
I know what you mean…I too have pretty crappy insurance coverage right now. All I can say is shop around where you live…I finally got “insured” via the local university but, they have caps and high copays/deductables…so, I am on my own w/ pump, etc. I pick up stuff in many different ways…check Craig’s List, etc. Also talk w/ your doc’s office. They should be able to help you out a little. Everyone knows the cost of pump supplies are terribly high if you have minimal coverage:) There are so many people hurting and trying to make due…the “trainer” I had for the CGMS actually had no insurance through MM…was a T1… and had to get supplies as she could as samples!! It is a sad world. Take care of yourself and don’t hesitate to email if you need some ideas of how to get stuff.
You absolutely should have access to CGMS. My heart goes out to you:) I am hopeful it will become the standard for T1 treatment. Talk w/ your doc about trying one of the systems. I will dig up the link for comparisons and post it here. Take care:)
Krystal,
You bring up an interesting paradox I’ve observed in myself too. In the past (before I had the Dex), I would do a random check and find I’m at 39! I found my mental acuity to be normal or even a little bit clearer.
One time I discovered such a low as I was talking to one of my co-workers. When the meter revealed the surprising low I asked my co-worker if he thought I was acting strange or in any way abnormal as I reached for my glucose tabs. He said I acted and appeared normal to him. My verbal skills actually felt heightened to me as I had no difficulty reaching for and articulating better words to communicate.
Here are some links to summaries of features in the different available CGMS. Of note, GlucoDay is available in Europe and is a microdialyzing sensor tip vs. needle tip…may be more accurate per research articles of 2008-09.
http://www.reviewofendo.com/articles/0608/review0608_05.pdf
http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2009/06/29/6257/get-the-facts-on-continuous-glucose-monitoring-/
http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_technology/continuous_monitoring.php by John Walsh “Pumping Insulin”
http://www.integrateddiabetes.com/ click on CGM and see great comparison (includes costs) by Gary Scheiner MS, CDE
Interesting poster from John Walsh on comparison data when patient wears 2 different CGMS simultaneously and checked against standard…bottom line, we should probably all try what is available before making a decision: