I’m definitely anal and OCD both. But after I had a coma last year from IGNORING my BGs (because I was majorly depressed), it is a comfort to me to have something that will annoy me into doing something about a high BG. Lows are not a problem, because I have good awareness. Tighter BG control in general is a plus, but I really need the kick in the pants for highs.
I think it boils down to exactly what you said – you don’t NEED one, so why bother? I’d really rather not need any gadgets at all! But I don’t see any reason for you to take on more expense and more bother than you want to – it’s YOUR life, and you should do what keeps you comfortable and feeling good.
So, are you implying that if your CGM is in plain view when you have an accident that the # it shows can be used in a punitive damages case? Just wondering…
When CGMS systems are accurate within +/- 5% 99.9 percent of the time, then I’ll move heaven and earth to get one.
For now, I don’t see the benefit, personally, to outweigh the risk of exacerbating my already difficult allergy to most bandages and adhesives, nor the personal inconvenience of having something attached to my body.
Alan, please don’t flame the dexcom OR those of us who choose to use it more than you think is appropriate. What I do works for ME. Yes it has alarms for lows and highs, user configurable. What is sensible for me isn’t necessarily what is sensible for you.
I like to know when I’m headed low, or headed high, so I can act before I get there. I’m not comfortable sleeping without my dexcom - I’ve had some scary lows during the night. I will do what I feel is necessary to keep myself and others safe. Anal? Maybe, to you. Sensible to me.
I’m having a real difficult time understanding why it makes any difference one way or another to you whether someone mounts it to the dashboard of their car. To me, you saying that is more anal than someone who wants to tatoo a running tracker of what their blood sugar is on their forehead.
Can’t Get Manageable Sugars
While that is cute and all I haven’t seen a bigger dig on how a PWD decides to manage their blood sugars for a while…
Actually putting it on the dashboard is far more sensible and much safer than just setting the alarm. If it alarms you have to dig it out to figure out what is happening. Putting it on the dashboard allows easy access.
I will draw the connection for you. I have a feeling jrtpup has a problem with you deciding what is the most sensible way for any particular PWD to use their CGMS system besides yourself.
That is just plain not true Alan. Nor is shooting up high in 15 min. I’m taking steroids right now and can shoot up at least 50 in15 minutes no matter how good my management is.
I don’t see how the Dexcom on the dashboard is any more dangerous than looking at the clock or the speedometer, or GPS. I have seen so many more dangerous things while driving, like people reading books, or applying makeup, etc.
Also, a quick drop can happen to anyone, and is not only caused by taking too much insulin. My son does not use a pump, but he does use a CGM. He has lows from extra activity not planned for by reducing basal or carbing up enough. People are human and make mistakes. He keeps his receiver next to him in the car, and on his open laptop when he is flying. Someone commented on it the other day, and the guy happened to be a newly diagnosed type 2.
I can sort of see both sides. Most of the time, my BG is flatish enough that I don’t bother testing or using my CGM in the car, unless I am playing with it while I’m sitting at a stoplight for fun. The law in Illinois is pretty much oriented towards prohibiting the use of “electronic communication devices” while driving. It doesn’t limit the definition of an electronic communication device either. I am a claims adjuster and investigate bodily injury claims in Illinois and Wisconsin, occasionally a bit farther afield. In many jurisdictions, doing something illegal (e.g. drinking, drag racing, now more and more using an electronic commucations device) can be subject to additional counts which, at least in the areas I’ve worked, may not be covered by your insurance policy.
A lot of this stuff doesn’t really matter until you are involved in an accident but, those cases where these issues arise can be very unpleasant for the people involved in them. I can’t talk about any actual experiences although I will say I have not run into anyone “busted” using their Dexcom but I am certian that I would not want to be involved in that sort of situation.
I found the inaccuracy argument to be sort of overstated. If it’s moving it lags behind a bit. At least in my experience, it has been very useful to determine the manner in which my BG moves so I don’t overcompensate one way or the other.
Alan, you said “driving with a CGMS on the dash” and “I’m curious to know how people stop the Dexcom from moving around on the dashboard? My dashboard is not flat and if you take a corner at any speed, everything, sun-glasses etc just flies off.”, so I assumed you misunderstood that I just PUT it on the dash.
Would you want to bet your farm on it? Perhaps literally? In many cases, they won’t “take” your house however they can, at their discretion file liens against the property which can be one possible negative outcome of a case involving an electronic gizmo. It is perhaps a very far-fetched possibility but it’s not an insignificant chance?
Why not just put it in the cup holder? That way no one can fault you for having it mounted. If it beeps you can pick it up and take a look instead of fishing it out of your pocket. I really doubt that anyone looks at their CGM every 5 minutes, but having it handy to look at if it alarms is a good thing.
Agree with you about the inaccuracy argument. It’s really not the PRECISE number that matters as much as where you’re headed – up down or sideways. If my CGM says I’m 210 and going up fast, then it REALLY doesn’t matter that I’m actually 176 by fingerstick. I’m still too high and moving in the wrong direction, and would be wise to do something about it!
I think the CGMs offer a clue to what’s happening, not a definitive answer, but at the moment, it’s the best clue we have.
I’d still consider that “in jeopardy”, depending on the circumstances. You could very well get away with it, since it’s not as “obvious” as a cell phone (although the Dex receiver thingy sort of looks like a cell phone/ ipod sort of gizmo? Perhaps a hidden advantage of the MM with it’s bling-free display? LOL…) and get a “no harm no foul” but if you were to find yourself “apprehended”, the consequences of these sort of cases can drag on for years. Any layer of complexity can increase the cost of the case. A lot of times, insurance will cover it but, at the same time, if a plaintiff (or their attorney…) gets a bee in their bonnet about your medical condition and the mysterious device that was in your car that they learned about because of the natural chaos @ the scene of the MVA, all of a sudden there’s some risk to the person involved? Again, I only have experience in Illinois, Wisconsin and a few other states and I’m not an attorney but, at the same time, the trend is to make it illegal to mess around with your i-gadget or Droid or whatever and insulin computers would seem to have the same risk of distracting drivers and fall under the broad language of the legislation I’ve seen.
I’m running out of real estate on my abdomen and I am already horrible about rotating pump sites (hard in the summer because I like to wear nice summer things, which make abdominal pump sites preferrable). My control is fairly good too; not great, but good. Anyway, I have had hypo seizures before and sometimes fail to recognize hypos, but neither often enough to the point where I feel I have to have a CGM. And quite frankly, carrying around all my D crap is already complicated enough. I don’t want to throw anything else into my bag.
BUT, the biggest reason I don’t CGM is the accuracy. For me, they just aren’t accurate enough to warrant the cost and effort. I test my BG 12-14 times per day. I would prefer that, instead of paying for a CGM, my insurance paid for more test strips.
That all said, I think CGMs are the technology of the future, and I certainly hope that they improve in terms of accuracy and cost (and ease of use for Minimed’s CGM). When cost comes down and they are more accurate, I would definitely consider it again. I would love to use Minimed’s integrated CGMS, but getting that sensor in is a B*&CH. And it’s accuracy was worse that Dexcom’s.
