Hi all, just recieved my new Dexcom yesterday, so far so good, this gadget works great. Inserted the sensor first try with no problems. Seems to be reading relatively close to my BG readings. Love the trend arrows, and graphs. plus the $200 mail in rebate is a plus. :-)
I've been wearing a loaner (from the diabetes center I go to) for about a week now and like it too. I went ahead and placed an order for one. Most of the time it is fairly close. I like being able to see what is happning when I am sleeping and knowing it will alarm if things go out of whack.
I agree with you HPNpilot, one of the major reasons I purchased the dex was because of some serious night lows I had in the past. Woke up right in a soaking sweat. I am also thinking it will catch those sudden lows I get from pysical activity during work.
Glad to hear it is going so well right off the bat. That was pretty much the experience I had a few months ago in October '11 when I first donned the 'bug' (that's what I call it). It was showing me good numbers from the very start (I wear the bug on my abdomen). I quickly learned from info gleaned from this group that you can make the sensors last longer than seven days (just stop it and restart it when it says to change sensor -- it will finally give you ceaseless '???' or 'SENSOR FAILURE' when it is finally really gone), and that some folks get better readings by placing it elsewhere (back of arms, inside of thighs, buttocks, etc.). My numbers are often right together (the Dex and my OneTouch Ultra), especially when I am steady (of course, right?). I also understand that the Dex may be off by about 15 minutes or so on the 'real' numbers so if I am going up or down, I sometimes check later on and note that the Dex was in fact a bit behind reality. That's cool. I am doing fine making adjustments using my Dex though some here say you should never do that. Seems to be working for me up to now. We will see how it goes. Good luck!
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Sounds great. I had a few problems inserting. Kind of a painful 'stab' at first. Also wasn't able to get the inserter off once and get the transmitter in a couple times. Called and helpful Dex folks walked me thru. Love my Dexie now. Getting at least 14 to 18 days each sensor too. Get some Tegaderm from the drugstore as the adhesive seems to know when 7 days are up. LOL. Good luck.
I have had mine 8 days now and love it (except for software--still working on that). I heard that the sensors last longer than 7 days and restarted mine yesterday. So far, so good. I check BS more since I don't have to prick my finger, so I am catching non-normals faster. Glad I got it!
Well I went 17 days on my first sensor, with no problems. I really like the Dex.
Hi all, I'm just about to buy a Dexcom and I'm very interested in your comments here. Is it normal to get false readings with Dexcom at first? How about after you have the unit for awhile? Will this Unit expand a person's range of activity such as not always staying in the same routines and keeping on a strictly timed and exact regiment of carb. intake?
Cathy
Hi Cathy --
I don't get any 'false' readings, per se. They might be a bit off, but not false. I got false readings only after taking some Tylenol last week by accident (and boy, were they FALSE!!).
I think that you should definitely be able to expand your range of activity so that you are not on that sort of extremely strict carb regimen. That said, I myself have never been overly concerned with staying too perfect on such things -- I do pretty much whatever I want whenever I want, and adjust accordingly based on numbers from the Dex (or, previously, from finger sticks) and MDI. It's been working for me for a long time like this (30+ years now). I know that there are plenty of folks here who like much stricter numbers than I do. If that's your bag, you may want to be careful about affecting changes that will take you out of that comfort zone. Good luck.
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Hi Cathy, I think my numbers are not AS accurate in the first few days but when I say that I don't mean they are way off. Maybe 20 to 40 pts but as the sensor ages the numbers get more and more accurate sometimes just being 1 to 5pts off the BS number. I love the Dex but would love the Vibe way more as the 2 devices on the belt line are really getting old. That said I'm glad I have it and would add a 3rd device if I had to. ::o) Good luck. I'm sure you will love it.
Hi, I've had mine for a week and a half and am really impressed with the data and how it helps me make better choices about insulin. It really is very helpful. it has been easy to use and the folks on this site have been helpful in letting me know about the things you've already heard about, such as using a sensor longer than they say you can. this is a great place to find good folks who live with this everyday and have lots of great experience and knowledge. Good luck with your Dex. I like the rebate also.. he he