I just got informed my insurance qualified me for the Dexcom. My out of pocket expenses for the unit and sensors are 50%. I haven’t ordered one yet and am wondering if it’s really worth the $. I don’t expect to wear it 24/7 but really want to look at some standard meals i eat and get a feel for what my BG is doing, I’ve tested till my fingers are raw and still can’t get some meals under control. I tend to eat the same things over and over once I know how my body will react. Any suggestions are appreciated.
I was on the fence too and said that I would try a CGM only if insurance covered it (hoping that it would not). I think that my ulterior motive was that as soon as something was attached to my body permanently there was no denying that I was a sick person. The CGM would make it so much harder to stay in denial.
I my case denial did not equate to bad bg control. I did what I had to do. I just refused to talk about it and I spent as little time as possible thinking about it. Needless to say, I could not stay in the normal range even using 10 test strips a day.
Seeing 250+ samples a day instead of 10 has been eye-opening to say the least. With way less effort I am doing way better now. I like wearing the dex 24/7. I most dread the 2 hours when I change the sensor and I am without readings.
I have turned 180 degrees. I would gladly pay for the dex 100% out of my pocket. I remember switching from urine strips to bg strips. The switch from bg strips to the dex is as big.
Thanks! I was hoping for a positive response like yours. No matter how often i test, I still have some swings I can’t figure out. I’m hoping the Dexcom will help me with those.
David,
In regards to not wearing it all the time, I think you’d still get a ton of benefit, particularly since you eat the same things over and over (I do, too).
Because of my regular schedule and diet, my “wave” from week to week tends to look very similar. If you’re that type of person, I think you could wear it every other week (or less) and still get 90% of the benefit.
That being said, I like it so much I do tend to wear it most of the time. When a sensor dies, I’ll take a day or two off, but then I’m looking forward to getting that extra insight back.
M
Thanks Marcus! I imagine that’s where I’ll end up also. Thank a bunch for the insight. Navigating this disease has been lot easier with everyone’s help. I’m looking forward to when the Dexcom will communicate with my Ping. Till then, what we have is a whole lot better the peeing on a paper strip.
I love the CGM. I was originally planning to use it only to test basal rates and for occassional use, but now couldn’t imagine going a day without it. If you’re having problems with post-meal high blood sugars, you might also try looking into Symlin.
I told my wife about CGMs and explained to her that CGMs might not be worth the money because of this and that. I did not know at the time that my insurance would cover the dex. Her response was “Why don’t you do the 30-day free trial? Then you know. There is no downside if you don’t like it.”. I did not appreciate her advice at all. All of a sudden I no longer had a credible excuse for not trying. I realized that my hesitation was not about money but about facing my fears. Then came the first day with my dex. Many months of research had not prepared me for the experience. Seeing my bg real-time sold me instantly. I don’t know why I could not imagine what it would be like. The lesson I learned: I will no longer put all my money on being book-smart and rather seek out the experience. Especially if there is little or no downside.
that’s a great idea. I know me though, i won’t give it back. And I’m OK with that.
Thanks for sharing. This a great example of something a lot of us have had to face up to at one point or another.
Hi, David. Nearly all of us found BIG surprises in readings through the night, in addition to post-meal variability, when we started using Dex. Like Helmut, I’m 24x7 (since May 2006). But with high concern about costs, and your intended usage, there SHOULD be another alternative:
I don’t know if your Endo ever suggested one of those “3 days of blind use, then feed the data into a special computer to get the readings” Minimed Gold tests from a few years back. They weren’t that great, because the ability of us Pts. to keep intensely detailed records of everything we did during the test period was limited. (Our real lives took precedence.)
But NOW, you should be able to do the equivalent with an un-blinded device-- the Dexcom, or the Abbott, or the current MM system. IIRC, my own Endo has “loaner” machines for at least two of two of these brands; your insurance claim (or cash purchase) would only be for the Sensors.
I would frankly consider any T1-treating Endo without such a “loaner” system, either in-house or farmed out to a 3rd party diabetes technology firm (to do the hand-holding and training) to be practicing below current standards of care.
Blandine,
I have to admit that I read this on a forum and did not verify the information. To make up for this I just went to Dexcom’s website and found “Call 1-888-SEVENGO (1-888-738-3646) and press 1 to speak with a member of our Sales Support Team”. I called and talked to Martha. I asked her what happened if I would buy a 7+ without insurance with my own money and the 7+ did not work out for me. Martha told me that I could return the 7+ within 30 days of shipping and my money would be refunded. I asked Martha specifically: “This means that if I don’t like the 7+ and return it within 30 days of shipping I will not be out of any money?”. Martha answered: “Yes”.
I should not have called this a 30 day free trial. It rather is a 30 day money back guarantee.
thanks everyone! I tried the 3-day blind (well not really blind - I kept food records) using a Mini-med device the ENDO loaned me. It was the results that got me curious about having one of my own. After hearing all the postive feedback, I’ll probably go ahead and order it.
I came across this video:
http://www.researchchannel.org/mov/uw_lab_glumon_1300k_qt.mov
Yes, it is worth every penny! You may be able to get more than 7 days out of each sensor; many do. So far, we have averaged 10 days per sensor. Although studies have shown you need to wear cgms full time to reduce A1c, I don’t believe it. I think you can use cgms to your benefit part time, absolutely.
I just started my first sensor last night. I was already high from a sinus infection and tooth extraction but couldn’t wait. The unit showed my BGs coming down over night and in fact signaled a low alarm when around 4am all that exta insulin I bolused finally caught up with me. with all that up and down, and extra bolusing, the Dex got on track the next moring and reflected my meter’s BGs within about 20%. (the Dexcom came in about 20% over the Ping) A couple times during the day when I was level for several hours, the Dexcom and meter synced and were within a couple of points. I’m willing to use the trend information rather than the actual # from the Dex. I’ll alway trust my meter first. Bottomline, my first day was great. Just what i exepcted.
After 52 years of diabetes my standard answer to any CGMS rep was," c’mon after 52 years with diabetes is this device going to add another 5 years to my life?" I used a Navigator for the 30 day trial period and when it worked I loved it. Although I hated having that cockaroach of a sensor attached to my body. The CGMS did give me some great insight into trends and helped me cut them off before they got out of control. I am so impressed with CGMS’ that I am anxiously awaiting for the delivery of the Dexcom.