Yes, what Olaf says about the sensor life is true and it makes a big difference to me, since I too have to find the money for each sensor. What happens in the UK is that generally the sensor gets replaced if it fails before 7 days. After that you’re on your own, but I often find it keeps going reliably right into a third week. Then it just slowly becomes less reliable and more ??? appears on the screen (this indicates that it can’t make sense of the signals it’s getting I think).
Rosemary
ps Yes, Brunetta, I definitely love my Dexcom, and no, it doesn’t need to be mothered!!!
Brunetta, I am uncertain , if how I insert may help you , so bear with me : I was told, to pull the skin taught ( opposite from pulling up the skin , when giving a needle ) I use the serter , so a 45 degree angle ?? I calibrate, when asked for .I have posted elsewhere , with similar topic : I have 2 Bayer Contours , one linked to pump , which I skinned GREEN , other one is NOT linked, skinned RED …my game to remind me , which one to use when , so I don’t over calibrate …Initially 2 hours later, than 6, than every 12 hours ( that makes it 2 x daily ) most of the time I pick the correct glucometer, ha, ha , Remember I live in Canada ; our links not same brand as in the US . I aim for calibrating prior to a meal bolus .
I actually have a very low threshold of pain , ask my Hubby and yet , inserting/removing the sensor needle is no concern to me .
Maybe you are ready to try again before your supplies become outdated ??? By the way , I have used " outdated " sensors and know of others , who have . I wish you well .
I chose the Navigator and love it. (My second choice was Dexcom) I have only had it for a couple of months, and I haven’t compared it to others. For me the ability to leave it in one room of the house while I walked around was the deal clincher. The other thing that MelissaBL recently pointed out is that the software for the Navigator won’t work on Windows 7, so keep that in mind, if applicable for you.
Check with your insurance company. They are all different. I have an HMO in California, and they will only pay for the CGM if your A1c is too out of control, or if you are pregnant. I don’t fit into any category. The other option is that when Medtronic did their contract with my HMO, they got it in the contract that if the insurance company covers the pump for someone, they get the CGM with no trouble. I chose to pay completely out of pocket for mine, b/c I got sick of nighttime lows. I hope you get approved.
Tanya,
I love the range on the Navigator, too. I wish the Dexcom had that kind of range, I do miss readings here and there with it. Unfortunately, when I asked about the Navigator my CDE said she does not recommend it all(we didn’t go into detail, I just said OK) She uses the Dexcom 7+ so there may have been some bias!
Yes, I’m going to go with the Dexcom. I’ve already made the call to them and they’re getting everything started for me with the insurance. As long as I’m covered I’ll be going with that one.
i just finished a 1-week trial of the Dexcom CGM (while still wearing my MM CGM) - i didn’t notice any real accuracy difference between the 2 - the Minimed tended to run high, and the dexcom tended to run lower. (for example, one of my calibration numbers was 163 - Minimed read as 175 and the dex read as 149)
i did like the dexcom’s ability to calibrate while trending, the smaller size of the insertion needle, and longer sensor life (dexcom 7+ has a life of 7 days, some people can get 14 days out of one. my minimed sensors last about 6 days.) The thing i really liked about the minimed was the fact that i didn’t need to carry a separate receiver - it’s integrated into the pump. (other things i liked about the MM over the dex was the ability to replace the battery, and that it’s waterproof.)
Thanks Geoffrey for your candid response and comparison …regardless , which system one uses …we still need to finger poke and as a MM person ( I have my reasons ) …I get at least 9 days …have had more and have had fewer days …comments to " avoid the MM CGMS like the plague " are not helpful neither useful
Okay, so I have an updated comment. I prefer how the OneTouch Ultra strips and the Contour strips wick the blood for the strip much more effectively than the Freestyle strips. You cannot tell with the Freestyle strips when the blood is being wicked, until the meter starts it’s countdown. Also, the Freestyle strips are more expensive than any other strips in a few pharmacies here in Sacto. I looked at Walgreens, Rite Aid, Costco, Walmart, and Target. Target was the cheapest of those ($63/50 strips or $122/100 strips), I think I would prefer being able to calibrate using a different meter because I find other strips more user friendly, and the Freestyle strips are more expensive.
I still love teh Navigator, it is crazy accurate for me, but I wanted to give more info for you.
i could probably milk more time out of my sensors, but i find that if i try to go for a 3rd session (days 7-9), it is MUCH less accurate. i wear the sensors on the back of my arm, and i know this has something to do with my accuracy issues (but i tend to get a rash from the transmitter rubbing against my skin if i put it on my belly, and i damaged a nerve at one point when putting it in my thigh. very painful experience i do not wish to relive)
You know, Danielle, I am curious why some CDE’s don’t recommend one. If she says one is not as good as another, I would be really curious why. I would wonder if she gets some type of payback for referring people, or if she has just had such good experience that she wouldn’t change it.
I know my endo said that he preferred the MM, but that is because it is the only one covered by my insurance plan, and that is only if you are on the pump.
My Dexcom Approval start to finish took less than 2 days. The MM is the oldest technology out there and things have improved. I question Abbott’s dedication to the Navigator. They are a very large company and are now give some people $2000 refunds to purchase alternate systems when they can’t supply replacement components. You would think a company as large as Abbott could manage there supply chain better. When I have a problem with a Dex sensor the new one arrives the next day. As far as replacing batteries, the transmitter battery in the tiny Dex transmitter is good for better than a year and the receiver battery is rechargeable. Also remember the Dex will integrate with the OmniPod sometime soon.
I don’t even think you need to do a “Stop Sensor” I believe the system stops the sensor and all you need to do is restart it. Try it next time and see.
