CGM in the Cloud & Now On My Watch!

People! It is here! I can see my child's blood sugar all the time!

The Nightscout Project, developed by a group of engineers and hackers with T1 or are parents of kids with Type 1 Diabetes created a way to plug a smartphone into the Dexcom receiver and have it upload to the cloud.

Now I have a website that I can keep up on my desktop, iPad, or phone that virtually mirrors my child's Dexcom readings and will alarm if my daughter is low or high.

I also can upload the info to the Pebble smartwatch, which is what you see on the left.

Now, I don't want you to think this is out of the box easy. I spent a lot of time reading posts on their CGM in the Cloud Facebook page, watched the instruction videos multiple times and spent about a week researching phones, cables and storage containers to carry the "rig."

But, it was easier than I expected. Every time I had a question, I posted on the Facebook group and got an answer, even after midnight.

At first I thought this might be a bit over the top for a teen starting high school. PERFECT for a toddler! But would she want me lurking on her like this, but after talking to her about it, we realized this could be hugely helpful. She is still a growing kid with a brain that is firing at a million times a minute. She is starting high school, in marching band, on the swim team and hardly ever is at home. So this is a win. Plus, she can view her on readings on her phone, which never leaves her hand.

The thought is that I am back up. If I see her numbers climbing sharply around 1:00 pm, I can text her, "Bolus?" to make sure she got insulin for lunch. She can then take care of it before the freight train of highs plague her all afternoon. Forgetting is a big teen problem.

So, here is a screenshot of the website on my ipad.

I'm not going to go into set up, because that is all online at Nightscout and Facebook. But here are the elements of what's needed:

• Smartphone that can take an OTG cable
• Specific cables for data transfer
• Dexcom (extra receiver helpful)
• Data plan for smartphone (most of us use Ting.com for about $9/ month and share referral codes that give us $$ credit when someone uses it)
• Optional Pebble watch, but not necessary.
• Time

What amazes me is that an engineer and dad like John Costik, one of several founders of the Nightscout Project, made this happen for his own son. He loved the Dexcom, but not having his sons numbers available at a glance was inspiration enough to make what is becoming a very helpful tool for hundreds of T1s or parents of T1s. Six Until Me did a great interview on the process that led to us all having access to this amazing info at our fingertips.

The philosophy behind making it available to all is simply, #WeAreNotWaiting.

#WeAreNotWaiting while our endocrinologist tries to assemble the disjointed pieces of the data puzzle.

#WeAreNotWaiting for competitors to cooperate.

#WeAreNotWaiting for regulators to regulate.

#WeAreNotWaiting for device manufacturers to innovate.

#WeAreNotWaiting for payers to pay.

#WeAreNotWaiting for peace of mind that our children with type 1 diabetes are safe.

#WeAreNotWaiting to get some decent sleep for the first time in years.

#WeAreNotWaiting for our child to be able to safely have a sleepover at friend’s house.

#WeAreNotWaiting to give our child a better chance to succeed at school.

#WeAreNotWaiting for others to decide if, when, and how we access and use data from our own bodies.

#WeAreNotWaiting to build applications that focus on design and usability.

#WeAreNotWaiting to compel device makers to publish their data protocols.

#WeAreNotWaiting to insist that patients have access to their own diabetes data.

#WeAreNotWaiting to allow PWDs to have a choice in how they see their own diabetes data, and not be forced to use substandard software delivered that comes with their device.

#WeAreNotWaiting to make it easier to get data off of devices.

#WeAreNotWaiting to bring together the best and brightest minds from around the world to help make things better for PWDs.

#WeAreNotWaiting for the cure.

T1 Traveler...I Had Issues: Part 1

Howdy all! I just got home from Nosara, Costa Rica with my family. It was an amazing trip, but can one ever travel so far from home without incident? Hell, no! One thing I am glad about is that it was me and not my daughter with the problems. I know myself and can judge from the inside what to do next.

So, I was prepared. Really prepared. Tons of supplies and insulin. Blood ketone meter. Lots of back up, so running out of stuff wasn't an issue.

Playa Pelada, Nosara, Costa Rica by Wendy L. Morgan 

My daughter loves to surf. This is partly why we chose our destination. I had to get it all on camera, so I also went out in the surf. We typically checked our BG before going in and typically took an hours worth of basal to carry us over.

One of those days, we had afternoon surf session and I guess I hadn't had much to eat at all that day. Couple corn tortillas and some avocado. It was hot and I wasn't hungry.

 My BG was 130 going into the water, so I didn't bolus any extra as I was worried I'd go low. By the time we got back to our room, I was feeling high and indeed I was about 300 and felt like I had ketones. I had moderate levels and felt pretty crappy for an hour or two. I got my BG down and realized that that was a pretty weird episode. I reviewed my day and wondered if my lack of food and seriously increased activity, along with a hour and a half of no insulin made my ketones spike.

Unfortunately, that wondering didn't stick. Three days later, we had a morning surf session and I did the same things. No bolus for basal. No breakfast. We were also out there longer than I planned.  Two hours later I stood on that beautiful beach wrapped in a towel and felt the ache of ketones spread across my chest, across my shoulders and into my back. I felt nauseous and my body felt sick. It came upon me incredibly fast!

We got back to the room and I began to drink a ton of water. This was hard and it felt very serious. I was in a tiny village in Costa Rica. I checked my BG and it was 250 with 1.2 blood ketones, so I book used. Then 20 minutes later I was 350 and at 1.9.

 I had piled a towel on the table in front of me to lay on because I was afraid to move.  I laid my head down between sips of water. I took a total of 15 units with three different injections, then worried I'd taken too much. I was worried I'd need an IV. I was worried. Period.

I drank and drank and tried to Google (we had wifi in our room) "DKA self care," and got results that indicated I could really be in trouble. That's when I began trying to reach a diabetes educator friend on Facebook messages.

 I typed by desperate plea for guidance and realized I was killing time. As I typed, I think I even wrote that I was waiting for the water and insulin to work and trying not to puke. I needed to be doing something to help myself, so writing to her was it.

She responded promptly! She asked if I had Zofran, the anti-nausea medication, and of course, I did! She suggested I take that to keep from throwing up all the water I'd drunk.

 By the time she responded everything was beginning to work, so I didn't taken the drug, but knowing I was doing everything right was a big relief. I asked her if I should take more insulin, but she said wait two hours and see where I am.

I trended slowly down over the next two hours and my ketones dropped to 0.2. This was great news, but that whole thing scared the holy crap out of me. Ketones from exercise, lack of food and no basal insulin, was new to me.

Most the websites I found during my Google-medical-care-abroad session talked about such basic stuff like don't exercise with high BG or ketones, but nothing described what I had just done to myself.

I ate a big lunch and loaded up for future trips to the water with plenty of food and insulin on board. Lesson learned 30 years into this pain in the ass disease!

Next post, my flight home! Diabetes adventure número dos!

Minimed 530G Artificial Pancreas. It's All I'm Thinking About.

It really is all I can think about. I called my doctor yesterday afternoon to get the upgrade to the Medtronic Minimed 530G with Enlite Sensor started and they jumped right on it.

The other night I had an occlusion, so I changed my set and bloused for the high even though I had insulin on board. It was clearly not working. But, apparently some of it was. I was asleep and at 1:00 a.m. bolted upright disoriented.

My Dexcom G7 sensor had ended and I didn't want to start a new one while sky high and then falling with a new set. I took my blood glucose and I was 40. I drank a juice. I was still 40. I drank another juice. Still low, so I drank milk and got some toast with peanut butter. I hit 65. Ten minutes later I was 55. I drank more milk and ate cheese. Finally, I began climbing. About 5:00 a.m. I bolused for a 200, which considering how much I ate, was pretty reasonable.

If I had the Minimed 530G (and my sensor was active), none of this would have happened. I actually had any Glucagon laying next to me in bed, just in case all that food wasn't enough and my husband found me unconscious.

So, for those of you that follow me, you know I did the trial for the Enlite Sensor that comes with this shiny new pump. I have lots of posts about the Enlite Continuous Glucose Monitor sensors and the things I LOVE, including this post, so check them out. I was so disappointed not to get the Low Suspend pump, but one a couple people in Austin got it for trail.

One thing I think is weird, and I'd love to hear the engineers talk about their reasoning on this, but why did they change "Low Suspend" on the Veo in available in Europe to "Thresh Suspend?"

"Thresh," is more understandable? Thresh. Ugh. Maybe that was an FDA thing, because it is that stupid. One of my biggest issues with Minimed is their lack of concern regarding user interface. It is at the bottom of their priority list. However, they are kicking out technology that works well and is reliable and on the cutting edge, which means I buy it. I love shiny, but if it isn't the best medical technology my insurance company can buy, I don't want it.

So, I am working on ordering for both my daughter and I before our insurance changes from 90/10 to 80/20. Are you interested in buying this for you or your child?

Adolescent Needs: We're moving on Minimed to Dexcom G4 Platinum

I'm buying the new Dexcom G4 Platinum Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) this week. I've been waiting on the Minimed Enlite Sensors to get FDA approval, but my daughter (12) and I can't wait. I am floored by the changes her body is going through and how that impacts her blood sugars. One thing I know, she needs the latest technology available TODAY. I don't even want to wait for shipping.

I was up at 3:00 a.m. last night as her blood sugars have been near 300 for a few days. I keep bumping her basal to 120 percent, but last night, she was 275 after adjustments and I overrode the adjustment my a unit and set the temp basal at 130 percent. Then went back to bed and said a little prayer that it wasn't to much. She was 120 when she got up.

I've been sitting and waiting for the Medtronic CGM, but the FDA is too slow. I actually wrote a letter to President Obama with tears streaming down my face asking him if he could put a bug in the FDA's ear to hurry the hell up! It was more polite than that. I know it was going to fall on the desk of an intern, but as a mother, I have to do everything in my power to protect my child, so I'm buying the Dexcom G4 and she actually said YES to wearing it. YES!!! She called it "her CGM" the other day and you have no idea how big this is for us. She wants it!

I can keep this by my bed and if my daughter's blood sugar goes low or high in the night I'll hear the alarm! It was 20 foot range! I won't worry in my sleep anymore! I'm going to keep all alarms off and download nightly to see what she needs, but I don't want it interrupting her in school. I just hope she'll look at it once in awhile. I'll update when we have it, but I can tell you that I'm happy! The Dexcom Seven Plus works great. I just really dislike having an extra device to carry around.

Medtronic Survey of New Pump Style Options

So, I got an email from Medtronic Minimed yesterday to take a survey. It was supposed to take 25 minutes, so I as hesitant, but decided to go ahead and do it on my smart phone. I couldn't believe my eyes and I am SO mad I didn't take the survey on my desktop so I could capture some screen shots, a task I have yet to figure out or need on my phone. Anyway, the survey was comparing four different styles/functions of pump/Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM).

There were technically two styles, but one offered artificial-like pancreas functions and one was just a pump with no CGM options, which just seemed weird. They both offered color screens on a remote control to manage pump/CGM functions. One was a rectangle about 1 1/2" x 2 1/2". It sat on a baseplate infusion set and had a "pump" with 200u of insulin inside. This affixed to your skin directly via the base plate infusion set. You had options to bolus from the pump directly, but there as no screen, so probably just an audible system. This would come in handy if you left the remote at home and were out.

The second style was a 2" round disc. It also had an infusion set that went with it and looked like the ones now, but the disc was a pump that held 300u of insulin. The pump could also be affixed directly to your skin or you could clip it to your belt, put it in your pocket and maybe your bra. It had no function for bolusing on the pump, but shared the remote shown with the other one.

The biggie deal here was when selecting which ones you liked best, it was clear they were trying to see if you were really interested in a CGM based artificial pancreas, because the questions said the pump would cease insulin delivery if blood sugar dropped below determined levels, or would correct for high blood sugars if it went above certain levels. The options given were one step beyond the Minimed 530G, the American version of the Veo.

So, while anxious to just get the 530G and the Enlite Sensors, this is exciting stuff. I was really confused why they would ask if I preferred a pump with a CGM that could shut off or auto bolus vs. a pump with nothing but a remote. Dude. That is so Omnipod!

One Last Idea on Manual Insertion of Medtronic Minimed Enlite

OK, I'm going to try one last time to get a sensor on manually and I think I might have an idea about how to fix this. I have been flattening my skin to make it more taught, like I do when I put on a Quickset infusion set. I think that could be my problem; creating too much resistance for the spring loaded needle.

I'm going to try to squeeze up a pooch of skin, so it is softer and squishier. Maybe that will allow the needle to slide in more effortlessly and not trigger the release of the needle. Wish me luck!

Oh! Someday these post may be relevant...when we can actually buy these in the U.S.

Just sayin'...

For What It is Worth, I Asked the President for Help

Tears streamed down my face this morning as I wrote a letter that will be read by an intern and probably never be seen by anyone who could offer help. I had to try though. Maybe if I write every single day, the White House can knock on the FDA's door and ask them what the hell is taking so long.

I simply can't understand. I won't understand how a product being successfully and readily used since 2009 in Europe, can take so long to approve here in the US. What is WRONG with this picture. And, when it is finally approved, American's will be falling over ourselves thankful to have four or five year old technology. I certainly don't blame the President for this, but I do think he could help. Just asking the question, "What is taking so long?" and "When is the Medtronic Minimed VEO and Enlite Sensor being approved and made available to Americans." It would be nice if there was a question about what the hell took so long, but I'm not picky. I just want this pump and CGM for myself and my child.

My frustration is palpable. My desire to take care of my child and myself with the most comprehensive technology available is beyond words. My anger that I can't have what has sat on market shelves for more than three years in Europe literally brings me to tears. Problems this illogical really get to me.

So, I better get to work and hope that someone is doing something out there for the millions of people living with this disease. Something beside making another stupid glucose meter in a new shape or color.

Manual Insertion of Enlite Sensor...Fail.

I have only found this video online and not one single set of instructions for manual insertion of the Medtronic Minimed Enlite Sensor. The video is helpful, but I have found that on my adult skin, her technique was just not that simple. Repeatedly the needle would spring back into its holder as I plunged it into my skin. She does not show the insertion, but does a good job of explaining her process, however, since I have only had success with one sensor manually, I'm pretty frustrated.

Does anyone in Europe have the instruction manual and does it offer a manual insertion technique? What if you were traveling and left the Serter at home? There must be a way to do this without launching the needle back into its casing. I'm not leather, but I do think that a two year old might have the softest skin on earth. So, if any of my European friends who have the Enlite can share their experience, please comment.

My daughter is 12 now and I am watching her blood sugar spike for reasons that can only be hormonal. It is hard to manage. I can't be with her or monitor her anymore. Some days she has band sectionals at 7:00 a.m. and doesn't come home until after a volleyball game at 7:00 p.m. I sure would be nice to have this CGM. Seriously, what is the deal?

Really, an expert advice from lucky folks in Europe, would be appreciated!

Medtronic Enlite Trial: Over and All I Got Was Deep Longing!

The Medtronic Minimed Enlite Sensor Trial was great, but I am truly missing the whole set up. I did have a few sensors I found tucked in a suit case after my trip and have tried to insert them manually, but it is HARD to do it well. So I lost one, feeling like an idiot, and am wearing one now. I've had it on for 9 days. Shhh! Don't tell anyone.

I am wearing them with my old transmitter and when I say old, I mean old. Like 2009, old. But it works well, I just have to restart the thing after three days (I'm back on my pump that doesn't know they new sensors work for six days without restart). At the end of day six, I unplugged the transmitter and charged it, then plugged it back in a started over. Seems to be working very well.

To wrap up my thoughts about the Enlite Sensor:

1. It is simple and painless to insert with the serter. Harder, but not impossible manually.

2. Six days works great and I am certain you could try for more, but that would be a personal choice because this would only be approved for six day use.

3. The accuracy is spot on. Seriously. The variance I see with my harpoon sensors can swing, not wildly, but with more frequency. This Enlite is accurate with very minimal issues. I did have some, but they were temporary and fixed with calibration. One time I had to End the Sensor and restart, but I think that was somewhat a user error issue.

4. I want it for me. I want it for my 12 year old daughter. I want the MySentry for both of us. I want it now.

I can't understand what takes so long. This product has been available for three, going on four years, in Europe. New pumps are being released by small companies with better looks and cooler UI, but I want this. It isn't fancy looking, but it works. We can blame the FDA, but I blame Medtronic for not starting all this sooner. They move much too slow and the FDA brings progress to a trickle.

I am optimistic. The time is passing the same as ever, but I have worn this CGM since April with few breaks and I now rely on it to keep me safe. I can be a mom, focus on my child's care and not worry about myself. If there is a problem, it will be and I love the beeps are minimal.

Medtronic Trial: Enlite Sensor Questions

Still a little bummed I didn't get the Minimed Veo, but I've been thinking more and more about the Enlite Continuous Glucose Monitor Sensor and what it's introduction might mean.

Well, it would mean freedom from harpoons, but really, technologically, it would mean a pump upgrade. Rumor has it they would use the Revel in the US, not the official Veo from Europe, but that wouldn't mean we get to keep our current Revel model.

The current Revel's are programed for the Minilink CGM with a sensor life of three days. The Enlite is six days.

Also, I wonder if they will upgrade the transmitter technology. I'm not thinking so, because I still have issues with weak signals on my trial version. I really need a new transmitter for my personal system, but I don't think I want to upgrade until all of this stuff comes out.

While I totally appreciate the trail on the Veo, and I want it bad, I more than anything want the Enlite sensors for me and my 11 year old. However, I just bet the next major upgrade offered is a combo of a new "Revel" (with Low Glucose Suspend) and the Enlite together. I guess I initially had this thought that I could just order new sensors when they came out, and maybe a new transmitter for extra juice, but that is pretty wishful thinking.

I have amazing insurance (my husband works part-time for UPS and coverage is KILLER), so I'm actually not worried about cost, but this might mean we have to wait for both to be FDA approved, which scares me. I'm eternally sick of waiting on the FDA for new technology. Oh! So weary!

Will you upgrade if a new pump and new sensor system comes out as a packaged deal?

Medtronic Trial: No Veo

Coincidentally, my headline, "No Veo," or "I don't see," in Spanish, is true. My number wasn't drawn in the randomized trial for the Minimed Veo Low Glucose Suspend Insulin Pump. So, no new pump today. Apparently, very few people in Austin got their number drawn in this national study. Boo hoo!

However, I will continue with the Enlite Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) sensors and the Bayer Next Link  for another 13 weeks! YAY! I really love the Enlite.

I really would love your questions. I take a lot for granted and may not be telling you everything you want to know. I have a really busy week coming up, so if you post some questions you might have, I'll get answers to you before my next full post. Thanks for all your support!

Medtronic Trial: Headed to Appointment...

..to see if I get the Veo. Stay tuned this afternoon and cross your fingers!

Medtronic Trial: Upload Complete! Now the Wait. Veo or No Veo?

Today I uploaded my pump for the trial folks to analyze and see whether I am able to continue and be put in the random selection for the Veo Pump with Low Glucose Suspend. If my Carelink log meets some mysterious criteria, my number goes in a hat. If I am picked, I go Monday, May 7 to get trained on the Veo.

Either way, I will continue with the trial, but I may only be testing the Enlite CGM with a Revel pump and not the Veo. I hope to make the trial, mostly so I can tell you all about it! Cross your fingers for me!

Medtronic Trial: Bayer Contour Next LINK Investigational Meter

I promised details on the investigational Bayer Contour Next LINK Meter provided with my pump for the trial, so here you have it. A picture says a thousand words, so I'm going to take advantage of that. Forgive me, however, for the not-so-great picture quality. I had to use my phone camera today, as the other camera's batteries were dead. FYI - If you click on an image, you can see it in a larger format. You also have the option of clicking through all the image up close.

Bayer Contour Meter has a USB connection for charging and downloading readings,

Results are displayed across the screen first in a big bold font, then it shoots to a smaller font as seen as it sends the results to the pump. Tough shot: Green bar says, "Results Sent."

There is a useful "Notes" screen that includes this and the following image.

Notes also includes "Activity," which isn't pictured

The meter also includes a reminder to recheck your blood sugar. I haven't used this yet, but this is a new feature, so I'm trying it out.

This is the Menu screen.

This is what you see when you select "Trends."

The is an image of the Logbook. The text under this reading has a scrolling, "Sent, High Blood Sugar."

Same scrolling text and amber color for a low. Font is white if reading is normal.

Easy on/off button, which seems like a silly thing to show you, but if you have the One Touch UltraLink, you understand. Just try turning the sucker off without throwing it out the window. Such an incredibly simple thing to make so hard.

Pretty cool! I didn't give it enough credit in my first post, but I also hadn't played with it much at that point. I don't upload the meter into Carelink, all results are sent to the pump, so they are uploaded with the pump info. However, if you needed to upload the meter only, you could. Whatcha think?

Medtronic Trial: End of Second Week

So, I am ending the second week of the pretrial where I am just wearing the Medtronic Minimed Revel with no sensor and no Veo trial pump. I just have to be sure to check my blood sugar four times a day with the Bayer meter mentioned in my previous post, my ketones each day and log everything into a trial version of Carelink each Friday.

Monday I get the Enlite Sensor. I'll try to take some photos to share. Really thrilled about this and the easier to insert sensors.

FYI - Diabetes Daily has asked me to guest blog about the trial, so I will post a link to that next week.

Curious if any of you have tried or even seen the MySentry yet? I would really like to know how this works, especially for parents with T1 kids. Do you want one as much as I do?

Medtronic Minimed Trial Part two: Got Some Stuff

I had my second visit for the Medtronic Minimed Veo and Enlite Sensor trial on Monday. I was given a new Revel pump and a new meter from Bayer that links to the pump. It has a color screen. It is under investigation as well. I was also given a binder full of papers and log sheets, a blood ketone meter, ketone strips (I have to check every morning. Ugh.).

I will have to upload my readings to CareLink under a trial username each Friday and log my ketones and notes, like the fact that I have a cold right now. Also need to record exercise, lows, etc.

In two weeks I go back and get the Medtronic Minimed Enlite Sensor and can't wait to tell you about it. If you've read my blog long you know how much I hate the harpoon of a sensor they offer now. I like the results, but the UI is sucky.

One bit of info that isn't confirmed, but intriguing is that Minimed intends to continue to use the Revel model, not the Veo, but upgrade the technology in the Revel. Not sure why, but I guess the study is for the technology, not the device itself.

I just want all of this to come to market. I want the Medtronic Sentry for my kid and I want the hippest thing out there to help us manage this pain in the ass disease.

FYI - I am wearing the Dexcom 7 Plus CGM until I get the Enlite. Wearing it makes me remember why I really like the Minimed; it is all in one. I am constantly losing my Dexcom receiver in my bathrobe pocket, in my car, in my jeans that almost made it to the wash. Sigh. Hurry Minimed!

Participating in Medtronic Minimed VEO and Enlite CGM SensorTrial

Yippee! I am going to participate in a four to five month trial that may put me on the Medtronic Minimed VEO, which has been available in Europe. The thing that makes me most giddy is the opportunity to try the new Continuous Glucose Sensors, called Enlite. YAY!

The Enlite CGM Sensor can be worn for 6 days and has a much different profile in terms of the size of the insertion needle and the inserter. YAY!

The VEO offers a Low Glucose Suspend (LGS) feature to halt insulin delivery when the CGM senses you are low. Both devices are long overdue to the American Market, so if I can help speed this sucker to market, SIGN ME UP!

I want this technology for me, but mostly I want it for my daughter. She is 11 now and middle school is so trying for a T1 kid. I can't hold her hand anymore, so I'd love it if the technology would give her more support.

I'll post more after my first appointment. Of course, there are lots of hurdles to qualifying, so cross your fingers for me!

Medtronic Minimed MySentry $2,400!

I just got off the phone with Minimed and was pretty surprised to find the newly announced Minimed MySentry costs $2,400 and is not covered by insurance. It is cool, but I think I am more surprised by the lack of insurance coverage than the price. Hmm. Not surprised, but disappointed. Do you know what would have been smart, to annouce the upcoming release with the price, so we could get the sucker budgeted into our flexible spending accounts. The year just started and I've already ordered $500 in diabetes related supplies. There is no way I can forgo $2400 of my yearly allotment to buy this through flexible spending, but I might have budgeted for it in October. Shame!

I would love to have this thing, except I will never get the existing Minimed CGM on my daughter. I am so glad they are working on new products, but they REALLY need to fix the harpoon.

Really, what I need is an app that will read my daughters CGM or even her blood glucose meter and I will get alerts from it or be able to check on her when she is away.

Medtronic makes good products and really are industry leaders, but I am so incredibly sick of waiting for upgrades and better technology.

It is painful to wait for Medtronic Minimed to move and the MySentry product is a huge advancement (that I was promised five or six years ago), but they need to pick up the pace.

Oh! my goodness it is painful to wait. I swear the blood glucose monitors are exactly the same as I had in 1983, except 40 percent smaller and 40 seconds faster. Painful!

What are you waiting to see?

Another Dexcom Pro and Another Con

I forgot something in my last post about the Dexcom Seven Plus. PRO: I love that I can wear the sensor for two weeks. Shhh! It's kinda a secret, but some folks I know get three weeks out of it if the glue holds.

However, CON: the receiver needs to be charged, so if you can remember to plug it in at night next to your bed, you are safe. Forget and the battery can go caput and you are out of luck until you can charge it again. I was out of town this weekend and forget the power cord, so it ran out of juice into day two and I was left hanging.

Not a huge issue, but a different one from the Minimed which has you charge the transmitter.

FYI- My site is getting hammered with comment spam. Hundreds of posts a week, so forgive me if I can't get them all deleted in a timely fashion. Don't click on them, it only encourages them. Blogger/Google, get your S*** together and stop this crazy madness!

I like Dexcom better than Minimed! Yeah, I said it!

Jury is in! I have worn the Dexcom 7 Plus off and on for a few months and also switched out with the Minimed CGM. Frankly, the Dexcom is just more user friendly for several reasons. It has cons too, so let me lay them out Pro and Con style:

Pros

• Sensor is TINY and doesn't hurt (much) going in. Much like an infusion set.
• Lasts at least 7 days
• Very, very accurate. Only a couple times I've had it off the mark and it was after the seven days of wear. Often within one or two mg/dl.
• Alarms are quite and unassuming, but you know they are there. This is a big one for me. I hate the alarms on Minimed. They are obnoxious and difficult to program. Not impossible, but it requires a lot of effort to shut the thing up. I would need a whole other post to talk about the difference it makes to have the alarms more like Dexcom, so I'll leave it here.
• You still get readings after a calibration request. This is also huge. I press the button to check my numbers and a polite little message says "Check BG." I can't, so I don't, but the graph ticks along doing its best without my calibration. I get out of my meeting three hours later and it is still holding my numbers, but I know that I need to calibrate, so I check my blood sugar, see it is really close tot he Dexcom, but I forgot to enter it in the Dexcom before my next meeting. I check the unit half-way through my meeting and see my polite little reminder and think, Darn it! I forgot to plug in my reading. Oh! Well, I can do it when I'm through." AND get no annoying, blasting reminders every 30 minutes. Really, this is BIG for me.

Cons:

• Separate unit, which I have lost and then found. Bad for me!
  
• Doesn't talk to my pump.
• Can't merge the data

Running out of steam, but that is it in a nut shell. Minimed better get off ther asses. I have been waiting for a VERY long time and upgraded to get their technology coming out. But they have always failed on UI and don't seem to listen to their market.

I still love my pump, but I desperately wish Medtronic Minimed would step it up A LOT!