3-month checkup and new toys (Dexcom)!!!

[jen_slc]

I had a pretty good appointment today.

A1c 6.9 (down from 7.1 in March)
Blood pressure 101/64

I'm happy with the 6.9 since 7.1 a few months ago was the start of an increase, but I'm still striving to get it lower.

What I'm most excited about are all the new toys I got! First my educator gave me the Lifescan software and data cable to download my Ultrasmart readings for free, woo hoo! (I've been trying to get a hold of a free cable for a while). No more manual data entry for me. :D

Then my endo got me hooked up to the Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring system and I think it's so cool! That wasn't the plan for today's appt but I think he saw how frustrated I was with my control - for the last couple months, everything's been such a crapshoot for me. My insulin sensitivity goes super high and it causes me to run low for weird time periods then goes back to normal, my carb ratios are too much then too little, as well as my correction factors. It's probably too much Lantus so that's been dropped by a couple of units (again!) so I'll see how that goes. It makes me think, hey maybe my pancreas is regenerating some working beta cells, lol. Anyway, because of all that, and to really see how food and exercise are affecting me (do I really spike that high after eating and then bottom out? and do I spike as soon as I start exercising?), he put me on this system for the next week as a guinea pig for the diabetes center.

I have yet to search through the forum for all the Dexcom info, so I don't know what all your opinions are of it, but after 5 hours on it, I think it's fantastic to be able to see your bg in real time!!! I was a bit nervous about getting the sensor cannula in what with my pumping infusion set issues in the past, but it was just a little pinprick, no problem. :proud:

I'm sure I will run into quirks of the machine, but I'm ecstatic to have all this data to work with! I'm gonna be comparing this and that and doing correlations and graphs to no end! Data data data!!! I love data! :nerd:

[Dewey]

Jen, congrats to you on both counts! This is good news, and new toys are ALWAYS fun! :D I sure hope you have decent luck with the Dexcom system, and it will be interesting to see what your findings are.

[JediSkipdogg]

Congrats Jen.

Also, can you do a good review on it for us? Cyborg did a huge review with it where he personally bought one of the Dexcom units and sent it back because of how unreliable it was. I would like a second opinion on this device. Therefore, could you do the following, I and I'm sure this forum, would greatly appreciate it....

Can you test pretty often with the device still, say 10 times a day, and post your results on here with what the Dexcom unit read and what your BG meter read. I would like to see how close the two readings are. I know when Cyborg did it, he had many times readings could be 25-100 mg/dl off. Also, he was woken up numerous times at night with false hypo readings where he was still above 100 according to his Ultra meter.

Also, I take it you have an Ultra meter? Since that's the ONLY way you can calibrate it twice a day. If you could do those tests and post the numbers here I would appreciate it and owe you one.

[archimeech]

I'm gonna be comparing this and that and doing correlations and graphs to no end! Data data data!!! I love data! :nerd:

You scientists are just so darn adorable when you get excited! :)

[jrcskb]

[QUOTE=JediSkipdogg]Congrats Jen.

I would like a second opinion on this device. Therefore, could you do the following, I and I'm sure this forum, would greatly appreciate it....

Can you test pretty often with the device still, say 10 times a day, and post your results on here with what the Dexcom unit read and what your BG meter read. I would like to see how close the two readings are. I know when Cyborg did it, he had many times readings could be 25-100 mg/dl off. Also, he was woken up numerous times at night with false hypo readings where he was still above 100 according to his Ultra meter.

Hello Jen - I hope all goes well with your new toys (the expense of toys these days is really out of hand from when I/we were all kids). Given the interest in this forum with the new technology - I agree that a "case study" (you being the case that we all will get to study) would be great.

[am1977]

Congratulations on your A1c and your great visit- we're so proud of you! :proud:

As for Dexcom...yes, I as well would be interested in the results you receive using your new "toy"... please share what you learn with us-we're eager to learn about your experiences :top:.

All the best! :)

[jen_slc]

Can you test pretty often with the device still, say 10 times a day, and post your results on here with what the Dexcom unit read and what your BG meter read. I would like to see how close the two readings are. I know when Cyborg did it, he had many times readings could be 25-100 mg/dl off. Also, he was woken up numerous times at night with false hypo readings where he was still above 100 according to his Ultra meter.Totally, I plan to do exactly that. I am recording EVERYTHING. I've had a chance to skim through the other Dexcom postings here and I'm surprised there is such a negative opinion on it. At least for me, ~20 hours into it, I'm having a great time, I think it's fabulous and I love seeing the data real-time, I haven't had any problems and the readings are not TOO far off. Let's hope it stays this way. :D My doc gave me 2 sensors (all for a free trial), so I should be able to get a good 6 days out of this.

Also, I take it you have an Ultra meter? Since that's the ONLY way you can calibrate it twice a day. If you could do those tests and post the numbers here I would appreciate it and owe you one.I use the Ultrasmart, but they gave me an Ultra to use for calibration purposes. I'm doing my regular testing still on my Ultrasmart because I trust that the most. I don't want to use more strips to compare the Ultra in addition to what I'm doing, and at least the device is calibrated to the Ultra. If the device was not within range of the Ultra's readings it would not be testing.

[JediSkipdogg]

Thanks Jen. I expect a full review. I think my negativity towards it is mainly from Cyborg's experience. I have found others on other forums that have had similar experiences as well. I hope to see some good info with a range of numbers from it.

[BriOnH]

Jen,
Are you able to connect up the Dexcom to a computer and upload your readings from it?

[jen_slc]

Brian, I'm trying to figure that part out. I got the entire starter kit from my doc but I don't see any software in it and no cable that could connect to the computer. The only cable that came with it connects the receiver to the Ultra for calibration. My first 3-day trial ends in 2 hours and I am so eager to see the data, I want to get this to a computer!!! :D I do have the USB cable to download my Ultrasmart... I wonder if there is any way to get the data from the receiver to the Ultra and then to the computer. grr. I am still recording everything on paper, 10-15 readings a day, but I really want you guys to be able to see the full 3 days, hundreds of data points. The graphs look so cool!

It'd be fabulous if you can figure out a way to download! The only connection I can see on the Dexcom receiver is what looks like a 12-point slit of metal that pops into one end of the cable, kind of like what cell phone charger connections look like except the cell phone connection has more points to it? The other end of the cable, which fits into the Ultra, is just a pin that plugs into one hole, just like the 'meter' end of the USB meter cable.

[JediSkipdogg]

If I remember, they are still pending FDA approval on the software and cable. I think Cyborg said there is currently no way to get it off the Dexcom meter yet. So pen and paper is the only way so far.

[jen_slc]

If that's the case, then I'm royally pissed off. :eviltongu If doctors are using this to see trends, how are they supposed to get any data? Nobody is going to want to write down results every 5 minutes. This was supposed to be good for trend data and if there's no way to get it, what's the stupid use? Argh, I'm mad. I was so excited for the data and now I feel gypped.

But I know I asked my educators when they hooked me up if I could download the data and they said they could only do it back at the office. I saw the CD and a couple of cables in the box and thought, hey maybe I can just do it at home. But no, no software or cable in sight. I wonder if they truly can download at the office and just didn't give me the cable and software or if the data is lost forever. &*^@)#*$*^#$^##(^*$@&*(^%$!!!!! :mad:

I just removed the first sensor now that 72 hours is up. I still have another one... maybe I will still do that and somehow remind myself to check the device and record readings every 20 minutes. What a pain! :argh:

At first glance, I would say that the readings weren't too bad between the device and my Ultrasmart but I haven't looked at anything in detail yet. I'll post some (limited) data soon and call my doc tomorrow to see if they can download.

[JediSkipdogg]

I just found a very very very interesting article by someone using a Dexcom. I HIGHLY encourage EVERYONE to read it before buying one...

http://www.insulinfactor.com/article_dexcom.html

The user of it talks about how many times it's accurate, but there are times it is innacurate. For example, one day he was excercising and the meter kept alerting high. He looked at the graph and saw it was above 400. He didn't have a BG meter to check at that time and it kept alerting high every 5 minutes. So when his run was done he immediately checked, and high Ultra said he was 87. He recalibrated the unit, and it took 2 hours to start reading correctly again.

Another instance was he was heavily working out and tested at the end of his workout. His Dexcom read 92, while his BG meter read 62. He drank some gatorate, and finally, 10 minutes later, the low alarm went off and allerted him he was 65. He did nothing, waited 5 more minutes, test his BG, and was 114 by the fingerstick. That shows you the difference in interstitual fluid and a fingerstick.

I encourage you all to read all the articles. He has quite a few posted talking about his experiences with false alarms. He does talk about the positives of it though, and he adds the word of caution that one should not rely on it for accurate results. He also mentions about inserting a sensor and it going bad immediately. He does say that Dexcom happily replaced it (which I have NOT heard that from Minimed at all, with the Minimed, if you insert and it's instantly bad, you just wasted $35, they even told me that in person.)

And Jen, he even mentions that no computer software is available to anyone. So whatever your doctor said, they must not know much or they have something special not available to anyone else.

So before anyone spends money on it, think twice. Here are some other kep points...

* The sensor must be calibrated by plugging in an Ultra meter and doing a finger stick. Apparently, Lifescan is the only meter company that gives public access to their technical specs. The rep assured me that Dexcom does not receive compensation from Lifescan. You must initially calibrate the sensor 2 times and then once every 12 hours.

* The sensor is not waterproof. For showering, they recommend covering the sensor with a "Shower Patch" (sold separately, $6 for 10 patches) which sounds like a large piece of IV3000. The patch shouldn't be worn for extended periods of time because the humidity/moisture will interfere with the sensor.

* The PC software is currently not available, but should be soon.

* The warranty and expected life is 6 months for the transmitter ($250 to replace) and 12 months for the receiver ($500 to replace). This means there will be more significant costs to me in addition to the $35 sensors. I should have allocated more money to my flex account, oh well.


I find the part about Lifescan and their meters interesting. I just wonder why it won't accept Ultrasmart readings. However, if it accepted Ultra 2 readings, I would somewhat consider it more.

[Cyborg]

* The sensor is not waterproof. For showering, they recommend covering the sensor with a "Shower Patch" (sold separately, $6 for 10 patches) which sounds like a large piece of IV3000. The patch shouldn't be worn for extended periods of time because the humidity/moisture will interfere with the sensor.


The shower patch is a joke. I don't think you could get it to stay on for an extended amount of time if you wanted to! :listen:

[JediSkipdogg]

Cyborg, did you read the link I posted? It seems he had alot of the same problems you had, and some he figured out what the causes were. It's interesting some of the ideas he has to what messes up the sensor readings and that any intense excercise (when people really rely on the sensor) will cause one to read high from sweat and other hormones released by the body during that excercise.

[Cyborg]

Cyborg, did you read the link I posted?

Still reading through the article, it is very interesting. I did come across one statement that I'm curious about:

"A few minutes after calibrating the new test, Dexcom alerted, once again, this time asking to remove the sensor. Frustrated at my lack of sleep, the inaccurate results, and the waste of a new sensor, I looked at the nine hour trend graph to look for an explanation".

I wonder if Dexcom has modified their unit. Both of the units I had were incapable of showing graph data after a bad sensor or bad receiver alarm. :confused:

[koblenz]

I just found a very very very interesting article by someone using a Dexcom. I HIGHLY encourage EVERYONE to read it before buying one...

http://www.insulinfactor.com/article_dexcom.html

The user of it

Ah ha ha ha ha ha... this is my local Cozmo Rep. He is the one that came to my office and gave me my pump demo when I was pump shopping. Real nice guy. Pretty sharp.

[Rick Stockton]

I find the part about Lifescan and their meters interesting. I just wonder why it won't accept Ultrasmart readings. However, if it accepted Ultra 2 readings, I would somewhat consider it more.
The UltraSmart sends it's data uses a different communications protocol. (Of course: there are a lot more categories of data to send.) I asked J&J via Email on Friday if the Ultra-2 matches the original Ultra, or the UltraSmart, or neither.

I expect that it matches neither. To the extent that it's going to send "extra" data, it'll adding properties and values like the UltraSmart... but not as many of them. So it'll be more like UltraSmart than Ultra, which just has data pairs [date-time] bG-value, [date-time] bG-value,..., but it will be "missing" lots of data categories and values which the UltraSmart provides.

If J&J plans to discontinu the OLD Ultra completely, then Dexcom better buy up a slew of 'em before they disappear from drugstore shelves. And so will I ;)

[Rick Stockton]

...The only cable that came with it connects the receiver to the Ultra for calibration..... The only connection I can see on the Dexcom receiver is what looks like a 12-point slit of metal that pops into one end of the cable, kind of like what cell phone charger connections look like except the cell phone connection has more points to it.
Well, there's the identical connector from the 3V DC charger... so we know for sure what two of those pins are about (+3V and Ground, no idea WHICH ones). But as for the other 10, who knows? Raise +5V on this one to reprogram it on these other ones; command pins here; data pins there; extra grounds, unused ????

[JediSkipdogg]

Well, there's the identical connector from the 3V DC charger... so we know for sure what two of those pins are about (+3V and Ground, no idea WHICH ones). But as for the other 10, who knows? Raise +5V on this one to reprogram it on these other ones; command pins here; data pins there; extra grounds, unused ????

A computer option is coming. Just not available now, so most likely that's what those extra pins are for.

[Cyborg]

A computer option is coming. Just not available now, so most likely that's what those extra pins are for.

I believe J&J has plans for their own competing product.

[jen_slc]

Alright, the DexCom state rep called me this morning to check in with me and see how I was doing. Here's the deal: software is not available for the end-user yet. At this point the software is licensed only for clinicians. So yes, they will be able to download all of my data when I go back on Thursday. That's good. There will be plenty of graphs and trend analyses, etc. Here's the not-so-great part: currently there is no way to extract the raw data, as in no way to get all bg readings over the 72-hour period in a log format. :tongue: The rep told me this feature will be added since they've had multiple requests for that from clinicians already. You'd think that'd be one of the first capabilities they'd think of adding when building this thing. :hmmmm2:

Anyway, at least I will have something Thursday. And I'm trying to record my 2nd sensor readings every half hour. The first sensor's data looks pretty good right now, I'll try to get some posted soon. :smile:

[JediSkipdogg]

Thanks Jen....have you tried exercising at all yet with it on? I'm just curious how exercise affects it. I know some that have used it said when you start to sweat, the sensor misreads and gives you bogus readings. I'm just trying to see from a personal perspective if that's true.

[jen_slc]

Thanks Jen....have you tried exercising at all yet with it on? I'm just curious how exercise affects it. I know some that have used it said when you start to sweat, the sensor misreads and gives you bogus readings. I'm just trying to see from a personal perspective if that's true.Yeah, I read that blog you posted earlier... I am going to exercise tonight and push it hard so will let you know. Wait, I forgot, I can't. I did do my yoga on Sunday morning and that was a sweat-fest but I wasn't wearing the device because I broke the belt clip Thursday night at kickboxing. Oops! hehehe. Maybe I'll put it in a fanny pack and wear it, otherwise it'll be next to me on the floor while exercising.

[jen_slc]

LOL, ok, that was stupid and I just realized this is a sensor-in-the-skin/sweat issue and not a receiver-on-the-belt/sweat issue. Dur. Think my bg is dropping. Anyway, I will see how it goes tonight but for what it's worth, my sweaty Sunday yoga session didn't cause any problems and yes I could feel the sweat running around it.

[Tim_Roy]

Suggestion: Use the Ultra while you're on the Dexcomm. Then you can synch up the results even when you're not calibrating. I can't be sure, but it seemed to clear up the occasional issues when I did that.

My experience on the DexCom was very positive, after a rather rough start (had some problems with the meter itself we thought were bad sensors).

Without having been on it my sugars would likely STILL Be all over the place. Not only did this thing teach me LOTS about how my body reacts to food and insulin, it helped me win a long-running debate I've had with a certain member of my care team about my bolus-vs-basal needs.

Are you borrowing your doctor's or is this your own meter? My doctor has three that they lend out. We just pay for the sensors.

[jen_slc]

Suggestion: Use the Ultra while you're on the Dexcomm. Then you can synch up the results even when you're not calibrating. I can't be sure, but it seemed to clear up the occasional issues when I did that.

My experience on the DexCom was very positive, after a rather rough start (had some problems with the meter itself we thought were bad sensors).

Without having been on it my sugars would likely STILL Be all over the place. Not only did this thing teach me LOTS about how my body reacts to food and insulin, it helped me win a long-running debate I've had with a certain member of my care team about my bolus-vs-basal needs.

Are you borrowing your doctor's or is this your own meter? My doctor has three that they lend out. We just pay for the sensors.Yeah, after I spoke with the rep on Monday he suggested switching to the Ultra for my second sensor trial, which is what I did. The data I've posted in the monitoring section from the first sensor is UltraSmart readings and I will post the second sensor's data with the Ultra readings there soon too. I just don't like the Ultra! :tongue: My doc lent me the Ultra and I haven't had to pay for anything. I have no doubt this information is incredibly useful and will help my doc sort things out with me. A lot of the problems I noticed during the time on the sensor I already knew about and this just confirmed, but it will be good for my doc to see it.