Category: Dexcom

It’s been about a month since I received my Dexcom and I absolutely love it.  I have only worn it about 12-13 days in the month that I have had it because once a sensor comes out, I tend to get lazy and not put a new one in for a few days.  I need to stop this habit.  I need to try a new location because the two times I tried it on my stomach, it has fallen out within 5-7 days because of intense workouts that I have been doing.  The stickiness is just no competition for the sweat.

I am going to try the sensor on the outside part of my thigh and see how that works. Hopefully that will be my go-to location.  I also have some IV 3000 that I can use for when it begins to peel off my body.

There has definitely been some huge positives that have come out of the Dexcom experience.  The most important thing, I have noticed that after every single meal I eat, no matter what it is, my blood sugar goes above 200 and then comes back down within that 2-3 hours afterwards that I would normally be testing again.  I never knew these spikes were occurring, only when they would stay high once I tested again.

There are not many negatives that I have about the Dexcom.  But there is one major main.  The software is not Mac compatible!!!!  I only use Macs, I don’t use PC’s, I refuse to.  I do have a virtual machine on my Mac that runs Windows, but I use it once every 4-6 months, so when I go to turn it on, it takes several hours just to update all of the Windows service packs and updates and all the other BS that goes with owning a Windows machine.

Dexcom, if you are listening, please create a Mac compatible software.  I think you will make the members of the DOC very happy if you did.

Other than that, Dex, you are my friend and you have taught me a lot in such a short period of time.

Yesterday was the first day that I used my Dexcom.  I received the package on Friday afternoon, but had a softball game Friday night, and didn’t want to use it that night.  Saturday, I decided that I wanted to try and get as much feedback as possible from the DOC, which I did so thank you all very much.  Sunday was the big day, I was finally going to insert my first sensor.

I am a former Medtronic CGM user.  I didn’t use it for very long, but I did have the CGM system and was not a big fan of it, so I just stopped using it because it wasn’t worth the pain and uncomfortableness to me.  So, obviously my first reaction to the Dexcom insertion was, “Is this going to hurt really bad?”  I loved the fact that I couldn’t even see the needle, so I had no idea how big it was.  I also liked that I was able to make sure that the adhesive was stuck on the skin just the way that I wanted it before I had to insert the sensor.  That is one issue that I have with infusion sets is that sometimes they don’t stick properly and they get all bunched up.  I also liked that the sensor and the transmitter stick to my body and aren’t flopping around.  If you have used the Medtronic CGM, then you know what I’m talking about with that big thing.

My One Touch and the Dexcom are not matching up perfectly, but they are pretty close, at least to me.  Luckily, I have not hit a high or low alert yet, but I’m sure I will very soon.  Overall, this process was easy.  Everybody who left comments and tweeted back to me or e-mailed me, thank you.  It was these suggestions that made it easier for me to insert my first sensor.

More Dexcom posts to come in the near future.

For those of you that follow me on Twitter, you may have read yesterday that I finally received a Dexcom. I have been wanting one of these for several years now and just have not had a chance to get one because of insurance reasons. With my new insurance, new as in January 2011, I was approved. The process was so simple and easy too.

At my last endo appointment two weeks ago I told my endo I was interested in the Dexcom because I refused to go back on the Medtronic CGM because it was like stabbing myself with a dagger every time I wanted to insert a new sensor, which would fall off every 2-3 days. She gave me the paperwork that I filled out before I left the office. Before the end of the day, I received a phone call from Dexcom stating that my insurance coverage out of network. Here we go, I thought.

But, luckily she said that there is a supply company that they work with and I would be able to get the Dexcom through my insurance with them and that I would be receiving a call from them early the following week. I missed the call from this other company and when I got out of my meeting went to call them back and realized the rep had emailed me directly. One thing about me that you will learn quick, I hate the phone. Email me, and I can have a whole email or chat conversation with you, but don’t call me. That’s why I’m an online marketer, so ice communicate online.

Anyway, she explained that it was going to be covered, just needed some paperwork from the doctor’s office. She emailed me a few times a day to keep me up to date with where they were with everything. That’s awesome customer service. Finally, I got the email with a Fed Ex tracking number and when I went to my mailbox it was there, packaged all nicely.

Another side note about the trip to the post office. I have a goal in 2012 to read one diabetes related book a month. Whether it is some miracle diet book or an actual inspiring book, I want to have a better understanding of the material out there. I will review these books and give my honest opinions on them. With that being said ( I think I tweeter that awhile back) but I had 3 different books sitting at the post office waiting for me. I can’t wait to read them and share if worth it.

Back to the main reason of this post. For all Dexcom users, I need your advice. Please leave a comment or send me an email. What has worked best for you? Do you use any coverings over the site? Do you put something over it when you shower? How long on average does it last? Past the 7 days?

Anything else I should know?

Thanks.