Dexcom Seven CGMS Personal Review

Hi Bill, Great video. I agree with you on a lot of things. And good animation and preparation for the video. Absolutely on target! Except for, 7 days of sticking power of a sensor.

First, I use the I.V. Adhesive Wipe from Smith&Nephew #59421200 and NDC 50484-212-00. I have no idea what these numbers are but, you might need them if you are going to try these. These come in a similar foil packet as an alcohol wipe.

When I do choose to remove these, I sometimes have to hold my skin down to be able to get the sensor, my Pod, or my Canula, off of me. And yes, it is a little painful.

I sometimes also use IV3000 1-hand, tape/bandade covers? When I am expeceting to be things that are more physical. And these are just a clear gauze and just lay over the top of things to keep them secure to your body. These and the prep wipes are usually covered by insurance, under major medical or DME, for use with pumps and CGMs.

I own and use the Medtronic Pump and CGM. This combined system they are now calling the REVEL. Cusomter service is very good by them. And if you have financial stress, they will help with some payment options and what not.

I have also started to use the Pods from Omni Pod. No cables/hoses, or whatever they are called. The Pod adhesively sticks to you body and you get to put it in many more places that the usual pump insertion sites. And once it is in, you have a 3 day insulin supply and you tell it to go, then it inserts the canula automatically from the pod itself.

So the pump and all of the other stuff is in the POD. After 3 days, you take it off, throw it out or recycle it, and put a new one on. The odd part is, from an insurance aspect, Pods and all that technology inside, cost almost the same as what is charged for the empty vials and the canulas.

Also the OmniPod people do not as for your current pump in exchange for their PDM. Their PDM is a controller that communicates with the Pod for adjustments, programming or Meal Boluses.

WOW! This is wayyyy too long.

All of my equipment, seems to have the ability to error out with some sort of malfunction when I seem to lean into it doing anything physical. I except that. And I can usually trace a failure in a Sensor, a Pod, or a canula insertion site to banging into something in the last 24 hours.

Great Video! Just logged in today! Keep them coming. Your video almost gave me inspiration to cover the Medtronic Revel system in a similar format and maybe even the OmniPod system.

One other quick point. With a sensor, the blood sampled is not as accurate as a sample from a finger prick test. It is like a choo choo train going up and down hills. the engine can be at a different height or low than the caboose.

Likewise, if you are on a dramitic downward angle, your sensor can be off by 30 to 50 units. This has happened to me many times. If i see that kind of an angle, and I am reading 120, I know I could be 70 and be reaching a point of big problems. My favorite with that is room temperature Orange Crush. And I chug it all. I know if i hit with 45 grams of carbs, even if i pass out, i will not be out for long. And if the dip does not start to get better, I will chug another one.

You have to be concious to play the game and program the equipment. Sure, this kind of treatment for hypoglycemia is not in the books, but as you said, 4 hours the world can be righted. So if my sugars then rebound to 300 after staving off the hypo incident, then I give myself the adjusting bolus and wait for 3 to 4 hours.

Quick point on the OmniPod. Their current PDM is similar in size to an older personal data orginizer. But, i still prefer it to a connecting IV Tube.

Tom P

P.S. If you only use a pump, you can many times process your insulin through Major Medical or DME. As with the IV Prep Wips and the IV3000, these are all for use with the pump. (and many time so are the batteries too)

Might be good for type 1 diabetic but seems like it is not for type 2 who is on pills. It gives him valued readings and has to call company frequently. I do not think it is for me but it was interesting video.

Might be good for type 1 diabetic but seems like it is not for type 2 who is on pills. It gives him valued readings and has to call company frequently. I do not think it is for me but it was interesting video.

Love your enthusiasm! (sp?) You are very passionate and informative.Thank you for sharing!

I also love mine. Your right about it doesn't alert you soon enough. It has saved my life tho!

Very informative, I'm in the process of looking into this and another product and am gathering enough information to take to my medical team for their advice and input. Thank you 1 Happy Diabetic for your input.

like the happy diabetic

Take it with a "grain of salt" since I've only used TWO DexCom sensors… 1HappyDiabetic says they hurt or sting a little upon insertion… On ME (personal experience alone)… I've used TWO sensors, and will be starting the third one in a couple hours… But of the two I've used… I had absolutely NO TROUBLE either inserting the sensor OR getting the transmitter attachment lever released from the sensor base… I normally use Inset Infusion sets, which are virtually painless to insert… And of the 2 DexCom sensors I've inserted… I HONESTLY WISH the Inset Infusion sets would hurt as LITTLE upon insertion as the DexCom Sensors I've inserted did.

Then again, I've only used TWO DexCom sensors… Maybe over longer use, I'll find they hurt more frequently, and I maybe just got LUCKY on the first uses…

Using the pump Infusion sets, I can go month's and not feel anything on any infusion set insertion… Then the next month, I'll seem to hit nerves and have nearly EVERY infusion set insertion hurt enough to almost send me through the roof…

But so far, with the TWO sensors I've used, first one, the transmitter mounting lever took a LOT of force to break off after transmitter was attached… Second sensor, that transmitter mounting lever broke off while attaching the transmitter… But by the time it broke off, I found the transmitter securely attached…

I've only had my DexCom Seven Plus long enough to use 2 sensors (3 if I changed them every SEVEN days)… First sensor remained accurate for 17+ days, only started second one because first one started falling off…

Second one, however, started failing after only day 5, and QUIT sending anything the receiver could record… But I wish the Insulin Pump Infusion Set manufacturers would use the DexCom sensor adhesive on the Infusion sets!!!

Using recommended application method of "clean site with alcohol pad, nothing more, allow to dry, and insert sensor" (para-phrased), on me lets the sensor remain securely attached for 13 - 20 DAYS!!! If I don't use Skin-Tac or Mastesol, I've YET to find ANY Insulin Pump Infusion set that will remain ATTACHED TO ME for longer than MAYBE 16 HOURS… And they say I should change it every 3 days!!! How can I ONLY change it every 3 days if it INSISTS on FALLING OFF after LESS THAN ONE DAY????

thanks

Some good points made, thanks.