[Diabetes-talk] Accessible CGM

Sun Jul 10 18:11:05 UTC 2016

Hi Bridgit and all.
First, boy, I would think that these days a CGM would be a must have during
pregnancy. Anytime you're really trying for tight control without trouble,
there's nothing like really finding out what happens when. 
As for testing, in general, I test about the same number of times I usually
do, five or six times a day. You have to do two tests after your new sensor
warms up and anytime you get a concerning number, right now the advice is to
test and make your insulin or food decisions still based on your meter. But
for me, being able to look at the number and notice, oops, it's starting up,
I can catch it before it gets away from me. And who knows what I'll end up
doing once I settle in with this thing as well. The sensor is supposed to
last 7 days although I've heard some people say they use them much longer
than that. I just don't see how they keep them on. <grin> But I've already
made changes based on what I've learned. By asking my hubby to look at the
graph in the morning, I did figure out where my basals were getting off
during the night. I figured out that I was going high about an hour and a
half after meals, then coming down, sometimes not in the nicest way before
my next meal. My endo had me take my meal bolus about 10 minutes before my
meal, instead of right with it and wow! Down came those post meal numbers
and I actually got to cut back on the amount of insulin. So there's no
question that I can see the benefits to this. For me, I just had to start
getting used to carrying my iPhone everywhere and I've not completely solved
that one. My phone doesn't stay in many of my pants pockets if I'm crawling
around on the floor and I'm forever leaving it somewhere, then having to
call it to see where it is. <grin> The first week wearing the sensor with
the transmitter, honestly I felt like I had two-ton Lizzie hanging off of my
belly. <grin> I'm assuming that over time I'll get over being nervous for
three days before I change the sensor, worrying about the tape. At least
they're good about replacing bad sensors. Right now I just think they should
automatically send out extras. I'm a little curious about how people travel
with this. The sensors come in a giant package and all I could think when I
first got mine was man, there goes any room in my suitcases. <grin> So while
in my book there are things to refine, buttons to label and changes I'd like
to see, I really want to make this work because I can sure see how one would
get used to having easy access to that information pretty much round the
clock. Hope this helps.
Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on
iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club. 
To learn more, visit:
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Saturday, July 09, 2016 4:23 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Accessible CGM

Do you think a CGM would be in particular good for when pregnant? And when
using one, how often do you test with a regular meter?

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Saturday, July 09, 2016 4:30 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Accessible CGM

Sandy, be careful about your message. Medicare does cover pumps, but not the
pumps where the insulin is stored in the part that goes into your body. So
they will cover Medtronic and Animas, but not Omnipod. So it's only some
pumps Medicare will not cover.
As for the Dexcom, I would agree that the tape is the weak link. Although
today I seem to have a sensor that just doesn't seem to want to calibrate
with my meter. If it doesn't calibrate by this evening, it will be bye bye
sensor after one day, not the full seven days. As long as there's this much
of a calibration issue, I'm not sure it's ready to be signed off for insulin
dosing. I'd love the convenience and I do sure get that meters are only
accurate within 20 per cent. Then you take this device and get 20 per cent
from the meter and oh boy! The other thing is that there is a bit of a lag
for any number in the Dexcom because it's using a different fluid when it
measures. But I'd love to know how this person does the extra tape. I'm
trying to figure out how to cut a hole out of the middle of a piece of
Tegaderm and see if it will fit over the tape and just a bit beyond the
edges. I'm not quite there yet though. <grin>  But I hope they keep refining
everything and that regardless of insurance type, anyone who needs one
should have one. 
I do like the information so I hope things settle down soon. It's been three
weeks for me so far. Because of the Dexcom I did learn that the current
batch of Prednizone I'm taking is truly junk. I see when it kicks in and by
8:00 at night, it's gone from my system. I've done more changes in my basal
rate in the past week than I've done all year. Sheesh! And for my money, the
worst thing about the Dexcom is if an alarm goes off during a doctor's
appointment. Oops! Hi Doc! <grin> Anyway, it will be interesting to see how
things progress.
Veronica
"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on
iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club. 
To learn more, visit:
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Sandra Ryan via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, July 08, 2016 10:30 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Sandra Ryan
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Accessible CGM

Right now Medicare doesn't cover CGM's or pumps. There is an FDA advisory
panel hearing on July 21 to consider re-labeling the CGM (specifically
Dexcom CGM) as a tool for determining treatment (insulin dosing), which it
is currently not approved for. This change could lead to Medicare coverage,
since they currently consider it an adjunct to blood glucose meters based on
FDA's current approval.

You can play a part in this hearing by going to 

www.diaTribe.org/CGM

And signing onto their letter to FDA by July 13. There is also information
there about how to submit a comment to the FDA for the hearing.

At the DAN meeting at convention, one person who has used the G5 device for
five or six months stated that she is a surfer, and can wear the device
while surfing. She said she does use additional tape, so the tape may be the
weak link with this one!

Sandi

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, July 8, 2016 12:18 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Accessible CGM

And as I understand, Medicare does not cover it, correct? How much is it out
of pocket?

Do any insurances cover it?

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, July 08, 2016 11:09 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Accessible CGM

Bridgit, you buy the Dexcom G5 mobile which comes with a receiver, that we
won't use. Then you put the Dexcom app on your iPhone. If you want your
doctor to have access to your graphs and numbers, you put another app on the
phone to do that. 
Once I figured out that my first four sensors had bad tape on them, I've
been doing a bit better. But I still can't get the thing stuck to me without
at least one wrinkle in the tape. By the end of the week, my sensor usually
doesn't stay on for that last shower. The hardest thing for me was
remembering to keep track of my iPhone, which must be within 20 feet of you.
Mine has interrupted me a lot during the night though and I definitely am
getting less sleep right now. But I have learned a lot in the last three and
a half weeks and it's nice to have the information for sure.
Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on
iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club. 
To learn more, visit:
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, July 08, 2016 8:36 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Accessible CGM

Thanks.

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Sandra Ryan via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, July 08, 2016 10:28 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Sandra Ryan <sjryan2 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Accessible CGM

Hi Bridgit,

It's the Dexcom G5 Mobile. 

Sandi

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, July 8, 2016 10:16 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Accessible CGM

What's the name of the CGM that has an accessible app? Thanks.

Bridgit

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