[Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom

Thu Mar 23 18:17:53 UTC 2017

Bridget,

     The app is so, so easy.  If you can manage the Animas pump, you can
master this in seconds!  The training only involves learning how to insert
the sensor, and I'm sure your educator will set up your phone for you.  I
did mine on my own with the Dexcom rep over the phone.  The only difficulty
that I had was scanning the bar code of the transmitter with the iPhone's
camera.  I ended up finding a sighted neighbor to help scan it.  Tom
recommended labeling the bar code numbers on the transmitter box, so that
you can manually input the code in the future.  Otherwise, the app is simple
and self explanatory.  

				Jamie

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2017 12:49 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter <bkpollpeter at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom

My question is how intense is it to learn how to use the app? I want to get
the Dexcum and have talked to my doctor, who agrees, but life's been so
crazy with a new baby and all, so I'm wondering how long I should wait to
start the process, and if the training will take much time.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Tom Ley via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2017 8:24 AM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: TALey at ups.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom

Erica, 

A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a system that monitors your blood
sugar every minute then transmits the reading to your smartphone or other
receiver every five minutes. We on this list have found the Dexcom G5 Mobile
system to be the most accessible, but others are available on the market. 

Good question about pumps. Some pumps have a CGM built into them now. Some
Medtronic pumps have the Medtronic CGM built-in, and even use the CGM data
to suspend your basal delivery. Other pumps integrate the Dexcom G4 system,
like the Animas Vibe. But you don't have to have a pump to use a CGM. 

The Dexcom G5 Mobile continuous glucose monitor system (CGM) is worn for up
to 7 days at a time. It is completely waterproof and is intended to be kept
on when showering, swimming, etc. 

The system has no cords or tubes. It does not need to be recharged. 

A CGM sensor is first inserted just under the skin where it is held in place
with adhesive. The adhesive and sensor come all together as one piece so
there is no separate taping that is done, although it can take a while to
get the hang of how the sensor is inserted and getting the adhesive in place
without wrinkling. The part of the sensor that goes under the skin and stays
there for up to seven days is nearly as thin as a strand of hair and very
flexible. Very comfortable. 

The sensor and adhesive tape take up a space on your skin about the size of
three quarters (the coins), placed end to end. 

Then there is a transmitter piece that snaps onto the top of the sensor. The
transmitter is like a rectangular metal electronic device that is not even
as large as the sensor and adhesive, but it does stick up above the skin
about half an inch. 

The transmitter collects the blood glucose information from the sensor under
the skin every minute and sends it wirelessly via Bluetooth to a smart phone
like an iPhone every five minutes. 

Every seven days, you need to remove the old sensor, keep the transmitter
piece, put on a new sensor, and snap the transmitter back on the new sensor.

Using the smartphone app, you can always see what your current estimated
blood glucose is, and also the trend, e.g. it is rising or falling. 

The app in the smartphone also lets you customize when it alerts you if you
are going too high or too low. For example, it can alert you when you drop
below 80 mg/dl, for example, and when you go above 200, for example. 

Hope this helps,

Tom Ley

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Erica via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2017 8:59 AM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Erica <elcosta17 at comcast.net>
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] dexcom

Hello all on list, Erica here can you explain to me what this dexcom is and
where and how do you use one? I am working on bringing down my a1c. and
maybe this can help please tell me more about it. Is it a pump? Or something
else. Thanks again to all. Erica. I am on insulin pens. Talk soon Erica 

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