[Diabetes-Talk] beginner questions on constant glucose monitoring systems.

[Michael Barber]

Another important and crucial advantage of the DexCom G6 unit is that you get to hear what your blood sugar reading is and whether it is steady, ascending or descending.  The only thing I don’t like is that I have a difficult time finding the sensor 4-digit number that has to be entered.  My hands are not steady enough to get a picture of it or to find and read the number.


Cordially,
Michael D. Barber

> On May 11, 2019, at 6:51 AM, Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Good morning!  I am totally blind and use the Dexcom with no issues.  Both
> the Dexcom and Libre are accessible to us using a mobile phone app.  Many of
> us on this list use these systems, so I am sure others will respond some
> time today.
> 
> The main difference between the two is in how often it reads your glucose
> level and sending you alerts.
> 
> I don't feel my low blood sugars any more, so I love the Dexcom.  It checks
> your readings every five minutes and alerts you when your levels are too
> high or too low.  It also shows you the direction your blood sugars are
> going.  For example, I just ate breakfast, so it is telling me that my blood
> sugar is high and slowly rising.  I have my high alert set pretty low, so my
> blood sugar is just at 180 right now.  I have trouble getting my level back
> down if my blood sugar is above 200, so I have my high alert set at 160.
> The default high alert is 240, which is way too high for me.    Before I
> exercise, I check my reading.  If it says I am 80 and falling, then I know
> to eat a piece of candy before I begin exercising.
> 
> I know a few people using the Libre, but those on this list can tell you
> more about it.  I know it has a sensor that is inserted on the arm.  For a
> blind person to use it, you need to have the app on your phone.  If I
> understand correctly, it is only available on the iPhone, but I may be wrong
> on that fact.  In order to know what your reading is, you have to hold the
> phone over the sensor to hear the reading.  It has no alerts nor trend
> arrows like the Dexcom.
> 
> 
> Although the Libre is a great system, it would not work for me.  Since I
> don't feel my low blood sugars, I need the alerts to wake me or warn me when
> I am below 55.  About six years ago, I passed out from a low blood sugar and
> suffered a severe concussion along with a shoulder, neck and leg injury from
> falling so hard in the bathroom.  My doctor insisted that I start using the
> Dexcom, and I love what it has done for my diabetes control.  So, why you
> are considering or need a CGM might help you with your decision.
> 
>                Jamie
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Taylor
> Scott via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2019 2:09 AM
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Taylor Scott <taylor9209 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] beginner questions on constant glucose monitoring
> systems.
> 
> Hi guys,
> Long time type 1 who is wondering if a constant glucose monitoring system
> will work for me.
> 
> I know nothing about the options out, or there accessibility.
> 
> So, just wondering what the communities experiences are with these devices?
> 
> While spending a little time with google, it looks like the most popular
> devices in the US are the Dexcom systems, and the Libre?
> 
> Are either one of these all that great if your totally blind, if so, pros
> and cons of each?
> 
> Thanks for the feedback guys!
> 
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