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

Sat May 11 16:07:08 UTC 2019

Thank you Jamie and Michael for the replies!

I do like the sound of the ability of having alerts for low and high readings.

I can usually tell when I reach certain low or high levels, but we all
know it's only a matter of time before you just don't catch it.
That low fog always sucks in the morning when you come out of it. lol

I think it sounds like I'd like the Dexcom system, especially the G6.
How do you guys feel about the sensor?

I have to say that having something stuck to me is one of the main
reasons I haven't looked into a monitor system.

How easy do you guys find the installation, and how tuff is it?

I do some swimming in the summer, how do people work around water and
their sensors?

On 5/11/19, Michael Barber via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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!
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Diabetes-Talk mailing list
>> Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Diabetes-Talk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/jamielgurganus%40
>> gmail.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Diabetes-Talk mailing list
>> Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Diabetes-Talk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/m.barber817%40gmail.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-Talk mailing list
> Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/taylor9209%40gmail.com
>