I do REALLY like it, and I want more, and there are hints more may be coming!
Do you follow diaTribe®? If you do not, I highly recommend it. I read about DexCom Share from diaTribe® today.
Caleb has been using DexCom G4 for over five months. He used the Seven Plus system for three years prior to the G4. The G4 is a remarkable improvement.
- The accuracy is significantly better. There are times that we confirm a DexCom reading with a fingerstick hoping that DexCom will be wrong, as it often was with the Seven Plus, but it never is. Okay, maybe once since Caleb’s been using it, it was off. True story. No joke.
- The range – OH THE RANGE! It is unbelievable. Everything is different with the range. As the caregiver, the controls are now in my hands, where they should be. This allows Caleb a little freedom not to have to think about his BG constantly or have me constantly asking him what DexCom says, (as used to be the case, evidenced by this video).
- Although not at the top of the list, the color screen makes the whole experience more pleasant.
So here is the news from diaTribe® on DexCom Share, read the full post here:
Dexcom is also working on a new remote monitoring product, Dexcom Share. The product is a cradle that holds the G4 Platinum receiver and plugs into a power outlet at a user’s bedside. Data from the G4 Platinum are then sent via the cradle (using Bluetooth) to a nearby smartphone. That phone then uploads the data to a web-based platform, where it can be monitored by parents or caregivers on their own cellphones.
Why I am excited about this:
- I’m the main caregiver to Caleb (aside from himself, of course). I’m on overnight duty. Traveling stresses me out. This will change that – completely!
- Sleepovers. Need I say more?
- Progress – we are moving in the right direction. In January, DexCom’s CEO spoke of DexCom’s Gen 5 which he was using at the time – the transmitter speaks with mobile devices (without the cradle) and texts alerts to caregivers. Are you drooling like I am? DexCom Share seems like a fantastic intermediary step which makes me feel like the Gen 5 is within our reach.
Speaking of DexCom’s CEO, Terry Gregg, he will be on TuDiabetes Live chat this Thursday (tomorrow).
This is Caleb... 
Thanks for this post this morning. We’ve had some crazy overnights (some scarier than others) recently and know the Dexcom would provide some relief. I have a couple hesitations. As my self imposed inspiration and mentor, I need to hear more from you about my worries.
I’ve heard from a couple sources that the Dexcom is not comfortable. I hate to make Ellie wear something that doesn’t feel good, though I guess the argument is that highs and lows don’t feel good either.
I have a huge emotional hurdle to get over putting another “thing” on my daughter’s little body. I want her to look and feel normal.
Our doctor has not once in our year (almost, 4/16 Diaversary) of managing diabetes pushed us in the direction of a cgm. I don’t understand why. It seems an invaluable tool in tightly managing blood sugars. It seems it would have huge impact on a1c levels. The pump seems more a lifestyle tool. This seems a management tool. But, as I say that, I have to admit his silence in cgm’s has only fueled my hesitation.
Hi Jessica! I’m glad you’ve asked these questions. Caleb started DexCom nearly four years ago and that was after a solid year of tormenting myself about whether or not to take the leap. Pumping was a much easier decision. CGMing seems more “optional”.
I worried A LOT about another device on him – both the transmitter and the receiver – it’s just a lot of STUFF. And it is. There’s no changing that right now. The transition to getting used to the added stuff was much less difficult than I expected though. Overall, it ended up not being a big deal.
There were two big deals with CGMing though: 1) The insertion – Caleb really hated it. It’s not a big deal anymore. I’ve learned some tricks to be a better inserter and Caleb is used to it. But he did not love insertions, for a while. 2) alerts, alerts, alerts. It’s one thing to get an alert and it be helpful. It’s quite another to get an alert and it be wrong. This was perhaps the most frustrating thing – taking time to deal with a blood sugar issue that was not an issue. The G4 has changed that. There were days when I would tell Caleb just to put the receiver in his backpack at school because it was so off. The G4 is so different – it gives me peace of mind knowing that it will help Caleb. Caleb’s mindset about it is much different too. He recognizes that it’s a help and not a hinderance now.
Wearing it is not uncomfortable – Caleb has never complained about anything other than insertion – and now not even that. I found it not bothersome at all. There was a time when Caleb had skin irritation from the adhesive, but that has resolved itself.
As far as the endo thing – Caleb’s endo never mentioned it. It was something I pursued. I have found his endos to be supportive of it, but not pushers of it. I wonder if it’s because it’s such a personal decision, and there are cost implications, or maybe there is so much else to cover in those endo visits, that it just isn’t a focus.
Let me 2nd what Lorraine said… you don’t really feel the Dexcom once it is on…you forget *where* the sensor is. I still despise the insertion, however, as I am afraid of it and I go too slow, which makes it more painful. If I had a caregiver do it for me, it would probably be easier, lol! It’s just once every 2 weeks or so, so that is not bad.
The CGM is such a security blanket, though… I never have to worry that I am missing something that is going on. I imagine it will be the same for a parent. It takes away a lot of the mystery to be able to see what is going on between fingersticks…and it lets you be more intelligent about insulin adjustments, especially overnight.
I was at a conference where one of the Artificial Pancreas teams talked about the things they’re working on, including remote monitoring software. Parents in the room had the same reaction you’re having. They want it like… now. Thanks for sharing.
Yes! Like…NOW! 😉
Do you have any issues with the adhesive last 7 or more days? Emerson has been wearing the G4 since December and the longest she has worn it has been 10 days and that happened once. Her average is 4 or 5 days. Dexcom has been great about replacing them, but her site areas need more breathing and healing time (since she is also podding). We always use Skin Tac and have tried most of the tapes. If you have any tricks to get them to stick, please share! Thanks.
So the issues are with sticking, not with irritation – is that right, Dawn? One of the things we do as a barrier is soak the adhesive with Skin Tac – just the adhesive, not Caleb’s skin. It stays pretty well for close to seven days. When it starts to peel up (and I tried to keep in front of it) I use Opsite Flexifix tape to keep it on. Sometimes I’ll trim the original adhesive before taping it down. We’ve had really good luck with that. Caleb uses separate sites for Pods than sensors. I try to make sure none of the areas get dried out. Here’s a photo of a sensor that made it 28 days – lots of tape. http://instagram.com/p/Pfs9LHy0hI/
The issues are with sticking. She does get some skin irritation but it doesn’t happen with every sensor. I think the skin irritation may be from the various tapes I have used. I just bought and tried the Opsite Flexifix tape. I put it on right after a new sensor and I think I should have waited until the adhesive was pulling up. I’m hoping it was due to the dry winter weather and her severely dry skin, and the issue will resolve itself with our warmer spring weather.
And wow…a sensor last 28 days…I am impressed!
Exciting! I think we’re going to see a lot of fun things like this in the next bunch of years.
Sooooooo EXCITED!!!! I Love the Gen4 so much, and the fact that there is a company out there that is listening to our needs, and constantly wanting to do better for us all the time is so great!!! Love it!!! Thanks for sharing Lorraine!!!
Lorraine,
Are you still having success on using the skin tac and layers of opsite to prevent skin problems with the Dexcom? Your pictures that were posted a few years back with the redness from the Dexcom look just like my son. I have tried using layers of Opsite with a hole cut in the hole. I have also tried taking off all the tape but strangely got tiny water blisters underneath. I have liquid skin tac and wondered about trying that. Do you cut a hole in the opsite/IV3000 underneath? Can you give me the steps again what you do? How does Caleb’s skin look after removal? Any wipes or lotions or soap that helps?
Thanks
Carol
Hi Carol! I think I was responding to your email as you were posting this comment! 😉 When we put the IV3000 under the sensor, I did cut a small hole in it. I do think Skin Tac has been key for us – it is the one thing that we continue to do. Fortunately, Caleb’s skin issues have resolved (knock wood). We used to wipe with Bard’s of 3M barrier, apply two layers of IV3000 with a hole cut, soak the adhesive with Skin Tac, and cut the adhesive down as small as we could.
Well, I pulling out the skin liquid! It is the liquid you use not the wipes , right? Any guess if skin tac expires ? Thanks
If they wanted to do well by us they would realize and be happy enough with all of the income they are making on the sensors, and replace the receiver when there is a problem. I had mine mechanically break because of a poor design, out of warranty. Call DEXCOM, out of warranty, no help. Get out the credit card. If this were my Omni-Pod pump, I would have had a new one already. So unimpressed with their company profit philosophy, but Ido ultimately like the product. Just cant afford to use it.