DEXCOM

[jodaer]

I know this is a diabetic question, but I know the people here and some have mentioned they or their spouses use a DEXCOM. How does it work? I understand you put a wire under the skin. What does this consist of? How often does it need to be changed. Also, is there a monthly cost to this and what all do you need. i checked their website and it's very vague unless you put in your info and I don't like to do this. Thanks

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

nope, not a wire in your skin. He has a round disc that has a pin prick in the center of a disc that attaches to the skin. It continuously reads and he gets notifications on his phone or highs or lows. Best thing he ever did. You change the disc every 14 days. Takes two seconds to do.

[jodaer in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thanks, sounds easy.

[FOXXYROC126]

I HAVE THE DEXCOM 6.SO THERE IS A SENSOR APPLIED EITHER TO ABDOMEN OR ON BACK OF ARM.ITS ALMOST LIKE A MEDICAL STAPLE.YOU CAN HAVE THE DOCTOR OFFICE SHOW YOU OR WATCH THE VIDEO.IT IS CHANGED EVERY 10 DAYS .IT RECORDS YOUR BG,HELPS DETECT HIGH AND LOW.THESE ARE ALL SET BY YOU.THE DEVICE HAS ALARMS(LOUD) TO ALERT YOU.YOU MAY CARRY A RECIEVER/DEVICE OR HAVE IT TRACKED THRU YOUR PHONE.ITS WORTH LOOKING IN TO IT.IT IS A LIFE SAVER..I AM A DIABETIC AND STAGE 4 KIDNEY DISEASE..BEST OF LUCK.

[jodaer in reply to FOXXYROC126]

Thanks, good luck to you too.

[miraclelady]

Best thing ever. I have the Dexcom G6 and am getting ready to move to the G7 on my next order. I had diabetes and got a kidney/pancreas transplant. I, now, have secondary adrenal insufficiency and that causes low blood sugar. I was having to set my clock every hour of the night to be sure my sugar wasn't dropping low. Not with the Dexcom. It alerts me if my sugar drops low. It goes on your abdomen or back of arm and is changed every 10 days. Most insurance companies pay for diabetic supplies. The needle or tube that is within the sensor is very small. You don't know it's there. You have to be careful and not sleep right on it, but it is a life saver. Hope you can get one! They are slowly moving everyone to the G7. It is smaller and the most accurate system out there!

[jodaer in reply to miraclelady]

Thanks for the info. I'm definitely going to ask my endo for one.

[RhenDutchess123]

I wish they would make a Dexcom to read Potassium, Calcium and Phosphorus levels ...imagine how that would aid in Kidney Diets...

[jodaer in reply to RhenDutchess123]

Wouldn't that be wonderful. It would be nice too if all that information was readily available.

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to jodaer]

Yes...I think we avoid alot of foods because we don't know our levels...getting our labs done once a month really is not efficient for trying to control levels

[jodaer in reply to RhenDutchess123]

No, it's not, especially since they are a look at that exact moment.

[nonna70]

I wish I could use a Dexcom. I am very allergic to adhesive bandages and don't want to itch with the CGM.

[jodaer]

Oh no, I wouldn't want that either.

[barbara55109]

There are a few brands of CGMs. Dexcom is just one. Each brand is slightly different in how long they last and how many parts there are. Dexcoms have sensors, transmitters and readers. Freestyle Libre has the transmitter built into the sensor, so just two parts - sensor and reader. The tiny part that goes into your arm looks like fine fishline. Way smaller than a insulin needle. I can't feel it at all. There is an applicator you use when you change sensors. There are tons of video's out there. I have to have my husband put my new sensors on. I can't wear on my stomach due to surgery scars. I can't reach the back of my arm. I could do it myself otherwise and most people do it themselves.

[GoodHealthIsAJourney]

I would love one, but my insurance requires you to be insulin dependent before they'll pay for it. ☹️ From what I hear from others, they're fantastic!

[jodaer in reply to GoodHealthIsAJourney]

That's a bummer. I've been on meds until June when I had to go on insulin. Between you and me I'd rather be on the meds. Much easier.

[Darlenia]

Barbara makes good points - the Freestyle Libre and Dexcom are the two that are most popular. Both use disk-like sensors which have a very fine and very small hair like filament that painlessly pierces the top skin layer and detects glucose levels using body fluids. (It takes a few hours for the disk to emulate blood glucose finger stick ranges so be patient with that. )The Libre's disk is applied only to the back of the upper arm; the Dexcom's sensor can be applied to either the upper arm or to the abdomen. The Libre disk is applied every two weeks, the Dexcom sensor is applied every 10 days. My hubby tried both and found the Libre applicator hard to use (needed lots of pressure) and applying it only to the upper arm was too restrictive. He likes placing them on his abdomen where they're protected and out of sight. On the other hand, he wishes he didn't have to replace the disk every 10 days. There are several YouTube videos that show the differences between the two. Not all drug stores provide the equipment since they're labeled as "durable goods". Walgreens is one that has been designated by Medicare to do so, but our local Walgreens was soooo slow in filling the order. We finally turned to a large diabetes supply pharmacy online and that company came through for us very quickly and very professionally - talking to us and to our doctor. They automatically resupply us and also takes care of billing. Apparently they handle thousands of these orders. You'll find wearing a sensor very freeing! Enjoy!

[jodaer]

Thanks, Barbara and Darlena, great info. I would need to get the Dexcom as I live alone and would have to put in on my abdomen.