Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Manager of Marketing at T1D Exchange.
I’m a NO but I know I need to try again. I could never get it calibrated and never trusted it but times have changed and some don’t even require calibration I’ve seen people say here. It was also very uncomfortable on my stomach. I had very little fat in my younger days 😊. Now I know I can wear it in my arm above the elbow. After I retire, I will try again. You all encourage me.
Similar situation here. I had a Medtronic sensor that I spent more time managing than my diabetes! I could only endure that for 6 months and went back to finger sticks. Just got Libre Freestyle and love it! No calibration and it’s disposable so not dealing with DME. The app is so much better than what the other companies offered.
Type 1 since 1976 but didn’t start using a CGM until January 2019 (Freestyle Libre 14). I hadn’t wanted to use a Medtronic CGM before then because of all the issues people complained about. In late 2020, I transitioned to my Tandem pump and went to a Dexcom G6. I LOVE not having to finger-prick 8 times per day to maintain good control. CGM is a game-changer!
Sorry to hear that. Your experience seems far outside the norm for CGM users. Have you worked with a diabetes educator or other professional to address this issue? I wish you the best of luck.
Cannot imagine life without Dexcom…helped me improve my control so much…which unfortunately means I am scared to switch jobs and end up with an insurance that won’t cover it. I truly believe that CGM should be considered an essential supply for T1s for the long term benefits it brings.
CGM has been a big improvement over just finger sticks for me. Even with 4 sticks a day a hundered curves could be drawn between so few data points. Now I can see trends and know how much to correct. My A1c droped from >7 (greater than 7) to <7 (less than 7). I could never achieve that before CGM.
I’ve had diabetes since 1985. CGM has been great. I’ve used DexCom since around 2006(?) with the DexCom 3. The 6 version is much better that I don’t need to calibrate it as frequently.
2 big takeaways since beginning on the DEXCOM last year: 1. Haven’t had a single hypoglycemic event requiring assistance. 2; When calibrating a sensor, I do 4 finger sticks and use the average – I’ve seen them vary by as much as 70 points. Goes to explaining the difficulties I had before the CGM.
freestyle 2, but I started with all the initial models. I had not been drawn to the earlier versions of dexcom because of all the necessary calibration and general fussiness.
It has been great. I can now fine-tune my MDI so my a1c is now “pre-diabetic” range, and time-in-target is generally 95% ot better.
I started using Dexcom CGM, I don’t remember if it was Fall 2007 or early 2008, but I’ve been using CGM’s for the past 14 or 15 years and despite their claims of improved accuracy, I remain convinced that Dexcom G6 has greatly improved the sensor insertion process, but I remain convinced that the Dexcom G4 system with the daily calibrations were actually much more consistently accurate than their current G6 system allowing sensor code use to avoid the daily calibration entries.
I would much rather have increased accuracy arrived with the needed daily calibrations than be allowed to start the sensor by entering a 4 digit code claimed to give the system calibration data allowing it to give more accurate readings without the calibration!
My experience has shown that even with the current G6 system, I can get much more accurate CGM readings by starting the sensors with the NO CODE option and using daily calibrations than it gives if starting the sensor with the 4 digit sensor code to avoid having to give the daily calibration actual BG reading entries.
Mark, you can enter the code and still calibrate more than once per day…if needed. I’ve been using the Dexcom 6 less than a year, and now don’t seem to need to calibrate as much. I’m more mindful of where I place the sensor on my belly so I can avoid those annoying “compression lows.” Initially I was placing the sensor too far to the left and too far to the right so sleeping on my side would plague me with false alerts.
Still learning how best to work with the algorithm in my Tandem. After years of making one kind of correction or another, it’s a leap trying to let the pump do all that for me. But I’m sure it’s worth the time and effort. Time to teach an old dog new tricks! I can’t imagine ever going back to 1954!
And I would not go back to 6x daily finger sticks.
The ability to have high and low alarms has reduced the mental load of managing T1D and improved my life.
Yes! I’ve been usinhg Dexcom since about 2008 (with the Dexcom Seven). I really apprciate the accuracy of the G6 and prior to my G6 I was a 15-20 fingersticjs a day person (the usual times: upon waking, before and after meals, before and after strenous exercise, everytime I got behnd the steering wheel to drive, and a couple timkes in the evening, then before going to bed). I couldn’t use the meter covered by my health plan (issue of accuracy for people with chronic anemia – the meter reds higher than actual – inviting trouble. Meaning corrections when it was the last thing I need. I learned of the issue at an Endo CME, read all the reports (AACE, Diabetes Tech Society et al). I purchased the most accurate meter and did a two month comparison with my G6. The G6 and the new meter were very close. I can’t afford to pay out of pocket for 15-20 fingersticks. And no major lows for years.
YES… I started with the G6 about a year and 1/2 ago… Got T1D 70 years ago… Recently had a lab blod panel done and the lab and finger stick were very clocs… But the G6 was VERY far off !!!! I find the G6 and Finger are some times very close, and NOT close… They are measring 2 different fluids that are changing at different rates and directions.. So I must interpret the results using many factors.. and thats OKAY… It is better than a pill in a test tube of pee!!! My A1C was 6.3 that time..
Dexcom G6, and I drive a Pontiac G6.
Great answer
Dexcom G6
I’m a NO but I know I need to try again. I could never get it calibrated and never trusted it but times have changed and some don’t even require calibration I’ve seen people say here. It was also very uncomfortable on my stomach. I had very little fat in my younger days 😊. Now I know I can wear it in my arm above the elbow. After I retire, I will try again. You all encourage me.
Similar situation here. I had a Medtronic sensor that I spent more time managing than my diabetes! I could only endure that for 6 months and went back to finger sticks. Just got Libre Freestyle and love it! No calibration and it’s disposable so not dealing with DME. The app is so much better than what the other companies offered.
MT,
what pump do you use?
Type 1 since 1976 but didn’t start using a CGM until January 2019 (Freestyle Libre 14). I hadn’t wanted to use a Medtronic CGM before then because of all the issues people complained about. In late 2020, I transitioned to my Tandem pump and went to a Dexcom G6. I LOVE not having to finger-prick 8 times per day to maintain good control. CGM is a game-changer!
Dexcom. Wish the TV adds were honest. I must finger stick at least 3 times a day. The cmg does not make your aic come down.
Sorry to hear that. Your experience seems far outside the norm for CGM users. Have you worked with a diabetes educator or other professional to address this issue? I wish you the best of luck.
Wish I weren’t paying through the nose for G6 ro cover all their advertising expenses. Sigh!
Just switched to Dexcom and so far am in love…I’d gotten sooooo frustrated with Medtronic. Will be switching to Tandem pump too.
No but I would love too! Insurance still has not approved-since May. 2 insurances Cigna and Tricare retired.
🙁
Cannot imagine life without Dexcom…helped me improve my control so much…which unfortunately means I am scared to switch jobs and end up with an insurance that won’t cover it. I truly believe that CGM should be considered an essential supply for T1s for the long term benefits it brings.
CGM has been a big improvement over just finger sticks for me. Even with 4 sticks a day a hundered curves could be drawn between so few data points. Now I can see trends and know how much to correct. My A1c droped from >7 (greater than 7) to <7 (less than 7). I could never achieve that before CGM.
DEXCOM g6 has been a game changer! T1D since 1965 CGM only in 2021!
I’ve had diabetes since 1985. CGM has been great. I’ve used DexCom since around 2006(?) with the DexCom 3. The 6 version is much better that I don’t need to calibrate it as frequently.
2 big takeaways since beginning on the DEXCOM last year: 1. Haven’t had a single hypoglycemic event requiring assistance. 2; When calibrating a sensor, I do 4 finger sticks and use the average – I’ve seen them vary by as much as 70 points. Goes to explaining the difficulties I had before the CGM.
freestyle 2, but I started with all the initial models. I had not been drawn to the earlier versions of dexcom because of all the necessary calibration and general fussiness.
It has been great. I can now fine-tune my MDI so my a1c is now “pre-diabetic” range, and time-in-target is generally 95% ot better.
Just switched from Libre 2 to Dexcom G6. I am loving its accuracy so far!
If it came to having to choose between my (Dexcom) CGM and my pump, I’d go with my CGM.
When I think back to when I was 15 and had no way of knowing and now I know every minute it’s come along way baby
I started using Dexcom CGM, I don’t remember if it was Fall 2007 or early 2008, but I’ve been using CGM’s for the past 14 or 15 years and despite their claims of improved accuracy, I remain convinced that Dexcom G6 has greatly improved the sensor insertion process, but I remain convinced that the Dexcom G4 system with the daily calibrations were actually much more consistently accurate than their current G6 system allowing sensor code use to avoid the daily calibration entries.
I would much rather have increased accuracy arrived with the needed daily calibrations than be allowed to start the sensor by entering a 4 digit code claimed to give the system calibration data allowing it to give more accurate readings without the calibration!
My experience has shown that even with the current G6 system, I can get much more accurate CGM readings by starting the sensors with the NO CODE option and using daily calibrations than it gives if starting the sensor with the 4 digit sensor code to avoid having to give the daily calibration actual BG reading entries.
Mark, you can enter the code and still calibrate more than once per day…if needed. I’ve been using the Dexcom 6 less than a year, and now don’t seem to need to calibrate as much. I’m more mindful of where I place the sensor on my belly so I can avoid those annoying “compression lows.” Initially I was placing the sensor too far to the left and too far to the right so sleeping on my side would plague me with false alerts.
T1 1964, Dex 2009, Tandem X2 2021 – Put all together means 0 Hypos and A1c 5.4
Still learning how best to work with the algorithm in my Tandem. After years of making one kind of correction or another, it’s a leap trying to let the pump do all that for me. But I’m sure it’s worth the time and effort. Time to teach an old dog new tricks! I can’t imagine ever going back to 1954!
You will adjust. The reduced mental load is amazing. Though, I still correct for highs more aggressively than the pump.
Yes, but I sometimes feel that it uses me.
And I would not go back to 6x daily finger sticks.
The ability to have high and low alarms has reduced the mental load of managing T1D and improved my life.
Yes! I’ve been usinhg Dexcom since about 2008 (with the Dexcom Seven). I really apprciate the accuracy of the G6 and prior to my G6 I was a 15-20 fingersticjs a day person (the usual times: upon waking, before and after meals, before and after strenous exercise, everytime I got behnd the steering wheel to drive, and a couple timkes in the evening, then before going to bed). I couldn’t use the meter covered by my health plan (issue of accuracy for people with chronic anemia – the meter reds higher than actual – inviting trouble. Meaning corrections when it was the last thing I need. I learned of the issue at an Endo CME, read all the reports (AACE, Diabetes Tech Society et al). I purchased the most accurate meter and did a two month comparison with my G6. The G6 and the new meter were very close. I can’t afford to pay out of pocket for 15-20 fingersticks. And no major lows for years.
I answered no but misread the question. 🤪 I DO wear a CGM.
Dexcom G6, along with Tandem’s Control IQ. I wear my CGM 100% of the time. Don’t want to be caught without it!
Guardian 3 sensor paired with mini-med 770 pump. Works great for me.
Yes. It is coupled with my Tandem x 2 pump.
YES… I started with the G6 about a year and 1/2 ago… Got T1D 70 years ago… Recently had a lab blod panel done and the lab and finger stick were very clocs… But the G6 was VERY far off !!!! I find the G6 and Finger are some times very close, and NOT close… They are measring 2 different fluids that are changing at different rates and directions.. So I must interpret the results using many factors.. and thats OKAY… It is better than a pill in a test tube of pee!!! My A1C was 6.3 that time..
Dexcom G6