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 started using Medtronic’s original SofSensor when it was integrated into the pump (522/722 models). I think that was in 2007. I know the sensors were out for awhile before then but it was a separate device/receiver.
I waited until the FDA approved Freestyle Libre in July 2018 before I would get a CGM. I wanted the smaller size was the reason I waited. My friend in England got hers in yearly 2019 prior so I learned from her how good it was.
The question is not specific to full time home CGM, which was not available anywhere except from a study continuation until 2005 or so, and not generally commercially available in the US until 2006. I took it to mean home use, which I started in 8-2006. Those saying they used CGM before 2000 might be thinking of intermittent or blinded professional use, because these were available as the Medtronic system before 2005, or were using home CGM as part of a study or because these were sometimes available to some employees of Medtronic or Dexcom earlier than publicly available.
I started on the Abbott Freestyle Navigator.1.0 I thought it was awesome. But Abbott got into some FDA Issues and it was no longer available in the US. Somehow, and I cannot recall, I had a friend in Israel and I got the version 1.5 shipped to her from the Israeli distributor. She then shipped to to me. I cannot recall if any insurance was involved. Plusses. Highly accurate. You could make dosing decision based on its readings, unlike the Dexcom 7 which was contemporaneous. User replaceable batteries for transmitter and receiver. Predicted low and high alarms. It took years before Dex got those. Oh and when the 5 day session was over, you popped out the transmitter. Started a new session and popped it back in. I think the warm up time was 1 hour. I did eventually move to the Dex 4, 5, and 6.
I got the MiniMed Paradigm CGM as soon as I could, in 2006. Users lovingly referred to the sensor insertion system as “the harpoon”. The accuracy was nowhere near current systems, but it was a life changer. A small group of users on “Insulin Pump Forums” shared ways of improving accuracy and making the sensors last longer. My record was 34 days with a single sensor!
I tried every generation of minimed CGM sensors. I don’t remember the years. I didn’t have good enough results to actually use as a tool. I don’t have enough fat on me to support. When I got the early release 670G with the guard 3 I can wear them with results good enough to be a useful tool. I am uninsured so I wear pumps till they break hopefully this one will keep going till minimed releases a guardian 4..
Diagnosed in 1961. Waited on the edge of my chair for the first Medtronic sensor to become available integrated into my pump in 2006. We know of course that it had many accuracy challenges but being able to see trends and get at least a better idea of what was happening between fingersticks was fantastic.
I was started on the first MiniMed CMG in July 2007. I did not like it, it was not accurate and ore frustrating than helpful. I switched to Dexcom and the G4, because I refused to use the MiniMed one.
I resisted using a CGM because of all the issues I’d heard about how they malfunctioned UNTIL Avbbott came out with their Freestyle Libre 14 . I began using the Libre 14 in early 2019 and continued with it until I upgraded my old Medtronic Minimed Paradigm pump in October 2020 to the Tandem T:slim X2 with Control IQ which requires the Dexcom G6 for Control IQ to function. I preferred the smaller “footprint” and longer duration of the Libre but I love the increase in data I get from the Dexcom and how well Control IQ works.
This is an interesting story. I answered 2006, but I can never remember if I broke my ankle in 2006 or 2008.
I was using a MiniMed/Medtronic insulin pump at the time, and a One Touch blood test strips.
I became aware that Medtronic had developed a CGM system, but I did not have access to it because my insurance company (United Health Care) had not approved the CGM as a covered expense.
One morning, shortly after arriving at work, I had a low blood sugar, collapsed, and broke my right ankle while going down. While convalescing at home for several weeks, I telephoned UHC, and angrily told them that If I had a CGM, I probably would not have broken my ankle, and wouldn’t be costing all of these medical expenses, and losing time at work.
Sometime, very soon after my phone call, I was approved by UHC to get a CGM from Medtronic.
Got T1D in 1953 at age 21.. Got G6 Feb 2021, after my wife had to call 911 when she could not wake me from a nap !! My fault as I changed routeen and knew I should do a ginger stick before nap…
Diagnosed in 1995 and I *think* I started on a Medtronic CGM around 2006-2008. I chose the 2008-2010 option, but may have tried it earlier, stopped when it wasn’t working as well as I hoped and then gave it another shot when I was pregnant on 2008. Used off/on since then. Most consistently use without interruption now with the Dexcom G6.
Sadly, I was trapped in the Medtronic loop and kept trying their useless CGM products. So I thought all CGM’s were like that until I got Tandem and Dexcom and my life changed!
I started using Medtronic’s original SofSensor when it was integrated into the pump (522/722 models). I think that was in 2007. I know the sensors were out for awhile before then but it was a separate device/receiver.
I waited until the FDA approved Freestyle Libre in July 2018 before I would get a CGM. I wanted the smaller size was the reason I waited. My friend in England got hers in yearly 2019 prior so I learned from her how good it was.
Diagnosis 1962. CGM 2014. Woo hoo!
1961 for me game changer Technology catching up with us
2007, when Dexcom released its first 7-day sensor.
The question is not specific to full time home CGM, which was not available anywhere except from a study continuation until 2005 or so, and not generally commercially available in the US until 2006. I took it to mean home use, which I started in 8-2006. Those saying they used CGM before 2000 might be thinking of intermittent or blinded professional use, because these were available as the Medtronic system before 2005, or were using home CGM as part of a study or because these were sometimes available to some employees of Medtronic or Dexcom earlier than publicly available.
I started on the Abbott Freestyle Navigator.1.0 I thought it was awesome. But Abbott got into some FDA Issues and it was no longer available in the US. Somehow, and I cannot recall, I had a friend in Israel and I got the version 1.5 shipped to her from the Israeli distributor. She then shipped to to me. I cannot recall if any insurance was involved. Plusses. Highly accurate. You could make dosing decision based on its readings, unlike the Dexcom 7 which was contemporaneous. User replaceable batteries for transmitter and receiver. Predicted low and high alarms. It took years before Dex got those. Oh and when the 5 day session was over, you popped out the transmitter. Started a new session and popped it back in. I think the warm up time was 1 hour. I did eventually move to the Dex 4, 5, and 6.
I’m not sure. All I am sure of is that I’ve been using CGM for a number of years now.
2006, first year of commercial availability. ᕕ(⌐■_■)ᕗ ♪♬
I forget the stages of product development, but it’s something like: ideation, research, prototyping, solidifying, then commercial availability.
Thanks to Dr. Nick for the excellent history. (✦ ‿ ✦)
I got the MiniMed Paradigm CGM as soon as I could, in 2006. Users lovingly referred to the sensor insertion system as “the harpoon”. The accuracy was nowhere near current systems, but it was a life changer. A small group of users on “Insulin Pump Forums” shared ways of improving accuracy and making the sensors last longer. My record was 34 days with a single sensor!
I got 56 days from a SofSensor once! I kept it going because it was super accurate. I was disappointed I couldn’t make it to 60 days.
I tried every generation of minimed CGM sensors. I don’t remember the years. I didn’t have good enough results to actually use as a tool. I don’t have enough fat on me to support. When I got the early release 670G with the guard 3 I can wear them with results good enough to be a useful tool. I am uninsured so I wear pumps till they break hopefully this one will keep going till minimed releases a guardian 4..
I started with the Dexcom 7 (not G7) when it first came available – so maybe 2006? Been CGM-ing ever since.
Diagnosed in 2004 at age 48.
Oops, I said 17-19, but it might have been 15-16.
Diagnosed in 1961. Waited on the edge of my chair for the first Medtronic sensor to become available integrated into my pump in 2006. We know of course that it had many accuracy challenges but being able to see trends and get at least a better idea of what was happening between fingersticks was fantastic.
I was started on the first MiniMed CMG in July 2007. I did not like it, it was not accurate and ore frustrating than helpful. I switched to Dexcom and the G4, because I refused to use the MiniMed one.
I resisted using a CGM because of all the issues I’d heard about how they malfunctioned UNTIL Avbbott came out with their Freestyle Libre 14 . I began using the Libre 14 in early 2019 and continued with it until I upgraded my old Medtronic Minimed Paradigm pump in October 2020 to the Tandem T:slim X2 with Control IQ which requires the Dexcom G6 for Control IQ to function. I preferred the smaller “footprint” and longer duration of the Libre but I love the increase in data I get from the Dexcom and how well Control IQ works.
Prior to using the Libre in 2019, I had been finger-pricking at least 8 times per day to stay in control.
I don’t remember if I started with Dexcom in Fall 2007 or Winter/Spring 2008 so said time ending in 2007 since no option included both 2007 and 2008.
I was diagnosed in 1980 and started using a CGM in 1998.
I was in the very first clinical trial for DexCom when I lived in San Diego in 2000, possibly even late ‘99.
This is an interesting story. I answered 2006, but I can never remember if I broke my ankle in 2006 or 2008.
I was using a MiniMed/Medtronic insulin pump at the time, and a One Touch blood test strips.
I became aware that Medtronic had developed a CGM system, but I did not have access to it because my insurance company (United Health Care) had not approved the CGM as a covered expense.
One morning, shortly after arriving at work, I had a low blood sugar, collapsed, and broke my right ankle while going down. While convalescing at home for several weeks, I telephoned UHC, and angrily told them that If I had a CGM, I probably would not have broken my ankle, and wouldn’t be costing all of these medical expenses, and losing time at work.
Sometime, very soon after my phone call, I was approved by UHC to get a CGM from Medtronic.
Got T1D in 1953 at age 21.. Got G6 Feb 2021, after my wife had to call 911 when she could not wake me from a nap !! My fault as I changed routeen and knew I should do a ginger stick before nap…
Diagnosed in 1995 and I *think* I started on a Medtronic CGM around 2006-2008. I chose the 2008-2010 option, but may have tried it earlier, stopped when it wasn’t working as well as I hoped and then gave it another shot when I was pregnant on 2008. Used off/on since then. Most consistently use without interruption now with the Dexcom G6.
Oops, I answered incorrectly. Diagnosed in 1966. Started CGM in 2011-2012 (can’t really remember exact year).
Sadly, I was trapped in the Medtronic loop and kept trying their useless CGM products. So I thought all CGM’s were like that until I got Tandem and Dexcom and my life changed!
I am 76, have been diabetic since age 12