24 Comments
If you wear a CGM, which of these options best describes how long you need to be away from home before you decide to bring a backup glucose meter with you?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
© 2022 T1D Exchange. All Rights Reserved.
I answered “any amount of time I am away from home” because I use the Freestyle Libre and the reader can as a glucose meter using Freesylte Neo test strips, so I’m never really without a glucose meter. But I realized after I answered that I also need to bring test strips with me and I only do that when I might not be at home for my next meal (so 2-4 hours or more).
I answered “other” because it’s been a long time since I was away from home for more than a couple of hours (due mainly to Covid but also because I retired). We don’t intend to travel far away until at least next year due to Covid, but when we do I’ll probably take a meter with me on any extended trips.
Even Dexcom, certified as supposedly accurate enough to make actual blood testing unnecessary is wildly INACCURATE too frequently to trust enough to make actual blood test verifications unnecessary.
Most of the time, the Dexcom G6 CGM is within 30 mg/dl from actual BG meter readings, but at least 1/3 of the time when the CGM says I’m down into the 50 mg/dl range, my BG meter will indicate that my current BG level is actually somewhere between 120 and 150 mg/dl, or the G6 CGM will say I’m still holding steady around 120 while my BG meter says my actual BG level is already down in the 30 mg/dl range!!!
I am in agreement with Retired and Glad. After being isolated for an entire year plus, I feel like I am on vacation to go inside a grocery store or drugstore. I still drive and haven’t been outside of my hometown for the last few years. The news of road rage and crime in bigger cities scares me too.
I only bring a meter with me if I’m will be changing out my CGM. I need it fir those 2-1/2 hours that I is warming up.
Yes, me too.
I always have a meter in my purse. Standard equipment. Someone told me that diabetes is like having a baby that never grows up. The “diaper bag” will always be with me.
I love my Dexcom G6 + Tandem, but I would rather carry my glucometer and not need it than be stuck with a lost connection or unexpected extra errand that leads to me wanting to eat. “Over-preparedness” is definitely a side effect of T1, and my CGM has not “fixed” that tendency.
I’m also pregnant, so even the 20mg/dL difference in CGM vs meter that can often happen is significant for my needs right now.
I will go w/o a bloodstick meter for an hour or so, bc I’ll be able to return home. (Always carry glucose) I definitely do not trust the accuracy of my CGM. It “drifts” too far, too often.
I wore a CGM for 6 months and found it less than helpful for me. Two times it stopped working and 3 or 4 times it fell off before the end of 2 weeks. I wore it on my arm and it disturbed my sleep as I was very aware whenever I rolled onto it. I’ve gone back to my meter and am much happier and more controlled with it.
If I’ll be away from home for 12 hrs or more I’ll pack extra supplies, including a Contour meter and strips. I have more issues with my pump infusion set falling /being pulled out by accident, so I keep an extra set in my purse most of the time.
Minimum of at least 10 Days – Thanks G6
I chose 4 hours. I’m using Medtronic so it has to be calibrated a minimum of every 12 hours. If I’m out running errands I don’t carry a meter if I’m only going to be gone for a few hours. I chose 4 hours only because if my sensor did suddenly dies, 4 hours is about the longest I think I’d be able to estimate my BG based on what has been going on – have I been walking around a lot, did I inject for food or a correction recently etc., After that it would be harder for me to think of what my numbers are doing.
I carry a test kit in my purse at all time!
The OmniPod PDM I carry with me 24/7 has a glucose meter.
I always have a Contour Next meter as back-up in my carryall bag that pretty much goes everywhere with me – even if I seldom use it. The only time I do not have it with me is when I am taking a walk in my neighborhood and then I do not carry anything extra except the house key, an ID, and glucose gel in a pocket.
It depends on how many days are left on my current sensor.
I always have my PDM for my Omnipod. It has a glucometer so I always have a backup with me.
I have to always carry a meter with me for two reasons:
1) I have Omnipod which requires a meter to control, and
2) My CGM numbers are not accurate enough to trust on their own
It has to do with distance from home, not time away.
It’s just a little thing I keep in my purse so it’s always with me. Simple and better safe than sorry.
I ALWAYS have a blood glucose meter with me along with several vials (3 usually) of strips. This is in case the CGM fails or is not matching how I feel. BGs are the best way to know your true measurement as opposed to Sensor Glucose (SG). Plus if you are away from home and your CGM expires, you will need BGs to treat until you can insert a new CGM
I carry one in my backpack/purse which I don’t take with me everywhere unless I am going away from home. I need to be going somewhere overnight.