Hey there! Im new to using a continuous glucose monitor. Have you had any experiences using them?
Ah! Hi! I hope this hasn’t been here long! Hello.
The short answer to your question - yes, yes I have. The long answer is as follows:
In the days of yore, and by that, I mean when I was 14, I was on a clinical trial for a CGM that never actually made it out of said trials. In these few weeks (maybe month. probably months) my a1c dropped. It was miraculous. My control up to that point had been a major suckfest and the CGM helped with that immensely.
I also have had experience with the Dexcom which is the one of the more widely used CGMs out there. I also enjoyed working with that model. Though if you aren’t great with keeping things clipped to you and you tend to leave your cell phone places, sometimes its a challenge to keep it in your site’s range. (But maybe I’m the only one stupid enough to have that problem).
There is also a CGM that can read through a Minimed insulin pump. I know less about that, but have worked with a child who had one and it seemed just as good as the Dexcom. I also have heard that Animas has just come out with a CGM compatible pump. I don’t know much about this. Sarah is a much better bet for all things Animas. If you’re using a Tandem pump, then there isn’t a CGM that will work through that yet, so Dexcom is most likely where you’re at. If you have any other kind of pump…what is it? Because I’m out of companies that are popping into my head. And if you’re doing injections still, I’m sorry you just read this really irrelevant paragraph.
Regardless, CGMs are invaluable devices. They help trace patterns in your BG monitoring. They help tighten your control. Or gain a sense of control if that’s what you’re looking for. Beyond this, I’ve seen them used to help associate high/low behaviors with actual high and low blood sugars for people with new diagnoses who don’t yet understand the symptoms they are feeling.
The downsides? Depending on insurance and stuff, they can be wildly expensive. Insurance can also be a bitch to work with in regard to them covering it. Some require a certain amount of lows/other hoops to jump through. Some will just go with a stern doc recommendation. If you live in a place where this isn’t an issue a) don’t worry about anything I just said. b) I’m so jealous can I live there too? The only other downside I can think of is the sometimes gnarly looking bruise/site location after taking it out. But that can occur with an insulin pump site so what can ya do, really?
It’s important to remember that CGMs are NOT substitutes for checking your blood sugar on a regular basis, especially since you have to calibrate those suckers. There is some sort of standard deviation in regard to readings, but in my experiences, they have been fairly accurate.
If your doctor supports this, you feel comfortable with toting around another device, and you’re looking to tighten control - CGMs are really great.
If you're already using one, congratulations! They are super cool things and can do wonders for that pesky a1c. If you're about to ask your doc or are starting on it very soon, it's an adjustment, but well worth it, I think.
I hope this is what you were looking for. Please feel free to ask any other questions you might have. We’re here for you! :):):)
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