I'm a glutton for diabetes related gadgets and new bits of kit, but more than that - I am always desperate to seek out new technologies that will help the management of my type 1.
Unfortunately the NHS doesn't share my belief in this, and as such things like CGM systems are very hard to get funding for. I could choose to self fund a CGM system, and it is something I am thinking about (and only something I can think about as my parents have offered to help me out with the costs), but it is really, really expensive.
I have the Animas Vibe pump, which is only avaiable on the European market at the moment. It has Dexcom integrated into in, and uses the latest sensors - G4.
I told my rep a few months ago that I was thinking about self funding, but I wouldn't be willing to pay out for the system before trialling it. So, she agreed that I could borrow a transmitter and have a free sensor for a week.
I went to the hospital on Monday to meet her and my DSN. My rep insisted that we needed to do the insertion in the presence of a health care professional, and I also suspect that it's because my team (who I am new to) haven't had anyone use a G4 sensor either. So - it all worked out well in that my DSN learnt some stuff and I got a sensor!
Only...the first sensor failed. We put it in, it began its warm up, but 30 mins in I got a 'sensor failure' warning. No sweat at that point, we just restarted the sensor. This happened a further 2 times before my rep decided it must be totally dead, and called Dexcom to report it.
I was really disappointed to be walking out the hospital with the sensor connected, but these things happen. So my rep said she would get a replacement one sent to me the next day (yesterday). I was out of the office all day but I swung by on my way home and as expected, the sensor was sitting on my desk waiting for me!
I wanted to put it in ASAP, but I was also wary of rushing it and not doing it properly. I caught the bus home, which felt like it took forever. I needed to go for a short run so I promised myself I'd put the sensor in as soon as I got back from my run - amazing how quick I got out the house with motivation like that! I did 2.69 miles in 30 mins and came home sweating like a pig. I had a bath and then put the sensor in.
Worried I would do something wrong, I did it all step by step, following the instruction manual. Whilst it does have a fair few steps to it (stick it on...remove transmitter key...push in sensor...pull back inserter needle...squeeze sides to release inserter...put transmitter in place...click transmitter in place...remove key that clicks transmitter in...) they all flow pretty smoothly.
I was worried it would do exactly the same as the last sensor, but thankfully not! It picked up signal within a couple of minutes and I was able to see the large bar 'counting down' the 2 hour warm up window almost straight away. After 2 hours it prompted me to enter a BG, and 10 mins later I put in another one. And that was it! It started sending data!
I spent probably an hour just sat there, looking at it every few minutes. It was so cool! I watched myself fall, over a couple of hours, resulting in a hypo. It also woke me up in the night when it picked up a hypo, and I don't think I would have woken for that otherwise.
Speaking of the alarms - they are not as loud as I hoped they would be, but I am a fairly light sleeper, so I did hear all of them. I wore it around my waist last night so that it was close to the sensor, but tongiht I might try it clipped to my tshirt collar - a bit closer to my ears, and not tucked under my quilt!!
It picked up a hypo I had in the night, only 3.3 but I honestly don't think I would have woken up for it if the sensor hadn't alarmed. I wake up - or rather can't get to sleep - with most hypos, but I'd gone to bed really late so was pretty tired and conked straight out.
It also picked up a hypo just before I left for work this morning, and had just alerted me that I'm rising quickly. I've just done a finger prick test - 11.3 - and sensor says 12.5. That's the furthest out it's been so far, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that it just gets better - I hear that after the first 24 hours the readings start to be much closer to finger prick tests.
C'mon little Dexcom, c'mon!
Unfortunately the NHS doesn't share my belief in this, and as such things like CGM systems are very hard to get funding for. I could choose to self fund a CGM system, and it is something I am thinking about (and only something I can think about as my parents have offered to help me out with the costs), but it is really, really expensive.
I have the Animas Vibe pump, which is only avaiable on the European market at the moment. It has Dexcom integrated into in, and uses the latest sensors - G4.
I told my rep a few months ago that I was thinking about self funding, but I wouldn't be willing to pay out for the system before trialling it. So, she agreed that I could borrow a transmitter and have a free sensor for a week.
I went to the hospital on Monday to meet her and my DSN. My rep insisted that we needed to do the insertion in the presence of a health care professional, and I also suspect that it's because my team (who I am new to) haven't had anyone use a G4 sensor either. So - it all worked out well in that my DSN learnt some stuff and I got a sensor!
Only...the first sensor failed. We put it in, it began its warm up, but 30 mins in I got a 'sensor failure' warning. No sweat at that point, we just restarted the sensor. This happened a further 2 times before my rep decided it must be totally dead, and called Dexcom to report it.
I was really disappointed to be walking out the hospital with the sensor connected, but these things happen. So my rep said she would get a replacement one sent to me the next day (yesterday). I was out of the office all day but I swung by on my way home and as expected, the sensor was sitting on my desk waiting for me!
I wanted to put it in ASAP, but I was also wary of rushing it and not doing it properly. I caught the bus home, which felt like it took forever. I needed to go for a short run so I promised myself I'd put the sensor in as soon as I got back from my run - amazing how quick I got out the house with motivation like that! I did 2.69 miles in 30 mins and came home sweating like a pig. I had a bath and then put the sensor in.
Worried I would do something wrong, I did it all step by step, following the instruction manual. Whilst it does have a fair few steps to it (stick it on...remove transmitter key...push in sensor...pull back inserter needle...squeeze sides to release inserter...put transmitter in place...click transmitter in place...remove key that clicks transmitter in...) they all flow pretty smoothly.
I spent probably an hour just sat there, looking at it every few minutes. It was so cool! I watched myself fall, over a couple of hours, resulting in a hypo. It also woke me up in the night when it picked up a hypo, and I don't think I would have woken for that otherwise.
Speaking of the alarms - they are not as loud as I hoped they would be, but I am a fairly light sleeper, so I did hear all of them. I wore it around my waist last night so that it was close to the sensor, but tongiht I might try it clipped to my tshirt collar - a bit closer to my ears, and not tucked under my quilt!!
It picked up a hypo I had in the night, only 3.3 but I honestly don't think I would have woken up for it if the sensor hadn't alarmed. I wake up - or rather can't get to sleep - with most hypos, but I'd gone to bed really late so was pretty tired and conked straight out.
It also picked up a hypo just before I left for work this morning, and had just alerted me that I'm rising quickly. I've just done a finger prick test - 11.3 - and sensor says 12.5. That's the furthest out it's been so far, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that it just gets better - I hear that after the first 24 hours the readings start to be much closer to finger prick tests.
C'mon little Dexcom, c'mon!
9 comments:
This is amazing! Can't wait to hear more :)
How fantastic. I am pretty jealous. I hope it continues to behave as it should.
Good luck
Dave
Brilliant...great to read x
Gripping stuff Shiv!
Nice! Living in California, my son will have to wait for the inertia of government to become overwhelmed by the monetary coersion of private industry for the arrival of the G4. However, we have been using the Dex Seven for two years and it works brilliantly for periods much longer than the advertised 7 days. Get some Skin Tac wipes and cover the outside of the sensor tape to prevent it from absorbing water and it lasts for up to 3 weeks - this will cut your monthly sensor outlay. You'll still have to cut a check for a new transmitter every 12 to 18 months since it is not rechargeable (a side effect of being waterproof). Although not integrated with his Animus Ping pump, my 10 year old maintains a 6.5 A1C (not sure of the European equivalent, but it's really good). Thanks for sharing your G4 experience and Best of Luck
Daddy Mac
Please keep updating your blog about the Animas Vibe, we in the States are eagerly awaiting the Vibe!
I'm going to a clinical trial tomorrow. Hopefully with enough data the FDA will be able to approve it for pediatric patients :)
This is amazing. I have read the post and I think its very useful.
Thanks For The Great Content
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