topic Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine in Wellness

Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

Mmsfoxxie — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 13:41:12 GMT

Anybody have experience using the Dexcom G6? What are your thoughts about it? Does Medicare cover part of it? Hubby can't get a reading from pricking his finger. Thanks for your input.

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

Mustang Shar — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 14:08:01 GMT

I don't qualify for one per their web site. Medicare considers it IF you're on insulin and I'm not. Also I think it said certain medications may effect the readings. So I guess I'm stuck. I too was hoping for a better solution

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

Lali1 — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 14:12:08 GMT

I've been using the Dexcom for years and yes I love it. I had the 4 the 5 and now have the 6. I do not use a receiver I use my phone to get my readings. I also have an Apple Watch which shows my number on the face.

I'm Type 1 so if I had to choose between my insulin pump and my dexcom I would pick my pump everytime because getting shots many times a day is much more uncomfortable than finger pricks. That being said it has saved me many times at night. My husband also gets my readings wherever he is so if he's here or away he can call and ask if I'm ok. He has woken me up at night to tell me I'm crashing. I don't know about Medicare but I do believe it is covered for Type 1's not sure about Type 2.

Good Luck!

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

Mmsfoxxie — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 14:26:17 GMT

Thank you, @Lali1 @for the information. Hubby is type 2 and doesn't take insulin as a rule but due to his symptoms of getting light headed and falling, his doctor gave him an insulin shot at his office because his numbers were way out of whack. I'm trying to get familiar with diabetes because I have concrete head husband who thinks he can cheat drinking juices, candy, etc.

Where did you buy yours? What do you need besides the machine? The whole thing sounds like a car payment.

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

Mmsfoxxie — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 14:27:49 GMT

@Mustang Shar ,thanks for sharing. Sounds like hubby is in your boat.

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

noodleann — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 17:26:30 GMT

His A1C reading can be extrapolated to give his average blood sugar over the prior 3 months. If it's running high, and from what you're saying, it is, he might need graphic evidence of what can happen to people with uncontrolled blood sugar to make him take this seriously. I lost a sister to it and have a brother who had to have surgery for diabetic retinopathy on both eyes because it took so long for him to be diagnosed. He wears a monitor now, but he's on top of his diet, works out, and manages his diabetes well. He counts carbs, not calories. His weight is good.

I'd revisit the problem of not getting a reading with the fingertip gizmos. I've never heard of that. Perhaps a different device or different lancets would help.

Good luck. It's hard when you're working with concrete.

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

Lali1 — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 17:40:46 GMT

@Mmsfoxxie wrote:
Thank you, @Lali1 @for the information. Hubby is type 2 and doesn't take insulin as a rule but due to his symptoms of getting light headed and falling, his doctor gave him an insulin shot at his office because his numbers were way out of whack. I'm trying to get familiar with diabetes because I have concrete head husband who thinks he can cheat drinking juices, candy, etc.

Where did you buy yours? What do you need besides the machine? The whole thing sounds like a car payment.

I'm pretty sure I got mine at Edgepark. If you use your smart phone for readings all you need are sensors to place on the skin that goes into the tissue. One of those last 10 days. You also need the transmitter which lasts about 3 months. So I get 3 boxes of sensors and 1 transmitter every few months. I also buy simpatches to keep the sensors attached well for the 10 days. You can get those on amazon. They keep the tape on the skin to stay stuck on good.

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

Mmsfoxxie — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 18:43:34 GMT

Lol.....yes, concrete is hard to get through to, @noodleann. Thank you.

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

Mmsfoxxie — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 20:04:41 GMT

@Lali1 , I'm getting familiar with the lingo...transmitters, sensors. Simpatches, I'll have to check out. So far, I can see that this is an ongoing expense rather than a one time only expense with an occasional add on. His doctor and the nurse couldn't ****** his finger enough either. No explanation. When it comes to help, expense can't be the main factor of whether to buy something or not.......til the money runs out.

Thanks again.

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

Lali1 — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 19:46:25 GMT

@Mmsfoxxie wrote:
@Lali1 , I'm getting familiar with the lingo...transmitters, sensors. Simpatches, I'll have to check out. So far, I can see that this is an ongoing expense rather than a one time only expense with an occasional add on. His doctor and the nurse couldn't ****** his finger enough either. No explanation. When it comes to help, expense can't be the main factor of whether no buy something or not.......til the money runs out.

Thanks again.

Yes everytime I order my stuff I think of the big chunk taken out of my pocket. I have to laugh at the word that was edited in your comment 😂

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

Mmsfoxxie — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 20:03:32 GMT

Omg! @Lali1 , I didn't notice that I had been edited. I had to think for a minute to remember what word was taken out. Then I laughed, too. I didn't realize the connotation of the word when I wrote it.

QVC's monitors are on the job.

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

Lali1 — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 20:13:58 GMT

@Mmsfoxxie wrote:
Omg! @Lali1 , I didn't notice that I had been edited. I had to think for a minute to remember what word was taken out. Then I laughed, too. I didn't realize the connotation of the word when I wrote it.

QVC's monitors are on the job.

I'm betting there are certain words that automatically censor themselves. I got a good giggle out of it. I've seen diabetes related shirts that say Diabetes is such a ****** 😂

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

tansy — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 01:41:22 GMT

My insurance covered the price of the Freestyle Libre 14 day reader but I have a copay for the sensors. It's easy enough to use and accurate enough for me.

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

ID2 — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 10:50:09 GMT

I had a choice of using the Dexcom or the Freestyle LIbre and chose the Libre. It's much smaller and less clunky than the Dexcom IMO. I'm on Medicare and I pay absolutely nothing for it .This is a Godsend for me. I've always had great control of my bs and my A1C's have been in the 5's. But not having to ****** my finger for the past 40+ years (type 1 diabetic) is a miracle for me and my lifestyle.

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

Mmsfoxxie — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 12:22:16 GMT

Libre 14........thanks, ladies, I'll check into that. The Dexcom G6 is more publicized, therefore, familiar to me.

ETA.....Just googled Libre 14. Much more affordable!

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

Istru — Sun, 08 Nov 2020 02:38:57 GMT

Type 1 and been using Libre for over a year. Insurance pays for everything. Love, love, love it! Use my phone or the reader! My doctor downloads the data when I go for my checkup. Insurance doesn't pay for that! I pay $75.00, don't understand why is not covered by my insurance. FYI: my pharma enrolled me in a program and I'm getting my Lantus insulin free for a year! I was paying out of pocket $90 for 3 month supply so it really makes a difference!

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

Mmsfoxxie — Sun, 08 Nov 2020 17:29:51 GMT

Good information, @Istru. Thank you for letting me know how you like Libre.

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

webbgarner1 — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 05:58:28 GMT

@Lali1 Hello there from 1 pumper to another.. I have been on a medtronic insulin pump for several years and recently got the new 670 G which has the continuous glucose monitor feature. My doctor and I are going back and forth because i have not implemented the cgm feature, have not ordered the supplies yet. I tried a cgm about 7 years ago and had a lot of difficulty getting the sensor to stasy in place well which caused unnerving alarms and required a normal manuel fingerstick to make it stop alarming. I stopped using the cgm and went manuel mode. and am still doing the same. I have mental issues also with letting the pump automatically determine how much and when to deiver my insulin. Giving pretty much total control to my pump is a hard thing for me to do. How has it been for You? Do you have any difficulty with the cgm staying in place or it not dosing you accurately. The cgm measures glucose in the inrestitual fluid which is not the same as blood glucose.

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

Lali1 — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 16:50:02 GMT

@webbgarner1 wrote:
@Lali1 Hello there from 1 pumper to another.. I have been on a medtronic insulin pump for several years and recently got the new 670 G which has the continuous glucose monitor feature. My doctor and I are going back and forth because i have not implemented the cgm feature, have not ordered the supplies yet. I tried a cgm about 7 years ago and had a lot of difficulty getting the sensor to stasy in place well which caused unnerving alarms and required a normal manuel fingerstick to make it stop alarming. I stopped using the cgm and went manuel mode. and am still doing the same. I have mental issues also with letting the pump automatically determine how much and when to deiver my insulin. Giving pretty much total control to my pump is a hard thing for me to do. How has it been for You? Do you have any difficulty with the cgm staying in place or it not dosing you accurately. The cgm measures glucose in the inrestitual fluid which is not the same as blood glucose.

Hey fellow pumper 🤚I'm on the Ominpod so they are not connected. I choose what I dose by the number the cgm tells me it is or the direction it's going. I love my dexcom. I use the simpatch which is just a patch to put over the sticky part of the dexcom sensor. It keeps them on really well and I have not lost one due to a hit or failing stickiness in ages.

Re: Dexcom G6 Glucose Monitoring Machine

webbgarner1 — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 21:00:52 GMT

@Lali1 That is great you are liking the omnipod. I think I would have preferred that one, my doctor seems to want his patients in the medtronic pump. I am with you, machines are not infailable. But then again, I am type 1, diagnosed in the 1960s as a kid. So most of my life was doing injections and I would not want to go back to that. But can not get past the uneasy feeling of a pump and sensor doing my dosing.

Thanks for your reply and good luck to you.