Sunday, September 18, 2011

Dexcom Trial

I'm ending my second full day on the Dexcom. I'm not sure what to say about it yet. First off, the insertion was way less painful than the MiniMed, but I think part of that was the fact that I couldn't see the needle on the Dex. And you can totally see the harpoon on the MiniMed sensor.

As far as accuracy goes, so far it's been about 50/50. I'm wearing the MiniMed now also. And I've been checking my blood sugar like crazy to compare them all. About half the time the Dexcom is closer and the other half of the time the MiniMed is closer. In a way that annoys me. I wish there was a clear cut, better option in order to make my choice easier. So far, there hasn't been.

I will also say that I am having a horrible time remembering to take the Dexcom receiver with me. I tend to leave it in one room and go to another for a while before I remember. And unlike the MiniMed, the Dexcom doesn't recover the missed data (MiniMed stores for 30 minutes). Other than wearing it on my pants, what's your suggestion for remembering to take it with me???

From those of you who've used both MiniMed and Dexcom I'd like to hear what the kicker for your final choice was?

6 comments:

karend1 said...

I only tried the MM for 6 months and was not a fan, waiting to see your choice.

Scully said...

You are turning yourself into a really good experiment! I love that you're wearing them both. I'm a Medtronic user myself so I know all the shitty parts about that CGM system. Forgetting the receiver was bound to happen as we are used to it being incorporated into our pump and no extra device to remember to carry around. I always wondered why the hell is the Dexcom receiver so damn huge?! keep writing. This is good.

Colleen said...

I've been on Dexcom for a little over two months. I'm ALWAYS leaving it somewhere! I did get the blue skin and that seems to help me "see" it more often.
Pockets help...

Unknown said...

I'm loving this "real" comparison too. I'm a current MM user and have learned to get along better with my sensor this year. I would like to try the Dex, but have not had the opportunity. Here are a few of my questions if you have the time: How is the adhesive on the Dex? I've always imagined that it must stick pretty well since I see pics of folks wearing it with no dressing over it, but one of your past posts really made me wonder if the self-adhesive was really all that great? How much surface area (skin) does the dex take up compared to the MM covered with the big honkin' tegaderm? And lastly, how's the reception compare? With my MM I find that I MUST wear the sensor and pump on the same side of my body in order for it to pick up--I typically wear the sensor on my outer thigh and have tried to rock the pump as a disco-boob in a dress, but NOPE--won't pick up. I've always wondered if the Dex is any better with the reception range.

Fiona said...

I try to wear cargo pants or other clothing with big pockets when I'm using my Dexcom. In the absence of those, I try to keep it on top of my cell phone because I never go anywhere without my phone. The Dexcom "holster" is possibly the most annoying diabetes accessory I've ever encountered. The zipper jangles and it made me feel like Annie Oakley!

George said...

I used MM first and switched to Dexcom.

I love love love it!