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By shannon, October 23, 2009 10:16 am

CGM Wars: Get Ready to Rumble.

For over a year, I used Minimed’s Continuous Glucose Monitoring System.  It was a logical choice since half of its technology was already built into my pump.  For over a year, I dealt with highs and lows much better than I’d ever done before.  My A1c dropped to 6.8 – the lowest it had ever been.  I didn’t go low as often, and when I did, I knew it was coming.  Sometimes.  See, I thought the wide variations between the CGM and my meter were normal.  I knew it wasn’t 100% accurate, so I accepted the false highs and, far more often, false lows as part of CGM life.  I dealt with the painful, bloody insertions as “a small price to pay” for better overall health.  But, as time went on, I began to trust it less and less.  It was just wrong a lot.  The constant calibration errors and “Meter BG Now” demands were seriously cramping my style.  

All that changed a little over a month ago when I switched to the DexCom CGM.  Right away, I was impressed.  Not only did this company fight for me to get insurance coverage, they rectified a rocky beginning by going far above and beyone.  These folks know customer service.

When I received the box, I tore into it like it was Christmas morning.  I impatiently waited for the receiver to charge, inserted my first sensor (totally painless and NO blood), and I was off.  This thing lasts for (at least) seven days, and the readings are consistently accurate.  My current sensor has been chugging away for 12 days (restarting a sensor after the initial seven days is super easy), and until I start getting funky readings, I’m sticking with it.  (Note:  DexCom does not condone this behavior.  They say to wear the sensors for seven days.  PERIOD.  What they don’t know won’t hurt ‘em.)  

Unlike the Minimed sensors, I don’t have to use any kind of surgical tape to keep my DexCom sensors stuck.  Their adhesive is very similar to what is used for my pump’s infusion sets, which is (thankfully) non-irritative to my sensitive skin.  I used a little Skin Tac to help it stick better, and I’m good for the entire seven days.  For wearing the sensor longer than seven days, I will use some waterproof bandage tape, but that’s it.  You don’t have to cover the entire sensor with tape so that it stays down.  

So, there it is.  My independent assessment of the Minimed vs. DexCom CGM.  For a year, I believed that all CGMs were the same, with the same pros and cons.  They’re just not.  I’m glad I took a chance and found the one that works best for me.