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Overall, I like the Dex. I like looking at a nice, steady line first thing in the morning that confirms my overnight basals are set right. I like watching a pretty, pregnant rise and fall on the Dex showing that I've dosed appropriately for a meal. I like being able to push one button quickly while I'm working to see if I'm rising, falling or holding steady — I'm spending less time testing. I like that most of the time Dex is pretty close to my OneTouch.
 

I like that I found out I may be experiencing dawn phenomenon based on one morning's unexplainable rise from the 90s upon waking to the 150s before breakfast. Which reminds me that I'm not doing anything wrong before bed and that I may need to adjust my early morning basals slightly.
 

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This is a breakdown of my first use of the Dexcom CGM. It's had its ups and downs, as you'll see. It's been peace of mind and obsession all in one. Mostly, it's been eye opening to what my diabetes is really like these days.

Day 1: I was really excited to start the first sensor. I went through all the setup process. I waited for the receiver to charge, downloaded the software, and prepped my skin for the sensor. The sensor comes with its very own insertion device. The insertion is nothing like the Minimed CGM that I used before. You see the needle in the device, just like you see the needle with the Minimed. However, this isn't a fast, hard insertion. It's up to your own fingers to stick the needle in. Surprisingly, past the initial sting of the needle, it really doesn't hurt at all. Much less than the Minimed for sure.

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To me, it is equal parts hilarious, disturbing and normal that I can and do get excited about new diabetes tools. I waited on pins and needles for Dexcom to show up a year ago. And now I'm nearly beside myself that Dexcom Plus has shown up!

I upgraded last week (and thanks to my flexible spending account pre-loaded debit card had absolutely no trouble spending my deductible in the second week of January) and waited fairly patiently for FedEx. I even purposefully didn't insert a new sensor after taking out the last one at my ortho's office last week (x-rays) hoping that I'd have the new contraption in my hands before the end of the week. (No such luck, though.)

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Between the time I got on the phone with S., a Dexcom rep, and the time I hung up my emotions swung wildly. I went from being moderately happy about contacting a CGMS rep to being beyond excited that I was actually in a place where I could get the process started.

"How much success have you had getting approvals with my insurance company?" I tentatively asked S.

Things are getting better, he told me. More insurance companies are getting on board all the time. I was skeptical, telling S. that I had been told that in January when I was with a different insurance company and was denied three times. Enough denials that I quit trying.

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In a word, last night was crazy. And I think I have a problem. OK that's more than one word.

So I've been getting about 10-12 days out of my Dexcom sensors (woot!) and decided to order another box after I opened my last sensor. Big mistake because that sensor went bad after less than 12 hours. So while I had ordered the next box, there was a holiday thrown in the mix and I wound up without sensors for about a week. (Next time I'll reorder when I have two left.)

So I was readjusting to life after a four-day holiday weekend and to finally having Dexcom back. Last night Dexcom apparently screamed at me more than once. The Mr. said it alarmed three times. I only remember the time I looked at it and it said I was 50 mg/dL. And then I remember thinking this exact thought: There's no way I'm 50. I'm not 50. I don't feel 50. Stupid sensor.

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Yesterday when I left work I was ready to rip through the computer because I was so annoyed with a certain medical supply company.
 

I have taken a backseat to figuring out if my insurance company will cover my Dexcom sensors since I got involved with a company (paid for by my employer) who helps patients sort through these types of situations. I believe my rep is also a nurse, because she is quite often out of the office. So when I'd send casual emails if I hadn't heard from her, I frequently got an auto response saying she was out of the office. This kind of annoyed me, actually.

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I didn't recognize the name or the number on the caller ID this morning and I'm usually hesitant to answer in those situations, but it was a local number so I picked it up. Interesting call to answer, it turned out. It was the patient representative for Dexcom, whom I haven't spoken to in likely nearly a year.

She was calling to see how things were going with Dex.

"Well, I can't afford the sensors anymore, so I'm not using it," I told her.

"Have you checked with your insurance to see if they cover it or is it a co-pay issue?" Jackie asked.

"It's a co-pay issue," I said.

"Oh that's too bad. Because I know you really got a lot of use out of it when you were wearing it."

"Yeah, I did."

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As I stood in the bathroom Friday night, I had to count on my fingers. The math was too much for me any other way. Tuesday, Wednesday... one, two, three. I had to count twice because I didn't believe that I had gotten 11 days out of my Dexcom sensor.

I was still getting mostly good readings, but Friday things had started to get a little farther off than I like and I had put extra tape on the peeling sensor to keep it on as long as I could.

I was beyond thrilled with how things had gone over the last 11 days. I had not often gone over 200 and when I did I knew why. And my lows were kept at bay. I really felt like I was getting out of Dex what I should have been getting out of it all along. I had this goal in front of me to lower my A1C and I felt like Dex was helping me achieve that goal.

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I usually listen when The Universe talks and lately I've been feeling that The Universe has been whispering in my ear.

At least once a month I get a call from the medical supply company where I used to get my Dexcom sensors. Usually it's about "an order you recently made." Which I didn't because I haven't used Dex in a very long time. In fact, I can't remember the last time I used it. Pretty sure I haven't used it at all this year.

I always ignore the phone message since I didn't place an order. 

Yesterday I got an email from Dexcom about tips for caring for Dexcom during the summer. I figured The Universe was speaking to me again, but now in a louder voice.

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The last two days I’ve really enjoyed having Dex back. It’s been a bit of a pain to have that second device attached to me and remembering to pick it up off the desk when I get up for whatever reason, but overall I’m enjoying being able to watch my sugars stay mostly in range. (And equally happy that Dex usually matches my meter or catches up pretty quickly.)

I think that I didn’t appreciate Dex as much when I first had it as I do now. Maybe the difference now is that I have this 7.5% A1C looming over me that I want to change. A goal that I have to work toward.  I am a deadline-oriented person, after all.

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