Since I have started using the Continuous Glucose Monitor with my Minimed pump I have found the numbers and graphs fascinating.

Every few days I upload the info on their website and look at trends, how certain meals affect my blood glucose level, and how the insulin I take works. It is very cool stuff. (READ MORE)

When I inserted the first sensor on Saturday, I thought it might give me a little trouble. It'd been through a lot in the last months (traveling around in my "everyday" case and moving from fridge to backpack to suitcase multiple times). It looked old, it looked like it wouldn't work. But I gave it a shot anyway.

And my suspicions were confirmed. It gave me two error messages before showing me a steady level in the 50's when I was perfectly okay. Instead of messing with a crazy sensor and wondering about its accuracy for days, I changed it out. I had an entire new box of them anyway and I don't use them often enough to be upset on throwing one out.

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The CGMS seems to be working out okay this time around. Maybe my numbers are more stable. Maybe it's just a "fresher" sensor. Maybe it's just the heavens smiling down on me for once. But since Saturday night, I've had very few bumps in the continuous monitoring road.

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I get a lot of questions about how I like my CGMS. And sometimes, I just don't know how to answer. I love the IDEA of my CGMS. I love that there is something out there that shows me a constant stream of blood sugar information. I love that it will alarm me before I get a crashing low or start soaring high.

But in the execution of it all, I really don't like it. Yes, I'm very grateful that I have access to this technology. Insurance pays for it, which makes it less burden and more blessing. But overall, it isn't as great as everyone thinks it is.

Let me just outline my most recent use of the CGMS so you can see and decide for yourself if it's worth the hassle:

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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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I have to say that I was a little stunned last week when I found out that my insurance company had changed its policy regarding continuous glucose monitors. While I don't know exactly what that means yet, it's likely that the change will be in my favor (i.e., no more of this "disposable coverage" BS). At least, I hope.
 

One of the benefits my company offers is the use of a health company that advocates on our behalf for things like figuring out what you may owe after a hospital stay or what gets applied to your deductible. Basically, these people are in the health-care trenches and can help you sort out any issues or problems you're having.
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