The Dexcom experiment has begun

I was able to secure a Dexcom 7 unit during my last trip south.  We have engineered the rare opportunity to test both the Minimed CGMS system and it's competitor Dexcom.  Dexcom is not available in Canada unfortunately.  Through several conversations with many people in the US  I was able to get one for her.

A couple problems with this system already is that it still is only capable of communicating with the OneTouch Ultra meter which IMHO is a POS.  Further it needs to communica

te through a cable.  Why this was deemed to be a good idea vs. manual calibration with whatever meter you like to use is beyond good reason and stinks of corporate collusion between Onetouch and Dexcom.  

Dexcom has plans to change this but it hasn't happened as yet.  Also, the Dexcom CGMS system was designed only to use the US mg/dl scale and cannot be programmed for

mmol/L, again the rep has said this is to be updated soon.  

I greatly appreciate the 7 day wear and smaller needle insertion size (26 gauge Dexcom vs. 23 gauge Minimed) and the insertion of the Dexcom was definitely easier with Cadence.  When we did the Minilink sensor Cadence cried hard and grabbed at the area for a few hours afterward, anytime we tried to inspect the area she was quite upset by our efforts.  The Dexcom in

sertion however was absolutely easy, no tears, completely unbothered by it, and in fact immediately after sat in her highchair and had dinner, sitting on the sensor.  Pretty amazing difference and definitely a +1 for Dexcom.

The insertion device is good, I would say a bit better than the Senserter (Minimed's) but the sensor latch/tab...the little doo-hickey to snap the transmitter in place is goofy in the way it must be broken off.  Cadence, didn't like that part to be sure.  Both units, Minimed and Dexcom, could be greatly improved...easily.

We are in the middle of the 2 hour calibration period and will report more tomorrow once we see readings.  

so far so good!

brad.  

P.S. - I find the google ad beside this post about how to reverse your diabetes oh so comical...if only :)

Blatantly Albertan

The one thing I don't want my blog to be is another page of negative rants. I believe in being positive, every situation can be a win if you look for it.

However...the Federal government should be absolutely ashamed of themselves to call into question the ethics and motivations of the captain of our national team, Shayne Doan. He was accused in 2005 of derogatory comments toward a french official. The NHL aquitted him of any wrongdoing, case closed.

With all the crap that is ongoing in the world, the world hockey championships is just one small way to find a positive way to exist in the international community. For our government to bring one of our own into question about something he didn't say in 2005 while he is working his ass off in Moscow right now FOR OUR COUNTRY...

Layton, Harper, Dion, Duceppe, and all the rest of you clowns in O-Town...get a beer, have a glass, pop some bubble wrap, get laid, or do whatever you need to do and get serious about leading our country. Stop wasting my time and taxpayer money on yet another "we're so hard done by" drivel by the French separatists.

I would love to hear of one person in Montreal that is still offended by what Shayne Doan didn't say in 2005.

Give me a break.

We would have better direction under monkeys.

Ok...I feel better now.
b.