Dexcom G6 - DAFNE Online

August 12, 2018 18:21

SimonC DAFNE Graduate
NHS Harrow 78 posts

Any users of any of the Dexcom CGM tools, esp the G5 here, and if at all possible any switched to the G6.

I have been using the Libre sensor for quite a long time now, and I love it, but the fact that it is flash rather than CGM is a bit of a downer - the ability to get alerts when you are going high or low sounds attractive and I wondered if anyone here has any experience good or bad.

I would have to go self funded, and that is a pain, I do love the NHS, but my Dr is so limited in her support for modern tech, and no doubt focused on her costs.

August 16, 2018 08:00

Warwick DAFNE Graduate
Diabetes Australia-Vic, Melbourne, Victoria 423 posts

Hi Simon, I use the G4 and love it. The G5 and G6 would work out much more expensive for me as they have hard-coded limits on the transmitter (3 months). I can get a year out of a G4 transmitter, and the sensors can last for up to 6 weeks on my body although it produces sensible readings usually only for 3-4 weeks.

If the Dexcom G4 stops being supported, then I'll probably come off CGM entirely as I use it for the alerts so Freestyle Libre wouldn't give me what I want, but the G5 and G6 too expensive for me.

August 23, 2018 10:43

Peter DUAG Committee Member
University College London Hospitals (UCLH) 109 posts

The other possibility is to use one of the 3rd party companies who are providing add-ons which provide alerts from the Libre e.g. https://miaomiao.cool/. I can't personally vouch for the product although I have met people using it who have been very positive. Failing that Libre v2 is rumored to have alerts when that comes, perhaps next year??

September 30, 2018 18:02

SimonC DAFNE Graduate
NHS Harrow 78 posts

Cheers guys

In the end I did go with the G6 - and I do like the alerts - it isn't without its issues though - 1 of which is stickyness - I never had a Libre ever come off, 14 days for each, but the G6 is almost falling off after 10 days, and I have started using (an additional cost) SkinTac to keep it on. There are also some reliability issues - I haven't had any yet, but many in the FB forum are.

To be honest - as it stands, I don't think I will renew the 12 month contract - a) 12 months is a long time, b) the issues reported mean I am not too convinced this is as great as it seems, and c) whilst the Libre doesn't have alerts - yet! adding the miaomiao tool may mean that this is a better tool.

Cheers

August 12, 2018 18:21 SimonC DAFNE Graduate NHS Harrow 78 posts	Any users of any of the Dexcom CGM tools, esp the G5 here, and if at all possible any switched to the G6. I have been using the Libre sensor for quite a long time now, and I love it, but the fact that it is flash rather than CGM is a bit of a downer - the ability to get alerts when you are going high or low sounds attractive and I wondered if anyone here has any experience good or bad. I would have to go self funded, and that is a pain, I do love the NHS, but my Dr is so limited in her support for modern tech, and no doubt focused on her costs.
August 16, 2018 08:00 Warwick DAFNE Graduate Diabetes Australia-Vic, Melbourne, Victoria 423 posts	Hi Simon, I use the G4 and love it. The G5 and G6 would work out much more expensive for me as they have hard-coded limits on the transmitter (3 months). I can get a year out of a G4 transmitter, and the sensors can last for up to 6 weeks on my body although it produces sensible readings usually only for 3-4 weeks. If the Dexcom G4 stops being supported, then I'll probably come off CGM entirely as I use it for the alerts so Freestyle Libre wouldn't give me what I want, but the G5 and G6 too expensive for me.
August 23, 2018 10:43 Peter DUAG Committee Member University College London Hospitals (UCLH) 109 posts	The other possibility is to use one of the 3rd party companies who are providing add-ons which provide alerts from the Libre e.g. https://miaomiao.cool/. I can't personally vouch for the product although I have met people using it who have been very positive. Failing that Libre v2 is rumored to have alerts when that comes, perhaps next year??
September 30, 2018 18:02 SimonC DAFNE Graduate NHS Harrow 78 posts	Cheers guys In the end I did go with the G6 - and I do like the alerts - it isn't without its issues though - 1 of which is stickyness - I never had a Libre ever come off, 14 days for each, but the G6 is almost falling off after 10 days, and I have started using (an additional cost) SkinTac to keep it on. There are also some reliability issues - I haven't had any yet, but many in the FB forum are. To be honest - as it stands, I don't think I will renew the 12 month contract - a) 12 months is a long time, b) the issues reported mean I am not too convinced this is as great as it seems, and c) whilst the Libre doesn't have alerts - yet! adding the miaomiao tool may mean that this is a better tool. Cheers