Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
- Sandtrap
- Posts: 21537
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 5:32 pm
- Location: Hawaii No Ka Oi - white sandy beaches, N. Arizona 1 mile high.
Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Here's an article on a health consumer use product called a "something" that measures blood glucose.
https://docreviews.me/2023/01/03/review ... pV7q95fAyf
This is more overwhelming that hearing aids and electric mobility scooters and all the other health related gizmos out there.
There's this one on Amazon.com that the AI on Google came up with:
Contour Next One:
https://www.amazon.com/CONTOUR-Glucose- ... f48db08331
Here's a fancy one that advertises vacuum something and does things differently.
Very "Elon Musk" high tech bot gen 3 type tech. It's interesting. Pricey. But, that doesn't matter if it's tech and cool.
https://www.amazon.com/Genteel-Vacuum-L ... dGY&psc=1
Non medical topic per forum guidelines, of course.
I'm fascinated by the tech and engineering of this, as a "geek/nerd", how can I not.
So, if there are med engineering chem guys/gals, tell my how these things work.
1
Maybe there's an app for my Smart Watch that will do this?
2
Of course, what my doctor suggests. But, I'm just curious and shopping right now. It's not a medical "need".
So, what did or do you use or used on mom or dad etc, and how much did it cost?
3
Do they all fundamentally do the same thing and the rest is just bells and whistles and iphone apps and all that?
4
Is there a "Toyota Camry" type that works all year round since WW2 like a Singer Sewing Machine, Dodge Dart with a vinyl roof and a straight six and 3 speed column shift that is easy to understand and use?
5
Anyone been down this road and been overwhelmed by the variation and products out there?
6
Price is not my concern nor is insurance coverage. I'm just curious about the products?
thanks everyone for your help.
j
Again, stick to discussion about products, what they do, how they do, what's the cost, why there are differences, etc.
non medical so the thread doesn't get locked and is no longer useful.
thanks.
fwiw: my son is a senior paramedic with his own company. he gave me a 12 lead ekg, like used on the rigs, I had it in my office for years taking everyone's "strip" and having them learn what it meant (my med background). for fun. But, eventually, my son took the unit back to use in one of the classrooms and installed an auto/shock standard unit in our pantry for emergencies. Oh well. it was fun. My older brother, Internist MD, used up a lot of strips as well. He doesn't have that type of unit in his office.
https://docreviews.me/2023/01/03/review ... pV7q95fAyf
This is more overwhelming that hearing aids and electric mobility scooters and all the other health related gizmos out there.
There's this one on Amazon.com that the AI on Google came up with:
Contour Next One:
https://www.amazon.com/CONTOUR-Glucose- ... f48db08331
Here's a fancy one that advertises vacuum something and does things differently.
Very "Elon Musk" high tech bot gen 3 type tech. It's interesting. Pricey. But, that doesn't matter if it's tech and cool.
https://www.amazon.com/Genteel-Vacuum-L ... dGY&psc=1
Non medical topic per forum guidelines, of course.
I'm fascinated by the tech and engineering of this, as a "geek/nerd", how can I not.
So, if there are med engineering chem guys/gals, tell my how these things work.
1
Maybe there's an app for my Smart Watch that will do this?
2
Of course, what my doctor suggests. But, I'm just curious and shopping right now. It's not a medical "need".
So, what did or do you use or used on mom or dad etc, and how much did it cost?
3
Do they all fundamentally do the same thing and the rest is just bells and whistles and iphone apps and all that?
4
Is there a "Toyota Camry" type that works all year round since WW2 like a Singer Sewing Machine, Dodge Dart with a vinyl roof and a straight six and 3 speed column shift that is easy to understand and use?
5
Anyone been down this road and been overwhelmed by the variation and products out there?
6
Price is not my concern nor is insurance coverage. I'm just curious about the products?
thanks everyone for your help.
j
Again, stick to discussion about products, what they do, how they do, what's the cost, why there are differences, etc.
non medical so the thread doesn't get locked and is no longer useful.
thanks.
fwiw: my son is a senior paramedic with his own company. he gave me a 12 lead ekg, like used on the rigs, I had it in my office for years taking everyone's "strip" and having them learn what it meant (my med background). for fun. But, eventually, my son took the unit back to use in one of the classrooms and installed an auto/shock standard unit in our pantry for emergencies. Oh well. it was fun. My older brother, Internist MD, used up a lot of strips as well. He doesn't have that type of unit in his office.
- quantAndHold
- Posts: 10407
- Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2015 10:39 pm
- Location: West Coast
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
I have the Contour One one. It’s fine. The ones with the test strips are all pretty similar. People who can’t get insurance to pay usually either use that one or the Walmart one, because they’re cheap. You need the monitor, some test strips, and the lancets to stab your finger. Basically , you stab yourself, slurp the blood onto a test strip, stick it into the reader, and the reader reads it in about 5 seconds. Most of them will sync with apps on your phone.
Another option is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Basically, you stab yourself in the arm and wear the thing constantly, and it takes a reading every five minutes, which you can see on your phone. They come in prescription and over the counter versions. The prescription ones fire off alarms when blood glucose is too high or low. Insurance usually only pays for the prescription one if you’re insulin dependent, or for short term use when the patient is having trouble getting their blood sugar under control. The OTC ones are about $100 a month, not covered by insurance. They’re very new on the market. My T2 diabetic brother had one for a month. He said it was very useful to find out how what he ate affected his blood sugar.
If price is no object, I’d be looking at the CGMs.
Another option is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Basically, you stab yourself in the arm and wear the thing constantly, and it takes a reading every five minutes, which you can see on your phone. They come in prescription and over the counter versions. The prescription ones fire off alarms when blood glucose is too high or low. Insurance usually only pays for the prescription one if you’re insulin dependent, or for short term use when the patient is having trouble getting their blood sugar under control. The OTC ones are about $100 a month, not covered by insurance. They’re very new on the market. My T2 diabetic brother had one for a month. He said it was very useful to find out how what he ate affected his blood sugar.
If price is no object, I’d be looking at the CGMs.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
I’m a diabetic for 40 years. I’ve done this with pee in a test tube, the blood prick and strips, and the newer cgm systems.
Why do you want to do this? What do you want to know?
The finger prick systems are all good, and work well. And they are cheap. You can get something at the pharmacy for $25 that will work, and have enough supplies to do it 10 or 25 times. Then you just buy more strips if you want to do,it more. No prescription needed.
CGMs require a prescription.
I’ve got a CGM now. And it’s life changing, for me. But that’s because I have to make medical decisions several times a day based on current glucose readings and trends. If that isn’t the case for you, then they’d just be a cool novelty for you n
Why do you want to do this? What do you want to know?
The finger prick systems are all good, and work well. And they are cheap. You can get something at the pharmacy for $25 that will work, and have enough supplies to do it 10 or 25 times. Then you just buy more strips if you want to do,it more. No prescription needed.
CGMs require a prescription.
I’ve got a CGM now. And it’s life changing, for me. But that’s because I have to make medical decisions several times a day based on current glucose readings and trends. If that isn’t the case for you, then they’d just be a cool novelty for you n
Last edited by Normchad on Wed Oct 30, 2024 8:07 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
This seems like it may veer into medical information territory, but I'll keep as general as I can.
I wouldn't bother with that vacuum device. You need a drop of blood if you are using a regular finger prick, but that all seems like overkill unless you have a very specific need. With proper technique, and infrequent monitoring requirements, you should be fine with a regular lancing device.
There are various glucometers that I'll label "regular" monitors. These are the usual stick your finger and then apply a drop of blood. No significant difference between any that are on the market with FDA approval. I ignore accuracy claims. You can pick them up with test strips and lancets OTC from most pharmacies including Costco or obviously with a prescription if medically necessary. All of them will have their own bells and whistles to tell you whether or not your blood sugar is in an okay range, or market themselves as extra easy to use, but they are all the same. The FDA has a range of accuracy requirement which is appropriate for regular use with all of the devices. OneTouch, Accu-Chek, and Freestyle are the big name brands. I wouldn't rely on any of those "review" websites though, because in my mind it is mostly deciding between BIC and Pilot for your pens. If I had to pick a brand it would be OneTouch, but I would pick the cheapest option available in my local pharmacy.
Next are the continuous glucometers. Those are the sensors you are seeing on more and more people's upper arm. They have a little filament that sits in the skin and constantly measures blood sugar and reports that to your phone or to your meter. If your blood sugar goes low or high it will tell you. Very helpful in patients that do have diabetes, may be of marginal interest if you don't. You don't want to become over-fixated on these numbers if you don't have anything to worry about. Freestyle and Dexcom have both come out with their own OTC versions, https://www.hellolingo.com/ and https://www.stelo.com/. In this I would say that Dexcom is overall higher quality, but I only have experience with the prescription products not the OTC stuff. Definitely the latest and greatest. Definitely a step up over regular fingersticks.
Source: I used to coach patients living with diabetes in a past life.
I wouldn't bother with that vacuum device. You need a drop of blood if you are using a regular finger prick, but that all seems like overkill unless you have a very specific need. With proper technique, and infrequent monitoring requirements, you should be fine with a regular lancing device.
There are various glucometers that I'll label "regular" monitors. These are the usual stick your finger and then apply a drop of blood. No significant difference between any that are on the market with FDA approval. I ignore accuracy claims. You can pick them up with test strips and lancets OTC from most pharmacies including Costco or obviously with a prescription if medically necessary. All of them will have their own bells and whistles to tell you whether or not your blood sugar is in an okay range, or market themselves as extra easy to use, but they are all the same. The FDA has a range of accuracy requirement which is appropriate for regular use with all of the devices. OneTouch, Accu-Chek, and Freestyle are the big name brands. I wouldn't rely on any of those "review" websites though, because in my mind it is mostly deciding between BIC and Pilot for your pens. If I had to pick a brand it would be OneTouch, but I would pick the cheapest option available in my local pharmacy.
Next are the continuous glucometers. Those are the sensors you are seeing on more and more people's upper arm. They have a little filament that sits in the skin and constantly measures blood sugar and reports that to your phone or to your meter. If your blood sugar goes low or high it will tell you. Very helpful in patients that do have diabetes, may be of marginal interest if you don't. You don't want to become over-fixated on these numbers if you don't have anything to worry about. Freestyle and Dexcom have both come out with their own OTC versions, https://www.hellolingo.com/ and https://www.stelo.com/. In this I would say that Dexcom is overall higher quality, but I only have experience with the prescription products not the OTC stuff. Definitely the latest and greatest. Definitely a step up over regular fingersticks.
Source: I used to coach patients living with diabetes in a past life.
- Random Musings
- Posts: 7046
- Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:24 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
For manual, OneTouch works fine but so do others. Even if using a CGM, you still should calibrate with the old tried and true pricking your finger.
With respect to CGM's, am familiar with the Dexcom. The new G7 is out and the smaller size and quicker start time is appealing, but the tradeoff is a higher failure rate compared to the G6. I recommend an overpatch that holds the sensor down better.
Pairing a CGM with a pump or Omnipod can control you A1C better, but you still need to have diligence with your personal habits.
Some of the choices one makes will come down to financial situation and insurance
Best of luck!
RM
With respect to CGM's, am familiar with the Dexcom. The new G7 is out and the smaller size and quicker start time is appealing, but the tradeoff is a higher failure rate compared to the G6. I recommend an overpatch that holds the sensor down better.
Pairing a CGM with a pump or Omnipod can control you A1C better, but you still need to have diligence with your personal habits.
Some of the choices one makes will come down to financial situation and insurance
Best of luck!
RM
I figure the odds be fifty-fifty I just might have something to say. FZ
- Sandtrap
- Posts: 21537
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 5:32 pm
- Location: Hawaii No Ka Oi - white sandy beaches, N. Arizona 1 mile high.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
wowquantAndHold wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 7:31 pm I have the Contour One one. It’s fine. The ones with the test strips are all pretty similar. People who can’t get insurance to pay usually either use that one or the Walmart one, because they’re cheap. You need the monitor, some test strips, and the lancets to stab your finger. Basically , you stab yourself, slurp the blood onto a test strip, stick it into the reader, and the reader reads it in about 5 seconds. Most of them will sync with apps on your phone.
Another option is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Basically, you stab yourself in the arm and wear the thing constantly, and it takes a reading every five minutes, which you can see on your phone. They come in prescription and over the counter versions. The prescription ones fire off alarms when blood glucose is too high or low. Insurance usually only pays for the prescription one if you’re insulin dependent, or for short term use when the patient is having trouble getting their blood sugar under control. The OTC ones are about $100 a month, not covered by insurance. They’re very new on the market. My T2 diabetic brother had one for a month. He said it was very useful to find out how what he ate affected his blood sugar.
If price is no object, I’d be looking at the CGMs.
I'm learning a lot.
CGM...new gizmo. Will look into them.
I've always been extremely health conscious, DW and I have always been athletic and eat nutritiously, etc, etc. But, culturally, I love noodles and rice with every meal...and sugar...so it's adding up I guess for so many years. My doc recently said I should pay attention to it. So, I am. I think it's better to learn about these things so we don't need to head in that direction, or if hereditary or otherwise, at least be knowledable about it. Right?
If I needed a RX for something, I could get it from my doc brother internist or any other docs that I go to. But, at this point, I don't need it as I'm not insulin dependent (knock on wood). But, as my doc said,,,"pay attention", I indeed am going to learn and do so. Right now, I know nothing. It's like particle physics and quantum physics and logrithms and music theory. Just have to get another PhD in it.
huge thanks.
Any suggestions for "CGM's"??????
I think that will give me a good grasp of the relationship between what I eat and when for a week and I can plot those results and make orbit adjustments. Right?
j
- Sandtrap
- Posts: 21537
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 5:32 pm
- Location: Hawaii No Ka Oi - white sandy beaches, N. Arizona 1 mile high.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
huge thanks.Random Musings wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 8:40 pm For manual, OneTouch works fine but so do others. Even if using a CGM, you still should calibrate with the old tried and true pricking your finger.
With respect to CGM's, am familiar with the Dexcom. The new G7 is out and the smaller size and quicker start time is appealing, but the tradeoff is a higher failure rate compared to the G6. I recommend an overpatch that holds the sensor down better.
Pairing a CGM with a pump or Omnipod can control you A1C better, but you still need to have diligence with your personal habits.
Some of the choices one makes will come down to financial situation and insurance
Best of luck!
RM
great information.
I don't have budget or insurance concerns. Last thing on my mind.
You mention "higher failure rate". What does that mean?
Why do you have to poke your finger. Can't you poke anywhere else?
Is that machine dependent (consumer item)?
I want to go into "guinea pig mode" and chart myself for a period of time and draw correlations between what and when I eat, etc, and my readings. An app would be useful for that, otherwise I'd use the tried and true black marble colored composition grade school book adn a ruler.
Kinda like "behavior modification mode". Or "lab mode".
What kind of machine would work best for doing something like this?
You mention CGM and then "calibrate" and verify with a "standard" Toyota Camry old faithful type of basic monitor. So that' means even if I get a CGM, it's best to get another basic meter to cross verify as needed? Is this what you mean?
j
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Looping back, I see you were also looking for "geeky" information about these things. I don't know all the answers, here is some stuff that I do know.
With the typical monitor (finger prick), you use a lancet to get a small drop of blood that goes on a test strip, then into a reader. so it uses "blood" directly. And you get an answer in about 5 seconds. I think all FDA approved monitors conform to levels of accuracy, and I think it's something like 20% in a "somewhat normal range" of values. I think it's called "MAARD", but you could look that up. So if it gives you a number of "100", it might really be 80, or 120, if measured using a high quality lab result.
CGMs are quite different. They are "attached" to your body for 7-10 days typically. And there is a narrow filament that punctures the skin, about 1 CM long, and it stays in place for the 7-10 days the CGM "sensor" is attached to you. Whereas the "finger prick" testers are measure blood, a CGM is actually not measuring blood, but measuring "interstitial fluid". The filament has some sort of chemical on it, and some reaction happens that is used in the measuring process. My understanding is that's the limiting factor in it working for 7-10 days, and also the reason why sensors have "expiration dates". Because the chemicals go bad or expire of whatever. So it measure interstitial fluid, but produces a blood glucose reading.
One interesting thing about the CGM sensor is what's known as a "compression low". Basically if you apply a lot of pressure to the sensor (for example you sleep and your full body weight is on top of it), it will incorrectly read a low value. Not a big issue, just an interesting quirk.
So the CGM has this sensor attached to you. Then attached to that is a small transmitter that sends the readings over to a smart phone typically. The DexCom does this via bluetooth. And from there, there are various apps you can use to monitor, analyze, share the data, etc. So deep dives can be done into blood glucose patters throughout the day. Whereas you might use the "finger prick" tester 6 times a day and get 6 answers, this will give you 240 answers throughout the day. It is continuous. It's great to know what your Blood glucose is right now, but it's also super good to know where it has been recently, so you can predict the future.
After pricking my finger tips 4-8 times a day, every day, for decades, (50,000+ stabs of my delicate finger tips), I will really happy to get a CGM that worked well.
With the typical monitor (finger prick), you use a lancet to get a small drop of blood that goes on a test strip, then into a reader. so it uses "blood" directly. And you get an answer in about 5 seconds. I think all FDA approved monitors conform to levels of accuracy, and I think it's something like 20% in a "somewhat normal range" of values. I think it's called "MAARD", but you could look that up. So if it gives you a number of "100", it might really be 80, or 120, if measured using a high quality lab result.
CGMs are quite different. They are "attached" to your body for 7-10 days typically. And there is a narrow filament that punctures the skin, about 1 CM long, and it stays in place for the 7-10 days the CGM "sensor" is attached to you. Whereas the "finger prick" testers are measure blood, a CGM is actually not measuring blood, but measuring "interstitial fluid". The filament has some sort of chemical on it, and some reaction happens that is used in the measuring process. My understanding is that's the limiting factor in it working for 7-10 days, and also the reason why sensors have "expiration dates". Because the chemicals go bad or expire of whatever. So it measure interstitial fluid, but produces a blood glucose reading.
One interesting thing about the CGM sensor is what's known as a "compression low". Basically if you apply a lot of pressure to the sensor (for example you sleep and your full body weight is on top of it), it will incorrectly read a low value. Not a big issue, just an interesting quirk.
So the CGM has this sensor attached to you. Then attached to that is a small transmitter that sends the readings over to a smart phone typically. The DexCom does this via bluetooth. And from there, there are various apps you can use to monitor, analyze, share the data, etc. So deep dives can be done into blood glucose patters throughout the day. Whereas you might use the "finger prick" tester 6 times a day and get 6 answers, this will give you 240 answers throughout the day. It is continuous. It's great to know what your Blood glucose is right now, but it's also super good to know where it has been recently, so you can predict the future.
After pricking my finger tips 4-8 times a day, every day, for decades, (50,000+ stabs of my delicate finger tips), I will really happy to get a CGM that worked well.
- arcticpineapplecorp.
- Posts: 16420
- Joined: Tue Mar 06, 2012 8:22 pm
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
what does your insurance cover?
It's not so much the device as it is the test strips that are really where the money's at. So you'll want to make sure to get what your insurance provider will cover.
kinda like the printer is low cost, but the ink cartridge prices are where they get ya.
It's not so much the device as it is the test strips that are really where the money's at. So you'll want to make sure to get what your insurance provider will cover.
kinda like the printer is low cost, but the ink cartridge prices are where they get ya.
It's hard to accept the truth when the lies were exactly what you wanted to hear. Investing is simple, but not easy. Buy, hold & rebalance low cost index funds & manage taxable events. Asking Portfolio Questions |
- Sandtrap
- Posts: 21537
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 5:32 pm
- Location: Hawaii No Ka Oi - white sandy beaches, N. Arizona 1 mile high.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
You have been very helpful.THANKS wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 7:34 pm This seems like it may veer into medical information territory, but I'll keep as general as I can.
I wouldn't bother with that vacuum device. You need a drop of blood if you are using a regular finger prick, but that all seems like overkill unless you have a very specific need. With proper technique, and infrequent monitoring requirements, you should be fine with a regular lancing device.
There are various glucometers that I'll label "regular" monitors. These are the usual stick your finger and then apply a drop of blood. No significant difference between any that are on the market with FDA approval. I ignore accuracy claims. You can pick them up with test strips and lancets OTC from most pharmacies including Costco or obviously with a prescription if medically necessary. All of them will have their own bells and whistles to tell you whether or not your blood sugar is in an okay range, or market themselves as extra easy to use, but they are all the same. The FDA has a range of accuracy requirement which is appropriate for regular use with all of the devices. OneTouch, Accu-Chek, and Freestyle are the big name brands. I wouldn't rely on any of those "review" websites though, because in my mind it is mostly deciding between BIC and Pilot for your pens. If I had to pick a brand it would be OneTouch, but I would pick the cheapest option available in my local pharmacy.
Next are the continuous glucometers. Those are the sensors you are seeing on more and more people's upper arm. They have a little filament that sits in the skin and constantly measures blood sugar and reports that to your phone or to your meter. If your blood sugar goes low or high it will tell you. Very helpful in patients that do have diabetes, may be of marginal interest if you don't. You don't want to become over-fixated on these numbers if you don't have anything to worry about. Freestyle and Dexcom have both come out with their own OTC versions, https://www.hellolingo.com/ and https://www.stelo.com/. In this I would say that Dexcom is overall higher quality, but I only have experience with the prescription products not the OTC stuff. Definitely the latest and greatest. Definitely a step up over regular fingersticks.
Source: I used to coach patients living with diabetes in a past life.
Super information.
I'm used to doing sub q needles on myself (abdomen). But really don't like poking my finger. Not one bit. That's why my interest in the vacuum thing, if it really works. Does it?
So, these are called "glucometers". Okay. Learned something new. Thanks.
If I needed to get a RX to get a product, then I'd do that. But, at this point in tine, I'm just looking at everything that's out there as a product, no matter RX or not, insurance or cash, not a concern.
I'm in the learning phase.
Huge thanks for your help.
j
-
- Posts: 19421
- Joined: Tue Dec 31, 2013 6:05 am
- Location: 26 miles, 385 yards west of Copley Square
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Both my son and I are diabetic. We're also both engineers. So think about the data we processed first. But we had a load of meters and strips because of many years where insurance companies changed who they support so we tested. Out of all, Contour Next was the most consistent. He's moved on to a pump and continuous monitor but I continue to use the Contour Next. With Medicare, I had to have a doctor's explanation which was done so they do cover these.
These meters are constantly being engineered (several companies were my customers) so others may now be even better. You may want to ask your insurance who they cover. Of course with Medicare, they don't know and the pharmacy doesn't know and the doctor doesn't know until you get a prescription, send it to the pharmacy and they try to fill it. Good luck.
If you don't want to stick your finger, look into continuous glucose monitors. You attach this to your stomach area and it's there for 10 days (my son's, anyways).
These meters are constantly being engineered (several companies were my customers) so others may now be even better. You may want to ask your insurance who they cover. Of course with Medicare, they don't know and the pharmacy doesn't know and the doctor doesn't know until you get a prescription, send it to the pharmacy and they try to fill it. Good luck.
If you don't want to stick your finger, look into continuous glucose monitors. You attach this to your stomach area and it's there for 10 days (my son's, anyways).
Bogle: Smart Beta is stupid
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
SandTrap --
It all about self discovery. If I eat this in this quantity, my glucose levels in 2 hrs (the peak) will be this and it will drop to approx this before the next meal/snack. Some carb's make your glucose levels spike, some give to a lower broader glucose response. So the discovery is to what food does what to your glucose response. Do understand that results vary day to day, to the discovery is a long process.
Start with a table of what foods have what glycemic index/load. That will give you a general feel for what's decent for you and what's not, then do your own discovery as to how your unique biochemistry reacts to that food. It's not about never eat this or that, it's about moderating what dings you and do more of helps you.
I've been a Type 2 diabetic for more than 20 years now and I still have acceptable control with standard oral med's, but I have to watch what I eat. Long gone are the days of a bowl of Ice Cream before bedtime.
Edit to add: Getting your supplies at a local drug store is costly. Medicare only pays for a very basic limited amount. PM me and I'll let you know what I do.
It all about self discovery. If I eat this in this quantity, my glucose levels in 2 hrs (the peak) will be this and it will drop to approx this before the next meal/snack. Some carb's make your glucose levels spike, some give to a lower broader glucose response. So the discovery is to what food does what to your glucose response. Do understand that results vary day to day, to the discovery is a long process.
Start with a table of what foods have what glycemic index/load. That will give you a general feel for what's decent for you and what's not, then do your own discovery as to how your unique biochemistry reacts to that food. It's not about never eat this or that, it's about moderating what dings you and do more of helps you.
I've been a Type 2 diabetic for more than 20 years now and I still have acceptable control with standard oral med's, but I have to watch what I eat. Long gone are the days of a bowl of Ice Cream before bedtime.
Edit to add: Getting your supplies at a local drug store is costly. Medicare only pays for a very basic limited amount. PM me and I'll let you know what I do.
- Doom&Gloom
- Posts: 5712
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2014 3:36 pm
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
I used to hate finger sticks terribly as well. Several years ago I went through a couple of years of having to monitor my glucose levels also. I went with a cheapo system--Contour IIRC. I quickly learned to tolerate finger sticks--probably due to a combination of increasing tolerance and being in control of the stick. Good luck!Sandtrap wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 9:58 pmYou have been very helpful.THANKS wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 7:34 pm This seems like it may veer into medical information territory, but I'll keep as general as I can.
I wouldn't bother with that vacuum device. You need a drop of blood if you are using a regular finger prick, but that all seems like overkill unless you have a very specific need. With proper technique, and infrequent monitoring requirements, you should be fine with a regular lancing device.
There are various glucometers that I'll label "regular" monitors. These are the usual stick your finger and then apply a drop of blood. No significant difference between any that are on the market with FDA approval. I ignore accuracy claims. You can pick them up with test strips and lancets OTC from most pharmacies including Costco or obviously with a prescription if medically necessary. All of them will have their own bells and whistles to tell you whether or not your blood sugar is in an okay range, or market themselves as extra easy to use, but they are all the same. The FDA has a range of accuracy requirement which is appropriate for regular use with all of the devices. OneTouch, Accu-Chek, and Freestyle are the big name brands. I wouldn't rely on any of those "review" websites though, because in my mind it is mostly deciding between BIC and Pilot for your pens. If I had to pick a brand it would be OneTouch, but I would pick the cheapest option available in my local pharmacy.
Next are the continuous glucometers. Those are the sensors you are seeing on more and more people's upper arm. They have a little filament that sits in the skin and constantly measures blood sugar and reports that to your phone or to your meter. If your blood sugar goes low or high it will tell you. Very helpful in patients that do have diabetes, may be of marginal interest if you don't. You don't want to become over-fixated on these numbers if you don't have anything to worry about. Freestyle and Dexcom have both come out with their own OTC versions, https://www.hellolingo.com/ and https://www.stelo.com/. In this I would say that Dexcom is overall higher quality, but I only have experience with the prescription products not the OTC stuff. Definitely the latest and greatest. Definitely a step up over regular fingersticks.
Source: I used to coach patients living with diabetes in a past life.
Super information.
I'm used to doing sub q needles on myself (abdomen). But really don't like poking my finger. Not one bit. That's why my interest in the vacuum thing, if it really works. Does it?
So, these are called "glucometers". Okay. Learned something new. Thanks.
If I needed to get a RX to get a product, then I'd do that. But, at this point in tine, I'm just looking at everything that's out there as a product, no matter RX or not, insurance or cash, not a concern.
I'm in the learning phase.
Huge thanks for your help.
j
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
There are lots of different lancets and lancing systems on the market. Some hurt a lot less than others.Doom&Gloom wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 10:57 pmI used to hate finger sticks terribly as well. Several years ago I went through a couple of years of having to monitor my glucose levels also. I went with a cheapo system--Contour IIRC. I quickly learned to tolerate finger sticks--probably due to a combination of increasing tolerance and being in control of the stick. Good luck!Sandtrap wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 9:58 pm
You have been very helpful.
Super information.
I'm used to doing sub q needles on myself (abdomen). But really don't like poking my finger. Not one bit. That's why my interest in the vacuum thing, if it really works. Does it?
So, these are called "glucometers". Okay. Learned something new. Thanks.
If I needed to get a RX to get a product, then I'd do that. But, at this point in tine, I'm just looking at everything that's out there as a product, no matter RX or not, insurance or cash, not a concern.
I'm in the learning phase.
Huge thanks for your help.
j
-
- Posts: 572
- Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2018 10:44 am
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Non-diabetic health info geek here, I just finished two weeks with the OTC Stelo CGM. Very affordable way to get some numbers and some insights. That said, my sense is that the science hasn't caught up to the tech, and the information isn't quite actionable yet. I learned a lot about what foods would spike my glucose levels and which wouldn't. But there's not a consensus yet on what constitutes a bad spike vs a normal spike for non-diabetics.
In my case I could eat cereal in the AM on an empty stomach and watch the levels zoom up. That didn't happen with scrambled eggs. But was my fasting baseline OK? Was the peak OK? Was the duration of the spike OK? Shaking a Magic 8 Ball would probably give answers as accurate as what I could find in the research lit for non-diabetics.
Recommended, but with the caveat that more homework might be necessary to make the data useful.
In my case I could eat cereal in the AM on an empty stomach and watch the levels zoom up. That didn't happen with scrambled eggs. But was my fasting baseline OK? Was the peak OK? Was the duration of the spike OK? Shaking a Magic 8 Ball would probably give answers as accurate as what I could find in the research lit for non-diabetics.
Recommended, but with the caveat that more homework might be necessary to make the data useful.
- Random Musings
- Posts: 7046
- Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:24 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Failure rate is when the CGM does not last for the period of time it is supposed to, in the case of a Dexcom it is 10 days for the G6 and G7. With respect to calibration, it is always helpful to check a CGM value with the old school test strip method; CGMs are not perfect and errors can occur due to a variety of issues. Testing with a strip isn't perfect either. Cross checking is helpful.Sandtrap wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 9:40 pmhuge thanks.Random Musings wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 8:40 pm For manual, OneTouch works fine but so do others. Even if using a CGM, you still should calibrate with the old tried and true pricking your finger.
With respect to CGM's, am familiar with the Dexcom. The new G7 is out and the smaller size and quicker start time is appealing, but the tradeoff is a higher failure rate compared to the G6. I recommend an overpatch that holds the sensor down better.
Pairing a CGM with a pump or Omnipod can control you A1C better, but you still need to have diligence with your personal habits.
Some of the choices one makes will come down to financial situation and insurance
Best of luck!
RM
great information.
I don't have budget or insurance concerns. Last thing on my mind.
You mention "higher failure rate". What does that mean?
Why do you have to poke your finger. Can't you poke anywhere else?
Is that machine dependent (consumer item)?
I want to go into "guinea pig mode" and chart myself for a period of time and draw correlations between what and when I eat, etc, and my readings. An app would be useful for that, otherwise I'd use the tried and true black marble colored composition grade school book adn a ruler.
Kinda like "behavior modification mode". Or "lab mode".
What kind of machine would work best for doing something like this?
You mention CGM and then "calibrate" and verify with a "standard" Toyota Camry old faithful type of basic monitor. So that' means even if I get a CGM, it's best to get another basic meter to cross verify as needed? Is this what you mean?
j
If money/insurance allows you the choose what you want, a pump/pod combined with a CGM can provide better control on A1C levels as well as reduce both high and low blood sugar excursions. An acceptable target is being in the "target range" over 70% of the time, although being diligent, close to 80% or even higher is attainable. There are a lot of variables involved. Even though they use algorithms, CGMs still do things occasionally that make you scratch your head. With experience, you will be able to tweak beyond the automated system for better control. I always wake up and check numbers at least once during the night for safety reasons.
If someone can solve the Chinese or pizza puzzles, that would be a great leap forward. Besides avoiding those foods
When it comes to choosing products to help control your diabetes, some of it does come down to personal preference.
RM
Last edited by Random Musings on Wed Oct 30, 2024 11:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I figure the odds be fifty-fifty I just might have something to say. FZ
- Sandtrap
- Posts: 21537
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 5:32 pm
- Location: Hawaii No Ka Oi - white sandy beaches, N. Arizona 1 mile high.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Wow.RetiredAL wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 10:26 pm SandTrap --
It all about self discovery. If I eat this in this quantity, my glucose levels in 2 hrs (the peak) will be this and it will drop to approx this before the next meal/snack. Some carb's make your glucose levels spike, some give to a lower broader glucose response. So the discovery is to what food does what to your glucose response. Do understand that results vary day to day, to the discovery is a long process.
Start with a table of what foods have what glycemic index/load. That will give you a general feel for what's decent for you and what's not, then do your own discovery as to how your unique biochemistry reacts to that food. It's not about never eat this or that, it's about moderating what dings you and do more of helps you.
I've been a Type 2 diabetic for more than 20 years now and I still have acceptable control with standard oral med's, but I have to watch what I eat. Long gone are the days of a bowl of Ice Cream before bedtime.
Edit to add: Getting your supplies at a local drug store is costly. Medicare only pays for a very basic limited amount. PM me and I'll let you know what I do.
This is exactly what I'm trying to learn and do and learn and do.
Huge thanks for explaining it to a total newb.
I'll Pm you if it's okay as I have further questions that are not permissable on the open thread. Thanks for the offer.
Huge thanks again for the "Yoda" level advice andinformation.
j
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Ask away whenever you want.Sandtrap wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 11:30 pmWow.RetiredAL wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 10:26 pm SandTrap --
It all about self discovery. If I eat this in this quantity, my glucose levels in 2 hrs (the peak) will be this and it will drop to approx this before the next meal/snack. Some carb's make your glucose levels spike, some give to a lower broader glucose response. So the discovery is to what food does what to your glucose response. Do understand that results vary day to day, to the discovery is a long process.
Start with a table of what foods have what glycemic index/load. That will give you a general feel for what's decent for you and what's not, then do your own discovery as to how your unique biochemistry reacts to that food. It's not about never eat this or that, it's about moderating what dings you and do more of helps you.
I've been a Type 2 diabetic for more than 20 years now and I still have acceptable control with standard oral med's, but I have to watch what I eat. Long gone are the days of a bowl of Ice Cream before bedtime.
Edit to add: Getting your supplies at a local drug store is costly. Medicare only pays for a very basic limited amount. PM me and I'll let you know what I do.
This is exactly what I'm trying to learn and do and learn and do.
Huge thanks for explaining it to a total newb.
I'll Pm you if it's okay as I have further questions that are not permissable on the open thread. Thanks for the offer.
Huge thanks again for the "Yoda" level advice andinformation.
j
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
That's exactly what I did, 8 years ago. Doc said I was pre-diabetic, go cut sugar and exercise more. Ok, I cut out soda and ice cream, and switched to original yellow cheerios. Next test, my A1c went up. So I bought a tester and strips and stuck my fingers before and 2 hours after every meal, keeping a log in a notebook. Old-school, but effective. And what a revelation. I found spikes from unexpected foods, and moderate numbers from things I thought would be bad (like wine, yay). I also found I just can't handle carbs for breakfast like later in the day. That bowl of cheerios was poison for me. So I made some diet changes, avoiding carbs at breakfast and reducing my spike foods at lunch and dinner. A pretty easy change to live with. A1c dropped steadily, within a year was 5.8. Last few years have been under 5.7, so technically not even pre-diabetic. Normal. All from using that tester and learning what's happening with my body.Sandtrap wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 11:30 pmWow.RetiredAL wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 10:26 pm SandTrap --
It all about self discovery. If I eat this in this quantity, my glucose levels in 2 hrs (the peak) will be this and it will drop to approx this before the next meal/snack. Some carb's make your glucose levels spike, some give to a lower broader glucose response. So the discovery is to what food does what to your glucose response. Do understand that results vary day to day, to the discovery is a long process.
Start with a table of what foods have what glycemic index/load. That will give you a general feel for what's decent for you and what's not, then do your own discovery as to how your unique biochemistry reacts to that food. It's not about never eat this or that, it's about moderating what dings you and do more of helps you.
I've been a Type 2 diabetic for more than 20 years now and I still have acceptable control with standard oral med's, but I have to watch what I eat. Long gone are the days of a bowl of Ice Cream before bedtime.
Edit to add: Getting your supplies at a local drug store is costly. Medicare only pays for a very basic limited amount. PM me and I'll let you know what I do.
This is exactly what I'm trying to learn and do and learn and do.
Huge thanks for explaining it to a total newb.
I'll Pm you if it's okay as I have further questions that are not permissable on the open thread. Thanks for the offer.
Huge thanks again for the "Yoda" level advice andinformation.
j
- TomatoTomahto
- Posts: 18311
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 1:48 pm
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Just last night, I put on a new sensor, and this morning woke up to it "dead as a doorknob." Thankfully, it happens seldom.Random Musings wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 11:23 pm
Failure rate is when the CGM does not last for the period of time it is supposed to, in the case of a Dexcom it is 10 days for the G6 and G7. With respect to calibration, it is always helpful to check a CGM value with the old school test strip method; CGMs are not perfect and errors can occur due to a variety of issues. Testing with a strip isn't perfect either. Cross checking is helpful.
... or bagels!If someone can solve the Chinese or pizza puzzles, that would be a great leap forward. Besides avoiding those foods
I hope this doesn't veer into taboo areas:
I use a CGM, the Dexcom G6. It lasts for around 10 days, and the transmitter (that you insert into the device) lasts for around 3 months. Every time I install a new sensor, I do a finger prick and calibrate the sensor after a day or so. Sometimes, I get a sense that the numbers "don't seem right," so I re-calibrate. After being an insulin dependent T2 diabetic sticking my fingers at least 3 times a day (for my 5 injections), a finger stick every 10 days or so doesn't seem so bad Sandtrap, you'll get used to it.
I am a big believer in CGMs. Using the data provided by the device enabled me to stop using exogenous insulin completely (doctor approved, btw) and my A1C levels are at pre-diabetic levels. I do not miss taking 5 shots of insulin daily, at ever increasing dosages. If I'm being honest, I do miss some of the foods I previously ate (pizza, bagels, etc.), but I feel so much better that it's a trade I'm happy to make.
I get the FI part but not the RE part of FIRE.
- Sandtrap
- Posts: 21537
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 5:32 pm
- Location: Hawaii No Ka Oi - white sandy beaches, N. Arizona 1 mile high.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Really appreciate the help.CascadiaSoonish wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 11:20 pm Non-diabetic health info geek here, I just finished two weeks with the OTC Stelo CGM. Very affordable way to get some numbers and some insights. That said, my sense is that the science hasn't caught up to the tech, and the information isn't quite actionable yet. I learned a lot about what foods would spike my glucose levels and which wouldn't. But there's not a consensus yet on what constitutes a bad spike vs a normal spike for non-diabetics.
In my case I could eat cereal in the AM on an empty stomach and watch the levels zoom up. That didn't happen with scrambled eggs. But was my fasting baseline OK? Was the peak OK? Was the duration of the spike OK? Shaking a Magic 8 Ball would probably give answers as accurate as what I could find in the research lit for non-diabetics.
Recommended, but with the caveat that more homework might be necessary to make the data useful.
Shopping for an "8 Ball".
Is this the OTC Stelo CGM unit you mentioned.??
https://www.stelo.com/?utm_source=googl ... lsrc=aw.ds
Great info!
thanks
j
Last edited by Sandtrap on Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Sandtrap
- Posts: 21537
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 5:32 pm
- Location: Hawaii No Ka Oi - white sandy beaches, N. Arizona 1 mile high.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Wow.Chardo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 7:18 amThat's exactly what I did, 8 years ago. Doc said I was pre-diabetic, go cut sugar and exercise more. Ok, I cut out soda and ice cream, and switched to original yellow cheerios. Next test, my A1c went up. So I bought a tester and strips and stuck my fingers before and 2 hours after every meal, keeping a log in a notebook. Old-school, but effective. And what a revelation. I found spikes from unexpected foods, and moderate numbers from things I thought would be bad (like wine, yay). I also found I just can't handle carbs for breakfast like later in the day. That bowl of cheerios was poison for me. So I made some diet changes, avoiding carbs at breakfast and reducing my spike foods at lunch and dinner. A pretty easy change to live with. A1c dropped steadily, within a year was 5.8. Last few years have been under 5.7, so technically not even pre-diabetic. Normal. All from using that tester and learning what's happening with my body.Sandtrap wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 11:30 pm
Wow.
This is exactly what I'm trying to learn and do and learn and do.
Huge thanks for explaining it to a total newb.
I'll Pm you if it's okay as I have further questions that are not permissable on the open thread. Thanks for the offer.
Huge thanks again for the "Yoda" level advice andinformation.
j
Terrific.
So, now I have the beginnings of a plan. Need to learn more.
Shopping for the right reliable products to give me reliable hard data is the next step as well.
thanks
j
-
- Posts: 178
- Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2016 10:00 pm
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
I'm prediabetic with AIC that has crept up into almost diabetic range, so I've been researching the same things. I tested first with finger prick blood sugar monitor. I don't enjoy it and couldn't talk myself into doing it more than twice a day.
I also researched the CGM that is attached to your skin and monitors continuously. I plan to try an OTC (non prescription) one. The OTC CGMs are brand new - the first one, Dexcom Stelo, came out this summer. The Stelo sensors are supposed to last 15 days, which is nice, but there have been a lot of complaints online about Stelo sensors early failures and lack of tech support, and their competitors are also coming out with OTC models, one just a month ago, so waiting to read the reviews on the competitors.
The Stelo is being marketed mostly to people like us, prediabetics who want to educate ourselves on what causes blood sugar to go up, but many of the people testing (and complaining) seem to be diabetics who have already used the prescription models Dexcom G6 or G7, and they point out the Stelo uses the same technology but Dexcom removed capabilities from the software, probably to ensure it doesn't detract from sales of the non-OTC products but possibly to make it simpler to use for those who are using it for education.
One of the capabilities they removed was being able to calibrate the sensor to ensure the readings were accurate. Without calibration for most people it reads much higher range than the finger prick tests, so useless for diabetics who need the accuracy, so that's the main complaint. But calibration requires using a finger stick monitor I think. If you accept the range as being inaccurate, the size and timing of spikes would still be accurate and therefore useful info. Also the phone app only stores the results for 24 hours so apparently you have to use a different app to view longer term results. But I think the Stelo (or competitor) would be a good starting point.
I also researched the CGM that is attached to your skin and monitors continuously. I plan to try an OTC (non prescription) one. The OTC CGMs are brand new - the first one, Dexcom Stelo, came out this summer. The Stelo sensors are supposed to last 15 days, which is nice, but there have been a lot of complaints online about Stelo sensors early failures and lack of tech support, and their competitors are also coming out with OTC models, one just a month ago, so waiting to read the reviews on the competitors.
The Stelo is being marketed mostly to people like us, prediabetics who want to educate ourselves on what causes blood sugar to go up, but many of the people testing (and complaining) seem to be diabetics who have already used the prescription models Dexcom G6 or G7, and they point out the Stelo uses the same technology but Dexcom removed capabilities from the software, probably to ensure it doesn't detract from sales of the non-OTC products but possibly to make it simpler to use for those who are using it for education.
One of the capabilities they removed was being able to calibrate the sensor to ensure the readings were accurate. Without calibration for most people it reads much higher range than the finger prick tests, so useless for diabetics who need the accuracy, so that's the main complaint. But calibration requires using a finger stick monitor I think. If you accept the range as being inaccurate, the size and timing of spikes would still be accurate and therefore useful info. Also the phone app only stores the results for 24 hours so apparently you have to use a different app to view longer term results. But I think the Stelo (or competitor) would be a good starting point.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
We use a Kroger Brand, Healthpro with Kroger strips. It's a simple meter, no blue tooth, no bells and whistles. We manually record our results in an app called Ontrack, by Medivo. The meter was cheap and I don't recall what we paid, but the strips are still $17 for a 100. We get them delivered for free since our daughter has a delivery account. We're in Florida, Kroger has a delivery service here.
For type 2 diabetes, Medicare will only pay for 100 strips a month, the second 100 strips cost $100. I just laughed at the pharmacy tech. That's why we use Kroger strips. If not Kroger, then we would use the Wallyworld brand.
We also use them to see if the food drastically affects our glucose. Yep, no bagels for me!
For type 2 diabetes, Medicare will only pay for 100 strips a month, the second 100 strips cost $100. I just laughed at the pharmacy tech. That's why we use Kroger strips. If not Kroger, then we would use the Wallyworld brand.
We also use them to see if the food drastically affects our glucose. Yep, no bagels for me!
Women and men plan, the Gods laugh.
- Sandtrap
- Posts: 21537
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 5:32 pm
- Location: Hawaii No Ka Oi - white sandy beaches, N. Arizona 1 mile high.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Here's the "Stelo CGM OTC' website (product information and ordering).sbaywriter wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:04 am I'm prediabetic with AIC that has crept up into almost diabetic range, so I've been researching the same things. I tested first with finger prick blood sugar monitor. I don't enjoy it and couldn't talk myself into doing it more than twice a day.
I also researched the CGM that is attached to your skin and monitors continuously. I plan to try an OTC (non prescription) one. The OTC CGMs are brand new - the first one, Dexcom Stelo, came out this summer. The Stelo sensors are supposed to last 15 days, which is nice, but there have been a lot of complaints online about Stelo sensors early failures and lack of tech support, and their competitors are also coming out with OTC models, one just a month ago, so waiting to read the reviews on the competitors.
The Stelo is being marketed mostly to people like us, prediabetics who want to educate ourselves on what causes blood sugar to go up, but many of the people testing (and complaining) seem to be diabetics who have already used the prescription models Dexcom G6 or G7, and they point out the Stelo uses the same technology but Dexcom removed capabilities from the software, probably to ensure it doesn't detract from sales of the non-OTC products but possibly to make it simpler to use for those who are using it for education.
One of the capabilities they removed was being able to calibrate the sensor to ensure the readings were accurate. Without calibration for most people it reads much higher range than the finger prick tests, so useless for diabetics who need the accuracy, so that's the main complaint. But calibration requires using a finger stick monitor I think. If you accept the range as being inaccurate, the size and timing of spikes would still be accurate and therefore useful info. Also the phone app only stores the results for 24 hours so apparently you have to use a different app to view longer term results. But I think the Stelo (or competitor) would be a good starting point.
https://www.stelo.com/buy-stelo-one-time
I can see that if the data is not stored for longer than 24 hours then one would have to use a spreadsheet or composition paper tablet/book to make log entries. If it could do a graph and export that to a permanent ongoing log that would be good. Or have to export the "screenshots" maybe better from the iphone.
(if there's a screenshot feature, I don't know????
I like the idea of continuous monitoring vs the finger stick thing which would only be momentary "snapshots" and arduous to do so many times in a day or night, etc.
I think the idea of cross checking the readings with a "standard stick" monitor type is a good idea at least to get a relationship between the 2 that are being used. If the CGM is consistently up "x" or down "Y" then that can be taken into account as a "margin" right???
The Stelo CGM OTC charges 100 dollars for 2 monitors with a lifespan of 15 days each, maybe.
I think that if I plan it right, I can set things up for a 60 day test total, maybe lst 15 to 30 to get a baseline then 2 sequences of 15 to make adjustments in diet,etc.
What do you think?
I'm thinkking about what to get and how to go about using the devices, protocols, routines, plots and graphs and orbits.
???
j
Nutritioun and diet is a borderline medical topic or food consumer thing. So, that would tangent this thread to get locked.
So, will obstain from that discussion for now.
- Sandtrap
- Posts: 21537
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 5:32 pm
- Location: Hawaii No Ka Oi - white sandy beaches, N. Arizona 1 mile high.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
I gave up on the super deluxe HP Prixma Photo Printer for this reason. The results were fantastic. I often print out photos on HP semi glossy paper in smaller sizes and mail them out to global penfriends, etc. But the cost of those tiny ink cartridges were crazy. Finally got an EPSON color tank printer. Results are "good enough" and costs are rock bottom.arcticpineapplecorp. wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 9:50 pm what does your insurance cover?
It's not so much the device as it is the test strips that are really where the money's at. So you'll want to make sure to get what your insurance provider will cover.
kinda like the printer is low cost, but the ink cartridge prices are where they get ya.
Will consider the costs of the test strips.
thanks.
j
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
There’s a lot to,it, and education is very important. Just a few things.Sandtrap wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:38 amHere's the "Stelo CGM OTC' website (product information and ordering).sbaywriter wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:04 am I'm prediabetic with AIC that has crept up into almost diabetic range, so I've been researching the same things. I tested first with finger prick blood sugar monitor. I don't enjoy it and couldn't talk myself into doing it more than twice a day.
I also researched the CGM that is attached to your skin and monitors continuously. I plan to try an OTC (non prescription) one. The OTC CGMs are brand new - the first one, Dexcom Stelo, came out this summer. The Stelo sensors are supposed to last 15 days, which is nice, but there have been a lot of complaints online about Stelo sensors early failures and lack of tech support, and their competitors are also coming out with OTC models, one just a month ago, so waiting to read the reviews on the competitors.
The Stelo is being marketed mostly to people like us, prediabetics who want to educate ourselves on what causes blood sugar to go up, but many of the people testing (and complaining) seem to be diabetics who have already used the prescription models Dexcom G6 or G7, and they point out the Stelo uses the same technology but Dexcom removed capabilities from the software, probably to ensure it doesn't detract from sales of the non-OTC products but possibly to make it simpler to use for those who are using it for education.
One of the capabilities they removed was being able to calibrate the sensor to ensure the readings were accurate. Without calibration for most people it reads much higher range than the finger prick tests, so useless for diabetics who need the accuracy, so that's the main complaint. But calibration requires using a finger stick monitor I think. If you accept the range as being inaccurate, the size and timing of spikes would still be accurate and therefore useful info. Also the phone app only stores the results for 24 hours so apparently you have to use a different app to view longer term results. But I think the Stelo (or competitor) would be a good starting point.
https://www.stelo.com/buy-stelo-one-time
I can see that if the data is not stored for longer than 24 hours then one would have to use a spreadsheet or composition paper tablet/book to make log entries. If it could do a graph and export that to a permanent ongoing log that would be good. Or have to export the "screenshots" maybe better from the iphone.
(if there's a screenshot feature, I don't know????
I like the idea of continuous monitoring vs the finger stick thing which would only be momentary "snapshots" and arduous to do so many times in a day or night, etc.
I think the idea of cross checking the readings with a "standard stick" monitor type is a good idea at least to get a relationship between the 2 that are being used. If the CGM is consistently up "x" or down "Y" then that can be taken into account as a "margin" right???
The Stelo CGM OTC charges 100 dollars for 2 monitors with a lifespan of 15 days each, maybe.
I think that if I plan it right, I can set things up for a 60 day test total, maybe lst 15 to 30 to get a baseline then 2 sequences of 15 to make adjustments in diet,etc.
What do you think?
I'm thinkking about what to get and how to go about using the devices, protocols, routines, plots and graphs and orbits.
???
j
Nutritioun and diet is a borderline medical topic or food consumer thing. So, that would tangent this thread to get locked.
So, will obstain from that discussion for now.
1) finger stick readings are also not perfectly accurate. They are allowed to be up to 20% off…….
2) finger stick readings and CGM will almost never match exactly. There are lots if reasons for this…..
3) the digestive and biological processes in your body take time. CGM readings will typically lag actual blood glucose readings because of this. I.e. if you drink a big bottle of Coke, your blood glucose will rise quickly. But it will take a while for that to affect the interstitial fluids in your arm, and then it could take another 5 minutes for the CGM to sample it and report it, etc.
I’m still 100% on the CGM bandwagon. But it just provides a number, and it takes training and understanding to understand what to do with the number.
- Random Musings
- Posts: 7046
- Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:24 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
I'm a big fan of CGM's, especially as I am dealing with a person who has Type 1; hence the reason I believe that checking overnight is critical. I have various in laws with type 2, for them, avoiding too much carb loading at one sitting does help with A1C control (no different than Type 1). However , they are on medicine, not insulin and that is a different ball game. Their A1C numbers should be in the fives if they pay attention (two do and one doesn't so is in the 6's.); with Type 1, in most cases, that means there are too many low excursions which typically decreases sensitivity to feeling lows which is not helpful. Right now, we are in the 6.2 to 6.7 range; it's all about tweaking settings.TomatoTomahto wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 7:44 amJust last night, I put on a new sensor, and this morning woke up to it "dead as a doorknob." Thankfully, it happens seldom.Random Musings wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 11:23 pm
Failure rate is when the CGM does not last for the period of time it is supposed to, in the case of a Dexcom it is 10 days for the G6 and G7. With respect to calibration, it is always helpful to check a CGM value with the old school test strip method; CGMs are not perfect and errors can occur due to a variety of issues. Testing with a strip isn't perfect either. Cross checking is helpful.... or bagels!If someone can solve the Chinese or pizza puzzles, that would be a great leap forward. Besides avoiding those foods
I hope this doesn't veer into taboo areas:
I use a CGM, the Dexcom G6. It lasts for around 10 days, and the transmitter (that you insert into the device) lasts for around 3 months. Every time I install a new sensor, I do a finger prick and calibrate the sensor after a day or so. Sometimes, I get a sense that the numbers "don't seem right," so I re-calibrate. After being an insulin dependent T2 diabetic sticking my fingers at least 3 times a day (for my 5 injections), a finger stick every 10 days or so doesn't seem so bad Sandtrap, you'll get used to it.
I am a big believer in CGMs. Using the data provided by the device enabled me to stop using exogenous insulin completely (doctor approved, btw) and my A1C levels are at pre-diabetic levels. I do not miss taking 5 shots of insulin daily, at ever increasing dosages. If I'm being honest, I do miss some of the foods I previously ate (pizza, bagels, etc.), but I feel so much better that it's a trade I'm happy to make.
Thanksgiving will be a bolus fest!
When it comes to equipment, I have found that the CGM we use is most likely to have issues the first 8 hours (calibration, diving towards zero with no explanation). Those typically iron themselves out. Otherwise, failure will typically occur day 9 or 10, where readings become intermittent or disappear. Always make sure you have test strips as a backup.
RM
I figure the odds be fifty-fifty I just might have something to say. FZ
- TomatoTomahto
- Posts: 18311
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 1:48 pm
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Purely from personal experience, the relationship between “standard stick” and CGM is not always similar between CGM sensors. . So, for example, sensor A might read 100 when stick says 115, but sensor B might be spot on. I find that very seldom does sensor A change markedly from stick readings from the first day through the tenth day; once calibrated, the software seems to do a good job of adjusting the readings.Sandtrap wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:38 am I think the idea of cross checking the readings with a "standard stick" monitor type is a good idea at least to get a relationship between the 2 that are being used. If the CGM is consistently up "x" or down "Y" then that can be taken into account as a "margin" right???.
Btw, two findings of note, one very surprising. Be careful making too much of a reading after a shower; “stress hyperglycemia” has my glucose number go up by 20 or more points after a hot shower; it comes down quickly.
The other finding is not a surprise, but wonderful motivation to exercise. An hour on the elliptical, at moderate intensity, can lower my glucose by 40 points. On days when I’m really “not in the mood,” it gets me on the machine regardless.
I get the FI part but not the RE part of FIRE.
- arcticpineapplecorp.
- Posts: 16420
- Joined: Tue Mar 06, 2012 8:22 pm
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
yeah, i wised up thanks to bogleheads and got a brother laserjet (black only). wished i had done it years ago.Sandtrap wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:42 amI gave up on the super deluxe HP Prixma Photo Printer for this reason. The results were fantastic. I often print out photos on HP semi glossy paper in smaller sizes and mail them out to global penfriends, etc. But the cost of those tiny ink cartridges were crazy. Finally got an EPSON color tank printer. Results are "good enough" and costs are rock bottom.arcticpineapplecorp. wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 9:50 pm what does your insurance cover?
It's not so much the device as it is the test strips that are really where the money's at. So you'll want to make sure to get what your insurance provider will cover.
kinda like the printer is low cost, but the ink cartridge prices are where they get ya.
Will consider the costs of the test strips.
thanks.
j
i think the test strips are around $1 a strip (or used to be, could be more now). Depending on how many times one tests per day, that can obviously add up. The device (an accucheck anyway is like $14).
It's hard to accept the truth when the lies were exactly what you wanted to hear. Investing is simple, but not easy. Buy, hold & rebalance low cost index funds & manage taxable events. Asking Portfolio Questions |
- Sandtrap
- Posts: 21537
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 5:32 pm
- Location: Hawaii No Ka Oi - white sandy beaches, N. Arizona 1 mile high.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
I notice a price and feature difference between the OTC CGM'sNormchad wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:45 amThere’s a lot to,it, and education is very important. Just a few things.Sandtrap wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:38 am
Here's the "Stelo CGM OTC' website (product information and ordering).
https://www.stelo.com/buy-stelo-one-time
I can see that if the data is not stored for longer than 24 hours then one would have to use a spreadsheet or composition paper tablet/book to make log entries. If it could do a graph and export that to a permanent ongoing log that would be good. Or have to export the "screenshots" maybe better from the iphone.
(if there's a screenshot feature, I don't know????
I like the idea of continuous monitoring vs the finger stick thing which would only be momentary "snapshots" and arduous to do so many times in a day or night, etc.
I think the idea of cross checking the readings with a "standard stick" monitor type is a good idea at least to get a relationship between the 2 that are being used. If the CGM is consistently up "x" or down "Y" then that can be taken into account as a "margin" right???
The Stelo CGM OTC charges 100 dollars for 2 monitors with a lifespan of 15 days each, maybe.
I think that if I plan it right, I can set things up for a 60 day test total, maybe lst 15 to 30 to get a baseline then 2 sequences of 15 to make adjustments in diet,etc.
What do you think?
I'm thinkking about what to get and how to go about using the devices, protocols, routines, plots and graphs and orbits.
???
j
Nutritioun and diet is a borderline medical topic or food consumer thing. So, that would tangent this thread to get locked.
So, will obstain from that discussion for now.
1) finger stick readings are also not perfectly accurate. They are allowed to be up to 20% off…….
2) finger stick readings and CGM will almost never match exactly. There are lots if reasons for this…..
3) the digestive and biological processes in your body take time. CGM readings will typically lag actual blood glucose readings because of this. I.e. if you drink a big bottle of Coke, your blood glucose will rise quickly. But it will take a while for that to affect the interstitial fluids in your arm, and then it could take another 5 minutes for the CGM to sample it and report it, etc.
I’m still 100% on the CGM bandwagon. But it just provides a number, and it takes training and understanding to understand what to do with the number.
1
Stelo: 100 dollars for 2 sensors each lasting 15 days.
pairs with iphone but data only for 24 hours is stored. Seems lke it?
2
Dexcom G7: 300 dollars for 3 sensors in a box, each sensor lasting 10 days,
pairs with iphone with better features than the Stelo as far as the app. Seems like it?
Thoughts?
Advice?
info?
j
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
All the Dexcom GCM models, including the Stelo, keep up to a 90 day history in the cloud available at Dexcom’s website or through their reporting app called Clarity.I can see that if the data is not stored for longer than 24 hours then one would have to use a spreadsheet or composition paper tablet/book to make log entries. If it could do a graph and export that to a permanent ongoing log that would be good. Or have to export the "screenshots" maybe better from the iphone.
(if there's a screenshot feature, I don't know????
- TomatoTomahto
- Posts: 18311
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 1:48 pm
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Sandtrap, I enjoy spending your money , but honestly, go for the features. The goal is to better understand how your body reacts to food and exercise and the timing of those; better data will provide better education.
Think of other things you spend money on; this is more important and you can afford it.
Think of other things you spend money on; this is more important and you can afford it.
I get the FI part but not the RE part of FIRE.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
I have no knowledge of the Stelo. I just learned of it in this thread. I just might buy 1 for myself and check it out!Sandtrap wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:06 amI notice a price and feature difference between the OTC CGM'sNormchad wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:45 am
There’s a lot to,it, and education is very important. Just a few things.
1) finger stick readings are also not perfectly accurate. They are allowed to be up to 20% off…….
2) finger stick readings and CGM will almost never match exactly. There are lots if reasons for this…..
3) the digestive and biological processes in your body take time. CGM readings will typically lag actual blood glucose readings because of this. I.e. if you drink a big bottle of Coke, your blood glucose will rise quickly. But it will take a while for that to affect the interstitial fluids in your arm, and then it could take another 5 minutes for the CGM to sample it and report it, etc.
I’m still 100% on the CGM bandwagon. But it just provides a number, and it takes training and understanding to understand what to do with the number.
1
Stelo: 100 dollars for 2 sensors each lasting 15 days.
pairs with iphone but data only for 24 hours is stored. Seems lke it?
2
Dexcom G7: 300 dollars for 3 sensors in a box, each sensor lasting 10 days,
pairs with iphone with better features than the Stelo as far as the app. Seems like it?
Thoughts?
Advice?
info?
j
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Unless you are taking insulin or some other potentially hypoglycemic inducing medication I don't see any advantage to the Rx Dexcom G7.Sandtrap wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:06 amI notice a price and feature difference between the OTC CGM'sNormchad wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:45 am
There’s a lot to,it, and education is very important. Just a few things.
1) finger stick readings are also not perfectly accurate. They are allowed to be up to 20% off…….
2) finger stick readings and CGM will almost never match exactly. There are lots if reasons for this…..
3) the digestive and biological processes in your body take time. CGM readings will typically lag actual blood glucose readings because of this. I.e. if you drink a big bottle of Coke, your blood glucose will rise quickly. But it will take a while for that to affect the interstitial fluids in your arm, and then it could take another 5 minutes for the CGM to sample it and report it, etc.
I’m still 100% on the CGM bandwagon. But it just provides a number, and it takes training and understanding to understand what to do with the number.
1
Stelo: 100 dollars for 2 sensors each lasting 15 days.
pairs with iphone but data only for 24 hours is stored. Seems lke it?
2
Dexcom G7: 300 dollars for 3 sensors in a box, each sensor lasting 10 days,
pairs with iphone with better features than the Stelo as far as the app. Seems like it?
Thoughts?
Advice?
info?
j
An occasional annoyance with any CGM is what’s called a “compression low”. Putting too much pressure on the sensor, such as when you are sleeping, will cause the sensor to read precipitously low. With the G7 its alarms will wake you up.
Last edited by furwut on Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Here is a thread about the Dexcon Stelo CGM on Early Retirement. The folk over there are really nice.
https://www.early-retirement.org/thread ... or.122137/
AFAIK, Stelo is the only OTC CGM. One can also go online and get a prescription for CGM and purchase from the website. I have a friend who does this. He did this to learn how to control his blood sugar.
I have considered getting the Stelo for non-medical purposes. It would be more like a hobby to see how my lifestyle affects my blood sugar.
https://www.early-retirement.org/thread ... or.122137/
AFAIK, Stelo is the only OTC CGM. One can also go online and get a prescription for CGM and purchase from the website. I have a friend who does this. He did this to learn how to control his blood sugar.
I have considered getting the Stelo for non-medical purposes. It would be more like a hobby to see how my lifestyle affects my blood sugar.
52% TSM, 23% TISM, 24.5% TBM, 0.5% cash
- TomatoTomahto
- Posts: 18311
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 1:48 pm
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Sandtrap, you’re not working for Dexcom are you? There are two potential purchasers of Stelo here on this thread! I get my Dexcom G6 for free, but the Stelo seems more convenient and I hate the amount of packaging on the G6, so I might switch.
I get the FI part but not the RE part of FIRE.
- Random Musings
- Posts: 7046
- Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:24 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
G6 does the same; alarm it set up for low values anyway. However, I have seen it dive on start up without compression lows. Calibrate, does it again. Magically, it clears up after a period of time.furwut wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:16 amUnless you are taking insulin or some other potentially hypoglycemic inducing medication I don't see any advantage to the Rx Dexcom G7.Sandtrap wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:06 am
I notice a price and feature difference between the OTC CGM's
1
Stelo: 100 dollars for 2 sensors each lasting 15 days.
pairs with iphone but data only for 24 hours is stored. Seems lke it?
2
Dexcom G7: 300 dollars for 3 sensors in a box, each sensor lasting 10 days,
pairs with iphone with better features than the Stelo as far as the app. Seems like it?
Thoughts?
Advice?
info?
j
An occasional annoyance with any CGM is what’s called a “compression low”. Putting too much pressure on the sensor, such as when you are sleeping, will cause the sensor to read precipitously low. With the G7 its alarms will wake you up.
RM
Last edited by Random Musings on Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
I figure the odds be fifty-fifty I just might have something to say. FZ
- Sandtrap
- Posts: 21537
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 5:32 pm
- Location: Hawaii No Ka Oi - white sandy beaches, N. Arizona 1 mile high.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Have you considered the new sensor and features of the newer G7 sensors???TomatoTomahto wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:19 amSandtrap, you’re not working for Dexcom are you? There are two potential purchasers of Stelo here on this thread! I get my Dexcom G6 for free, but the Stelo seems more convenient and I hate the amount of packaging on the G6, so I might switch.
Do you add optional waterproof over patches via Amazon or does the sensor patch keep it secure enough for the 1-2 weeks???
j
- TomatoTomahto
- Posts: 18311
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 1:48 pm
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
For some reason, my insurance won’t cover the G7.Sandtrap wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:43 amHave you considered the new sensor and features of the newer G7 sensors???TomatoTomahto wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:19 am
Sandtrap, you’re not working for Dexcom are you? There are two potential purchasers of Stelo here on this thread! I get my Dexcom G6 for free, but the Stelo seems more convenient and I hate the amount of packaging on the G6, so I might switch.
Do you add optional waterproof over patches via Amazon or does the sensor patch keep it secure enough for the 1-2 weeks???
j
I don’t add optional waterproof patches. I have worn my sensor in hot tub, sauna, showers, etc., and have never had a problem.
ETA: every now and then, a corner of the patch does get a bit unattached to my skin, but never significantly enough to affect its ability to be useful.
I get the FI part but not the RE part of FIRE.
- Random Musings
- Posts: 7046
- Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:24 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
I would highly recommend the overpatch for the G7. Being smaller than the G6, is more likely to loosen up. We use it for the G6, helpful as without it, the adhesive edges tend to loosen up (or worse) over time. YMMV depending on activity levels, number of times on shower and so on. We just call up for the patches, no charge for the G6 ones.Sandtrap wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:43 amHave you considered the new sensor and features of the newer G7 sensors???TomatoTomahto wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:19 am
Sandtrap, you’re not working for Dexcom are you? There are two potential purchasers of Stelo here on this thread! I get my Dexcom G6 for free, but the Stelo seems more convenient and I hate the amount of packaging on the G6, so I might switch.
Do you add optional waterproof over patches via Amazon or does the sensor patch keep it secure enough for the 1-2 weeks???
j
RM
I figure the odds be fifty-fifty I just might have something to say. FZ
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Yes, I’ve experienced the same with the Stelo. CGMs need a “burn in period” of about 12-24 hours.Random Musings wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:42 amG6 does the same; alarm it set up for low values anyway. However, I have seen it dive on start up without compression lows. Calibrate, does it again. Magically, it clears up after a period of time.furwut wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:16 am
Unless you are taking insulin or some other potentially hypoglycemic inducing medication I don't see any advantage to the Rx Dexcom G7.
An occasional annoyance with any CGM is what’s called a “compression low”. Putting too much pressure on the sensor, such as when you are sleeping, will cause the sensor to read precipitously low. With the G7 its alarms will wake you up.
RM
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
I haven’t used the G7. The reason is that many people complain that the Bluetooth connection between the transmitter and the receiver is not nearly as reliable as it was with the G6.Sandtrap wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:43 amHave you considered the new sensor and features of the newer G7 sensors???TomatoTomahto wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:19 am
Sandtrap, you’re not working for Dexcom are you? There are two potential purchasers of Stelo here on this thread! I get my Dexcom G6 for free, but the Stelo seems more convenient and I hate the amount of packaging on the G6, so I might switch.
Do you add optional waterproof over patches via Amazon or does the sensor patch keep it secure enough for the 1-2 weeks???
j
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Finger stick is unreliable for me. If I eat cake with a fork or my fingers, results are the same.
-
- Posts: 572
- Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2018 10:44 am
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Yes, that's the Stelo unit I purchased. Totally recommend it as long as you're OK with the legwork of doing some of your own research and interpretation as discussed in this thread (my doctor's office was, shall we say, uninterested in supporting me on this) And as others have mentioned the bundled Stelo app does have its limitations but the data also shows up in the more powerful Clarity application, so you can analyze it there as well.Sandtrap wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 8:58 amReally appreciate the help.CascadiaSoonish wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2024 11:20 pm Non-diabetic health info geek here, I just finished two weeks with the OTC Stelo CGM. Very affordable way to get some numbers and some insights. That said, my sense is that the science hasn't caught up to the tech, and the information isn't quite actionable yet. I learned a lot about what foods would spike my glucose levels and which wouldn't. But there's not a consensus yet on what constitutes a bad spike vs a normal spike for non-diabetics.
In my case I could eat cereal in the AM on an empty stomach and watch the levels zoom up. That didn't happen with scrambled eggs. But was my fasting baseline OK? Was the peak OK? Was the duration of the spike OK? Shaking a Magic 8 Ball would probably give answers as accurate as what I could find in the research lit for non-diabetics.
Recommended, but with the caveat that more homework might be necessary to make the data useful.
Shopping for an "8 Ball".
Is this the OTC Stelo CGM unit you mentioned.??
https://www.stelo.com/?utm_source=googl ... lsrc=aw.ds
Great info!
thanks
j
Based on my CGM data readings I've cut back on AM carbs and sugar (particularly the heavily processed varieties) as those seemed to be my biggest culprits. In a few months I'll get an A1C test to see how my levels look overall.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Hi Santrap ,
I’ve been a type 2 diabetic for 25 years now. I started out on Metformin which gave me diarrhea all the time. I didn’t want to take insulin for the longest time. My son, the pharmacist, encouraged me to take insulin so I did I finally gave in. I took fast acting and slower acting insulin up to 5 times a day.
A few years ago my doctor encouraged me to try a CGM- Freestyle Libre 3 (I graduated from Freestyle 2). Before the CGM I was poking my fingers all but the pinky everyday five times a day. I use the IN TOUCH system with blood tab strip. The finger pokes are manageable but can be a "pain".
Since using the Freesyle 3 system my pharma d advisor has been weening me off the finger pokes. I only finger poke when something’s amiss with me or the Freestyle result. For example last night I registered low blood sugar many times . When I got up I had a better reading with the finger prick test. Sometimes I don’t trust the Freestyle readings.
I have uncontrolled diabetes, but I’ve managed to stay alive with the help of my doctors at Kaiser. I don’t know if this helps you any. I’ve learned to live with diabetes. I hate that I can’t eat what gave me the disease in the first place. I am fortunate that Kaiser covers all my medical needs and my diabetic supplies.
Aloha Bill
I’ve been a type 2 diabetic for 25 years now. I started out on Metformin which gave me diarrhea all the time. I didn’t want to take insulin for the longest time. My son, the pharmacist, encouraged me to take insulin so I did I finally gave in. I took fast acting and slower acting insulin up to 5 times a day.
A few years ago my doctor encouraged me to try a CGM- Freestyle Libre 3 (I graduated from Freestyle 2). Before the CGM I was poking my fingers all but the pinky everyday five times a day. I use the IN TOUCH system with blood tab strip. The finger pokes are manageable but can be a "pain".
Since using the Freesyle 3 system my pharma d advisor has been weening me off the finger pokes. I only finger poke when something’s amiss with me or the Freestyle result. For example last night I registered low blood sugar many times . When I got up I had a better reading with the finger prick test. Sometimes I don’t trust the Freestyle readings.
I have uncontrolled diabetes, but I’ve managed to stay alive with the help of my doctors at Kaiser. I don’t know if this helps you any. I’ve learned to live with diabetes. I hate that I can’t eat what gave me the disease in the first place. I am fortunate that Kaiser covers all my medical needs and my diabetic supplies.
Aloha Bill
- Sandtrap
- Posts: 21537
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 5:32 pm
- Location: Hawaii No Ka Oi - white sandy beaches, N. Arizona 1 mile high.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Here are some interesting videos on the Dextrom G7 website. "RapidRX" seems to have the best price right now.
https://rapidrxusa.com/products/dexcom- ... 3773486138
j
https://rapidrxusa.com/products/dexcom- ... 3773486138
j
- Sandtrap
- Posts: 21537
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 5:32 pm
- Location: Hawaii No Ka Oi - white sandy beaches, N. Arizona 1 mile high.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
thanks for sharing, Bill.AlohaBill wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 12:12 pm Hi Santrap ,
I’ve been a type 2 diabetic for 25 years now. I started out on Metformin which gave me diarrhea all the time. I didn’t want to take insulin for the longest time. My son, the pharmacist, encouraged me to take insulin so I did I finally gave in. I took fast acting and slower acting insulin up to 5 times a day.
A few years ago my doctor encouraged me to try a CGM- Freestyle Libre 3 (I graduated from Freestyle 2). Before the CGM I was poking my fingers all but the pinky everyday five times a day. I use the IN TOUCH system with blood tab strip. The finger pokes are manageable but can be a "pain".
Since using the Freesyle 3 system my pharma d advisor has been weening me off the finger pokes. I only finger poke when something’s amiss with me or the Freestyle result. For example last night I registered low blood sugar many times . When I got up I had a better reading with the finger prick test. Sometimes I don’t trust the Freestyle readings.
I have uncontrolled diabetes, but I’ve managed to stay alive with the help of my doctors at Kaiser. I don’t know if this helps you any. I’ve learned to live with diabetes. I hate that I can’t eat what gave me the disease in the first place. I am fortunate that Kaiser covers all my medical needs and my diabetic supplies.
Aloha Bill
Yes, I've always been with HMSA since my brother and relatives are doctors in that network and have always "fast tracked" me through the system. I got spoiled.
I've had a lot of friends and relatives with Kaiser for many years and have had good results.
Now in the mainland on Medicare Original with Part G, I've had to work hard to create my own network of high quality doctors and professionals and specialists. Fortunately, the reputable Mayo Medical Center's are in Scottsdale 2 hours away. But, even they can "drop the ball". So, I have other specialists as well.
Local style guys like me, (grew up hawaiian eating style) even if very into nutrition my whole life, culturally, have eating habits that though avoiding dairy, processed foods, meats, cheeses, etc, are still carb heavy like chinese and japanese rice and noodle dishes, etc. But,
I'm told that hereditary has a lot to do with these things as well.
I'm trying to get a handle on my health right now, as always, pre emptively, with these glucosometer monitors, etc and everyone's been really kind to help me out.
Maybe they can make a meter gizmo that you put next to the food and it will say okay or not.
Kalua Pig....beep no.
Poi....carb heavy taro root..beep no.
sashimi....beep yes
Pork Luau ..beep no
Anything Zippies...beep no
Anything L and L...beep no
Ramen noodles...Teriyaki...beep no
rice....beep..no
chicken katsu...on fried rice...beep no....
Have you also looked into other CGM gizmos on the market. Now at least 2 are FDA approved for OTC.
Stello
Dexcom G6 or G7
etc?????
Here's the "Freestyle Libre 3 CGM system you mention" on the well priced "RapidRx" site:
https://rapidrxusa.com/products/freesty ... HVEALw_wcB
What do you think of reliability?
How do you like the app?
Does it graph and monitor and save the data to the iphone?
There is a listing on the app that does not include the iPhone 16 Pro Max and IOS 18. Only prior models iPhone 15 and IOS 17.
Have you had any issues with iphone compatibility????
thanks a whole lot
me ke aloha
j
Last edited by Sandtrap on Thu Oct 31, 2024 12:37 pm, edited 3 times in total.
- Sandtrap
- Posts: 21537
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 5:32 pm
- Location: Hawaii No Ka Oi - white sandy beaches, N. Arizona 1 mile high.
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
I downloaded some of the apps to get an idea of the quality of the interface, etc.CascadiaSoonish wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 12:05 pmYes, that's the Stelo unit I purchased. Totally recommend it as long as you're OK with the legwork of doing some of your own research and interpretation as discussed in this thread (my doctor's office was, shall we say, uninterested in supporting me on this) And as others have mentioned the bundled Stelo app does have its limitations but the data also shows up in the more powerful Clarity application, so you can analyze it there as well.Sandtrap wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 8:58 am
Really appreciate the help.
Shopping for an "8 Ball".
Is this the OTC Stelo CGM unit you mentioned.??
https://www.stelo.com/?utm_source=googl ... lsrc=aw.ds
Great info!
thanks
j
Based on my CGM data readings I've cut back on AM carbs and sugar (particularly the heavily processed varieties) as those seemed to be my biggest culprits. In a few months I'll get an A1C test to see how my levels look overall.
Stello
Dextrom G6 and G7
etc.
There's a lot of variation. I think, much like committing to buying into the iphone apple vs android or pc systems, you have to wisely look at the whole thing and what works best for you.
Isn't that true?
I think the Clarity app is a powerful and smooth one.
thoughts?
It has been mentioned that the latest G7 app is more buggy than the G6, but there are a lot of nice features on it. Also, the way that the sensor and the patch wire thing is integrated into one piece vs the G6 that is a 2 piece and seems more hassle.
thoughts??
huge thanks
enjoy your posts.
jim
Re: Overwhelming choices for glucose monitor gizmos. Need advice on products.
Finger sticks can be annoying and painful. I use a tester/strips rated for alternate site, which for me is my forearm.
Depending on the monitor, 50 strips can be as low as in the $15 region.
Insurance coverage can be sticky. Unless it's changed recently, many/most insurers (including Medicare) would only cover CGM if the person was on Insulin Injections. Medicare will only cover 1 test strip a day. I buy my strips online and don't even bother involving Medicare.
Believe it or not, the basic tester and strips sold at Walmart is on the lower end of cost.
No tester/strips are perfect. Although I never had a strip that does not work, everyone once in a while I get a test result that is whacko and a repeat test come back in the expected range.
Depending on the monitor, 50 strips can be as low as in the $15 region.
Insurance coverage can be sticky. Unless it's changed recently, many/most insurers (including Medicare) would only cover CGM if the person was on Insulin Injections. Medicare will only cover 1 test strip a day. I buy my strips online and don't even bother involving Medicare.
Believe it or not, the basic tester and strips sold at Walmart is on the lower end of cost.
No tester/strips are perfect. Although I never had a strip that does not work, everyone once in a while I get a test result that is whacko and a repeat test come back in the expected range.