I bought a Dexcom!

After using the Medtronic Guardian RT at the Boston Marathon and during the Honu Ironman 70.3 (half-ironman) triathlon this year, I felt pretty sad to be without my own continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS). Medtronic's CGMS won't be available in the U.S. until "sometime early near year," and who knows what that really means. Abbott has a system that is still under FDA review. Dexcom currently has a system available for purchase in the United States: the Dexcom STS. A careful review of all three would probably have been the most prudent choice, but I just don't want to wait any longer! The cost is expensive: to buy the device itself was $400 (sale price--it's normally $800), plus another $35 for each 3-day sensor. So, if I used the CGMS continually, it would cost me about $350/month! Yikes! Yikes again! I imagine that I will use it for a few days each week until the insurances realize how valuable this technology is, and decide to chip in a few bucks. Let's hope that's not too far off.

I spoke with a few people about the Dexcom, and have received some good reviews, as well as some mixed reviews. I think, at this point, all reviews of CGMS's are somewhat mixed, because they simply aren't yet as accurate as regular blood glucose meters. However, I believe that the glucose trend info that does seem to be pretty reliable with the CGMS, coupled with regular BG measurements, will provide a tremendous benefit in my ability to regulate my diabetes.