Continuous Glucose Monitor

Imagine the following is possible...
A little tiny sensor device is inserted under the skin. It then transmits to another device. Portraying a graph with a dot for every blood sugar reading taken every five minutes. Not only is it portrayal of current blood sugars, it lets you know if your following a trend, going up or down. Not only that, but it will beep and warn you if you are going low and high.

Sounds to good to be true right?

WRONG.

I'm talking about a continuous glucose monitor, or CGM for short. This device has been on the market through two major companies, for years. At one point in my life, I had talked to my doctor about getting one of these, but the misconception was and still is, that this device is only for people who are unable to tell when they are going low, and even for uncontrolled type 1 diabetic students living away from parents or alone (such as at college). So that was the end of the conversation about this life changing device.

Well, when I received my Insulin pump in November, in the package, although I never talked to my doctor about it, was the Dexcom G4 CGM. I was very surprised to see that with my shipment, but excited none-the-less. Since being more attuned to the diabetes circuit I had seen the growing use of the CGM device, and was excited to start it up as well.

I started my CGM and my insulin pump on the same day. So I have no comparison of what my blood sugars were like 24/7 before I had the pump.

Now I am on information OVERLOAD!

My first day using my Insulin Pump and CGM (receiver pictured). 

The top is the Dexcom Sensor Site. 

My CGM receiver.  Using a graph of my blood sugars. Not too bad!

My second day using my CGM and pump. I was a perfect 100 (and going down)

It was days like this that I was thankful for having my CGM. 

And Nights like this that look so awesome to see!

Glucose Meter and CGM represent!!! 

If I didn't have this awesome device, I would never see what my blood sugars would do at night!

Some days look like a Roller Coaster. 

Some days are perfect. 

Good thing my Dexcom was there to warn me of those lows!

A Comparison of Blood sugars between my devices. 

I was so Low, that my CGM only registered low. 

A roller coaster for sure. 

Sometimes the sites look bad afterwards..bruised, and irritated. 

Red site, mixed with a little peeling of the adhesive. 

The amazing capabilities of technology. 

I cannot imagine life without the CGM. His name is Dex for short. I am thankful for the moment that I have such great insurance that helps covers the cost of supplies to keep Dex running. Although, the new year is having me apply everything towards my deductible. One month of sensors for Mr. Dex cost me over $300.... ouch. It costs to live..literally!

I think I'm cured.

Okay, so I don't actually think that I am cured, but I do think that my Pancreas is up to some funny stuff lately.

The Diabetes Roller Coaster has been in full swing. I go from moments of perfect/almost too low, to untouchable high bloodsugars. We are talking about hanging out in the 65/70 range for two days, and then shooting up to the high 300's for a day.

I was scared last night, and it really hit me, more than normal, about this disease I live with everyday.

I decided to check my bloodsugar as I was getting ready for bed, and realized it was 50. So I drank a juice box. A little later, I gave myself my normal amount of Lantus (25 units). I was really ready to go to bed, so I decided to check that blood sugar before I went up to brush my teeth (I live in the basement currently). My bloodsugar was only at 67, a good hour plus from when I treated my low. So I had 15 more carbs, and waited 15 more minutes. I felt just fine, and proud of myself for following the 15/15 rule. So I checked again, and my blood sugar was a beautiful 57. 57?!!! I was so angry. I went down from before, so I ate two fruit snacks and sat in my bed fuming. Thankfully I had a book (Good Ol'e  Harry Potter!). Fifteen minutes later I checked again, and I was 69. The thing is, i Still felt perfectly normal, and didn't recognize the lows I was having all night at all. I lost track of time while reading, and decided to go brush my teeth. Before putting my book away for good, my final bedtime number was 134. My goal is to be above 120 before I fall asleep. I was so sure though that I was going to by SKY HIGH by this morning at breakfast.

I woke up to a lovely 137. I pretty much did the happy dance. Something finally went right. Lets hope it stays that way for a while.

What really worried me was that, if I hadn't decided to check myself before falling asleep (sometimes it happens), would I have woken up this morning at all? I had to eat 90 carbs last night to cover the stubborn low blood sugar. 90 is about the same amount I eat for lunch and breakfast combined.

Diabetes is a scary thing. I thank the Lord that I had the smarts to check myself before bed, and that I have the means and resources to treat such a low blood sugar, and a good book to distract myself with.