Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ray Marino on September 2, 2009 at 5:36pm

Thanks Melissa, but I rather get the personal feedback. I'm
an old fashion type of guy. I'm glad to hear about the range
in your house. I was all set to buy the DexCom till I heard
about the short range. I like my one touch blood meters,
do I have to use a freestyle meter with the Navigator.
You can go crazy trying to figure out which cgm suits
one's needs best ! It's hard for me to believe that DexCom
would make the range so shallow.

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Permalink Reply by Helmut on September 2, 2009 at 3:27pm

There a many videos on YouTube about the dex.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Adelman on September 2, 2009 at 5:48pm

I may be one of the few, but I'm dumping the Dex7+ and switching to the Nav.I have had nothing but problems with the Dex and cant use it anymore. I'm not saying it is a bad product, only that it does not work for me. In the recent past I had 5 sensors in a row fail within 3 hours of insertion. I have had multiple times when I would get a high alert and acknowledge it only to have the receiver reinitialize itself. Support told me it was a sensor issue, the district manager told me it was a receiver issue. They replaced the receiver and I still had reinitialization issues. I also found hat more often than not, the accuracy was way off. I had one time for example where the Dex said I was 308 and multiple finger sticks showed I was at 83. Just a bit more than I can tollerate, so I'm going to have a go with the Navigator.

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Permalink Reply by Franco on September 8, 2009 at 9:21pm

I've been a Nav user since they first came out. I use it off and on because of expense. As far as range I've experienced the same long range as previous posters (30-40 feet), and that is important to me. I find it to be very accurate, you just have to be aware that it measures interstitial fluid, and that lags behind Bg if Bg is moving. I often change the alarm settings depending on which way I'm trending, ie. when going to sleep and I'm high with an expected drop I'll have the low alarm set at 120 (interstial) because I know the Bg is much lower (probably in the 90's). Most cells get their glucose from the interstitial fluid not blood so in a way interstitial glucose readings are more important than Bg as far as cell health is concerned. I know blood cells get their glucose directly from the blood but wonder about endothelial cells and brain cells, anybody know?

I had sensor tape problems at first but now use a layer of "Opsite Flexifit" tape then apply the transmitter. I do cut a little hole in that tape so the short needle doesn't have to penetrate that tape. This method keeps the sensor in place. I've been able to get 30 days use from a sensor. The needle is so short it hasn't caused much irritation or any infection. Not perfect readings but still within reason.

The 10 hour calibration is a downside for sure, and a few times I couldn't get it to calibrate and had to reset it and wait another 10 hours.

I've had excellent customer service from Abbott, a couple replaced sensors and both the transmitter and receiver have been replaced once. Replacements came overnight.

CGM's aren't perfect but it's one more piece of info to help control, I would probably be happy with either Dex or Nav

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Permalink Reply by Ray Marino on September 9, 2009 at 12:01pm

If I have it right, there is a wireless sensor, a transmitter, and a receiver ?
How big is the transmitter and what do you transmit ?
How big is the receiver that gives you your results ?
I'm talking about the Navigator.
I ask myself is this idea with its inadequate functionability really
better then testing one's glucose with a blood meter ?

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Permalink Reply by MelissaBL on September 10, 2009 at 3:48pm

http://www.freestylenavigator.com/ab_nav/url/content/en_US/10.50:50...

Photos, size comparisons, etc.

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Permalink Reply by MelissaBL on September 15, 2009 at 10:43am

For those of you curious, I posted a video on the insertion process for the Navigator sensors.

http://tudiabetes.com/video/freestyle-navigator-cgms

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Permalink Reply by Baby Tee on December 10, 2009 at 8:51pm

I found this link handy. Not sure how old it is, but it nice to see a side by side comparison like this.

http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_technology/continuous_monitorin...

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Permalink Reply by MelissaBL on December 10, 2009 at 9:55pm

My only gripe with that chart is that it lacks updated information on the Nav.

The receiver weight is 3.5 oz. including batteries and the transmitter weight is .48 oz including battery.

The range they claim is indeed 10 feet, but it is considerably more than that in reality. The farthest I have been from the receiver and still received data has to be 50ish feet. I can be upstairs in a bedroom while my Navigator is in my purse out in the car.

The rate of change is indicated by the direction of the arrows (a flat arrow indicates stability or less than 1 mg/dL change per minute, 45 degree arrows mean the rate of change is 1-2 mg/dL per minute, while a straight-up or down arrow indicates a rate of change of 2 mg/dL or more per minute).

The software is Abbott's Freestyle CoPilot software - also used with Cozmo and Omnipod and Freestyle meters. I've never heard of the Precision Link software, and I've been using the Navigator since 8 months after the FDA approved it.

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Permalink Reply by Paula Kreps on September 15, 2009 at 12:44pm

I chose the Freestyle Navigator in part because my endo thought it was the most accurate machine on the market and also due to it's size. The belt clip and receiver are easily wearable with any pants and can be in a bag if necessary. I have found it to be exceptionally accurate, to the point that I do the calibration sticks and they are the same or 1 point off and I treat based on it. I have never gotten into a problem from this but I do watch carefully and certainly do not advocate everyone do the same. I work at night and it is very important to know what my sugar is, and I feel it is giving me a "now" reading, not the reading the is 20 minutes old. I realize the overwhelming majority of CGM users are Dex users but I felt someone should say what a good experience they are having with the Navigator. I have had excellent customer service, any issue they replace the sensor and have dropped my receiver in water twice and they have replaced it for free, no questions asked. I will stick with it simply due to the accuracy and ease of use. Calibration at 10 and 12 hours and at 36 hours and done. Do not mind waiting for the first 10 hours since it is so easily callibrated at that point.

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Permalink Reply by etta amy on September 16, 2009 at 4:47pm

Day 1 for me with the DexCom Seven. My insurance paid for it because I made sure to create a good record of the increasing incidents of my husband having to call 911 cause I was out of it and mumbling in the middle of the night. Dexcom is good about working with you and your providers to get the documentation together necessary to get coverage. It took awhile to get the approval but I'm very happy so far. In terms of accuracy, it's been within 5-10 percent all day!

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Permalink Reply by Avanti on September 20, 2009 at 9:12pm

Found out about this great site 2 hrs ago, became a member 3 minutes ago!

Our son is on a Paradigm pump. We tried the Guardian (integrated) a few months ago. It was just no good. Returned everything. Minimed is great in taking care of its customers. No problems in getting my money back.

Now, we are looking at OmniPod (went to info session this afternoon). He is wearing a demo pump right now, seems to like it. OmniPod people are friendly in person and on the Toll free line. Learned about FreeStyle Navigator. Did a lot of research (like reading posts on this site).

Insurance does cover OminPod. Not sure of the CGM device. Will find out tomorrow.

Between Dex and Nav, I am leaning toward Nav for 1. accurate readings, 2. range, and 3. fewer calibrations. We really disliked the frequent calibration required by Minimed (which have to be done when sugar level is stable). Waiting for 10 hrs once in 5 days for Nav startup may be painful (you've to prick fingers during that period), but if we do that at night, may not be so bad.

Did a lot of reading on Humalog vs Apidra on this site. Looks like we need to switch to Apidra from Humalog to see if Apidra indeed makes a difference.

Next few weeks will bring a lot of changes for him. Let us hope everything works out. He is very cooperative in general, so don't expect any psychological problems in switching.

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