Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by GuitarManDave on March 11, 2009 at 7:28am

I'm pretty sure it is not actually the same sensor. I was talking to a Dexcom sales rep recently and he told me the differences:

-Sensor is more accurate
-May last longer
-White instead of black

And there was much rejoicing!

Permalink Reply by Brian Grant on March 11, 2009 at 7:45am

Dave

You are right, i just got off the phone with my rep. He is in San Diego right now being trained on it. The sensor is the same but the algorithms have been enhanced to improve accuracty and reduce the amount of data gaps. It is a grey-white color as well. He said most likely if you upgrade you will get a new transmitter but the receiver will be the same. The receiver can be updated through a patch that you can download from dexcom. He also mentioned that probably a completly new system will be out next year with new everything!

Permalink Reply by Bernard on March 11, 2009 at 9:31am

There are meant to be more customization options for alarms (long overdue). Some time ago I'd heard they were trying to figure out how to make the sensor less sensitive to acetaminophen, but I don't think it'll be in the version.

I'm hoping to get one of these in the next week or so. I'm meeting with the New England Dexcom rep next Monday. I'll let you all know what I find out on my blog.

Permalink Reply by Carolyn Deans on March 11, 2009 at 12:26pm

That's great information. I heard about it this morning (from another post on this site), but didn't realize the upgrade was so... affordable. I'll call them right now.

.... Ok, called and ONE IMPORTANT NOTE: Unless you're super-special (like Bernard above and so many other people I keep hearing about who have special deals worked out with Dexcom), current Dexcom users have to wait until May to get the upgrade. They're still waiting on FDA approval. You can buy a whole new kit now, but to get the cheaper ($199) upgrade, you have to wait until at least May. At which point, it will work like Brian said and you'll get a new transmitter for use with upgraded software on your current receiver (such that your current receiver will appear to work differently).

Permalink Reply by Brian Grant on March 11, 2009 at 2:27pm

Carolyn

I was told that it would probably be available in a couple of weeks. Obiviously there is a lot of mis communicationg going on at dexcom. When i called the actual dexcom office they didnt seem to know too much about the new system. They did not know the specifics of the system and could not even tell me what was different other than the fact that there was a new transmitter. My clinical specialist with dexcom told me today that it would just be a few weeks. She was in San Diego as well for the training. She is going to give me a call when she returns about the exact specifics. Apparently the software to upgrade the receiver of current dexcom users is what still needs to be approved by the FDA. I will keep everything posted when i hear something new.

Permalink Reply by Amy de la Cruz on March 25, 2009 at 9:21am

I just called on Monday and am a current Dexcom 7 user, but they "upgraded me" via my insurance for free. I should be getting my new kit (Seven plus) tomorrow. They said if I waited till after the FDA cleared it, insurance would not cover it and I would have had to pay $649, but since it was before, I get it covered by insurance (I really don't know how this works, but I'm not complaining!) My insurance just started covering at 100% as of Sept. 08 for supplies.

I still have the old sensors (black) which they said would work, but can't wait till I run out of those to get the white ones. Will be much better for summer with lighter color clothing.

Permalink Reply by Brian Grant on March 25, 2009 at 1:20pm

Amy

The sensors are the same i believe and the transmitter is the thing that is white. The only change in the dexcom seven plus are the transmitter and the receiver. The dexcom seven sensors are the same as the dexcom seven sensors and the transmitter is the part that is white and you should get the white transmitter when you get your new kit.

Permalink Reply by Olaf R Saugen on April 27, 2009 at 8:19am

It would be helpful if Dexcom would set us all straight on the pricing policy of the Dexcom Seven Plus. My sales rep told me today that because my Dexcom Seven receiver is old (out of warranty) my only option would be to buy the Seven Plus at list which I was told is $1,248. However, because I was considered a "good and steady customer" I was offered the Seven Plus at $799. I was also promised a four-pack of sensors thrown in at that price. Bernard's review of the Seven Plus has convinced me that the enhancements are too valuable to be missed, so I have ordered it.

Permalink Reply by Brian Grant on May 21, 2009 at 10:26pm

I just received my upgrade from the Seven to the Seven plus and inserted my first sensor, so far so good and the upgrade process was very simple. For $200 they sent me a new transmiter and DM3 along with a code to upgrade my current receiver. Through a simple download my receiver had the interface of the seven plus. So far it is really cool and although it is still early in my trial, i believe it is a lot better than the seven. I will let people know how it goes this next week!

Permalink Reply by Brian Grant on May 31, 2009 at 3:24pm

Finished up my first session with the Seven Plus and wow it is day and night compared to the regular seven. I had about 3 data gaps for the entire seven days and they only last a few minutes. Other than that is was a continuous glucose trend with minimal gaps and surprisingly accurate readings. My glucose readings were usually within 20 points of my meter and sometimes they were only a point or two off. There were only two times during the seven days in which the meter readings were greater than 20 points off from dexcom. The calibrations have also been majorly upgraded. As soon as i entered the glucose readings into the receiver the readinngs of the dexcom would automatically calibrate to be within range of the meter. It is not like the previous seven model in which you would enter a glucose value and it would appear that nothing was changing on the dexcom. With the plus the change is instant and it automatically begins calibrating to the close to the meter reading. Overall, the accuracy and the few data gaps has made me extremely with the seven plus and it is far superior the the seven. Now i cant wait for animas to launch their new pump so i can use the dex and the pump together!

Permalink Reply by Tony Elmquist on May 22, 2009 at 5:50am

I just started on the Plus yesterday! So far a little inaccurate, but it may be my sensor site. I noticed it didn't swing so much while I slept. The UI is better than the Seven was, for sure (I did a trial on the Seven, then my insurance approved the Plus). I'm pretty psyched about the information I can get from having a CGM all the time...

Permalink Reply by Jim on June 2, 2009 at 5:46pm

They wanted $800 from me for the upgrade and I am VERY unhappy about it.

I have spent a TON of money with these people, using the system continuously (as in, sensor on almost 24x7) since it first became available in mid 2006, and paying out of pocket when insurance wouldn't cover, and instead of getting a deal, I am getting charged quadruple what someone who just started a few months ago and only uses it every once in a while pays.

I can't tell you how disappointed I am, and did not place an order - maybe time to switch to the Navigator instead. {Sigh}

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