Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Becki on February 12, 2013 at 7:13am

I agree completely! I went to my endo about 2 weeks ago and they said they did not have the software available to download the G4 only the 7+. I was so irritated by this...why have they not reached out to Dex to get what they need for their patients and why has Dex not come in to them, I know the reps would be all about getting them software as this would lead to more scrips and therefore more sales. I do not write down my numbers it's really bad I know but I just can't be bothered, this will give you all sorts of pretty graphs and information and yet you can't or won't look at it, you just fuss at me for not keeping a logbook.

Permalink Reply by Taterbugs Momma on February 12, 2013 at 7:37am

we havent written down numbers in forever, aside from what is done at school (his aid records all BG's and notes what the CGM trend is). Maybe I should, but so much of our life is absorbed by diabetes, it is kind of nice having technology do some of the work for us.

Permalink Reply by NatalieHodge on February 15, 2013 at 10:36am

amen

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Snider on February 12, 2013 at 7:37am

Unfortunately, you will have to advocate for EVERYTHING you want for him. I am lucky, my endo really "gets it"...he helps me run half marathons and cycle up to 100 miles. He wants me to do these things...while managing my numbers as well. He downloads info from my pump and dexcom. Then we look at it all, and compare to my own handwritten logs, WHICH NO TECHNOLOGY can replace. He will start looking at a group of high numbers, thinking we need to change a pump setting, and my logs will show I was getting my sugars up in preparation for exercise. So, having personal notes/logs always trumps what the technology says. Therefore, if you are keeping really good logs, the Dexcom info may not be so necessary. But I feel the more info you have, the better plans can be made. You can do several things. You can simply download the last few days of info from the dex and take it with you, or you can find another endo who will download it for you at visits. It sounds like you rely on info from the dex daily, so why wouldn't you want his doctor to rely on it to make decisions? Best of luck to you.

Permalink Reply by Simon Carter on February 12, 2013 at 6:56pm

I agree that software can't replace decent logs. My endo used to only look at my morning pre- and post-prandial BGLs using a modal day report, which does not take take into account ratios, timing differences, different meal sizes etc. A modal day report needs to show the carb ratio and correction ratio for it to be truly useful.

Permalink Reply by Ellie on February 12, 2013 at 8:05am

They should get software to download G4 if already available.

Permalink Reply by A. Kelsey Metcalf on February 12, 2013 at 8:10am

I personally think it unconscionable for a doctor not to include Dexcom data. You should ask that they download it. If they give you the excuse that they are unable to, contact your local Dexcom rep and get them on the case. I would also look for another endo. That may seem extreme, but here's my analogy: If your son broke his arm and you took him for an xray and took that xray to the doctor who was going to set the bone and he or she said, no I don't need it I'll just look at his arm, you would leave. The Dexcom provides the greatest picture of your son's daily diabetes.

Permalink Reply by Laura on February 12, 2013 at 8:36am

My doctor started me on the Dex7, switched me to the G4 when they came out and when I go for my visits, they used to read it. Then toward the end of last year, they said that they didn't have the computer program anymore to read it. This is a hospital and I don't understand it. So now, I go in and make a copy of the report myself and take it to the doctor. We study that chart much more than them reading my Blood tester and they have never run my insulin pump. So it might be a better option. The Dexcom report is SO important. Good luck! Make your own copies - I have learned several things from just running it myself.

Permalink Reply by Clare on February 12, 2013 at 9:21am

In the past when I would go to the Joslin clinic they would ask for my glucometer. Now that I have the Dexcom, I do not intend to bring my glucometer to the clinic with me. I have checked with my CDE to make sure they have the appropriate cable and software because the last time I went, my CDE attempted but did not have the right approvals for the new software and therefore could not download the data from the receiver.
My thought is that while some endos and clinics embrace the newer technology, many more do not. Given the brevity of appointments, maybe the information overload would not allow time for other things that the doctor or clinic thinks is more important ?
My CDE and I go over the Dexcom data and diet and ratios, the endo is more for the physical side of things, do I have feeling in my feet, how are my eyes, any serious hypos,how do I look feel ? I'm ok with my CDE actually working with me on insulin doses and since she recommended the Dexcom in the first place, she is happy to see the results.

Permalink Reply by Simon Carter on February 12, 2013 at 6:53pm

Given the mix of software required by endos to support each meter, pump and CGM, why don't you download it at home, and upload it to an all-in-one service like ManageBGL.com where you can also analyse it pre-visit, and print out the reports you need too?

Permalink Reply by Biomuse on February 12, 2013 at 10:37am

That's inexcusable. Do they know that they can download the software in a few minutes? Insist on it. Bring them the cables and the unit if necessary.

If they still drag their heels, then print out the Dex report and bring it in.

My guess is that the endo is still thinking about the pre-Dexcom world, in which the average CGM didn't perform well enough to be comparable to the gold standard, which is still fingersticks. Let you doc know that the G4 is certainly close enough to work with, and it certainly adds actionable information in combination with fingerstick results, *which it records and includes in its data.*

Permalink Reply by Jack's Mom on February 12, 2013 at 10:50am

It's so person dependent. I went to the endo this morning, and they have the ability to download the Dex (the rep told me) but the nurse didn't want to do it. I also had printed out the logs and she still didn't want to see them. All she wanted to see were the pump logs (and whatever they had to download it was broken). I told her the Dex gives a better picture but she just wanted to see the pump. Note this is a pediatric endo and Dex is not approved for kids (although you can get it) so it's probably not a normal thing for them and just a routine thing more than anything. The nurses were holding the G4 like it was an alien technology. As it is accepted more, I expect this to change. With these records on my pump and CGM, I'm not going to write anything down anymore - total waste of time IMO.

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