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CGM - anyone got one on NHS?

Re Nightscout stuff........Tidepool are in the midst of creating an app to use on mobile phones ........Tidepool Blip
 
<shrug> They won't sell me their CGM. They won't sell me their infusion sets. Animas becomes rather pointless after that.
 
HaroldC said:
Just called Animas, they won't supply CGM. "Only available for those who use our Vibe pump". I haggled with them for 10 minutes over it and they were quite adamant that CGM was unavailable and there were no plans to supply it, to support DSNs, or to help any T1 user have it.
Shame that.
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Animas supply sensors and transmitters only as the receiver is built into the vibe pump. Advanced therapeutics are the UK suppliers.
If anyone is interested there is a website in German that describes how to replace the transmitter battery
 
HaroldC said:
<shrug> They won't sell me their CGM. They won't sell me their infusion sets. Animas becomes rather pointless after that.
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They will sell you infusion sets as long as you have a Drs letter as they are prescription only.
 
The Vibe and Dexcom G4 use a Bluetooth hardware chip and the Bluetooth frequency band, but for some reason they employ a proprietary non Bluetooth protocol on that frequency. Maybe the G5 will be more standards-based.
 
I bought the Dexcom G4 through a private diabetic clinic in Marylebone. Happy to provide the clinic details if anyone wants them.
 
I'm very excited by the idea a Cgm, but the price is a bit off putting ! Does anyone know how the dexcom G5 will compare and when it will be available? I don't use a pump and I can't imagine the nhs paying, so I'm also interested in any consensus about the cheapest place to buy. Thanks
 
The only place to buy Dexcom in the UK is from Advanced Therapeutics, Warwick. I asked them last November:
DexCom G4 Receiver Kit £1075.00 (ex. VAT)
(Includes receiver (results displayed in mmol/l), transmitter,
DM Studio software, charger and travel adaptors, user manuals,
PC down load cable)
· G4 7-day Sensors (pack of 4) £250.00 (ex. VAT)
· Delivery charge (UK Only, Check price for Ireland) £7.50 (per order)
Which is, of course, far more expensive than Animas were charging when they supplied the same kit.
As you may have seen on here, the "7-day" limit on the sensor is rather pessimistic. Most folk seem to think they can get at least 21 days out of a sensor. This means the running cost would be £85/month instead of £101/month with Abbot (but the £1075 for the electronics is quite a hit compared with Abbott's £58.
 
@HaroldC AT are a small company who can not afford to sell at a loss, Dexcom will have charged them over the odds for the sensors and all AT can do is pass it on. Animas though are selling at a loss to enhance their pump sales. All CGM's and sensors are VAT free. Animas also do not sell the receivers just what is needed to used CGM with the Vibe.
AT was given the sole distribution rights to Dexcom in this country so am actually surprised Animas have even been allowed to sell the sensors at all.
Animas also have very little knowledge of Dexcom sensors or transmitter problems. Hence why I suspect they make no attempt to even supply the non Vibe users.
AT's John is a font of all knowledge and more than happy to pass on his knowledge to his pump users and Dexcom users.
 
HaroldC said:
Most folk seem to think they can get at least 21 days out of a sensor. This means the running cost would be £85/month instead of £101/month with Abbot (but the £1075 for the electronics is quite a hit compared with Abbott's £58.
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Abbott's cgm costs a similar price to the dexcom and you used to be able to replace the batteries. Not now though, there's far too much money to be made from the people whos lives can be changed by these devices. So the batteries die? Lets charge them another grand 6-24 months down the line I desperately want one and have the money burning a hole in my pocket, but until they ditch the planned planned obsolescence I'm reluctant to give them the cash

The libre, which I think you were referring to looks good. still expensive for the sensors but as you say £58 quid is nothing in comparison for the reader. Just wish they'd hurry up and release it again
 
I ordered the Dexcom G4 earlier this week, so I am very keen to receive it and try it out. I will report back!
 
shaggy1974 said:
Abbott's cgm costs a similar price to the dexcom and you used to be able to replace the batteries
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Abbotts sensors can't be restarted though can they? So it costs a lot more in the long run
 
CarbsRok said:
Abbotts sensors can't be restarted though can they? So it costs a lot more in the long run
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Yeah, you can extend the navigator 2 sensors. People have got 2 weeks out of them. Also, the navigator transmitter battery is guaranteed for a year as opposed to the 6 months with the dexcom. I think the sensors are slightly cheaper too.
 
shaggy1974 said:
Yeah, you can extend the navigator 2 sensors. People have got 2 weeks out of them. Also, the navigator transmitter battery is guaranteed for a year as opposed to the 6 months with the dexcom. I think the sensors are slightly cheaper too.
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My dexcom transmitter has been going for more than a year and sensors are lasting 40 + days last one was 47 days for me, present one has been in for 24 days and still going strong :)
 
Is it "safe" to keep the sensors in for so long? i.e. are you more likely to get an infection/skin reaction if the same one is in for so long? Just wondering what the purpose of the 7-day limit is unless it's just for Dexcom to make more $$$
 
CarbsRok said:
My dexcom transmitter has been going for more than a year and sensors are lasting 40 + days last one was 47 days for me, present one has been in for 24 days and still going strong
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Impressive,definitely getting your moneys worth then:)
 
CarbsRok said:
My dexcom transmitter has been going for more than a year and sensors are lasting 40 + days last one was 47 days for me, present one has been in for 24 days and still going strong :)
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Wow!
I did once do 49 days but haven't been anywhere near since.
 
pinewood said:
Is it "safe" to keep the sensors in for so long? i.e. are you more likely to get an infection/skin reaction if the same one is in for so long? Just wondering what the purpose of the 7-day limit is unless it's just for Dexcom to make more $$$
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I didn't get results quite as good or consistent as @CarbsRok, though not far off. For me the final limiting factor, after the challenge of stopping the sensor physically falling off, was avoiding infection. Very thorough disinfection around the site prior to insertion. Keep the surrounding area clean and disinfected during wear.
 
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