CGM - anyone got one on NHS?

Omg @Jaylee if our devices end up being regulated by the FDA *and* the FCC that will be the end of new product innovation forever.

CE & FCC regulations are quite sensible and open for good engineering to get through. They're not that much of an issue. FDA appears to be more of a consortium of drugs companies (via their lobbyists) and far more problematic for new developments, which is why some of us ignore them and develop our own personal systems.

As for hackers etc, it's really not an issue. Yes, someone jammed the a pump's RF systems. That's perfectly possible (but a clear and easily detectable contravention of wireless regs). As for malicious hacking at a data level, it's not really possible due to the VERY low power and short ranges these personal systems work over (less than a few feet). Dr Evil would have to be within a few inches of you to hack your pump, you'd probably notice him pretty quickly.
That said, that's exactly the technique we need to use to develop our own closed loop system. However, the difference is that this would be a cooperative hack to discover the data protocols the pump manufacturer won't give you.

HaroldC said:

That said, that's exactly the technique we need to use to develop our own closed loop system. However, the difference is that this would be a cooperative hack to discover the data protocols the pump manufacturer won't give you.

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There are some wonderful things going on in the open source community.
You'll find this DIY closed loop system interesting:
http://diyps.org/2015/01/31/diyps-closed-loop-one-month-of-data-it-still-works-great/

Have had a CGM on the NHS for over two years now whilst waiting for my transplant. Only had to wait a few weeks for approval. Have been on insulin pump therapy for over four years now and have the latest 360 pump as even with the CGM am still having at least one severe hypo a week before the CGM was being admitted into hospital at least once a month due to hypos. Haven't been admitted since having the CGM.
Have been Type 1 since 1968 and have tried pumps from both Roche and Medtronic and can honestly say that the CGM has saved my life

HaroldC said:

I'm looking into self-funding my CGM. At the moment I use the Libre, it's really handy and appears to be cheaper than the Dexcom.
Libre costs me £101 every 4 weeks.
Dexcom quote me £257 every 4 weeks.
Now the Libre is near-field with their special reader and uncalibratable. Dexcom is Bluetooth - and has been hacked (which is good news for us engineering types
So, it appears Dexcom is over twice the price, BUT I hear stories that Dexcom sensors can be made to work for 10 days. This would reduce the monthly cost to £175.
What experience do folk here have of extending sensor life, (or possibly even getting some assistance funding somehow, which is probably impossible, but an option to consider)
Your news and views would be greatly appreciated!

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Hi, I have been using Dexcom for 6m. My last sensor lasted 4 weeks 3 days but on average I am getting around 16 days. After about 10 days it becomes a bit erratic but stimulating the sensor up down left right mostly works. if I get the ??? sign, often leaving things for a few hours settles things down. The last week involves more self testing, so Dexcom are about right guaranteeing a week though i reckon it could be 10 days in practice. I realise that the sensor often failed when wet, so I now cover the transmitter with Hypafix which I change weekly and keep the device dry in the shower. Cover it with an aerosol lid or something. However, you do get the trend with CGM so if you are prepared to inject little and often (leaving 5 hrs between to enable the last injection to wear off) it is useful. I decided just after buying CGM to go low carb high fat. The device confirms the remarkable change from low fat high carb to low carb high fat. It is still a novelty to see a flat blood glucose after a very low carb (6-10g max, 30g a day max) and filling meal. I am about to get my first Hba1c done after high fat and expect it to be in the high 40's from a recent 70. fingers crossed. CGM is very expensive and choices have to be made. I reckon that LCHF would control glucose so well based on my experience that CGM would be more of a luxury than a necessity. Hope thast helps

lakei said:

(leaving 5 hrs between to enable the last injection to wear off)

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Probably worth you having a look at the Sugar Surfing stuff http://www.mediself.co/#!sugarsurfing/cm5d4 . You don't need to wait five hours between shots, you just need to keep an eye on insulin stacking bg levels.

crashinduction said:

I've been put forward for a CGM on the NHS after trialling one for a month - but this was 8 months ago. I've heard nothing yet and presume no news is bad news.
It was AMAZING and made a huge difference to my BM's. After a week, my BM's ran between 5 and 7 and had only a small postprandial rise. I felt like a non-diabetic!
They are pricey though and I would struggle to fund the £1500+ a year they cost. I work in the NHS and can see that if you reduce this figure by the price of the BM strips you'd save plus figure in the cost of reducing complications, it would seem a bargain price. (seriously)

Has anyone been lucky enough to get theirs funded and any tips?

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No luck here despite trying very hard with consultant's support. Even tried direct to PCT who categorically said no. I was only asking for funding during pregnancy (prior to conception) and hoped that given the improved control didn't only benefit my health but that of a baby for 9 months. I tested like a NUTCASE when pregnant in the end (hourly and during night) so I bet they wish they said yes RE saving costs!

You can get free trials - perhaps try all of them? I didn't have much luck with Medtronic and found Dexcom much more reliable and cheaper. Easily got 2 weeks maybe more? Can't afford it these days