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Dexcom G5

H

HighlandMike

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
After much deliberation and my first diabetic seizure I have ordered a Dexcom G5 mobile. Intend to use with my iPhone (and watch when available) with the receiver as backup. Any tips on usage set-up would be appreciated.
 
In no particular order: The G5 needs calibrating every 12 hours with a blood test, so ideally do it first thing when you get up and some time in the evening - if you do it at 3pm it will beep at you at 3am demanding blood.

The sensor sessions last 7 days with warnings 6 hours, 2 hours, and 1 hour before the end. You can simply restart the same sensor - no need to change it or you can end a session at any time and then restart the sensor at a convenient time and avoid the thing beeping at you in the wee small hours.

The instructions from Dexcom say to put the thing on your abdomen, but I tend to roll around in bed and if rolled upon, interstitial fluid isn't detected properly, and you get a hypo alarm. I use my upper arm instead.

The receiver vibrates very well. Left on a wooden desk, it makes quite a bit of noise.

Try not to get too obsessed with looking at your phone every 5 minutes ;-)
 
Low bg alerts can be set up on Dexcom and xDrip but when treating a low bg with something sugary etc, it can take a while for both the G5 and G4 to show that bg is rising so best to use bg finger prick test to determine a safe level and not cgm.
 
Pretty solid advice given so far.

Another thing worth mentioning is to be careful not to close the Dexcom app on your phone. The readings will not transmit unless the app is running in the background. Unfortunately, anytime there is a new IOS upgrade that can cause potential issues (the app will sometimes close on its own). I find those problems to be rare, but when they happen it's quite annoying (I blame Apple rather than Dexcom).

The Apple Watch is absolutely worth investing in and the Dexcom app is fantastic. It comes in very handy at the gym, in a meeting, or in places where you need to quickly check your blood sugar without having to pull out your phone. It doesn't seem like it would be a big deal, but it comes in handy more often than you'd realize.
 
TorqPenderloin said:
The Apple Watch is absolutely worth investing in and the Dexcom app is fantastic. It comes in very handy at the gym, in a meeting, or in places where you need to quickly check your blood sugar without having to pull out your phone. It doesn't seem like it would be a big deal, but it comes in handy more often than you'd realize.
Click to expand...

You can't currently use Apple Watch as a receiver in the uk - it's something regulatory, not entirely sure what. I'm sure the cleverer techy people might have a work around, but it's not currently possible as standard.
 
catapillar said:
You can't currently use Apple Watch as a receiver in the uk - it's something regulatory, not entirely sure what. I'm sure the cleverer techy people might have a work around, but it's not currently possible as standard.
Click to expand...

I'm not able to use my watch as a receiver either. Here in the US, you still have to carry your phone with you at all times.

Basically, the Dexcom transmitter has to connect with you iPhone and your iPhone has to connect with your watch but you can't just connect your Dexcom to your watch.
 
TorqPenderloin said:
I'm not able to use my watch as a receiver either. Here in the US, you still have to carry your phone with you at all times.

Basically, the Dexcom transmitter has to connect with you iPhone and your iPhone has to connect with your watch but you can't just connect your Dexcom to your watch.
Click to expand...

Ah I'm using the wrong terminology then! Still don't think the app to get dexcom readings to show on the watch is available in the uk, yet.
 
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