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Wait for Dexcom 5 or Get Dexcom 4?

cz_dave

Well-Known Member
Messages
450
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I have been on a waiting list for the Libre for almost 4 months now. I could not resist and bought Libre and a couple of sensors on Ebay. Then I got to try the Dexcom (4) and totally loved it for its precision mainly. I decided I want to get the Dexcom but then there has been the dilemma of perhaps waiting for the new version. I called the local distributor and they revealed an interesting fact to me. The Dexcom 5 transmitter will only last 3 months as opposed to the Dexcom 4 transmitter that lasts about a year. I decided not to wait and ordered Dexcom 4 today.
 
Hi Dave. I was in the same boat. I've got the dexcom G4 now and onto day 3. Very impressed and if you join the live Facebook page you'll see there's loads of issues with it in terms of failed sensors, poor adhesive and reactions, and worst of all - orders being on hold. They obviously don't have enough supply for the demand and need to iron out a few issues. Though it's the cheapest option, the dexcom is the most accurate and if you've read you should be able to get 2+ weeks off the sensors - I've read some over a month! This really brings the ongoing costs down to similar to the libre.

I'm a bit angry with the G5 issue though. I have a Medtronic pump and so with the dexcom I carry the pump, receiver and a phone. The G5 would take one of these away. However advanced therapeutics in the Uk have said I'd have to buy a whole new starter kit if I wanted it when it came out. In the states dexcom have done an upgrade program where people like us would get the transmitters for free with a new receiver, or at discounted prices depending on when you purchased the G4.

Don't see the fairness in us not getting that too...
 
I'm planning to get the G5 simply because I don't want to carry around a receiver and want to be able to use my iPhone.

However, I'm interested in your comment about precision ... a lot of the reports I've read have said that actually the Libre is more accurate. Is that not the case? My other concern is the size. I love how small and discreet the Libre is and I'm worried the chubby Dexcom will annoy me. Having said that, it's probably worth it to avoid carrying a reader around.
 
cz_dave said:
The Dexcom 5 transmitter will only last 3 months as opposed to the Dexcom 4 transmitter that lasts about a year. I decided not to wait and ordered Dexcom 4 today.
Click to expand...

Did you find out the price of the new transmitter? Hopefully a lot less than the G4.
 
I understand that transmitters will be sold in boxes of 2, so covering 6 months. Assuming the price is similar the big difference is that the G4 transmitter can last 10 to 12 months or more in practise, though it's only warranted for 6. Each G5 transmitter automatically switches off after 3 months (plus a few days grace).
 
I am in the same boat. I think im going to wait for the G5 to come out and see what the difference in yearly costs is! After doing a bit of reading the G5 has been approved as accurate enough to calculate bolus doses etc. (still requires 2 calibration tests a day) so hopefully it may be able to be used to check before driving etc. which would benefit me hugely in my line of work. Plus the option of not having to carry a receiver and being able to have data available discreetly via an apple watch is very exciting! I just wish it was NHS funded (even if just the sensors etc.) or more affordable! For me and my lifestyle CGM is definitely the way forward!
 
mottom said:
so hopefully it may be able to be used to check before driving etc
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This you unfortunately wont be able to do as the DVLA state they will not accept CGM readings in place of blood glucose readings.
 

I'm with you. If it's true that's really unfair and does not put Dexcom in a good light with regards to looking after existing customers.
 
It's unclear whether that is a decision driven by Dexcom or its distributors...
 
The distributors have no choice here. They can't do any deals or they will lose money. Unless dexcom say they will either refund them the difference or open the upgrade program up to us directly...
 
Update: I asked dexcom if I knew someone in the U.S who would take delivery would the upgrade costs be applied? They responded and said "we would need s script too. Can you get that?" Not sure if they were being sarcastic or if they actually would do it if I found an American diabetic to get a script and take receipt before sending it on.,.,
 
I doubt anyone would be able to get a prescription on your behalf, this would open a huge can of worms.
Best bet would be to complain to Dexcom directly about the situation.
 
I've read some people get hold of the share docks from people in the states. Perhaps they didn't need a prescription for that as it's an accessory.

Problem is it's so hard to get hold of the right people by email. I emailed customer services who forwarded me to international who then responded and as you can see I'm not really finding any answers!

On a brighter note 4 days in on the G4 and the sensor is still secure (with my special cavilon, flexifit, sensor, flexifit layering technique!!), and 2 nights in a row having the alarm alert me to hypos from 4 am to 8am even with dextrose treatment. Now going to lower my basal and hopefully will see improved levels straight away
 

This is an interesting question. There are even people who tested the Libre and Dexcom at the same time and reported on it. My own experience is limited in that I have only used 3 Libre sensors and 1 Dexcom sensor and I would say this:

- I would agree that the Libre sensor is more discrete, easier to inject, etc. Plus the Libre reader is a great multi-function device in that it is not just a reader but also meter for both BS and ketones. Plus, also great is that that the sensor itself stores tha values and so even if you do not carry the Libre reader with you, you will not lose those BS numbers. With Dexcom, the BS values are lost if the reader/receiver is not within 6m reach of the sensor.

- Given all these benefits, why was I impressed with Dexcom? Mainly for the precision of results I was getting from it. I think the main trick is the calibration. It must help a lot to get the number rights. The BS numbers I was getting from the Dexcom very rarely deviated by more than 0.5 mmol from the fingerprick test. With Libre, a lot of the time I get 0.5 higher mmol than what the meter says. And sometimes it is 0.5 lower or 1 or even 2 mmol higher lower or the same as what my meter says. Being still in honeymoon plus low-carbing makes my BS oscillate between 4 and 6 most of the time. So, it is really BS micromanagement right now. While with the Libre I can rely on the trends, I cannot rely on the actual BS value. During my 1-week Dexcom trial, I got the impression that I can rely on the Dexcom numbers much more.
 
Make sure you always check with a finger stick before you make any changes.
I've had some shocking sensors just lately, loads of replacements and have told Animas I have lost confidence in the boxes I have as all the same batch.
They without question are replacing the lot for me.
 
I'm going to complain direct to dexcom if it is confirmed there is no upgrade option with regards to reduced costs. I listened to a USA podcast recently about the G5 and when the interviewer asked Steve Pacelli about the upgrade options I'm sure he said they wanted to look after existing customers and it was only fair that they offered them an upgrade option. Obviously only thinking of US customers.
 
CarbsRok said:
Did you find out the price of the new transmitter? Hopefully a lot less than the G4.
Click to expand...
When talking to a Dexcom distributor, I got the impression the relative cost for the G5 transmitter will end up being considerably higher than for the G4 transmitter.

I also asked whether G5 replaces G4. The distributor said definitely not. It seems to me that G5 will be kind of a high end add-on to the G4 sensor (the G5 system will use G4 sensors).
 
pinewood said:
I'm interested in your comment about precision ... a lot of the reports I've read have said that actually the Libre is more accurate. Is that not the case?
Click to expand...

So, here is a fresh update from yesterday. I carried the Libre and went to play badminton. Here are the values I was getting from the Libre meter (good old fingerprick) and the Libre sensor:

Meter / Sensor
19:35 4.7 / 5.8 (right before dinner)
21:00 6.6 / 7.7 (badminton game starts)
21:30 5.1 / 6.9
21:52 6.5 / 7.6 (badminton game ends)
23:15 5.2 / 6.2

I do not have enough experience yet with CGM in general to make any judgements. In any case, I prefer to rely on fingerprick during intense sports activities such as badminton. For instance, at 21:30 the sensor indicates I am stable at 6.9 while the meter showed I crashed to 5.1.
 
@cz_dave does the libre read 20 mins behind a finger stick test like the Dexcom? I should know the answer but just can't remember.
 
CarbsRok said:
@cz_dave does the libre read 20 mins behind a finger stick test like the Dexcom? I should know the answer but just can't remember.
Click to expand...
All IF readers have a delay to them when compared to blood, however the algo on board the Libre attempts to predict the blood glucose level of now when scanned, rather than displaying what it was 10 mins ago.
 
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