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Wait for Dexcom 5 or Get Dexcom 4?

tim2000s said:
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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Yes, this is something that struck me too when comparing the Libre and Dexcom. Libre seems to be much more "algorithmic". When it sees, there is an onsef of a trend, it will kind of propagate that trend in order to try to compensate for the 10-minute delay that is inevitable with this kind of technology. The Dexcom on the other hand seems to report what it measures.

What the Libre does is kind of impressive - it will capture a post-meal spike as it is happening. But it has its downsides too. If you start going up but then stabilize quikly or even start going down, the Libre will keep showing the upwards trend. This is exactly what happened in the middle of my badminton game at 21:30 (see above). The Libre was showing 6.9 with the arrow indicating up, while in reality I had been going down for some time already. In this case I prefer the Dexcom that gives me "raw" data and I do the interpretation myself.
 
The latest version of the Dexcom uses a predictive algorithm as well.
 
So my receiver screen has now got a crack on ImageUploadedByDCUK Forum1444650073.434443.jpg

Still works fine but I've been told there's no repair service for the UK and a new one will cost me £600!!! It's obviously happened whilst in my pocket but there was no noticeable bump that I can remember. Really disappointed with dexcom for not making it a bit more sturdy (my iPhone at a similar price has never cracked).

So another issue for us non US dexcom customers.

I've emailed the rep I was talking to from dexcom and asked for someone higher up - see if I can get some satisfactory answers and solutions as to why we aren't being treated like their customers over there...
 
cz_dave said:
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..
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It could be my experience with two sensors of libre. But opposite ! My libre Sensor was below the AccuChek Mobile all the time, 0,6-0,9 mmol/l.
 
And the dexcom G5 is NOW AVAILABLE in the UK. Not bad for a newbie at £900 for the starter kit. But the transmitter is £350 for 3 months. AT are unable to sell transmitters on their own for us G4 users so our only option is to pay full price. I am in email contact with them regarding any upgrade options in the future so will post back when I have more details
 
Did you confirm that the transmitter price was for only 1? The reason I ask is that my G5 kit (I'm in the US) was shipped with 2 transmitters but only one was billed (other said $0)
 
Boysie1985 said:
So my receiver screen has now got a crack on View attachment 16100

Still works fine but I've been told there's no repair service for the UK and a new one will cost me £600!!! It's obviously happened whilst in my pocket but there was no noticeable bump that I can remember. Really disappointed with dexcom for not making it a bit more sturdy (my iPhone at a similar price has never cracked).

So another issue for us non US dexcom customers.

I've emailed the rep I was talking to from dexcom and asked for someone higher up - see if I can get some satisfactory answers and solutions as to why we aren't being treated like their customers over there...
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Can you not claim for a new one on your household ins?
 
Boysie1985 said:
And the dexcom G5 is NOW AVAILABLE in the UK. Not bad for a newbie at £900 for the starter kit. But the transmitter is £350 for 3 months. AT are unable to sell transmitters on their own for us G4 users so our only option is to pay full price. I am in email contact with them regarding any upgrade options in the future so will post back when I have more details
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I'm confused. It's £990 for the starter kit which includes receiver + transmitter + 4 sensors.

Are the ongoing costs for the sensors (how long do they last and how much do they cost?) plus the transmitter? What is the transmitter? I understand the sensor and the receiver (and can presumably do away with the receiver if you use your iPhone?) but what is the transmitter? Does that attach to the sensor?
 
The transmitter attaches to the sensor and without it, you can't get any data from the sensor. It is a critical part of the set-up but costs £350 for one (according to the AT website).

Interestingly, the sensors are also stated as having a five day manufacturers warranty from first use, where previously I was sure they said seven.

Sensors can be extended beyond seven days (some get upwards of five weeks out of them, but that is unusual).
 
The sensors are the same as G4. Just a different transmitter and reader.

And yup - £350 for ONE sensor that lasts 3 months. Again it's dexcom dealing direct with their US customers. Advanced therapeutics can't get any discount when they buy from dexcom so we can't get any discount from AT. I'm desperately trying to find contact email for someone higher up at dexcom. It's a joke that they treat us like this!!
 
Yeah AT advised I could claim on house insurance. But it's my parent's house insurance so not too sure how to tell the geriatrics my new toy has cracked after 2 weeks!!
 
So, by my calculations, once the starter pack is paid for the G5 will cost £3,090 per year (or £257.50 per month) based on getting a conservative 2 weeks out of each sensor. That's based on £1690/annum for the sensors and £1400/annum for the transmitters.

Does that sound correct?
 
I'm not sure if the transmitters go dead automatically at the 3 month or in reality can last months longer.

There's a podcast knocking about where the dexcom chief talks about this but I cant remember what exactly was said. I think he did say it they will last longer like the current G4 transmitters.
 
Tried a dexcom 4 had to calibrate so much went back to regular testing.sensors not accurate at the end of sensor life.technology needs more work try a 5 or maybe 6 or 7
 
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Tried Dexcom 4 had to calibrate so much I just went back to regular testing. Sensors very inaccurate near end of sensor life technology needs more work . maybe wait for 5, 6 or 7
 
crumpy said:
I'm not sure if the transmitters go dead automatically at the 3 month or in reality can last months longer.

There's a podcast knocking about where the dexcom chief talks about this but I cant remember what exactly was said. I think he did say it they will last longer like the current G4 transmitters.
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The G4 transmitters last 12 - 14 months. As I understand it all the workings are in the G5 transmitter so a massive drain on the battery power hence 3 month lifespan.
Dexcom have this badly wrong so suspect their sales will suffer for it due to us mortals not being able to afford the transmitter.
 
I wonder if you might be able to help me? I'm i. A pickle as I need a c g m the libre as we know is limited at the moment. The dexcom I've worked out would be fought 5,000 for the first year is that what people make it? Also afinancially this cripples me but I know I need it. The nhs are playing around with me for a response so u don't know what to do any advice?
 
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