I started wearing the continuous monitoring system (CGM) approximately one month ago. After having the equipment since May 2015 my intention was originally to compete with it as a figure competitor. Due to the stress and anxiety of preparing for a competition, it was difficult for me to consider trying something new at the time.
Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)
Two years ago I stopped wearing an insulin pump. I had been on two separate pumps; first a wireless and then I switched to a tube pump. It had been burdensome with the rigorous training schedule to stay on an insulin pump. The pump would fall off easily no matter what kind of adhesives I would apply. The cannula always affected me and I often had irritation and rashes. I was hesitant to switch back to shots because I was used to wearing a pump. So, I took a pump break and went back on insulin injections and currently two years later I am still taking insulin injections. There is always a good possibility that I will go on a pump again. Right now I'm still enjoying my pump break.
My sugars have varied drastically on insulin injections. I have been told by several other athletes the importance of having a CGM and how it helps them in their athletics. If you’re an athlete, it's highly encouraged to go on a CGM. It can benefit your training. When you check your blood sugar with a meter, that is one data point. Two hours later, you get another data point. A CGM like the Dexcom provides a data point every five minutes, so it really fills in the blanks. I’ve learned so much more about my ideal basal rates at different times of the day and night. It’s just made a tremendous difference.
I check my blood sugar frequently. My regimen involves checking in the morning when I wake up and before each meal. I take insulin injections with each blood sugar check before a meal. It has been advised for me to wait 20-30 minutes after an insulin injection to eat a meal, so I usually check every 3 hours and wait an extra 1/2 hr after that to eat.
It's so important to have a doctor work closely with me and I'm lucky that I have wonderful support in Austin Texas with Dr. Blevins at Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology. Dexcom tracks my blood sugar at all times. It is the device that allows me to track any changes and has become my safety net for informing my doctors of my blood sugar levels.
Dexcom G4 Sensor
I'm on a strict calorie and carbohydrate (carbs) restricted diet. My diet involves eating the same foods with the same amount of carbs at the same times every 3 hours 6 times a day. I now have a set ratio. I see the doctor every two weeks due to my training schedule. I log everything daily. Everyone is different and a regimen is individualized so what might be right for me may not be right for you.
When I train with Dexcom I am able to monitor what my blood sugar is before I start. I'm often asked if I make adjustments during exercise and the answer is yes I absolutely do. Everyone is impacted differently, so you may never have the same blood sugar daily. For me, some days I'm high afterwards, but typically I am low. I take 1/2 unit less of insulin with a 1.5 hours both before and after exercise. Occasionally I drop low in the evening or if I exercise later in the evening. When I exercise in the evening, I reduce my dinner and bedtime dosage by .5 to prevent overnight lows. Dexcom has helped me track my blood sugars at the most difficult moments and it is nice to be alerted when I'm low so I can treat early enough and correct for a high.
So my fear of going on Dexcom has been completely wiped out of my mind. For me the application does not hurt at all. In fact it hurts less than a finger stick. I do not feel the sensor in my body at all. I wear it on my stomach. That seems to be the best area for me due to my rigorous level of activity. The sensor does not fall off or lose its adhesive. I am trying various barrier wipes to see if it eliminates some of the redness and small rash I have when I remove the sensor. I have found that I need to change my sensor every 7 days because that's when I start feeling the itching and irritated sensation and it often peels off. Although my skin is still sensitive to the adhesive, I've noticed it often goes away within the day. I'm very diligent with cleaning my skin thoroughly before and after the application of my sensor. I've heard there are people who have no rash issues.
As of now, I cannot say good enough things about how how Dexcom has provided me with a sense of relief and the power of information. It's hard to imagine what my life could be like without wearing the Dexcom CGM again. I am the most regulated I've been since my diagnosis in 2000.
Thank you Dexcom for such a wonderful product!