Hey guys,
So its been around 30 days now since I've begun using my new T-slim X2 insulin pump + Dexcom G6. I've been a T1D for around 10 years at this point, previously was on MDI + Freestyle Libre.
Before I review my experience so far, here's some info about me: Around 5"9, 220 lbs, Caucasian, 26, Male. My pump profile is currently: - Basal 1.4 - Correction: 1:1.8 - Carb Ratio: 1:7.2
Let me first start off by saying that I'm still in a learning, and adjustment phase. That being said, here are my initial thoughts. This post will contain a rant about Dexcom, be warned.
Let's begin.
There's not much negative I can say on the T-Slim pump as a stand alone product. The Basal IQ technology is pretty cool, and the pump itself is very user friendly. Its compact and well designed. A high quality build as well. Good job Tandem, well done indeed.
My one and only critique of the pump at this stage is that its not tubeless, but thats like complaining that rent isn't free. Compromise must be made somewhere.
Now, the Dexcom G6 well let's just say I haven't yet been converted to Dexcom fan boy status. My main complaints with the Dexcom, especially as someone who came from using the Freestyle is that its huge, cumbersome, and far too delicate!!! Allow me to elaborate:
Its huge: compared to the Freestyle Libre, Dexcom's G6 is massive! And this is supposed to be their smaller, and more improved product! The Freestyle was practically invisible and undetectable, just a couple centimetres thick. Maybe less. The Dexcom is at least a quarter or third of an inch thick, and requires quite a bit more space to apply than the Freestyle.
Its cumbersome: comparing the application devices required for the Dexcom Vs the Freestyle makes you want to go "what the hell?" The freestyles applicator is basically a plunger that is small and compact and can be applied within seconds and without difficulty. The Dexcom applicator on the other hand is about the size of a small stapler and depending on where your installing, it can be quite tricky to do easily. Then there's also the fact that with freestyle, the sensor lasts 14 days and gets replaced as one complete unit. The Dexcom requires removing the transmitter from the sensor and reinstalling that in the new sensor. Too many moving parts!!
Its too delicate: So what the heck is a compression low anyways? Well, just start using a Dexcom and you'll friggin find out! Compression lows happen when too much pressure is applied to the area immediately surrounding the sensor and the interstitial fluid that the Dexcom is relying on for its readings is either dispersed or pushed away from the sensor. Now, as someone who came from using the Freestyle for years I can tell you with absolute certainty that I never once heard of a "compression low" and had no idea what these were. The reason for these compression lows is attributed to the way the Dexcom probe is inserted & sits under the skin compared to how the Freestyle's probes is inserted. The Dexcom's probe is at approximately a 45° angle, versus the Freestyle which is at 90°. Dexcom if your listening: please fix this. I also don't know why Dexcom needs 2 hours to warm up, compared to 60 minutes for Freestyle. Chilling out for an hour without glucose info is fine, 2 hours is a bit much.
Now that I've ranted about Dexcom, I'll close it out with some positive points about their system. Probably the best part of the Dexcom system is that it uses Bluetooth instead of NFC like the Freestyle. This means that unlike the Freestyle which must be physically scanned each time a glucose reading is needed, the Dexcom AUTOMATICALLY transmits a glucose reading to the pump, receiver or smartphone every 5 minutes. This has been awesome since you literally have a live and uninterrupted image of what's going on inside your own body.
Another good thing about the Dexcom is that because of its shape, and the way the adhesive is designed they've been able to create custom TegaDerm over-patch stickers to help keep the sensor in place and provide an extra moisture barrier to the adhesive. This has been awesome since with the Freestyle I'd end up using a strip of medical tap to help keep the sensor attached to my arm.
So, how have my numbers been? Not as tight as I'd like them to be, but T1D is a constant work in progress. I've been in range for an average of 85% of the time which I'm happy about. My target BG is 6.0. I have my range set for between 4.5 & 9.9.
I'd like to work towards tightening up my range to 5.0 & 8.5 eventually but this is a marathon not a sprint.
Some steps I plan on taking in the short term to help improve my insulin sensitivity & loose some weight include going for a 30 minute walk every day & reducing overall carb intake in favour of more leafy greens and proteins.
Well, there you have it folks. Thats my first 30 days in. I'd rate the T-slim + G6 combo 80/100 The pump itself is great, but I want significant improvement on the Dexcom side. I hope to see some of those improvements in the upcoming G7.
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