@grrranny I know this is a cliche, but age is just a number. Please don’t think you might be “too old” for something.
Regarding Dexcom vs Libre, I’ve been considering switching from Dexcom to Libre. Thank you for your information about your experience with Libre. I think I will stick with Dexcom, but look into upgrading to G7. I just had another middle of night situation last night. Last evening was a sensor change (every 10 days), a transmitter change (every 90 days) and an insulin pump pod change (every 3 days). It hardly ever happens that all 3 come due at the same time, but they did last night. When I went to bed I was a nice 82 according to Dexcom G6. An hour later Dexcom G6 alarmed that I was 63. I assumed it was a false alarm since it was a sensor change day. I got out of bed and headed to the kitchen where the glucometer is. (I noticed I had trouble walking?). By the time I got there Dexcom G6 showed 49 and the glucometer was 43. YIKES! The good news was that there was no discrepancy as I expected but the bad news was that I was truly low! In this situation I’ve been taught to consume 15 grams of carb (30 grams if the blood sugar is very low) wait 15 minutes and test again. I think the idea is to not overtreat the low causing a spike to too high, but that 15 minutes waiting seems like an eternity! Meanwhile the Dexcom G6 dropped to “low” which means less than 40 and it can’t come up with a definite number. I had chugged a glass of juice which was only 10 grams carb so I bailed on the 15 minutes waiting when I saw the “low” and snarfed 2 Tbsp of honey which was 34 grams carb according to the label. When things get that bad I try to ignore the Dexcom G6 and rely on the glucometer because it is more accurate. So I have not even noticed or been bothered by a 5 minute delay in Dexcom G6 readings. Another thing that happened was that the code for the new transmitter failed to stick and had to be reentered and paired with the sensor. In retrospect I’m not sure how the sensor worked at all given that problem.
Here is where I have to credit my Christian faith. I’ve handed my life (and body) over to God for his care and keeping. I’ve been blessed with good medical care & the latest technology, a husband to help with this stuff and probably guardian angels to protect me. It has been a 50+ year journey with diabetes (Type 1, 2 complicated pregnancies & wonderful daughters, pancreas transplant, Type 2 …). I am still here.
I’m sorry I’ve yammered on about CGM and haven’t addressed Omnipod 5. I’ve had the CGM for several years and the pump for about a year and a half. There are some technology things that I don’t get. I have heard from both companies that there changes in the works. The Dexcom G6 works with my iPhone but the Omnipod 5 does not and I have carry a separate controller. I think this is one of the changes to look forward to. The Dexcom G6 communicates with the Omnipod 5 using a mysterious algorithm to suggest appropriate mealtime and correction insulin boluses. The basal insulin is a preset rate established by endocrinologist based on blood sugar records. I trust my endocrinologist completely and wouldn’t think of using a CGM or insulin pump without her input.
The Dexcom G6 sensor isn’t that big and the G7 is even smaller. The adhesive is seriously strong! Last night with the sensor change I was having trouble getting the adhesive marks off and discovered some left over from the time before! I believe there is an adhesive remover swabs that can be purchased for help with that. The Omnipod 5 pods are about the size of a little matchbook box. They are changed every three days and come off easily. There are over patches for them and for Dexcom sensors too that can be purchased to make things more secure if wanted.
The sensor and the pod needs to be at least 3 inches apart from each other. I usually put the pod on my lower belly (below the waistline) and the sensor on my upper belly (above the waistline). I switch from right to left. I have more area to work with in the lower belly so that is where the pods go. Up top it is more bony from my ribs so I put the sensor there since it doesn’t change as often. Last night I send the Lowe belly for both, the sensor on the left and the pod on the right. They are supposed to be within a “line of sight” so I hope that works. The trainer I had for the Omnipod said that they can both be on the back of the upper arm (if your arms are big enough). I have rather big flabby upper arms so that wouldn’t be a problem but it would require assistance from someone else. I did try it once with my husband’s assistance but I like to “do it myself” as best I can.
If you think of any other questions let me know. I don’t always have answers, but I always have opinions! Have a blessed day!