I really don't understand the dawn effect and have never read anything about it or had a conversation with my doctor. who has not informed me very much over the years. He sent me to a nutritionist and remarked once before surgery that pain meds would raise the blood sugar. He also remarked when he prescribed Metformin that it doesn't do very much, he said. So I have been on my own studying and learning from trial and error. I am not aware of devices for monitoring except the diabetes strips to check my blood sugar in the morning and annual AIC blood tests. The only issue my doctor is concerned with is my blood pressure, and the prescriptions he has me on do not control my BP very well. So I continue to work on diet and exercise. At this point I am doing pretty well but not satisfied at reaching my personal goals of weight loss and BP control. I know I am not declining at age 85 and I am not ill from the diabetes. I am sleeping better these days and not doing much work around the house. It is o.k. for now. Dorisena