User Review: Dexcom G6 and Omnipod Integration

My story

I started a Dexcom G6 around January 2019 when my insurance  company finally would cover it affordably. I was doing a multiple daily finger stick routine and MDI for about three years.  I’d previously used Medtronic insulin pumps for 15 years. I took a much needed break for cost reasons, as well as major skin problems developed from pump wearing. I suffered from skin rashes and insulin bumps. 

In the past 40 years of type 1 diabetes, I’ve run the gamut of diabetes tech. After a month or two on the Dexcom, I also decided to attempt pump therapy again and started the Omnipod system. 

Dexcom

The Dexcom is a wonderful tool for diabetes, I now understand why this tool is so life changing for diabetics. We have the trove of info we once only could guess as to what affects our blood sugars. There’s power with these devices, power to advocate for change in diabetes care and the most important power of all, the power to know the numbers and where they’re headed. 

It’s also nice to be able to share your numbers with family members.  This is crucial for people who don’t notice their lows, which has never been the case for me, thankfully.  However, with age, I’m finding it a bit less easy to notice a low or a high. 

There’s this idea that you don’t have to do this all alone.  My husband often comes to me and asks if I’ve addressed my blood sugar, it’s been nice for him to feel some agency and some ability to help. 

As an older diabetic, I’ve had years and years where I was in poor control, and hiding it from my loved ones.  It’s a lot to let people into your diabetes world and have some help and accountability from people you love and trust. It helps me be better at controlling my diabetes, it’s like having an actual ally and partner who can see, through graphs and reports, what needs to be done.  From ideas like, what causes stress, what raises my blood sugar, what foods are problematic, and so much more. It’s a real education for the  people we live with as diabetics.  It can change a family for the better, this ability to know and honor the diabetic and our needs. 

Things that surprised me 

Some challenges come with the Dex, common human nature is to look because we can. We’ve now gained  constant access to this info and there can be a tendency to become a bit tech obsessed. People with a tinge of anxiety followed up with a dash of OCD can have problems from this. I’ve not learned a way yet to overcome this, since I literally HAVE to carry my tech around on my iPhone and/or these other devices that are Bluetooth, I see no real way to effectively manage this, other than using basic psychology hacks to address them. Oddly, this was never mentioned when I started this tech.  In my view, each diabetic care team should include a mental health component for these very issues, sadly, many can’t afford these services, even if available. 

The other huge and highly problematic issue is with iPhone interface and alarms. These iPhones almost never give alarms on a consistent basis. If there’s an update on the phone, then you’re almost guaranteed no alarms. I was told by Dexcom to shut down my phone and reboot it daily.  However, even in doing so, there  are no guarantees. Dexcom told me last time I brought it up that they are reporting these problems regularly to the FCC.I’ve also experienced the Bluetooth for the Dex failing to alarm on a regular basis too. 

Omnipod 

The Omnipod system is also a big change in insulin pump tech. The idea of not hanging myself constantly from my tubing was a big draw, the Bluetooth capability is a nice feature. The main issue I have with Omnipod is the insurance coverage and site problems and failures. These pumps are only covered by Medicare replacement plans with the basic, analog, old fashioned Bluetooth device. It’s a flashback to really basic technology that doesn’t thrill me.  And if you can’t afford or don’t qualify for the DASH system, then you’re out of luck. The omnipod support is average, not especially user friendly and DASH eligibility seems constantly changing and very confusing to obtain.  The main problem is constantly changing insurance coverage and it’s very  confusing my view. So much so, I quit even trying.  

Also, as a person with some belly fat, these pods are problematic  to keep securely on the body, and to keep the skin from   breaking down.  I’ve also encountered problems with them being ripped off easily for something as minor as going around a corner and bumping into the wall. It’s also not an easy process to replace failed pods or Dexcom sensors. Dex is much easier and has a great customer service component. I often don’t bother calling about a failed Omnipod, since I can usually make my refills work unless its several pods fail  in a  short period of time. Also, any really sweaty workout or swimming and bathing will end these pods in a pretty sad way. It’s very disappointing to be doing g a nice afternoon of yard work and end up with a failed pump again and again.

Closed loop technology? 

With these two devices there’s really no way to do a true closed loop system without an IT background. So in that regard, it’s not ideal.  It is also dangerous to try these off market closed loop technologies without support.  In my experience physicians will avoid any input towards using them for liability worries.I find it telling that people with IT backgrounds have resorted to creating their own tech hacks to gain some equity in diabetes management.

Skin Issues

The other ongoing and chronic problem I’ve had with all pumps and, sadly with the dexcom and Omnipod too, are  skin issues.  These attachment glues are very problematic for people with sensitive skin, I’ve tried many different types of sprays, covers, skin protectors and antihistamines to try to control ski breakdown.  My medical team is somewhat helpful with these.  Dexcom had a great backing that I wore with zero problems until they changed their formula, and then I ended up with bleeding welts on my skin, unable to use the sites for weeks or having to stop using certain sites altogether. 

My take 

In short, I feel, despite the obstacles, these tech companies are attempting to help us control our disease better. I appreciate the efforts of the original makers of these devices, especially the Dexcom. The trove of info is invaluable, but I’m looking for more training for my diabetes team.  There’s a gap in education  with endocrinologists and their staff that is exhausting.. I’d like a staff who can assimilate the info and help me in a more effective way vs using old ideas to address newly gained insight. 

The reason I say this is because I often come up against quite a bit of resistance when dealing with my endocrine staff, most days I feel like I have more awareness of what is happening in my body than they do. I understand that these folks are busy trying to help as many as they can, but as a person who’s been managing her diabetes for 41 years, to have people question what I’m feeling and seeing in my numbers and my disease course, is problematic at best.  So I use my voice until I’m heard. 

Keep going!

My final observation is this; Tech is great,  it helps us live better, more normal lives, but we’re over 100 years into discovering insulin. Tech is not the answer, I would say Islet cell transplants are the answer. 

I will wear my tech I will use the information and I will push and push and push for a cure. I do it for the babies, the 10 year olds, like I was. I push for a day when there’s no monetary incentive to create more tech, only an incentive to cure. 

 Thanks for listening, please find some tech to make your life better! Then fight hard and open your mouth and tell anyone who will listen to advocate daily for change, for a cure for diabetes now!  

Susan schultz
Type1 diabetic since 1980.

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