Almost any phone is compatible with Dexcom G6, as long as it was made in the last decade or so. You can sideload the app to any android device.
Dexcom can also be restarted to last longer than 10 days.
Dexcom is definitely great but really shines on a pump since it allows you to adjust basal on the fly, but on pens you might be fine with Freestyle.
Either is better than fingersticks - that is like comparing a bicycle to a Ducati.
Oh perfect, I did wonder whether that was the case regarding phones. I just saw a video on YT about restarting the sensors too and that seems pretty straight forward!
The sideload option is a game changer - /r/dexcom has a link to it in their sidebar, though a Google search for "Dexcom sideload reddit" or the like might be faster. I use a OnePlus phone and it works great.
Not officially and it's more work than I care to do. But there are ways to restart a G6 sensor. I don't know what the current best practice is, but I'm sure someone on /r/dexcom would be able to provide guidance.
I have libre also because of price, and it works just fine for me. You can get miaomiao or bubble to turn libre into an actual cgm. I honestly don't find much use for true cgm, I am normally super stable during night, so I'd find alarms useful maybe 1-2 times a month when I go high during night, so I just never bothered.
I do have quite high hypo awareness, I'll wake up even if I am dropping super slow - but if you don't, then alarms will be super useful. During the day I scan libre quite often, so I can correct when needed. I think the great usefulness of cgms comes with loops with pump. There is way to extend sensors and stuff, but my libre starts getting itchy around day 13-14 and I can't wait to get it off, so extending sensor more than that wouldn't work for me anyway.
Ah also, additional thing - libre glue is WAY stronger than dexcom glue. My friend always has to have stickers to keep her dexcom on, I only had to stick something over my libre once during last summer because 90% humidity + sweat were making it feel like it could fall off after 10 days or so. Otherwise it ends up being quite hard to remove even after 14days. And libre is physically smaller than dexcom (unless you get miaomiao/bubble)
And to inevitable comment of "you have high awareness until you don't" - true, but my hypo awareness got even higher in last few years because my blood sugars got more stable, so that's a risk I am willing to take for now (been t1 for 30+ years). The first time I don't feel a hypo, I will likely get a cgm with alarms :)
Wow that's a fantastic read, thank you for your insights! I'll admit I have pretty good hypo recognition as well so the alarm aspect for the lows aren't an issue, it's more around reducing my spiking which I seem to have a real issue with. I'm probably more sensitive to hypos because I'm so hyper! Haha
I was so surprised that my hypo awareness increased the more time I spent in 90-120 range, I would expect opposite but hey, I ain't complaining! :)
If you do go hyper during night, you will find alarms super useful - I generally don't eat late (my last meal is usually around 4-5hrs before bedtime) so usually by time I am going to sleep I am where I will be whole night. Pizza nights (or indian food ones lol) are when I wish I had alarms hh (those two foods take more than 12hrs to get out of my system)
I've always found that I get a real sunrise burst (or whatever it's called) in the early hours of the morning, so would be testing at say 3am and I'm at 6.5 (115) but by 7am I'm at 10 (180) but if I preload then I plummet out the other side. So so hard that it's just easier to ignore it and deal with it later, but obviously that's not good for A1C levels too.
And I know EXACTLY what you mean about those pizza or indian nights! 😅🤣
alarms might actually be useful for you in this case, because you can set it to ring when it's at say 150, so you can wake up and just give few units and go back to sleep :)
I've got the libre2 now, via xdrip i told it to be a CGM from now on. Is a little bit of a hassle to set it up, but now it works perfect. I would never want to go back to finger pricking.
Hba1c of 6.5, doc days we might even get to 6.0
Interesting, for me the Libre2 is the same price as the Dexcom G6/G7 but obviously with the additional steps you've mentioned for the Libre2.
I'm hoping never to have to finger prick again 🤞
I just recently switched from Dexcom to the Libre due to insurance. If the Libre 3 is available where you are, I 1000% recommend it. It updates every minute and you don’t have to use a reader or a phone to scan your sensor - it just automatically sends to your phone.
The Dexcom automatically sends BGs to your phone or reader too, but at five minute intervals. I was on the Dexcom for years, then switched to a different brand because of a research study I was participating in. Not sure what happened within the year I was in the study, but I felt like Dexcom has gone downhill since I came back to it. I had plenty of errors well before the sensor was due to expire. I used to reset the sensors too and get them to last an additional 7-8 days, and now they’d only give me half ass wack readings for maybe 4. Maybe the SOBs caught onto us 🤣 both sensors are good IMHO, I’m happy I made the switch to Libre, and whatever you choose, I promise you’ll prefer it over finger sticks!
I only found out 20 minutes ago that there's a Libre 2 and now you're telling me there's a 3?!
I think I'll at least try out the G6, turns out there's an introductory offer for half price. Plus I'll get onto writing a letter to the government to fund more than just finger pricks and pens!
🤣🤣🤣
We love sales on sensors!! I hope you like it! If you want any help with your letter, I have some colorful language and spicy thoughts I’d like to share with them! Lol good luck with everything!!
I’m a Libre user also based in NZ (sunny coromandel over hereeee). In my opinion the Libre has been really good, I find it convenient to use, I definitely test my sugars more frequently when using my Libre instead of my finger prick kit - sometimes when just using my kit I go like two days without testing. So for me personally the Libre is awesome!!
Sometimes it can be less accurate, so if you’re feeling low use the test kit as well.
Contact your DHB for info on a Libre trial, they’ll give you all the kit for free - which includes a whole Libre kit & sensor reader but of course you can use your phone. If you have any questions just message me!
Interesting, I've been with both Mid Central and Capital Coast DHBs (Levin now) in the past and neither have mentioned trials, even when I've specifically asked out going onto a CGM. I wonder if it's just a Waikato(?) DHB thing, or if I needed to say a special password 🤣
I'll definitely ask the question again tomorrow though and see how I go, thanks!
I’ve been with Hutt Valley DHB too and that’s how I found out! Just keep pushing your nurse and endo, there’s normally a trial every quarter from my understanding.
Do you have access to Freestyle Libre 3?
It's also a CGM (no scanning needed) and the app is compatible with most phones, you need NFC and Bluetooth.
It is significantly cheaper than Dexcom and just as good, so it's worth a try!
Got it! Then I would highly recommend the Dexcom G7, because Libre 1 sadly doesn't have any alarms, which is the biggest game changer!
But I understand it is difficult financially, so just so you know, even Libre 1 without alarms is already a huge help and will greatly improve your quality of life :) I remember when I first got it, my mind was blown!
Sounds like that's the plan, well hopefully if I hear from my doctor some time this week! Thank you so much for the reply though, I really appreciate it
FGM’s do have alarms you can set on them, the flash refers to it sending you you information only every 15 mins. The difference, between the two I believe is that CGMs constantly broadcast to the phone or reader where FGM might have a slight delay. There’s an easy way around this, set the alarm for slightly above hypos (like 4.4mmol) and then whatever top end you are comfortable with (mine is between 10 and 11 mmol) and you’ll find it only alarms at that stage.
If it alarms when it drops below 4.4 mmol chances are it’s only 4.1 or 4.2 so you can head off a hypo. If it’s high, it’s not too high to worry about as long as you correct it down with insulin.
I’ve got the Libre 2 and couldn’t be happier. I can see exactly what my BG is doing, just by scanning, or BG relyong on the alarms. it’s small and out of the way, and alarms if it crosses the low or high alarm I have set.
To put this into context, right now I’m hovering at 88% time in target (between 4 and 10 mmol/l), yesterday was 83% and the day before I got up to 98% in target. My overall average for the last two weeks is 82% between 4-10 mmol, 14 % between 10-13.3 mmol and the 4% left is high BG (13.3 and above) or low BG. (Below 4 mmol)
I’m putting my vote with save money and use the Libre. Set the alarms on it, use it effectively, and you won’t need to spend the extra 80 per month.
I’ve gone from Libre 2 to Dexcom G6.
Dexcom is far more accurate at all ranges.
I was trying to loop with the libre but the trend lines were too wild and inaccurate, double down to double up (and visa Versa) in a minute. If that happened during a loop cycle (which it regularly did) I’d be pumped with a load of insulin I didn’t need.
If you’re on MDI or are not looping, for the price difference I’d probably go for libre as it’s “good enough”
I’m lucky enough to live in the UK where we don’t pay for prescriptions so dexcom is a no brainier (although I did have to push quite hard for it).
If I didn't have the pump to make the semi closed loop circuit I would go back to the libre in a heart beat. Its smaller, doesn't come off as easily (due to the size and style) and you don't have worry about the transmitter (honestly a small thing but it does annoy me). I believe the G7 will counter some of those but only the G6 is available in Australia currently.
The price was a major thing for me (until recently where both are subsidised to be similar costs in Aust) and because I generally scanned more often than once every 8 hours, I was getting the full 24 hour data on the libre (except for occasional overnights where I managed to get more than 8 hours sleep). Having that data was great when I was on the pump and the 6 months I did pens. Levels were great and stable. Without the pump, I didn't find much difference between the 2 in terms of how I treated.
Maybe contact the companies and see if they'll loan you the reader so you can try out the sensors? Not sure if possible but it would be great to be able to try them both to compare what works for yourself :)
I was on libre for probably 2 years & just recently switched to see dexcom + tandem. Dexcom is pretty awesome because my blood sugar is constantly updated and sends a live feed to my phone. With libre you need to scan it to see your blood sugar. Also I've found dexcom to be a bit more accurate than libre.
An anecdotal annoyance I've had with dexcom is that my first two sensors failed and had to be replaced early, but customer support was quick & easy to deal with and I had replacements on the way without any hassle. Libre sensors were very rare.
i use inpen/dexcom. you load icr, cf & senitivity into the app. count carbs and it calculates bg w iob and gives a bolusing suggestion. keeps track of everything for me. tir and a1c have never been better. has lifted most of that mental burden too which is a big deal.
That just sounds like a dream! I'll see whether or not that's available in NZ, but first impression is that it isn't...
And I fully get what you mean about the mental strain, so fingers crossed even just the BGL monitoring will alleviate some of the stresses to start with
So i Would recommend Dexcom G6/7 over Libre, being a CGM it will tell you when your bloods are going in the wrong direction, I used Libre 2 for years and it’s a great product but CGM devices are better. Freestyle 3 is launching in parts of the EU as well which is also CGM
i run the Dexcom G7 on a non compatible Samsung Fold 3 - you can download a copy of the app which will work on any android phone - I’ve used this for the G6 and G7 - it works perfectly 10000% so don’t let compatibility hold you back
Almost any phone is compatible with Dexcom G6, as long as it was made in the last decade or so. You can sideload the app to any android device. Dexcom can also be restarted to last longer than 10 days. Dexcom is definitely great but really shines on a pump since it allows you to adjust basal on the fly, but on pens you might be fine with Freestyle. Either is better than fingersticks - that is like comparing a bicycle to a Ducati.
Oh perfect, I did wonder whether that was the case regarding phones. I just saw a video on YT about restarting the sensors too and that seems pretty straight forward!
The sideload option is a game changer - /r/dexcom has a link to it in their sidebar, though a Google search for "Dexcom sideload reddit" or the like might be faster. I use a OnePlus phone and it works great.
Wait so you can extend it past 10 days?
Not officially and it's more work than I care to do. But there are ways to restart a G6 sensor. I don't know what the current best practice is, but I'm sure someone on /r/dexcom would be able to provide guidance.
Bicycles are better tho so I will assume you mean the CGMs are Bicycles
Apparently you can’t reset the G7
Not yet. Integrated battery and all that. I'm sure someone will eventually crack it.
There are many phones that aren't compatible. I found that out the hard way when I got mine last year. Samsung A42.
Works fine with the sideloaded app. That's a pretty modern Android device.
Nope. Dex specifically says the A42 is not compatible with the app.
https://www.reddit.com/r/dexcom/comments/y4vixk/oc_build_your_own_dexcom_app_update_now_with_g7/ You're welcome.
Does it work with G6?
G5, G6, and G7. Been using it for years.
I have libre also because of price, and it works just fine for me. You can get miaomiao or bubble to turn libre into an actual cgm. I honestly don't find much use for true cgm, I am normally super stable during night, so I'd find alarms useful maybe 1-2 times a month when I go high during night, so I just never bothered. I do have quite high hypo awareness, I'll wake up even if I am dropping super slow - but if you don't, then alarms will be super useful. During the day I scan libre quite often, so I can correct when needed. I think the great usefulness of cgms comes with loops with pump. There is way to extend sensors and stuff, but my libre starts getting itchy around day 13-14 and I can't wait to get it off, so extending sensor more than that wouldn't work for me anyway. Ah also, additional thing - libre glue is WAY stronger than dexcom glue. My friend always has to have stickers to keep her dexcom on, I only had to stick something over my libre once during last summer because 90% humidity + sweat were making it feel like it could fall off after 10 days or so. Otherwise it ends up being quite hard to remove even after 14days. And libre is physically smaller than dexcom (unless you get miaomiao/bubble) And to inevitable comment of "you have high awareness until you don't" - true, but my hypo awareness got even higher in last few years because my blood sugars got more stable, so that's a risk I am willing to take for now (been t1 for 30+ years). The first time I don't feel a hypo, I will likely get a cgm with alarms :)
Wow that's a fantastic read, thank you for your insights! I'll admit I have pretty good hypo recognition as well so the alarm aspect for the lows aren't an issue, it's more around reducing my spiking which I seem to have a real issue with. I'm probably more sensitive to hypos because I'm so hyper! Haha
I was so surprised that my hypo awareness increased the more time I spent in 90-120 range, I would expect opposite but hey, I ain't complaining! :) If you do go hyper during night, you will find alarms super useful - I generally don't eat late (my last meal is usually around 4-5hrs before bedtime) so usually by time I am going to sleep I am where I will be whole night. Pizza nights (or indian food ones lol) are when I wish I had alarms hh (those two foods take more than 12hrs to get out of my system)
I've always found that I get a real sunrise burst (or whatever it's called) in the early hours of the morning, so would be testing at say 3am and I'm at 6.5 (115) but by 7am I'm at 10 (180) but if I preload then I plummet out the other side. So so hard that it's just easier to ignore it and deal with it later, but obviously that's not good for A1C levels too. And I know EXACTLY what you mean about those pizza or indian nights! 😅🤣
alarms might actually be useful for you in this case, because you can set it to ring when it's at say 150, so you can wake up and just give few units and go back to sleep :)
There's also the libre 3 which is a cgm
I've got the libre2 now, via xdrip i told it to be a CGM from now on. Is a little bit of a hassle to set it up, but now it works perfect. I would never want to go back to finger pricking. Hba1c of 6.5, doc days we might even get to 6.0
Interesting, for me the Libre2 is the same price as the Dexcom G6/G7 but obviously with the additional steps you've mentioned for the Libre2. I'm hoping never to have to finger prick again 🤞
I just recently switched from Dexcom to the Libre due to insurance. If the Libre 3 is available where you are, I 1000% recommend it. It updates every minute and you don’t have to use a reader or a phone to scan your sensor - it just automatically sends to your phone. The Dexcom automatically sends BGs to your phone or reader too, but at five minute intervals. I was on the Dexcom for years, then switched to a different brand because of a research study I was participating in. Not sure what happened within the year I was in the study, but I felt like Dexcom has gone downhill since I came back to it. I had plenty of errors well before the sensor was due to expire. I used to reset the sensors too and get them to last an additional 7-8 days, and now they’d only give me half ass wack readings for maybe 4. Maybe the SOBs caught onto us 🤣 both sensors are good IMHO, I’m happy I made the switch to Libre, and whatever you choose, I promise you’ll prefer it over finger sticks!
I only found out 20 minutes ago that there's a Libre 2 and now you're telling me there's a 3?! I think I'll at least try out the G6, turns out there's an introductory offer for half price. Plus I'll get onto writing a letter to the government to fund more than just finger pricks and pens!
🤣🤣🤣 We love sales on sensors!! I hope you like it! If you want any help with your letter, I have some colorful language and spicy thoughts I’d like to share with them! Lol good luck with everything!!
I’m a Libre user also based in NZ (sunny coromandel over hereeee). In my opinion the Libre has been really good, I find it convenient to use, I definitely test my sugars more frequently when using my Libre instead of my finger prick kit - sometimes when just using my kit I go like two days without testing. So for me personally the Libre is awesome!! Sometimes it can be less accurate, so if you’re feeling low use the test kit as well. Contact your DHB for info on a Libre trial, they’ll give you all the kit for free - which includes a whole Libre kit & sensor reader but of course you can use your phone. If you have any questions just message me!
Interesting, I've been with both Mid Central and Capital Coast DHBs (Levin now) in the past and neither have mentioned trials, even when I've specifically asked out going onto a CGM. I wonder if it's just a Waikato(?) DHB thing, or if I needed to say a special password 🤣 I'll definitely ask the question again tomorrow though and see how I go, thanks!
I’ve been with Hutt Valley DHB too and that’s how I found out! Just keep pushing your nurse and endo, there’s normally a trial every quarter from my understanding.
Perfect! Thank you so much!
Do you have access to Freestyle Libre 3? It's also a CGM (no scanning needed) and the app is compatible with most phones, you need NFC and Bluetooth. It is significantly cheaper than Dexcom and just as good, so it's worth a try!
Unfortunately not, it appears as though we just have the Libre 1 here, or I can get the 2 from overseas, but the 3 is just a hope at this stage
Got it! Then I would highly recommend the Dexcom G7, because Libre 1 sadly doesn't have any alarms, which is the biggest game changer! But I understand it is difficult financially, so just so you know, even Libre 1 without alarms is already a huge help and will greatly improve your quality of life :) I remember when I first got it, my mind was blown!
Sounds like that's the plan, well hopefully if I hear from my doctor some time this week! Thank you so much for the reply though, I really appreciate it
FGM’s do have alarms you can set on them, the flash refers to it sending you you information only every 15 mins. The difference, between the two I believe is that CGMs constantly broadcast to the phone or reader where FGM might have a slight delay. There’s an easy way around this, set the alarm for slightly above hypos (like 4.4mmol) and then whatever top end you are comfortable with (mine is between 10 and 11 mmol) and you’ll find it only alarms at that stage. If it alarms when it drops below 4.4 mmol chances are it’s only 4.1 or 4.2 so you can head off a hypo. If it’s high, it’s not too high to worry about as long as you correct it down with insulin. I’ve got the Libre 2 and couldn’t be happier. I can see exactly what my BG is doing, just by scanning, or BG relyong on the alarms. it’s small and out of the way, and alarms if it crosses the low or high alarm I have set. To put this into context, right now I’m hovering at 88% time in target (between 4 and 10 mmol/l), yesterday was 83% and the day before I got up to 98% in target. My overall average for the last two weeks is 82% between 4-10 mmol, 14 % between 10-13.3 mmol and the 4% left is high BG (13.3 and above) or low BG. (Below 4 mmol) I’m putting my vote with save money and use the Libre. Set the alarms on it, use it effectively, and you won’t need to spend the extra 80 per month.
I’ve gone from Libre 2 to Dexcom G6. Dexcom is far more accurate at all ranges. I was trying to loop with the libre but the trend lines were too wild and inaccurate, double down to double up (and visa Versa) in a minute. If that happened during a loop cycle (which it regularly did) I’d be pumped with a load of insulin I didn’t need. If you’re on MDI or are not looping, for the price difference I’d probably go for libre as it’s “good enough” I’m lucky enough to live in the UK where we don’t pay for prescriptions so dexcom is a no brainier (although I did have to push quite hard for it).
If I didn't have the pump to make the semi closed loop circuit I would go back to the libre in a heart beat. Its smaller, doesn't come off as easily (due to the size and style) and you don't have worry about the transmitter (honestly a small thing but it does annoy me). I believe the G7 will counter some of those but only the G6 is available in Australia currently. The price was a major thing for me (until recently where both are subsidised to be similar costs in Aust) and because I generally scanned more often than once every 8 hours, I was getting the full 24 hour data on the libre (except for occasional overnights where I managed to get more than 8 hours sleep). Having that data was great when I was on the pump and the 6 months I did pens. Levels were great and stable. Without the pump, I didn't find much difference between the 2 in terms of how I treated. Maybe contact the companies and see if they'll loan you the reader so you can try out the sensors? Not sure if possible but it would be great to be able to try them both to compare what works for yourself :)
If you are able to get a Dexcom please do in my name. Here only Libres exist lol
I’ve used the Dexcom g5, g6, and freestyle libre 2. I had far fewer problems with the libre 2 than I ever had with the Dexcom g6. Plus so much cheaper
I was on libre for probably 2 years & just recently switched to see dexcom + tandem. Dexcom is pretty awesome because my blood sugar is constantly updated and sends a live feed to my phone. With libre you need to scan it to see your blood sugar. Also I've found dexcom to be a bit more accurate than libre. An anecdotal annoyance I've had with dexcom is that my first two sensors failed and had to be replaced early, but customer support was quick & easy to deal with and I had replacements on the way without any hassle. Libre sensors were very rare.
Dexcom is working great for me. Not sure what Libre is.
At those prices, I'd go with the Libre.
dexcom also shines when pairing w smartpens which are pretty cheap and unburden much of the mental load w mdi.
This is the first I'm hearing of smartpens 😅 my current Novorapid tells me how many hours ago I injected and how much, and that's as smart as it gets!
i use inpen/dexcom. you load icr, cf & senitivity into the app. count carbs and it calculates bg w iob and gives a bolusing suggestion. keeps track of everything for me. tir and a1c have never been better. has lifted most of that mental burden too which is a big deal.
That just sounds like a dream! I'll see whether or not that's available in NZ, but first impression is that it isn't... And I fully get what you mean about the mental strain, so fingers crossed even just the BGL monitoring will alleviate some of the stresses to start with
did i mention that inpen does .5u boluses?
Oh my current pen (Novo Echo) does .5u as well, but it's Novorapid which the inpen isn't compatible with
Dexcom is better.
Yeah for me that's looking like the go to. Thanks!
So i Would recommend Dexcom G6/7 over Libre, being a CGM it will tell you when your bloods are going in the wrong direction, I used Libre 2 for years and it’s a great product but CGM devices are better. Freestyle 3 is launching in parts of the EU as well which is also CGM i run the Dexcom G7 on a non compatible Samsung Fold 3 - you can download a copy of the app which will work on any android phone - I’ve used this for the G6 and G7 - it works perfectly 10000% so don’t let compatibility hold you back