CGM's & Me - Or Not...

Sorry to hear about the thyroid, Jerry - definitely keep an eye on it. To me, it's a bigger pain than diabetes, simply because it takes longer to fine-tune.

Thanks for the comments re: my A1C's. It's that nice run of them will likely keep me off CGM for the foreseeable future - 50% because I'm not sure what benefit I'd gain and 50% because no insurance company will believe I can benefit enough to warrant the expense.

Since Alan's asked about me and CGM's, here's my complete spin. HOWEVER, I always says that diabetes is a personal disease and my circumstances are different than anyone else's. Thus, this shouldn't be read as the CGM Gospel According to Marcus, but rather, The CGM Gospel FOR Marcus.

1.) I rarely have no awareness of my current bloodsugar. 90% of the time, I can very closely predict it. Maybe once a month, I'll be surprised by a blood sugar test. Many diabetics are not so fortunate, and if I weren't, I'd be more inclined to get a CGM.

2.) I'm pretty boring. Simply put, my days don't vary that much. As such, my blood sugars often don't either. It's not uncommon for me to go 16 hours without testing - not because I'm lazy (though I am) but simply because what I do and eat one day can often be identical to what it was on previous days. If I had a more varied existence or diet, I'd be more inclined to get a CGM.

3.) I don't have a very progressive doctor. Some docs have a way of working w/ insurance companies. Though I go to the most progressive bunch in Lancaster, they're not that progressive and never seem to get cutting-edge stuff for their patients.

4.) I have a double standard. Allan's asking about his son, and I promise you - if my kid were diabetic, I'd put them on a CGM. Period. To be honest, though, it would be as much for my peace of mind as for their health. As a parent, I feel duty-bound to keep my kids as safe as possible.

5.) I'm not rich. Oh, I'm not poor by any stretch, and I have a figure in my head of how much I'd pay for CGM. At this time, though, it's not that cheap. Again - it's all relative. If my insurance wouldn't pay for insulin pump supplies, I WOULD pay that out of pocket, but given factors 1-4 above, I'm not willing to pay for CGM.

6.) My A1C is 6.5 or less. Allan's point is well taken: (4 x 50) + (1x200) = an average blood sugar of 100, despite the fact that none of those readings are good. But given #1 - I always know when I'm 50 or 200.

7.) I think I can get to Boston without it. If I were to get a CGM - given everything above - it would be to get a handle on my blood sugars during very long runs. However, I came up with a personal system last year that enabled me to complete a marathon without testing my blood sugar (NOTE: I only did this through LOTS of dry runs.). If I had to stop to test OR if I felt it was my blood sugars that kept me from making Boston (rather than just not being fast enough), I'd do it.

So, that's my reason for not getting a CGM. However, as mentioned, all of this is subject to change and that's why I keep up with Jamie (CGM user), Kerri (who's tried Medtronic and is now testing the Dex) and Anne (another potential Dex customer).