were do I start

[jessica]

I'm trying to get the cgm. Is mini med the only one who has them. How do you go about insurance. I was told I had to pay up front. I certaintly don't have that much money. Of course I could just not feed my kids for a few weeks. Just kidding of course. I have 4 children and having a terrible time with remembering to take my sugars. This seems my only option. any suggestions.

[EmmasMom]

There are currently a couple of options on the market, and one device awaiting FDA approval.

You can see info about them at:
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/continuous.htm

We use the MM real-time paradigm system. The sensor sends the info directly into the pump and displays a graph, and current blood sugar on the screen. LOVE IT!!
MM also has the Guardian RT that can be used w/o the pump. It has a separate monitor that displays the current BG.
Dexcom is similar to the RT and is not tied to any pump.

There are a few people here on both the MM and Dexcom, and we all love them. They are first generation products, so they aren't always perfect, but they're really wonderful tools!
Insurance coverage is not widely available...yet. But it is possible to win coverage with an appeal based on medical need. A few people, including myself, have won coverage for the sensors.

Good luck!

[AmyMcCracken]

Jessica - you couldn't look into clinical studies for CGMS. Most require that you are already using a pump. I don't think there is much risk in these studies they just need to collect data from patients. I know Stanford has 2 studies they are recruiting for now but that doesn't do you much good on the East Coast. I want to get one for my daughter but need to get insurance to cover it. I'm going to talk to our endo about it at our next appointment in February.

[payam7777777]

;---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------;
; Continuous Glucometers ;
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The Continuous Glucose Monitoring System
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_0j_20n.htm

Continuous Glucose Monitoring
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_06_e00.htm

New Advances in Glucose Monitoring (Glucometer List)
http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_technology/new_monitoring.php

Chart comparing Navigator, Guardian RT, and DexCom STS
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/continuous.htm

CGMS for Children
http://www.journalofdst.org/pdf/SYMPOSIUM/VOL-1-1-SYM9-WILSON.pdf
http://www.journalofdst.org/pdf/SYMPOSIUM/VOL-1-1-SYM10-WOLPERT.pdf

[payam7777777]

;---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------;
; DexCom STS -Pages ;
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Basic Rules of Continuous Glucose Monitoring
http://dexcom.com/html/basic_rules.html

The DexCom Continuous Sensor
http://www.mendosa.com/dexcom.htm

Chart comparing Navigator, Guardian RT, and DexCom STS
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/continuous.htm

Dexcom - Transdermal Glucose Oxidase Enzyme
http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_technology/dexcom.php?PHPSESSID=2f94ed1948822e2ede4bcce80a9db 9f2

FDA: DexCom™ STS™ Continuous Glucose Monitoring System - P050012
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/pdf5/p050012.html

Photos of the DexCom Sensor
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/DexComSensor.htm

How To Buy
http://www.dexcom.com/index.html

Starter Kit
http://www.dexcom.com/html/dexcom_products_sts_starter_kit.html

Sensor
http://www.dexcom.com/html/dexcom_products_sts_sensors.html

SAFETY INFORMATION
http://www.dexcom.com/html/dexcom_products_sts_safety.html

The DexCom Continuous Sensor
http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/m79.htm

DEXCOM !!!
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Diabetes/messages/1006.html

My New Friend Dexcom(Very good reading)
http://www.insulinfactor.com/article_dexcom.html

My Diabetes CGMS(Very good reading)
http://mydiabetescgms.blogspot.com/
http://mydiabetescgms.blogspot.com/2006_07_01_archive.html
http://mydiabetescgms.blogspot.com/2006_08_01_archive.html
http://mydiabetescgms.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_archive.html
http://mydiabetescgms.blogspot.com/2006_10_01_archive.html

Dr Jekyll and Mrs Low (good reading)
http://drjekyllandmrslow.blogspot.com/2006_05_01_drjekyllandmrslow_archive.html
http://drjekyllandmrslow.blogspot.com/2006/07/dexcom-versus-other-guys-twelve.html

My Blog??? :D
http://acthoughts.blogspot.com/2006_07_01_acthoughts_archive.html

DiabetesWise (Very good reading)
http://www.diabetes-wise.net/continuous_monitoring/index.html

Diabetes Mine (Very good reading)
http://www.diabetesmine.com/dexcom_and_me/index.html
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2006/06/dexcom_and_me_u.html
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2006/09/dexcom_dm_consu.html
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2006/06/think_outside_t.html
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2006/07/more_dexcom_add.html
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2006/07/thank_heaven_fo.html
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2006/08/upstairs_downst.html
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2006/07/pricey.html
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2006/09/jj_lifescans_co.html
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2006/07/update_minimeds.html
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2006/07/hot_and_gorgeou.html
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2006/05/aace_for_dummie.html
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2006/08/extending_mysel.html
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2006/08/quick_dispatch_.html
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2006/08/beating_the_ang.html
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2006/08/leavin_on_a_jet.html

Life with a Spouse (Good, about her husband Jack)
http://lifewithaspouse.blogspot.com/
http://lifewithaspouse.blogspot.com/2006/07/to-cgm-dex.html
http://lifewithaspouse.blogspot.com/2006_07_01_lifewithaspouse_archive.html
;---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------;
; DexCom -Forum Threads ;
;---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------;
*MY* experience with dexcom
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=781

Another Dexcom blogger...
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=1433

Dexcom battery life
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=1376

DexCom Continuous Glucose Monitor
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=1403

DexCom Experience
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=488

Dexcom DM(TM) Consumer Data Manager
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=1372

How acurate is CBGT?
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=1782

The Beep of the Sensor, the Thrill of Control
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=1375

Dexcom
http://www.islet.org/forum/messages/44940.htm

Dexcom continuous glucose meters to ship this month!
http://www.islet.org/forum/messages/42642.htm

Does Anyone Have the Dexcom STS System?
http://www.islet.org/forum/messages/44654.htm

Dexcom CMS
http://www.diabetesforums.com/monitoring/12804-dexcom-cms.html

Dexcom Update
http://www.diabetesforums.com/monitoring/9107-dexcom-update.html

New DexCom Receiver for sale?
http://www.diabetesforums.com/monitoring/12079-new-dexcom-receiver-sale.html?highlight=dexcom

Dexcom CMS
http://www.diabetesforums.com/monitoring/12804-dexcom-cms.html

Weird trend
http://www.diabetesforums.com/monitoring/12407-weird-trend.html?highlight=dexcom

Dexcom
http://www.diabetesforums.com/monitoring/12237-dexcom.html?highlight=dexcom

We are on the DEXCOM! (5 year old)
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=2153

[payam7777777]

;---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------;
; Guardian RT -Pages ;
;---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------;
Guardian RT(18+) GOOD
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_0j_20n.htm
http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/e00701.htm
http://www.minimed.com/products/guardianrt/

The Guardian® RT Continuous Glucose Monitoring System
http://www.minimed.com/products/guardianrt/index.html

How the Guardian® RT System Works
http://www.minimed.com/products/guardianrt/howitworks.html

Benefits of the Guardian® RT System
http://www.minimed.com/products/guardianrt/benefits.html

Guardian® RT System - Better Protection
http://www.minimed.com/products/guardianrt/protection.html

Guardian® RT System Components
http://www.minimed.com/products/guardianrt/system.html

Guardian® RT System Availability
http://www.minimed.com/products/guardianrt/availability.html

Guardian® RT: Request More Information
https://www.minimed.com/products/guardianrt/GuardianRT-request.html

About the Guardian® RT Continuous Glucose Monitoring System
http://www.minimed.com/professionals/guardianrt/index.html

How the Guardian® RT System Works
http://www.minimed.com/products/guardianrt/howitworks.html

Benefits of the Guardian® RT System
http://www.minimed.com/products/guardianrt/benefits.html

http://www.minimed.com/products/insulinpumps/components.html

REAL-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring
http://www.minimed.com/products/insulinpumps/components/cgm.html

Features
http://www.minimed.com/products/insulinpumps/features/index.html

Frequently Asked Questions About the MiniMed Paradigm® REAL-Time System
http://www.minimed.com/products/insulinpumps/faq.html
;---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------;
; Guardian RT -Forum Threads ;
;---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------;
Continuous Glucose Sensor
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=1075

Sensor Update! Real-time pump on it's way... eventually
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=1242

We're on the Sensor!!!
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=1138

We're Real-Timing!!!
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=2243

We are in LOVE with our CGM
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=2573

Minimed CGMS
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=2502

I need info on CGMS
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=2536

Emma is on the sensor
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=2415

Emma's sensor update
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=2512

Christmas is coming early this year...the CGMS is on its way!!
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=2130

Emma's Sensor Analysis
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=2543

Dear 522 Realtimers
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=2682

Real-time CGMS Update
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=2736

Emma's Sensor Update
http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=2738

Where Do You Put Your Sensors?
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=121

Flexifix Tape
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=120

Sensor life span
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=16

Blood Always?
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=111

Weak Signal
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=76

re-using sensor sites?, when can we use that site again?
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=144

Waterproof?
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=154

Accurate even with very quickly rising BGs!
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=134

avoiding 2 hour calibration
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=165

Pump Battery Changes
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=167

7 Days on MM CGMS "Observations"
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=155

What Happens When You Don't Check the Number...
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=157

Inaccurate Low Alarms - reason to change sensor?
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=170

Snoozus Interruptus
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=169

Insertion technique questions
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=171

Tape help - day 3 on RT system
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=164

"Sensor Error" Alarm
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=180

A new discovery - tip when restarting a sensor
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=182

Pushing the needle and manual insertion
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=186

Timing of sensor insertion and start
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=178

How Often To Calibrate?
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=90

Carelink
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=205

Coming Up On 6 Months
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=207

transmitter tape reaction
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=210

Weak Signal Alarm
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=181

ISIG numbers, BGs, and Sensor life
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=212

Faq: Paradigm Rt System, Tips for using the Paradigm RT System
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=93

Latest Helpline Advice About Sensors
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=124

6 Year Old Using Cgm
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=123

How Often Do You Test?
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=51

Flexifix Tape
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=120

Where Do You Put Your Sensors?
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=121

Sensor life span
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=16

I Tested My Transmitter........
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=119

Sensor Gets Better Over Time?
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=100

Aren't sensor readings and meter readings supposed to go in the same direction?
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=136

Do you calibrate even if there are arrows on the screen
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=137

The Tick (speculation)
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=125

Throwing in the Towel, Returning my Transmitter
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=133

New To The Cgms, Here (day 3)
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=128

Calibrating - When Do You Do It
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=132

Weak Signal Alarm
http://www.insulinpumpforums.com//index.php?showtopic=181
;---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------;
; Guardian RT -Blogs ;
;---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------;
LifeAfterDx--The Guardian Chronicles
http://lifeafterdx.blogspot.com/

Until A cure
http://www.untilacure.blogspot.com/

Dr Jekyll and Mrs Low
http://drjekyllandmrslow.blogspot.com/

http://www.untilacure.blogspot.com/

Candid D
http://www.candiddiabetes.com/

[rickst29]

Back On-Topic for a moment:

I'm trying to get the cgm. Is mini med the only one who has them. How do you go about insurance. I was told I had to pay up front. I certainly don't have that much money.
Well, with Minimed you'll have $$$$ for the Upgrade to 522 plus $900 for the CGMS itself. Dexcom is a much less expensive start-up, but the Sensors are NOT waterproof. Also, the Minimed "starter kit" comes with 10 Sensors, the Dexcom "starter kit" comes with only two... so a lot of the price difference is simply the Sensors which you'll have to buy separately from Dexcom at the same time.

Still, Dexcom definitely wins on startup price, because there's no pump upgrade involved. And you should certainly be able to get it for MUCH less than list price.... right now, I'd offer only $400 for the startup kit, and I suspect that they'd accept that offer. Minimed's price is firm.

[EmmasMom]

Well, with Minimed you'll have $$$$ for the Upgrade to 522 plus $900 for the CGMS itself.

The pump upgrade is free *IF* you already have a minimed pump under warranty. We paid exactly $999 for our kit and new pump. (It was a big reason we chose MM, we knew the cgms would be an upgrade option while we were still under warranty.)

If you don't have a MM pump, and aren't planning to get one, I'd go with the Dexcom.