You're a Prick....away from having diabetes
Every year, National Diabetes Awareness month comes and goes. Same thing with World Diabetes Day. During the month of November, I appreciate jumping on almost any social media platform and immediately seeing info that attempts to better educate the general public about life with diabetes from many different points of view. I cannot determine who or what entity created or founded "National Diabetes Awareness Month," but assume it was created as a marketing campaign.
Instead of posting a "fun fact" about diabetes every day in November, I decided to share some of my month with diabetes.
If you need some additional info about diabetes, etc. before reading this post, feel free to reference either of these links to several of my past posts:
Ascending Diabetes: Trial, Error and keeping it simple
You have been SELECTED to be Diabetic
If you prefer a visual explanation about diabetes, here you go...
Diabetes Info-graphic from the CDC
PODCAST
In Episode #9: DEVICEsive, Nick & Dan celebrate National Diabetes Awareness Month (November) by discussing whether the diabetes care industry is more interested in a cure or more devices. For those that are not diabetic experts, we also discuss the 2 main types of diabetes, form(s) of treatment, and provide additional insight into the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) and the JDCA (Juvenile Diabetes Cure Alliance). If you do not want to listen to the entire podcast, here is a quick summary:
I choose not to support the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) despite the fact that my family was one of several families that helped to launch the JDF (Juvenile Diabetes Foundation) of SC, which morphed into the Palmetto Chapter of the JDRF. Over the past 20 years, the majority of JDRF funds have shifted from Cure Research to Technology Research (not cure focused). While I appreciate and use many of the new technological developments that make life with diabetes easier, the JDRF continues to mislead the public with their marketing message, "we are raising money to find a cure." The JDRF was founded to cure type 1 diabetes (T1D), but that has not been their focus for many years. This is their mission statement: Improving lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. As long as the JDRF is partnered/partnering with medical device companies that profit from the treatment of diabetes, it is my opinion that a cure for type 1 will never be discovered through funding from the JDRF.
If you want to hear more about my opinions about the JDRF, feel free to listen to our latest podcast (see info above) or reach out and let's chat....
EVERSENSE vs DEXCOM: THE CGM BATTLE
CGMs (Continuous Glucose Monitors) became popular in the mid to late 2000's in the USA. There are currently several CGMs on the market: Dexcom, Freestyle Libre, Medtronic, and the Eversense. There are others that are also in the development stages. All of them offer unique features and benefits that ALL diabetics should investigate for themselves prior to choosing one. I have personally tried and currently own the Dexcom G6, Freestyle Libre, and Eversense. The Dexcom sensor is inserted by the patient, at home, around every 10 days. The Eversense sensor is inserted in a doctor's office by a medical professional and currently lasts around 90 days, there is a 6 month sensor current being tested. Many CGMs are now approved by the FDA for treatment decisions; however, the finger stick test is still the "gold standard" for accuracy in doctor's offices and in the homes of patients.
The Dexcom sensor is on my lower back. The Eversense sensor is located on my arm.
Since every CGM claims to be the most accurate and "the best," I decided to perform my own medical study and operated both CGMs at the same time. Before I share the results, I would like to show you how the Eversense CGM is inserted. For anyone that is not aware of how the Dexcom is inserted, here is a link to a video from their website: https://provider.dexcom.com/education-research/cgm-education-use/videos/dexcom-g6-how-insert-sensor-attach-transmitter \
WARNING: There are surgical videos below. If this makes you queasy, you should scroll quickly. Disclaimer: Due to my involvement in the diabetes world, I am personal friends with all of my healthcare team. As a result, we interact more like friends than Doctor/Patient.
Overall, I found that the Dexcom and Eversense were equally accurate. This determination was based on a brief 7-day trial. I would like to conduct a much longer trail but CGM supplies are not CHEAP. If Dexcom and/or Eversense wants to provide me some complimentary supplies, I would be happy to perform a longer test; as long as they are comfortable with not being able to influence the results. Feel free to slide thru the pics below comparing the Dexcom and Eversense against a Freestyle Freedom Lite Meter.
MY COMMON SENSE
I would suggest that every diabetic "KEEP IT SIMPLE," and if CGM technology simplifies your life, use it!! If it complicates it, TRASH IT but consider trying it again in the future. If you are investigating CGM technology, I would suggest starting with the Freestyle Libre ahead of the Dexcom or Eversense. The Libre is the least invasive and most similar to traditional, finger stick glucose testing.
AROUND ABOUT LOCAL MEDIA
I was asked to write a short article for a local publication. My article was entitled "Take Control of T1D." You can read it via ISSUU (below) by clicking here or view a PDF copy by clicking HERE.
If you or a loved one suffers from any form of diabetes, use the month of November to remind your "normie" self that you're only a prick away from being diabetic. As all form of diabetes continue to grow exponentially, so too does the probability that you may be diagnosed at some point in your lifetime.
If you want to have a constructive conversation about this or anything else, message me, and let's grab coffee or a beer.
Have a good one,
Dan
