DexCom CGM: Buy 4 sensors get 1 free offer

DexCom is offering a free sensor with your next order of four. This buy 4 get 1 free promotion seems to be an effort to get customers introduced to their new online store. Looks like you just have to register and then place your order via that online store. The offer ends in March 31, 2012.

If you are an adult (users under 18 see below) DexCom user this is a no-brainer, we've all been waiting for the company to set up an easier way of placing an order. Now you'll be able to order online or set up a auto-reorder. You can visit the DexCom website and choose the link that looks like the image below (they banner rotates), it will take you to this link.

Now if you are the parent of a Dex user things get a little confusing but you can still easily take advantage of the offer and set up an auto-reorder (they call it 'Schedule Ship'). Since minors can't register to make purchases through their online store the form on the website is not going to help you. I had to call customer service, wait for a call back, etc. I asked my CSR if there was an easier way for the parents that read my site to take advantage of this offer, he and I came up with this...

Parents of minors that use DexCom can take advantage of the buy 4 get 1 free offer by simply calling...

Brian at 877-339-2664, extension 5561

Tell Brian that you were sent by Scott from Arden's Day, that you would like to set up a Schedule Ship and receive a free sensor as part of their offer. Brian will email you the 'Schedule Shipment' form, you send it back to him and you'll be finished signing up for their Schedule Ship program... getting your free sensor in the process.

Speaking of free stuff:

Apidra is free until 4/30/12 

I have a 3 year supply of Spring's Universal Infusion Sets to give away

Diabetes Tech News: Medtronic Launches First-Of-Its-Kind mySentry™ Remote Glucose Monitor

Medtronic announces mySentry and I rejoice. Their new innovation does sound familiar...

mySentry Allows Caregivers to See Real-Time Insulin Pump Information and Glucose Trends from Another Room

MINNEAPOLIS – January 4, 2012 – Today, Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and U.S. market launch of the first-of-its-kind mySentry™ Remote Glucose Monitor, which allows a parent or caregiver to monitor from another room a patient’s MiniMed Paradigm® REAL-Time Revel™ System. The remote glucose monitor also marks the launch of a new category of Connected Care solutions that will provide people with diabetes and their caregivers convenient options to access their diabetes management information.

Perhaps more then any other chronic dieses, management of day-to-day diabetes lends itself to cutting edge technology. While I'm always grateful for the advancements that have already been made, I'd like to see more and see it faster. 

Even if you don't use a Medtronic device (Arden uses a DexCom CGM) this news is fantastic. Wireless technology like this is sorely needed and Medtronic's announcement will serve us all well, spurning other manufacturers to move forward as quickly as possible so not to be left behind. It is also a signal to other companies that the FDA is allowing clearance for technology such as this. That knowledge will make it easier for smaller companies to get into the game. Many device manufacturers are smaller and less profitable then you may imagine and they can't afford to get trapped into a protracted submission process with the government.

I love the FDA saying yes, I love Medtronic trying and I look forward to finding out what is next - please just don't price us all out of when your products come to market.

Medtronic's complete press release is at this link.

ps. It's time to let Insulet give us their smaller pods FDA - I mean really... which ever device lobbyist has you holding this up (my supposition)... they've gotten their monies worth, time to think about the people again.

Follow @twitter

Your opinion is needed: Insulin Pumps and Glucose Monitors

I am in the throws of launching a charitable foundation whose focus will be assisting diabetic children that want but can't afford insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors.

The necessary paperwork to form the charitable entity is getting very close to being submitted. In the meantime, I am diligently working on ways to make the charity as successful and far reaching as it possibly can be. I will be involved in a number of meetings and presentations over the coming weeks and months and I was hoping that you could help me to better understand how the costs associated with managing diabetes effects your financial life. I am very interested in hearing from the parents of children with type I but if you are an adult with diabetes I am still very interested in your answers - you never what the future will bring.

If you would be kind enough to anonymously answer a few questions, I will be able to use the data you submit as I search for the funding necessary to make this fledgling dream a robust reality. You won't be asked anything that would identify you and none of your personal information is collected by this site.

The answers that you provide will help me to make a better presentation when speaking with potential donors, supporters and sponsors. None of the answers are 'required' by the form and you can skip any you like by choosing "left blank".

Your support is greatly appreciated!

The data collection form is located here. http://www.ardensday.com/anonymous

Update on Monday, March 18, 2013 at 9:44PM by Scott Benner

My new book, "Life Is Short, Laundry Is Eternal' is available now - Amazon/Kindle - Barnes&Noble/Nook 

Update on Monday, March 18, 2013 at 9:44PM by Scott Benner

My new book, "Life Is Short, Laundry Is Eternal' is available now - Amazon/Kindle - Barnes&Noble/Nook 

Update on Monday, March 18, 2013 at 9:44PM by Scott Benner

My new book, "Life Is Short, Laundry Is Eternal' is available now - Amazon/Kindle - Barnes&Noble/Nook 

OmniPod Rash?

If you've ever experienced a rash under your OmniPod, CGM or infusion set adhesive, read on.

Before I begin I need to say that I'm not a doctor and you should never confuse me sharing my experiences with health care advice. Never make adjustments to a care plan without first checking with your physician.

In the summer of 2010 Arden began to develop a rather severe rash under her OmniPod. I was confused because she had been wearing her OmniPod for a rather long time with no issues and it seemed random that she would suddenly have such a reaction. I turned to the internet, called Insulet and was presented with a number of "solutions". My problem with the answer that I was given was that it included buying more stuff and it complicated the pod application process. I really believe that the simple answer is often the best, so I held off on putting the conventional fix into practice and took another shot at diagnosing the issue myself.

Before I could put my thinking cap on I noticed that I was rubbing my finger tips against my thumb and that my finger tips were sore. I looked at them and saw that they were dry and begining to crack. I drifted away from Arden's issue momentarily to wonder about my own and then it hit me - I'm always touching alcohol swabs, that's probably why my fingers are so dry.

That realization led to an epiphany and suddenly I (thought) knew why Arden was developing rashes. At Arden's next pod change and every DexCom and OmniPod application since, I have cleaned Arden's sites with warm water and a clean towel - nothing else. Not only has she never had another rash but her pods don't stick to her like they've been cemented on when it's time for them to be changed (don't worry, they don't come off prematurely).

Turns out for Arden, chemically wiping away the oil that her skin makes naturally and then covering the area with an adhesive strip, wasn't a good idea.

I've shared our process with Arden's endo NP. She wasn't thrilled that I stopped disinfecting Arden's sites before poking a hole into her but she does acknowledge that we may have had to discontinue using Arden's pump without this adjustment. For us it's a calculated risk, you and your doctor can decide if it's the right thing for you to do. I wish you much luck!

Untitled Giving Project Update#1

It's been 14 days since I wrote about my want to launch a charitable foundation to provide insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors to children that need but can not afford them. 14 days

A very lot can apparently happen in 14 days...

The Diabetes Online Community has fully embraced my goal and I thank you! Monetary gifts, offers to help and professionals wanting to donate their services have all been pouring in. I've made new connections and had conversations that can only be characterized as uplifting. I've received gifts great enough to pay for the initial paperwork filing and am currently in discussions with an attorney about how to best move forward. I won't stop you from leaving a gift today but I will say that, for the moment, we've reached out initial goal! Please take a moment and reflect on what an amazing place the DOC is, I'm proud to be even a small part of it and I hope you are as well.

• If all goes well I'll be able to announce the name of the future charity very soon. 
• Wonderful offers to guest post on Six Until Me and The Girl with the Portable Pancreas have helped get the word out.
• I'm diligently working at acquiring corporate sponsorship for the charity, having already made my first pitch yesterday. (If your company is interested please reach out)
• I'm currently crafting a mission statement and can not wait to be able to tell you more.

Thank you for being the amazing group of people that you are! Wait until you see what we do when we band together...

I'll be back with more news as soon as I can.

Best,

Scott

Update on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 7:54AM by Scott Benner

The 501(c)3 process is moving! More when more is available.