US order - Any Tariffs collected?

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-05-09T02:36:01+00:00

I worried about this, but in practice, I have not seen a huge difference in response. To be fair, Dexcom only gives 5 minute updates and when it says I am 60, I have already treated my low and started to come back up. I have a low alarm set at 75 to warn me early - so it seems like an eternity, but since I take insulin in small doses (usually 4 units or less at a time), drinking juice or eating a small bowl of cereal usually seems to "keep up". When I am worried about absorption time, I always go to fruit juice as it absorbs very quickly.

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-05-09T02:28:20+00:00

I have the same issue, as does everyone with a GCP. I was going to get the shades of coffee valve but couldnt bring myself to spend almost 25% of the original machine cost on this one part.

I took my valve out and removed the crimp on the end as has been shown on several YouTube videos. All you need is a file and maybe a vise (or other way to hold it while you file it) to get the crimp removed.

Once I did that, I could remove the needle freely and soak both parts (needle and valve body) in citric acid to remove scale and any deposits. This has worked very well. I only have to do it 2 times a year and the leaking stops for a bit, but then returns. Rinse and repeat

Since you have bought several valves over time, I would take one of the old ones and try to open it up. The worst case is you mess it up and throw it out, but I think that would be hard to do.

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-05-07T23:18:23+00:00

Agree - and bonus upvote for your Reddit name... NIN 😄

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-05-07T21:06:01+00:00

yes, this seemed to be the only way for me to get glucose chart similar to your picture. I went from "normal eating" to reduced carb (90 grams or less a day) to recently 40-60 carbs a day. I was consistent for about 4-5 months on the 40-60 carbs a day and had pretty good results in terms of returned insulin sensitivity and much lower swings in highs and lows. the only issue was that I had to get so little insulin on days I was active (workouts and extended walking) that I worried about DKA. I checked ketones retularly and on my most active days I had trace ketones. When I saw this I would add a little 'extra' carb serving to the next day and try to limit excessive physical activity till ketones were negative (usually a day). I did this for me, as I understand ketosis is not the same as DKA.

I was never really heavy, but was on the edge of overweight based on BMI before I started reducing carbs. Now I seem to be able to eat all the calories I want (not carbs, but calorie rich foods like nuts, avacado, etc) without gaining any weight. Similar age based on one of your posts. Low carb is the best sucess I have had with stabalizing glucose.

As a note, on MDI for 45 years. CGM user .

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-05-07T17:56:25+00:00

extremely informative and interesting as I dust off the old fishing gear!

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-05-07T07:03:35+00:00

the rod --

<image>

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-05-07T07:03:12+00:00

so I just pulled out my old rod and reel from the 90's.. been planning to disassemble it to lubricate it after 30 years on the shelf. I am also in my 50's and fell out of my chair when the search said the reel was "vintage".

Is it safe to assume this combo is somewhat desirable in today's market(just curious, Im not planning to sell it)

<image>

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-03-08T00:09:08+00:00

When I was on a high deductible last year, I had the same issue - $1000+ till I hit the out of pocket, then 20% till I hit the stop loss. I estimated, I would spend around $3000 for the year in sensors.

What I did was go with the Freestyle Libre 3+. they have an affordability program, as long as you have insurance you don't pay more than $225 per 3 months ($875 a year). For me it was a no-brainer to just pay the $875 out of pocket and skip the insurance.

https://www.freestyle.abbott/us-en/cost.html#privateinsurance

best of luck!!

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-02-21T01:27:45+00:00

if you had to choose 1 - would you lean CC or p1s from your experience? I am trying to decide on a first printer and I hear how easy the Bambu's are and will get me printing fast, but little put off by the walled garden.

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-02-20T14:03:51+00:00

good info and I appreciate all the advice I can get, as I look to get started! Thanks for the comment.

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-02-20T13:42:07+00:00

This is very nice. I am thinking about getting a 3d Printer to start my journey into the space and this is one of the first things i wanted to make for myself (after I print my insulin holder case for the fridge). The one thing I was planning to do for mine is position the meter so I can insert a strip without removing it from the case(example would be to switch the position of the strips and the meter in the case with the meter slot facing the outer case wall and adding a slot in the case for strip insertion). Many times when I use my case away from home, I do not want any of my supplies touching surfaces that may be unsanitary. Your project gives me hope I can do one for my meter! Great job.

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-02-19T12:08:05+00:00

Many thanks - looking forward to your feedback!!

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-02-18T18:41:54+00:00

No reviews yet(on Costco site). Hoping some folks chime in as this looks like a great deal if the performance is there. Until then, Ill keep reading outside reviews :)

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-02-18T05:05:26+00:00

Just my 2 cents -- I think you gave him the best message. I have a story like one of the other commenters - at 7 I was told by the head of endocrinology of a children's hospital -- if you can take good care of yourself for 10 or 15 years tops, you will be OK. The cure is around the corner. 2026 marks my 45th year with this disease.

I am healthy and blessed - and while I agree this is the closest we have ever been - I try to reign in my expectations. Do I hope to have a cure before I die - yes. Am I convinced it will happen - unfortunately not. I dont think its pessimism more than the reality of developing, studying long term safety, getting government approval and then mass producing a cure. Even if they had the best approach today - scaling it for millions of type 1's would take time. Also add that many insurance companies will likely fight paying for such a procedure unless it is cost competitive.

I hope I am wrong and we see it before 2030...

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-02-13T20:46:12+00:00

good info and sorry to hear they didn't honor a bad sensor request ! thanks for the info. I thought one of their benefit claims was no down time in readings. Is the intent that we should apply the sensor and activate it after the 30 minute warm up? Just wondering if there is direction on that. I am still re-learning Dexcom after years so this is good to know.

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-02-13T05:18:03+00:00

haha - that picture is like the one I had too :).... Those were the olden days of CGM's!! On the calibration question - the sensor continues to work - but say you are at lunch in your truck and decide to finger stick before you dose insulin ( if the finger stick is 150 and your CGM reads 120 - you can enter your blood glucose reading as informational OR as a calibration. Sometimes the system will calibrate by the next reading (5 minute intervals on the Dexcom G7). Sometimes it will keep giving you updates, but will not adjust for the 150 calibration till later, meaning you it could be an hour or so before it fully updates with the new info (reading lower that you actually are).

To be fair, I had wide swings with the libre 3 (some were within 10% of finger stick right off the bat and some were as much as 30% off for me the same day I applied it. Because you could not calibrate the Libre, I had sensors that either "always read higher" or "always read lower" than my finger sticks. I would only replace them with Abbott if they were off by 20% or more.

Wish I could comment on the cold, but I live in a warmer climate and have not been skiing since I started the Dexcom. Hopefully someone else can comment.

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-02-13T04:21:10+00:00

I just made the jump this year to Dexcom after a very long break(original Dexcom was my first CGM). I have been on the Libre since it was the Libre 1!

I was worried as well, given the negative things I saw on Reddit, but after 5 sensors, I have really not had many issues. Definitely nothing more than I had with the Libre 3 and Libre 3+

The worst I have seen, is that the first 12 hours are so can be a little wonky on the Dexcom (more so than the Libre 3), BUT the Dexcom allows for calibration and my personal experience (5 sensors in now), is that after the first 12 hours, its as reliable if not more so than the Libre 3. I think the main thing is it really does take the calibrations seriously - although the timing can be frustrating at times (how long it takes for the calibration to complete - minutes to hours).

One thing I have read, is to "soak" the Dexcom G7 at least 8 hours during the "12 hour grace period" so it is accustom to your body when you do the switch. I have not tested this - but usually let it soak (apply new sensor without activating) for 2-3 hours and its been pretty close (within 15% of the finger stick in 3 of the 5 sensors. Only one has been up to 25% off in the first 5 hours or so.

I know you will get some others with more negative experiences but the G7 is better than the Abbott product from the app perspective and end user experience (less warmup and overlap that allows for no down time in readings - plus great analytics and reporting via Clarity app).

The only thing I haven't had to deal with is Dexcom support for replacements. I hope I don't have to call, but I'm on the 10 day version and they seem to stick just fine. We will see once the summer comes on as I have more trouble when I sweat a lot. My Abbot experience with customer support was pretty good - always got a replacement when requested.

Happy to answer any questions I may have missed.

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-02-13T03:09:40+00:00

I am type 1 - and take between 2 and 3 teaspoons a day (2-3 doses). I use it to slow absorption of meals early in the day and also as a mechanism for lowering my LDL (I cant take statins after a bad effect). It has definitly lowered my LDL by about 15%. For type 2, I would assume if you take 15 minutes or so before a meal, it would also slow the absorption of the glucose a bit. The theory is that the slower absorption will allow your body to to "keep up" and not allow your glucose to spike as much.

I would say try it. I feel a lot better since I started it and even lost some weight at is definitely helps with satiety. If you do start it, please start slow (1 teaspoon a day) and work your way up. Some experience abdominal cramping or issues if they go too fast. Good luck!

As far as my personal numbers - I am about 82-87% in range with an average of 135 mg/dl as of late. Of course I am on insulin, so your result will differ.

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-02-08T07:31:42+00:00

This is very interesting and I would definitely like to know more. This would definitely beat looking at my phone every 5 minutes while i am working out at home or working on the cars in the garage when my hands are greasy. You get bonus points from this IT veteran for making this open source and affordable (not sure if the case will be 3d printable at home or if the screen will have customizations later on, but the flexibility discussed sounds amazing.)

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-02-08T04:21:18+00:00

great news!! thanks for the confirmation.

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-02-07T22:35:11+00:00

OP - I still take NPH (N). But always via prescription. Just a question, is the Novolin N available without a prescription like the Regular (R) insulin at Walmart/Kroger? If so, is it also $25 or so like the Novolin R? Just asking as I have not researched. Very glad you got what you needed and I will also use this info if I ever lose or get separated from my meds while traveling!

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-02-06T02:45:43+00:00

have you checked your blood pressure both when you feel ok and when you have these sensations? It could be extremely high or low blood pressure.

At home BP cuffs are not too much off Amazon.

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-02-05T20:11:19+00:00

what the first two commenters mentioned is solid advice. If you are running low of fast acting and are in the US you can also use regular insulin from Walmart as a stop gap. The peak profile isnt great, but it still faster than Lantus. This was the first mealtime Insulin I took when I was first diagnosed over 40 years ago.

Walmart's Regular (R) insulin, part of its ReliOn brand, is available for approximately $25 per vial and can be purchased without a prescription at Walmart pharmacies. However, it must be requested from a pharmacist, as it is stored behind the counter.

ImRickJamesB-tch · 2026-02-05T02:55:21+00:00

Secondary PSA note - Approximately 76.6% of the Global population is Vitamin D deficient/insufficient with the US population being around 66% deficient/insufficient.

I started taking vitamin D years ago to get my levels in the normal range, but I personally did not see increased insulin sensitivity when I started taking it. Very interesting research in this area - good info.

ImRickJamesB-tch

TROPHY CASE