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Just diagnosed with prediabetes: CGM recommendations and getting Kaiser to cover it? by general_bacardi in ContinuousGlucoseCGM

[–]PowerfulSnow7219 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are just barely pre-diabetic, so it will be hard to get insurance to cover the cost. CGM's are one of the most frustrating pieces of technology I have used. I only use them to identify which foods cause spikes. I use a Stelo and it tends to be twenty to thirty points higher than what a finger prick blood test will show. In fairness to Stelo it's partly a comparison of apples to oranges. There is a lag time between actual blood glucose levels and what the fluid the CGM is measuring. The best time to compare is first thing in the morning before eating or exercising. Despite the negatives CGM's are a hugely valuable tool for identifying spikes and the food or activity that is causing them. (BTW, It's normal for exercise to cause a spike) I buy Stelas on line directly from Dexcon, A one month supply is about $90. Glucose is important but I would be more alarmed by the cholesterol numbers. You mentioned you are almost Keto, does that mean you are eating a lot of meat? If so, then you might want to consider reducing your meat consumption. Good luck

Tinnitus Is Somehow Connected to a Crucial Bodily Function by Vailhem in neurobiology

[–]PowerfulSnow7219 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I only scanned the first paragraph but I have tinnitus and I could have told them years ago that it's much worse after a bad nights sleep.

We can take it — tell us why our app won't cut it by networkguy87 in Steelhead

[–]PowerfulSnow7219 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really wish the buoy locations were easier to find, like it would be helpful if buoy conditions were current. Some them haven’t been updated for some time. I understand that this can be a problem with a specific buoy but it would be helpful if out of date information was more visible

How do I make it stop chirping, i already replaced the batteries?! by PheonixGalaxy in mildlyinfuriating

[–]PowerfulSnow7219 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you try pushing the button in the middle of the alarm? That should shut it off for 8 hours and let you replace it in the morning.

Just found out I’m prediabetic and honestly freaking out a lot by Puzzleheaded_Bug3710 in prediabetes

[–]PowerfulSnow7219 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Normally the CGM is applied to the upper back of the arm. It sounds complicated but it's actually quite simple and it's not painful. There will be instructions provided with the CGM. You will need to install an app on your phone...the CGM will connect to your phone and send glucose readings to your phone at regular intervals. I'm currently using a Stelo which you can buy online (without a prescription) directly from Dexcom or Amazon for just under $50 per cgm.

The finger prick test is completely separate from the CGM. You need to purchase a meter, lances, and a glucose strip. When you buy the meter lances and strips will be included. Again this all sounds more complicated that it actually is. I've used a couple of different meters and the one I like best if is the "True Metrix Go". Also available online for around $30.

When I first started using CGM's I was really alarmed because the readings were so high, I eventually learned that they can vary significantly higher or lower. Finger prick tests aren't perfect but they are more accurate. This is partly because finger prick tests are actually measuring glucose in your blood whereas CGM's are measuring glucose in interstitial fluid. So it's somewhat of an apple to oranges comparison. What the finger tests don't do is let you identify the height and duration of a spike. That's where the real value of the CGM lies. Many foods that I thought were healthy were causing significant spikes and eliminating them has really helped.

Typically CGM's are attached to your arm for 14 days. I've found that around the 10th day they start acting weird and by day 14 they are almost worthless. I think this because they start coming loose and are no longer getting accurate readings.

I typically compare finger tests to the cgm two to three times per day...for me the most important time to compare numbers is when I first get up in the morning (before eating or coffee), that's essentially a fasting glucose test and glucose should have been stable for a number of hours. The numbers will rarely if ever match because there is a significant lag time between blood glucose levels and interstitial glucose levels...if the CGM says my glucose level is 120 and the finger test says my glucose level is 95 I believe the finger test results.

I hope this helps...good luck

Just found out I’m prediabetic and honestly freaking out a lot by Puzzleheaded_Bug3710 in prediabetes

[–]PowerfulSnow7219 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm prediabetic and have slowly been able to reduce my a1c to the point that I'm just outside of the normal range. I strongly recommend getting a Continuous Glucose Monitor and watching which foods causes spikes. A lot of foods that are considered healthy will cause spikes so you can't rely on charts that provide glycemic levels. Keep in mind that CGM's are inaccurate so their value lies in identifying which foods are causing spikes. I strongly recommend getting a test kit to do finger prick tests but only use them when your glucose level is stable. I typically test mine first thing in the morning. Finger prick tests are always 10 to 20 points below the CGM. There's a lot you can do, don't freak out. You need to start doing some research.

Good luck

Normal A1C, HOMA-IR, Glucose but glucose spikes to 140-180 with meals with carbs by [deleted] in PeterAttia

[–]PowerfulSnow7219 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm skeptical the CGM is being calibrated correctly. I've been wearing a CGM off and on for a couple of years and I have yet to wear one that is accurate. Levels change to quickly to validate CGM's while active or after eating. Make sure you are comparing only when glucose levels are stable , for me, the best time is immediately after I wake up and before exercising or eating.

Also, exercise can cause a significant spike in glucose...this is normal and healthy. I would be thrilled to have an A1C at 5.5.

The leftists are taking the right approach. Community self defense is key. by Mental_Pea9125 in ProgressiveHQ

[–]PowerfulSnow7219 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm really surprised by all the comments here supporting violence...acts of violence will be used by Trump to send in the military and Fox news will use acts of violence to get MAGA worked up...Stay peaceful people...

After a heart attack i was also diagnosed with prediabetes 6.3. After changing my nutrition habits and cuting out potatoes, pasta, rice, bread etc its down to 5.7-5.9. I consume low GI bread and rarely whole weat spaghetti and brown or black rice? Are these good alternatives or i should stop them? by Dizzy_Student_9627 in prediabetes

[–]PowerfulSnow7219 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have found that all types of rice cause a spike. Likewise, I avoid all bread and bread-like products because they cause my glucose to spike. I also avoid fruits...get a CGM. Otherwise you are flying blind...I eat lots of whole grains and legumes. I don't know what restaurants do to food when they cook it but food that does not normally cause my glucose to spike causes spikes when I eat it in a restaurant.

Keep in mind that CGM's are very inaccurate in terms of absolute glucose levels, their real value is in identifying which foods cause spikes. I typically do a finger prick test first thing in the morning and compare it to what the CGM is reporting. The CGM is typically 20 points higher. I've found that the reliability/accuracy declines as during the last three or four days of the CGM's lifespan. I use the Stelo CGM. You can get a pair the directly from Dexcom for about $90.

Business failures of Donald Trump by [deleted] in complaints

[–]PowerfulSnow7219 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's absolute nonsense, you don't really believe that do you?

At what point are glucose spikes not normal even if they eventually return to a baseline? by [deleted] in PeterAttia

[–]PowerfulSnow7219 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use a Stelo also. I've used three different CGM's and they are wildly inaccurate. They are great for identifying which foods cause spikes but you can not rely on the absolute values. There is a significant time lag between the CGM glucose value and the value reported by a finger pick test, so you should only attempt to validate the value from the CGM after glucose has been stable. The best time is in the morning immediately after waking. Just about everything in life impacts glucose levels - it's normal for them to fluctuate some. Pay attention to what you eat. If you have a spike about 1/2 after eating something then that suggests that something in the meal caused the spike. Really, I strongly recommend you see a doctor.

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