Hi all. This morning, my doctor gave me news I didn't want to go two weeks before Christmas. I was diagnosed with diabetes, but I'm not sure if its type one or two. The dexcom g6 was ordreed, but because it had to ordered from Florida, who knows how long that will take to get to my house. Anyway, I have a few questions. How do I insert the sensor? How do I snap on the transmitter? Does anybody have any tips or trcks for inserting the sensor and transmitter do I don't screw something up? When you have to change the sensor and transmitter, do you have to pair them with your phone every time? How easy is the iPhone and apple watch easy to use with voiceover?
Comments
Easy to set up and use
Hey there, so my recommendation would be for you to have a sighted person around the first time or two you have to do it. But you should get the hang of it very quickly.
You do have to pair the sensor and the transmitter each time. Sensors last 10 days, transmitters last 90. So, there will be multiple times where you only have to pair a sensor, because the transmitter is still paired.
For Sensor insertion, you remove the sensor from the package. Wipe down the area you will insert the sensor on your belly with an alcohol pad. You will scan a code on the paper covering the tape on the sensor. I do this all by myself now, but it did take me a bit to get the hang of it. Once your phone recognizes the sensor, you are free to remove those little papers. They have pull tabs, so not a problem. Then apply it to the area where you previously wiped down with the alcohol pad. Then, break off the little security tab over the button on the applicator, and press the button, and bingo, sensor is inserted and stuck to your skin, and then you go about putting in the sensor. When you feel the transmitter, you will notice there is a wider end and a narrow end. Be careful to not touch on the inside of the sensor, but touching around the sensor and on the outside of the sensor is fine, but if you touch inside, where the transmitter goes, you might mess something up as some of that stuff is delicate. Anyway, there is only one way the transmitter can go in, and when you feel it, it should be very obvious.
As for the ease of use of the app, it is pretty much perfect. I do remember once upon a time having issues creating my dexcom account and some of the very first setup screens, but said issues may well have been fixed. But that's also why I recommend having a sighted person around just in case, as well as having someone who can walk you through it.
Once setup is done, then you can just check the app for your readings, and if you also have an Apple Watch, you can add the reading to your watch face. Sometimes it will not show, and only have three dashes, but when you double tap that on the watch, it will then start showing again.
I hope this helps and that I've been able to answer all your questions.
If you are just now getting diagnosed, I'm pretty sure your diabetes is type 2, as type 1 is usually from childhood and caught pretty early on in life.
If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out.