The Saskatchewan Government made a promise to help diabetics within the province. They are helping fund CGM/FGM for people up to the age of 18 years old. I am happy that they are funding CGM/FGM for younger people, but diabetes doesn’t stop after that age. I urge the Saskatchewan Government to fund CGM/FGM technology for all diabetics within Saskatchewan.

I myself am a type one diabetic, I was diagnosed 10 years ago. Over the past 4 years I have been having severe hypoglycemic episodes during the night when I am sleeping. These hypoglycemic episodes result in me having a seizure, often not remembering where I am for up to 5 minutes. A few of these events resulted in me being hospitalized for a day because I could not regain consciousness. Because of these low blood glucose events I purchased a cgm out of pocket. The cgm alerts me ahead of time to a low or high blood glucose event allowing me to hear the alarm, wake up, and treat the event. This technology has saved me from having many more seizures. I know I am not the only diabetic out there that can benefit from the use of a cgm.  

Personal Benefits to a Continuous Glucose Monitor:

• Users can share real-time glucose data with up to five people
• Improves glycemic control which improves mental health of patients, and reduces risks of costly long-term diabetes-related complications.
• CGM technology provides real-time glucose values, trends and customizable alerts and alarms, including Urgent Low Soon alert to warn users up to 20 minutes in advance of an urgent low glucose event.

Clinical benefits to a Continuous glucose monitor:

• More insight than monitoring alone
  Unlike a single reading from a blood glucose meter, a CGM provides real-time, dynamic information about the speed and direction (trending higher or lower) of your glucose levels.
• Improved glycemic control
  Having continuous feedback on diet, exercise, and insulin requirements from a CGM can help you make more informed treatment decisions. This awareness can lead to tighter glycemic control than using a blood glucose meter alone.
• Fast, proactive response
  CGM systems take glucose readings every few minutes and allow you to set customizable thresholds with alerts when your readings are out of target range. This means you’ll often know that you are out of range before you begin to feel symptoms, and you can proactively respond.
• Fewer fingersticks
  CGM devices use tiny sensors to measure glucose levels just beneath the skin. These sensors connect to a transmitter, which wirelessly transmits readings to a receiver or a compatible smart device. At any time, you can see your reading with just a glance.

please sign the petition, email or call your local MLA. Email the ministry of health to help cover CGM costs for all Saskatchewan diabetics.