Dexcom and acetaminophen Options

[Suzan]

Last week I developed a severe neck pain issue and I avoided the pain meds with acetaminophen because of Dexie. After a couple of days, I called Dexcom support to ask what would happen if I took some (read that it helps with swelling). The tech support person told me that it would effect the readings for 4 to 6 hours depending on my metabolism. Seemed worth it, so I took some hydrocodone stuff that had acetominophen. About 20 to 30 minutes later, Dexie shrieked at me that I had jumped over 100 points. I had not eaten any food for hours and hours. I called Dexcom, was told to put it in a different room for 8 to 10 hours.
The next morning (Saturday) I had waited 10 hours. I couldn't get rid of the ERROR I so I called Dexcom again. She took me through a process but couldn't fix it and told me to put in a new sensor. Sunday I spent 6 hours in the ER. After waiting, cat scan of neck, and more waiting, they gave me a weak muscle relaxer (I remembered to tell them 'no acetaminophen) and told me to see my doctor the next day.
This afternoon, Monday, my doctor gave me a bunch of shots in the head/neck area and told me not to worry about my BG going up due to the cortisone. Then he gave me perscriptions for percoset and a strong form of soma (muscle relaxer)t. I got home and read the label......I had forgotten to tell him 'no acetaminophen'. I have a new sensor in (the other one was nearing a week), but the pain won. I took the meds. Dexcom receiver is now in another room and I just hope that the this new sensor will not freak out as the older one did.
Does anyone have experience with pain killers that have acetaminophen. It is working, a few hours ago I could not have typed this.
Suzam

[canuk chic]

I wasn't aware of any increase to BG bc of acetaminophin. To be honest, if it were me, and I needed it, I would use it and set a temp basal
That's the beauty of pumping, no?

[Linda B]

I wasn't aware of any increase to BG bc of acetaminophin. To be honest, if it were me, and I needed it, I would use it and set a temp basal
That's the beauty of pumping, no?

The acetaminophin does not cause a rise in BG. It has some sort of effect on interstitial tissue that makes Dexcom FALSELY indicate high BG. That's why they told Suzan to put the Dex receiver in the other room for 6 hours!

Linda B.

[gigem99]

This phenomenon is documented on the Dexcom site: http://www.dexcom.com/safety-information.

Here is what they say:

"Contraindications
The SEVEN PLUS System must be removed prior to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Use of acetaminophen-containing medications while the SEVEN Sensor is inserted may affect the performance of the device."

Tom

[Bollar]

I wasn't aware of any increase to BG bc of acetaminophin.

The issue is actually that the Dexcom will incorrectly show a high if you take acetaminophen. Some people try to avoid acetaminophen so they can keep the Dexcom reading correctly.

[Suzan]

I wasn't aware of any increase to BG bc of acetaminophin. To be honest, if it were me, and I needed it, I would use it and set a temp basal
That's the beauty of pumping, no?

The instruction that come with Dexcom say to not use acetaminophin. I don't know if that is true for other CGMS. They say it will screw up the readings. As I wrote, within 30 minuters, the Dexcom indicated a rise in over 100 points. A BG test showed otherwise. I had not eaten anything for hours. As for setting a temp basal rate, that wouldn't work because my BG hadn't gone up. Actually, I think it will just give a wide variety of readings, no pattern.

This post has been edited by Suzan: Nov 1 2011, 09:09 PM

[tedm]

The instruction that come with Dexcom say to not use acetaminophin. I don't know if that is true for other CGMS. They say it will screw up the readings. As I wrote, within 30 minuters, the Dexcom indicated a rise in over 100 points. A BG test showed otherwise. I had not eaten anything for hours. As for setting a temp basal rate, that wouldn't work because my BG hadn't gone up. Actually, I think it will just give a wide variety of readings, no pattern.

AFAIK, this is true for Dexcom only. I've used both the MM and Navigator systems and never seen any response to acetaminophen.

[Evona]

I've known about Tylenol and the Dexcom system not being compatible since the day I got mine. My question is: When is DEXCOM going to fix this issue? It seems like they charge enough for the system and the sensors to warrant some attention to the problem.

[gigem99]

.... My question is: When is DEXCOM going to fix this issue? ...

Probably not until they radically change the sensor. Evidently, they use a different enzyme than the MM sensors - and a lot of test strips. That enzyme is called glucose oxidase, and acetaminophen doesn't appear to affect those readings.

Dexcom must use something totally different that does have an interaction with the acetaminophen.
I personally wouldn't hold my breath until they change. Having said that, it seems a small price to pay for the advantages of the Dexcom. I'd sure like to trial one for side-by-side comparison with my MM CGM.

Tom

[Evona]

In order to do your trial side-by-side comparison a person would need really "deep pockets" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
It would be an interesting outcome to be sure.