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Less pricking and less injections? Wearing a sensor and inhalable insulin lets you do just that. You can easily see if your blood sugar is trending up or down, and on some models, get alerts if your blood sugar goes too high or too low. Inhalable insulin is absorbed into your blood stream through your lungs for quicker delivery and gives you the freedom to eliminate injections.

Get a Sensor Guide

Routine

The beauty of inhalable insulin is the speed in and speed out.

Daily
Test blood sugar as needed to calibrate sensors or check between sensor sessions. Look at the sensor value if you feel low or high, or an alert goes off. It is best to calibrate in the morning or when your blood sugar is not rising or falling quickly. Use inhalable insulin as directed and needed.
Weekly
Change sensor. CGM sensors can be worn for 6-10 days, but some people extend it to longer by restarting the sensor session. The sensor values become more accurate the first 24 hours after insertion once the sensor has adjusted.
Monthly
Order inhalable insulin cartridges monthly from your participating pharmacy. Some insurance plans make it easy to re-order a 3-month supply online or over the phone Check with your pharmacy to confirm frequency of refills.
3 Months
Order new sensor packs. Some CGM companies and suppliers make it easy to re-order a 3-month supply online or over the phone, which get shipped to your door. Other sensors are able to be picked up at your local pharmacy. It's rare, but if a sensor rips off or gets damaged - you can call to get a free replacement.
6 Months
Some types of CGM transmitters run out of battery after a certain amount of time, and you'll need to order a replacement before your last one dies.

Costs

I found my control has improved and it has seemed 'easier' to manage my diabetes

Daniel, 42

CGMs are expensive no matter what insurance you have, but there are different ways to qualify to make it less expensive. The pros outweigh the costs for a lot of people.

Insurance

Dealing with insurance is tough, but you can do it! Check out our How To Get It Guide to get the basics straight and understand what youll need to get approved.

Pros

Fewer Finger Pricks

Sensors check your blood sugar every few minutes. You only need to prick your finger one to two times per day to calibrate your sensor, or to verify questionable sensor readings.

Prevention

Prevent lows and highs before they happen. The CGM shows you which direction your blood sugar is headed and how fast. Some brands will alarm during the day or night, to let you know when you have a low or high blood sugar.

Balance Cost and Technology

The CGM makes a big difference in blood sugar control. Injections are the most affordable way to deliver insulin.

Cons

Alerts and Alarms

These can be overwhelming and sometimes unhelpful. You can silence or turn them off if you need a break.

Manual Effort

You still have to give injections throughout the day, and the CGM alone doesn't help you calculate doses based on carbs and blood sugar.