Type 2 Diabetes for about 10 years now. My Doc finally suggested it at the same time I was going to request it. Week 2 and it's been nothing short of revolutionary. My blood sugar level is nicely under control with meds and careful eating. But it was NOT before the gizmo, because I HATED sticking my fingers. So I avoided it.

Sugar level in safe zones all the time (a few low alarms at night).
I've already lost 6 lbs (!).

This little sucker is a life changer.

I've been using the Freestyle Libre 3 (Cash is $75 per month), but switching to Dexcom G7 because insurance covers only that moel. And that will talk to my Apple Watch too.

As an old school controls engineer, continuous feedback is the best way to control a system. YAY !

They really are.

I used one on a free trial for 2 weeks. Just seeing which foods spiked my glucose and which ones did not was revolutionary.

I can eat CHEESE!! (Except Havarti for some reason.)

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Congrats...and good to know. I'm usually told I'm 'pre-diabetic' and that I ought to be careful. Years ago, the doc recommended and prescribed the OneTouch Ultra meter and strips, but I'll admit to rarely using it. I don't mind the finger sticking, but it is a bit inconvenient. I wonder if I'd be more inclined to keep tabs on levels with something like you use. I also don't know if insurance would cover it if I'm not officially diabetic (yet), but that would be easy enough to find out.

Does the device work through clothing or do you have to expose the arm every time you want to check? I know I could research it, but figured I'd ask here anyway.

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wurm
Does the device work through clothing or do you have to expose the arm every time you want to check? I know I could research it, but figured I'd ask here anyway.

It works via Bluetooth low-energy on a small Lithium battery and needs to be replaced every couple of weeks. It talks to an app on a smart phone.

There's a device that it fits in that seats it on your skin where it sticks. It inserts a teeny tiny catheter that's barely wider than a hair and it hurts for a moment going in, then you forget about it.

Because it's low-energy, the range isn't great. I got a lot of "out of range" messages on my iPhone (which transmitted to my Apple Watch) just from leaving the phone in the next room. But it seemed reliable at 15-20 feet away much of the time.

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My wife was on the Freestyle Libre 2 and ten was upgraded to the 3 last year. Luckily insurance covers them, but even without I would pony up for it. It also reports readings directly to her doctor's office and if they see an issue, they call her.

Her only complaint is the loss of signal alarm on her phone going off if she walks into the living room. I wish it could send me a signal too if there is an issue, I expect that will happen in a future upgrade. I've read that the technology is evolving and it will eventually be able to read much more than just blood sugar.

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“No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.” -- François de La Rochefoucauld

"Those who cannot accept the past are condemned to revise it." -- Geo. Mathias

The German word for contraceptive is “Schwangerschaftsverhütungsmittel”. By the time you finished saying that, it’s too late

The last Medicare guidance was you had to have a diagnosis of diabetes and you had to be using insulin or have had several documented instances of low blood glucose levels (below 60 iirc) in order to have Medicare pick up the tab.

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PeterW
The last Medicare guidance was you had to have a diagnosis of diabetes and you had to be using insulin or have had several documented instances of low blood glucose levels (below 60 iirc) in order to have Medicare pick up the tab.

This is why I only did a trial. They send free promotional devices to endocrinologists, so when I asked about it mine had one ready for me.

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Thanks for the additional info.

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PeterW
The last Medicare guidance was you had to have a diagnosis of diabetes and you had to be using insulin or have had several documented instances of low blood glucose levels (below 60 iirc) in order to have Medicare pick up the tab.

Yep... I'm not on Medicare .. YET. Even then I'm covered with hypoglycemic incidents witnessed by family. Most doctors are pretty good at helping with the paperwork to get you covered. Mine already told me I will be okay when I shift to Medicare.

I do expect Medicare to change their rules eventually. The more those of us with lazy pancreases get CGM monitoring the lower the cost of medical care for diabetic complications will become.

I will also note that CGM's can be purchase for $75 a month. All you need is a prescription.

Yay!!!

They're all happy with it in the commercials. I'm glad you like it so much.

It’s such a game changer, I’m almost crying. I hate finger sticks so much I really was not monitoring well and my A1C jumped up. I expect it will drop as I proceed and learn what to do and not to do. I’ve also leaned that I can have a cookie every now and then….

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cbelt3
It’s such a game changer, I’m almost crying. I hate finger sticks so much I really was not monitoring well and my A1C jumped up. I expect it will drop as I proceed and learn what to do and not to do. I’ve also leaned that I can have a cookie every now and then….

That's @#$%& awesome!

Great news!
Continuous monitor would be perfect for my brother, but last time I mentioned, he just didn’t want to know.

How has your behavior changed in regards to eating / medication?

Quite a number of athletes have played around with these looking for an edge only to discover there wasn't much point.

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Yes, they are useful. My experience is from a FreeStyle Libre monitor placed on our cat by the emergency vet hospital when he developed diabetes. Regular vet was trying it on her own dog, ultimately found it not quite up for everyday use on pets in her opinion. Fur regrows under the device too quickly, do not get full usage of a sensor before it gets separated from the blood supply. He gets his level checked with an ear prick, not his favorite activity when I do that to him.

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wurm
Congrats...and good to know. I'm usually told I'm 'pre-diabetic' and that I ought to be careful.

Seems that lower levels of nursing are rife with alarmists. When I mentioned being told the same my primary said "Forget it, these sort of semi-pro medicos are given a health update notice they treat like an alert. Maybe it makes them feel more important than they are but for the most part they're just full of shlt"

Well, it's my PCP who regularly cautions me about the pre-diabetic thing. And unfortunately the numbers on the blood work usually prove his point.

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JoeH
Yes, they are useful. My experience is from a FreeStyle Libre monitor placed on our cat by the emergency vet hospital when he developed diabetes. Regular vet was trying it on her own dog, ultimately found it not quite up for everyday use on pets in her opinion. Fur regrows under the device too quickly, do not get full usage of a sensor before it gets separated from the blood supply. He gets his level checked with an ear prick, not his favorite activity when I do that to him.

Putting a CGM on my cat would result in a great deal more pain than daily finger pricks. I'd be flayed.

(as for the fur issue, maybe electrolysis to a small patch where the CGM would go)

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“No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.” -- François de La Rochefoucauld

"Those who cannot accept the past are condemned to revise it." -- Geo. Mathias

The German word for contraceptive is “Schwangerschaftsverhütungsmittel”. By the time you finished saying that, it’s too late

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mattkime
How has your behavior changed in regards to eating / medication?

Quite a number of athletes have played around with these looking for an edge only to discover there wasn't much point.

I am not surprised that athletes won't see a difference. They already follow a careful diet, and blood sugar is only part of the body's strengths.
But for ME:
Meds are the same. Behavior has changed a lot.

Before:
I'm hungry ! Eats a lot. Hour later.... I'm sleepy/tired. What's my blood sugar. (sticks, ow) Damn ! Hyperglycemic (too high) !

Now:
I'm hungry !
Checks blood sugar level.
Okay, I'm only a LITTLE bit hungry. Some protein and a carrot and a cucumber. Hour later.... nice, I feel better.