My Pump Blog

Hi all,

Apologies it has been a while since my last update on MyPump Diabetes Site but busy with the family etc J

So my sailing at Cookham Reach Sailing Club is still going really well and I managed to take out a Lightning Dinghy last Saturday on my own for the first time, I just about managed to stay upright largely down to the assistance of Alistair in the safety boat – all in all I had a great time. The biggest thing I have noticed is the amount of carbs I need prior to 1 hour sailing as I must be honest I didn’t really think I would use that much energy, I tend to have an energy bar and banana prior to sailing and that is usually all burnt up.

** New members always welcome and surprisingly membership is not as much as you think.

Dario BG Meter

I have been using the Dario BG Meter for a couple of months now and just recently gone onto the Dario for Android/IOS so can now use it on multiple devices like an iPad and Samsung Galaxy – all of which sync easily. I especially like the food diary which amazingly seems to have pretty much most of the food I eat but it would be good to have some images/sizes similar to Carbs & Cals. If you have not yet tried the Dario BG Meter then it is certainly worth a go as it is so compact and just fits in your pocket, the strips are held in a tiny container within the meter and you also have a built in finger pricker.

Abbott Freestyle Libre

Sadly I have not tried this device for myself but I do hope to so I can write a hands on Blog review.

So if you have not yet heard about the Abbott Freestyle Libre then you will be in for a surprise as it really does look amazing and the technology behind this BG Meter is incredible, this is the type of device I dreamed of when I was young as it is a cross between a standard BG meter and a CGM. As I understand the Abbott Freestyle Libre is due for release very soon and works by using a small sensor placed on the body which you can then place the meter close to the sensor to take a BG reading, this also works through clothes so means you can test as many times a day as you like – no finger prick required, you also don’t need to calibrate with a finger prick. The software also looks incredible and I like the fact that this device can give you an indication of whether your BG levels is dropping or increasing – this is a big problem for me as I tend to go to bed on 7.0 but it’s so difficult to know if it will drop and many times it does.

The other big plus is that the sensors last for 14 days before they need to be replaced.

So next question – how much ?

I have not seen any official prices from Abbott but looking on Google rumours it sounds as though the meter could be approx. £150 and sensors priced at approx. £50 each (They do last 14 days each though), however please bear in mind these are not official figures and only rumours – not sure if we can get any NHS funding.

Hey Dude Shoes – something a bit different to tell you about J.

So since starting up sailing I have increasingly been getting my shoes wet and I do prefer to wear shoes barefoot nr the river as I am in and out of sailing boats and end up taking off and on my sailing boots.

We went on holiday to Somerset a few months ago and on the beach with the children and a young surfer walked past with some very funky/comfy looking shoes, there is a huge range to choose from and they are more of a summer shoe than a winter shoe as mainly canvas – hoverer they can be machined washed. The Hey Dude Shoes have a leather type anti-bacterial insert which I can say makes them feel as though you are wearing slippers but with a nice thick sole to give them added comfort.

So if you are looking for a comfy shoe that gives great comfort and support to your feet then give them a try, my wife has also bought a pair so they must be good J.