So the day has finally arrived Saturday the 28th November 4 p.m. after approximately 8 months on the waiting list I have received my Abbott Freestyle Libre (Hooray) blood glucose monitor starter kit which cost me about £135, this includes the Reader and two Sensors so should last me about 1 month. Additional Sensors cost about £45.00 each so it’s not cheap compared to using finger sticks as in the UK they are on Prescription – let’s hope the NHS can get the Libre Sensors on Prescription soon J
initial thoughts – nice box very easy to setup but where is the protective case and screen protector as the reader has a touch screen it’s just going to get scratched to bits when it’s stuck in my pocket, I wouldn’t even mind paying for them as long as they are not big and bulky ?
Firstly I took the sensor and inserter out of the box (Sorry but no I didn’t read the instructions – I am a man lol) but did have a look on YouTube for some basic tips which I must say did help a lot, you push the Inserter onto the Sensor until it clicks then remove and you are ready to apply to your skin. Its recommended to go on the back of your forearm which is very easy. I was a little hesitant when about to apply as when I have used a CGM in the past it can be slightly painful – not always but you do sometimes feel it – this was the opposite as I didn’t feel a thing.
The sensor took 60 minutes to settle then after this time you are good to go – it can take 24 hours to totally stabilise and I did find this was the case as first results were a little bit up and down compared to a BG test, so I would recommend to test you BG results while the sensor stabilises – this of course will be the case each time you insert a new sensor unless you do this 24 hours before the existing one finishes.
So I have now been wearing the sensor for almost 3 weeks and the results are far better than I expected, they can fluctuate a little bit when I have something sweet or excessive exercise as they a small lag but the fact I can see if my levels are rising or dropping really does help. If I am using the Abbott Freestyle Libre on a normal day it seems fairly accurate – I took a BG test after dinner which was rather high as 12.4 so then checked with the Libre and it was also 12.4. Having said that the next morning when I woke both the Libre and the BG meter were reading 7.4 so I had breakfast which was a Weetabix Breakfast Shake 25 carbs (Yummy) and I had 2.5 units of insulin, 1 hour later my reading on the BG meter was 11.8 but 14.2 on the Libre – confused ????
Another example, I went to bed 1.30pm with BG at 10.4 but woke up at 2:30 a.m. to a low blood sugar of 2.8 so I had a bit of a feast including glucose to eat and then when I woke up for work at 5.45am BG on my Libre system of 21.4 but did a blood glucose check and that was 18.2 – am I missing something ?
Using the reader is very easy and you can also perform a BG test as there is a test strip facility but I haven’t used this as yet, the software on the reader is quite simple to use and I am sure with time will get better. One thing coming soon is you will be able to use your Smart Phone (NFC I think) so will not need to carry around the reader – I cant wait for this WOW ?
Would I be confident enough to rely just on the Abbott Freestyle Libre and not use my BG meter – possibly not at the moment as I would always want the back up just to be 100% certain, not that this is a fault with the Libre but sometimes your body and blood sugars can behave erratically as we all know so the need for a blood glucose test in my opinion would be needed.
If you are using the Abbott Libre I am sure we would all like to know what you think – please leave your comments which will be a great help ?
Am I pleased with the purchase and will I continue – possibly but let’s see how things progress and if I can afford to keep buying the sensors J
Thanks for reading and please do comment with your experiences or if you have any questions/tips which would be appreciated ?
Have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
Andrew
My Pump Blog 