I hope we are all enjoying the summer lol, UK seems a little bit up and down as always J
Has anyone seen the New SugarBEAT CGM which looks like a rival to the Abbott Freestyle Libre System and my initial thoughts are what another amazing looking device for us ? I have tried the Abbott Fresstyle Libre system which is very clever but for me it didn’t give accurate enough results and I found myself having far more lows & highs but in fairness this could just have been me. The cost of the Libre Sensors is a little bit frustrating as they are about £50 each and last 14 days so cost is quite high compared to finger sticks which are available on prescription, they also give more accurate results.
I am hoping to be able to try the SugarBEAT once it is released in the UK to give it a proper try and then can see just how good it is compared to the Abbott Freestyle Libre – watch this space.
There was also a New BG Meter System which I had spotted called the OneDrop Meter and the App is already available which you may or may not have used, it is certainly a smart looking device and the App seems very informative. Diabetes products are becoming so much more popular now to help us manage Diabetes – it is exciting times to see what is around the corner ?
If you do know of any New Diabetes Products that I may not have seen then please do let us know and I will do my best to share with everyone ?
One last thing to mention, given all the coverage on Theresa May I had not realised that Theresa May has Type 1 Diabetes which for us in the UK can only be a good thing and it will be great to hear how Theresa manages her Diabetes given what a manic schedule she must have. Reading on the web it looks as though Theresa only developed Type 1 Diabetes in 2013 which is not very common at all as it usually develops when you are younger (No offence J).
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.
Hi as you may know my name is Andrew and this time I’m going to try something a bit different and create a a 7 day blog of my life living with type 1 Diabetes.
So please bear with me as this is all new to me and I’ll try not 2 make it to boring.
Roche Accu-Chek Insight
Omnipod
Animas Vibe
Here we go.
Day 1 Monday – I woke up at 6 a.m. this morning and did my first blood test reading at 6:15 and surprisingly good news as it was 8.6 which is great. Breakfast consists of a cup of coffee this morning no other breakfast.
Mid morning at about 10:30 a.m. packet of crisps which is about 28 carbohydrates and a cup of coffee at the time my BG level was a bit high at 12.9 so then had 4.1 units of insulin just to get my blood sugar down.
Lunchtime at 12:30 p.m. I had yes I know another packet of Crisps, ham sandwich plus a small piece of fruit cake my blood sugar level was 11.3 and I’m just about to have 7.3 units of insulin. Carbohydrates were about 80.
Mid afternoon no snack but yes another cup of coffee.
Dinner time at 7:30 p.m. mash potatoes with a steak pie total and salad carbohydrates 100, insulin I had would have been 12.9 units my blood sugar was actually 13.4 so a little bit high.
So day one is finally coming to the end and time to go to bed and have an early night for a change, testing my blood sugar and it is currently 14.9 which is rather high I’ve had a normal meal so I will take an adjustment it could be that the cannula needs changing even though it’s not due to be changed for another day so I will see how I get on in the morning goodnight.
Day 2 Tuesday – up at 6 a.m. No breakfast this morning as I just don’t fancy anything, blood sugar level 5.6 so the adjustment I did in the night did the trick. Plus a cup of coffee is always.
Lunchtime at 12:30 p.m. Today I have had a cheese salad sandwich on brown bread with 1 packet of crisps and a piece of chocolate cake, blood glucose level today at lunch time was 5.8 carbohydrates I would estimate as being 80 carbohydrates.
Dinner time 7:45 p.m. I had sausages and mash with a lovely salad my hydrate will be 80 sugar level is 9.7, insulin dose is 9 units.
Bedtime for me it’s 10 p.m. Last blood test of the day and my blood sugar is 5.4 which to me seems rather low so I am just about to have two Jaffa Cakes which are about 20 carbohydrates in total so we shall see what my blood sugar level is like in the morning.
Day 3 Wednesday – woke up at 6 a.m. no breakfast this morning as it’s raining it’s dark and I need to get to work as soon as I can, checked my blood sugar level this morning which was 9.7 so I will probably have 1 unit of insulin just bring it down a little bit.
Mid morning 10:45 a.m. Blood sugar was 12.3 had a packet of crisps which were 25 carbohydrates, I had an extra 4 units of insulin to counteract my blood sugar and the Crisps.
Lunchtime 12. 15pm I had a cheese salad sandwich a packet of crisps and a peice of chocolate cake total carbohydrates 80, blood glucose level was 9.2 so my insulin dose was 7 units.
Dinner at 7.45 p.m. I had tuna pasta with cheese and a bowl of salad total carbohydrates 80, blood sugar level was 4.7 so and little bit low, insulin dose was 8.0 units.
Bed time again for me and blood sugar level before bed is actually 14.7 which is possibly because of a few sweets before dinner just to get my sugar to rise before dinner. No adjustment needed as I have 5 units of insulin on board at the moment as I had my insulin late as well, however we shall see first thing in the morning.
Day 4 Thursday and up again at 6 a.m. No breakfast for me just a cup of coffee, blood sugar level after the high before bed last night is 12.1.
Mid morning 10:30 no snacks for me today but I did have yet another cup of coffee.
Lunchtime 1. 00pm sandwich on brown bread plus a packet of crisps and also a cup of coffee blood sugar level 8.7, insulin dose for 6 units.
Dinner at 8 p.m. tonight with noodles chicken kiev and a lovely large bowl of salad, carbohydrates 60 and I had 6 units of insulin. Blood sugar level was 5.4 before dinner.
Bedtime at 10.45pm and blood sugar level 12.7.
During the night 4.50am I had a Hypo of 3.3 so ended up with eating 2 Jaffa Cakes plus some Haribo.
Day 5 Friday – woke up at 6.00am to a high of 15.4 after the Hypo during the night.
9:15 a.m. I had a break and my blood sugar was 9.2 i had two breakfast biscuits which were 30 carbohydrates and 2.8 units of insulin.
Mid morning 10.15am blood sugar was 12.3 had a packet of crisps 30 carbohydrates 3.25 units of insulin.
Lunchtime 1:15 p.m. I had a ham salad sandwich as always with 1 packet of crisps with a piece of cake total 85 carbohydrates my blood sugar level was 13.4 and I had 8 units of insulin.
Dinner time 8 p.m. I had a nice chicken curry with rice and a bowl of salad that came to 100 carbohydrates, blood sugar level was 8.2 and I had 11. 4 units of insulin.
Evening time I had 4 glasses of Jack Daniels and diet coke.
Bedtime at 12:15 a.m. testing my blood sugar which was 15.7 so I had one unit of insulin.
Day 6 Saturday – I woke up at 7 a.m. blood sugar was slightly higher 15.7 i had breakfast at 8 a.m. which was a lovely bacon sandwich cooked by my 6 year old son Jake. I had 6.5 units of insulin.
Lunchtime 1.00pm I had a ham salad sandwich with a lovely slice of cake. Blood sugar level was high at 17.0 possibly to be because my insulin pump cannula which I changed. I had 70 carbohydrates and 8.4 units of insulin.
Dinner time 6.00pm I had macaroni cheese that was 100 carbohydrates and my blood sugar was very low as it was 3.8. Insulin dose was 10 units but over 30 minutes.
Bedtime 12 a.m. I had 4 Jack Daniels and Diet Coke and my blood sugar was 12.7.
Day 7 Sunday – breakfast was two crumpets and a cup of coffee 40 carbohydrates. Blood glucose level 12.1 and had 6.6 units of insulin.
Lunchtime at 2.00pm out with the family to Whetherspoons mmmmm. All day brunch for me which was 2 fried eggs, 2 rashers of bacon, baked beans and chips with a pint of lager. Carbohydrates were about 70, blood glucose level was 11.0. Insulin dose 6.25 unis.
Dinnertime 8.00pm I was still full from lunchtime so no dinner for me but did have half a bag of Doritos 30 Carbohydrates and three Jack Daniels and Diet Cokes. Blood glucose level 10.7 and had 4.45 units of insulin.
Before bed 11.00pm I was 13.7 so then had 1 unit of insulin.
This is my first blog of living with Diabetes for a whole week I hope you find it interesting
So again I left my house at about 7.00am this morning to get to Paddington for my yearly Diabetes check up at the Western Eye Hospital in London.
I had an early appointment for was for 8.50am so arrived to quite a few people already waiting and took my seat as usual – yes it was hot.
The nurse then puts in dilating drops and anaesthetic drops ready for photos plus a scan (not had before) to be taken at the back of the eye for the consultant which sting like hell. Waiting for the drops to start working for about another 20 minutes and I was then called to have the photos took plus a scan of the eye.
I saw a new consultant who as always was very nice plus asked lots of questions especially about my Diabetes care which I think is pretty good, I did have a Sty on my eye which he said would clear but gave me some gel to help speed up the process.
Much to my relief I was given the all clear by the consultant, I did explain that sometimes I do get some light flashing in my left eye but he said that could be pulling on the retina but nothing to worry about.
So all in all a good day for me – I can’t begging to explain what a massive relief it is for a consultant to say my eyes are stable, I also understand that they would never improve similar to my night vision which does get me down sometimes and certainly restricts me in the winter a lot – I am very lucky as my wife Gill is a great support and understands, even the children know I have problems with my sight – blees.
So now I am sitting in a bar having a quick beer to celebrate at The Mad Bishop and Bear Paddington station before my train home.
The Medtronic Junior Cup Diabetes is a ‘World Cup’ for children with Type 1 diabetes aged between 10 and 14. Lenny the lion has invited 12 Countries to compete in a 7 aside football tournament to determine which team is the best football side in the world.
The UK team this year are all Insulin Pump users as the aim is to raise the awareness about the benefits that insulin pumps and in particular Sensor Augmented Pump therapy (SAP) can give to young children and teenagers.
When and where will this year’s Junior Cup take place?
The 2014 competition will take place from the 22nd- 24th August in the Sports Centre Papendal in Arnhem, Holland. The Sports Centre Papendal is used by the Dutch National Olympic Committee, Netherlands Sports Federation and is the training complex for the Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem.
How can you support the UK team at this year’s Medtronic Junior Cup Diabetes 2014?
Please show your support for the 11 boys and girls players and help us to raise the awareness about Pump therapy amongst young children and teenagers. You can do this by blogging, tweeting and posting on your Facebook pages about the 11 boys and girls playing and their experience.
Each of the 11 players is really looking forward to representing the UK team. They have sent in a photo of themselves and described their pump and SAP experience (Please see below)
These 11 children are role models for other children to show that having type 1 diabetes does not prevent you from taking part in sport.
If you tweet please remember to use #medtronicjuniorcup
Follow the UK team’s progress on Facebook and Twitter
• Boys and Girls with type 1 diabetes
• Using an insulin pump
• Never participated in Junior Cup Diabetes
• Between the ages of 10-14
• Must be available to travel to the Netherlands for 22nd – 24th August 2014 (3 days/2 nights)
Registration closes on the 30th June 2014
How to register
To be in with a chance of representing the UK and Ireland in the Junior Cup Diabetes 2014 customers will need to visit www.juniorcup-diabetes.com
Sorry it has been a while since my last blog but with a young family it is sometime difficult to find the time to write down my thoughts.
Firstly as I do keep forgetting but am I the only one who has fingers which feel sore due to BG testing up to 5 times per day, can anyone give me any tips as after 40+ years my fingers need some care?
I have recently started to learn how to sail a small Dinghy at my small local sailing club (before you ask no it is not posh and I am not rich J), I wanted a nice hobby that was local and also had a nice social side so my family could come as well plus of course get some exercise. So far I have had one lesson and managed to be in an Enterprise boat that the instructor managed to capsize into the Thames which was freezing, the worst of it was that I had my mobile phone in my pocket which of course was ruined, I did manage to get it replaced as it should be waterproof. The exercise from sailing in the boat is great as it is quite low impact and certainly something I would like to continue.
So life in general is going well and my BG levels have been okay however stress can play quite a big part in my levels as I have a young family of three and my job can be quite manic at times so keeping a check on my BG levels is key. I also have looming my yearly Diabetes Eye Clinic check-up which is due the end of July so that is always in the back of my mind.
I have also been using the new Dario BG Meter which I am sure you would have seen by now as it is quite incredible what this little meter can actually do when used with the Dario App, at the moment it is only available for iPhone but soon to be released on Android – watch this space. I will be writing a separate Blog Review for the Dario BG Meter which I will post as soon as I have written it but here is a brief overview.
The Dario BG Meter itself is tiny as you can see from the below image and it arrives in a very nice box with some test strips and lancets which are used in the one device but my only slight bug bear is that you can’t really store any additional lancets in the device even though you can store the test strips, I am sure Dario will be working on a solution though.
I have been using the meter for a good few weeks along with the App which so far is working better than expected I must say, there are many different functions on the Dario App so you can use as much or as little info as you need, I especially like the Food Library that I have used frequently whilst out.
At the moment you can only use the Apple App but were are told an Android version will be with us very soon, I currently use an iPhone 5 & iPad 2 and the Dario App sync’s between the two – SUPERB.
On a totally different note has anyone heard anything from Cellnovo as the when or if they will ever release their Insulin Pump which I must say looked amazing when I saw it ?
As I have possibly mentioned many times before but I can’t believe we are already in Mid April – where does the time go 😄 ?
Since my last blog quite a lot has happened and I am still trying to keep fit as best I can.
In March I started having Physiotherapy for a frozen shoulder which I have had since before Christmas but being a typical many didn’t do much about it, having said that I did get referred by my local GP to have Physiotherapy at a local Hospital. My only issue was that they didn’t actually manipulate my shoulder and just gave me exercises to complete – which isn’t really good enough. I also have BUPA through my work which is a great option so I decided to take this and have been going to Physio at Bisham Abbey which is much better and is certainly helping me – it is a long battle though which is annoying. I was told that being Diabetic I am more prone to this type of problem than others.
So with regards to my fitness I have been cycling to and from work each day which is only about 4 miles but believe me it feels enough when you have been at work all day, I am using a Trek Cyclocross bike which is something like a Hybrid cycle and a Road cycle so fairly fast. This of course plays havoc with my blood sugar levels of which I have tried many different options but have discovered Torq Fitness products that I have found work really well, I use an Energy Gel like Torq Gel which has about 30g of Carbohydrates. I also use a drink Torq Energy again contains approx 30g of Carbohydrates. I have used this products for quite sometime now and they are easy to carry and have certainly worked for me – the products are really tasty as well.
We have just had a family holiday to the coast which was great but since returning I have had some big issues with my BG levels over the last 2 days, firstly I kept finding my BG levels were in double figures constantly so I changed the cannula on my Animas Vibe of which I discovered it was bent, so changed the cannula for a new one but still no change in BG levels, after removing another cannula I found it must have hit a blood vessel. Finally after the third cannula change it seemed to be working thank goodness as it is very frustrating not to mention making you feel unwell.
On another note I am so happy that the clocks went forward as this means the evenings stay lighter for longer and with my eye issues it makes the work of difference – see previous blog
Finally like many others I am still awaking the arrival of the Dario BG Meter which seems to be taking a long time to be released in the UK so I hope it’s worth the wait ?
Firstly thank goodness the weather seems to have improved as February was certainly another wet month however the first week of March has actually seen some sunshine – let’s hope it continues J
I have as you know been cycling to and from work each day which has not been great with all the wet weather, my journey is only 4 miles but I now use a road cycle as opposed to my ebike (Electric bike) as it is a great way to keep fit but it certainly is harder work, I have also had some issues with my BG levels even though I have been having a 30carb energy bar before my commute. The worst part is not so much when I first get home but during the night as it most take quite a while for all that energy I have used to affect my BG level, this has meant a fair few very low BG’s during the night at 3.0 and below which is never very nice and can be quite scary.
So if you do have any suggestions to try and keep my BG level more stable during the night after my cycle commute I would really appreciate it as I am certainly doing something wrong ?
I am just waiting to test the iCare Advance BG Meter which on first impressions looks to be a very simple and straightforward to use BG meter, I also very much like the look of the New Bayer Contour Next BG Meter – both of which I hope to try soon and will let you know my thoughts.
I am sure like me you are possibly waiting to hear when the Dario BG meter will be released in the UK as it certainly looks very interesting and I know you can already use the App but still no meter – very frustrating.
Has anyone yet tried the New honey treatments which may help with Low BG levels as I have heard of two companies called Diabee Honey Doses and Honey on the go, however this is not something I have ever tried so again I would be very interested to hear your thoughts ?
As always please do keep me updated on any new products I may not yet have seen as I would love to hear from you or even if it is just to say “Hi”.
So much for me and my family has happened over the last 3 years it is just incredible to look back on as in the past 3 years my wife and I have had two children – my son Jake who is 3 and my daughter Amy who has just reached her second birthday BLESS. we also had some more good news just before Christmas that my wife Gill is expecting yet another baby which will be due the end of June this year OH MY GOD !! We have already had the 20 week scan, well I say we but what I mean Gill has had her 20 week scan and everything was ok with our baby DAUGHTER so watch our Jake.
Since I have been Diabetic which is just over 40 years now so basically has been all my life the technology which has become available to us is absolutely incredible, I would never have thought when I was young that I would have a small electronic insulin pump attached to me which meant no more injections which is great. I am really looking forward to when I can actually get funding for a CGM to wear with my pump as I have tried both the Animas CGM and the Medtronic CGM of which both are very good but just not financially possible for me to buy the CGM sensors.
I currently wear an Animas Vibe pump and have found it great, as with all technology it has its ups and downs but on the whole it is very good especially as I make an effort to give it accurate information about my BG level and carb count, this is easier said than done.
I certainly do not look back deciding to take the plunge of going on to an insulin pump, I am also very excited to see what is going to be released in 2013 so if you have heard any whispers of new pumps or even new bg meters then please do tell ?
There is so many new products out there now to assist us living with Diabetes that I am sure we all tend to miss some products or services so if you have anything that could be of help to us then please drop me an email so I can add to my web site www.mypump.co.uk.
One last question, has anyone actually started to use the new smaller Omnipod and if so please can you share your thoughts – I have emailed the team at Omnipod but never had any response which certainly does put me off however I am interested in hearing from anyone that actually wears the device as it looks very interesting indeed ?
Thanks for listening and please drop me a message even if it is just to say hi ?
I just wanted to share some info regarding blood glucose meters and a superb company called Menarini Diagnostics who have a range of blood glucose meters called GlucoMen (LX PLUS and GM) which I have been using for a while now and found them easy to use, the customer support team have also been very helpful.
Here is a little bit of company info about Menarini:
Menarini Diagnostics was established in the UK during 1987. The company is now established as one of the fastest growing diagnostics companies in the UK with annual growth in excess of 20%. To date Menarini has already placed more than 700 analysers of various types in the UK market. MDUK are market leaders in the field of diabetes diagnostics, with leading edge systems for HbA1c, blood glucose and continuous glucose monitoring.
Nearly 60% of all HbA1cs in the UK are performed on our lab systems. That’s more than 1 million people relying on MDUK HbA1c systems every year. Over 1 million self tests are performed on GlucoMen blood glucose meters every day across Europe.
MDUK’s goal is to work closely with all Diabetes Specialist Nurses and patients, and continue to do the right things to support the growing number of people who choose to rely on the GlucoMen LX systems to help manage their diabetes at home.
I have been using the Glucomen LX PLUS for a while now and when I first received the meter it was in a lovely gold box so also a little bit of bling (ha ha), anyway sorry back to my thoughts…..
MDUK’s GlucoMen LX PLUS is a blood glucose meter that incorporates a 2-in-1 blood glucose and ketone testing facility.
The ketone testing is particularly useful for insulin users and those who may wish to test their blood ketone levels.
GlucoMen LX PLUS meter advantages
The GlucoMen LX PLUS is a no coding meter that provides:
** Pain free with a unique lancet introducing comfort zone technology
** Blood test results in 4 seconds
** Coloured covers to personalize your device – hmmm funky.
** 0.3 microlitre sample for easy and comfortable testing
** Meal markers for controlling your diabetes
** The device has a rubber grip, which makes it easy to use and prevents it sliding off surfaces.
Alternative site testing is available for blood glucose tests however ketone testing should be done on the fingers alone.
The GlucoJect Dual S lancing device that comes with the meter has Comfort Zone technology designed to reduce pain when testing, this is one the best lancing devices I have tried.
A number of different coloured skins (10) are available for use with the meter.
More information on GlucoMen LX PLUS along with diabetes education and videos can be found on the company website www.glucomen.co.uk. They also have a facebook page with latest news and updates.
At the end of the day it’s down to your personal choice but this is certainly a meter that is worth trying.
My Pump Blog 