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, has anyone tried the Onetouch Select Plus yet – any other new BG Meters out there that I may have missed?
I have been looking at the iHealth Glucometers which look very good as well?
It was that time of the year where I have my yearly Diabetes Review Clinic and this year it was at Amersham Hospital which is a fairly large hospital and only about 10 miles from where I work. This appointment was slightly more exciting as I am now due for an Insulin Pump upgrade – yippee 🙂
So initial thoughts are which Insulin Pump do I choose from Roche, Omnipod, Medtronic or Animas – I am already using the Animas Vibe pump which has worked very well and the support has been great, saying that when I had a Medtronic Paradigm Pump the support was faultless. My initial thoughts are towards the new Medtronic Minimed 640G as I have been lucky enough to see it in the flesh so to speak – initial thoughts are wow, I am also trying to get CGM from my local PCT but as we all know in the UK this is virtually impossible. So with the research I have done I am looking at swapping over to the Medtronic 640G maybe with some sample CGM Sensors if I can speak nicely to the lovely people at Medtronic 🙂
I have looked at the Roche Accu-Chek Insight – however the only slight issue I would have is the separate handset as I already end up carrying two phones, BG Meter (Dario) and of course my Animas Pump on my belt so if it wasn’t for that I would go with an Accu-Chek Insight as it really does look amazing.
Anyway – sorry about that lets get back to my original story J
Arrived at Amersham Hospital for 1.30pm which was my appointment time with the Consultant, Nurse and DSN (Diabetes Specialist Nurse) and was called in to see the Nurse first of all – the Nurse downloaded all my BG Results from my Animas pump using the Diasend Software and gizmo for downloading the results. Next was to check my blood pressure which was fine, then my feet which had good pulses and no issues.
Next was in to see the DSN and Diabetes Consultant who has seen me for many years now, looking at my bg results I did seem to be running quite a few double figures so will need to tweak my basal rates but as the DSN mentioned I do get a couple of CGM Sensors in the Medtronic Minimed 640g so will make it easier to get an overview of exactly what my blood sugar levels have been doing. At the moment I do not have any dates to get my new pump or see the DSN but I will keep you updated.
Finally before leaving Amersham for home I was off for my Blood Test which I received my results this morning and my Hba1c was 56mmol or 7.3 in old language – however Cholesterol was 5.9 so may need to go back on Statin, I was very pleased with the Hba1c result 🙂
The event takes place in GLASGOW on Saturday the 19th September 2015, 10am – 1pm. The event address is: Marriott Hotel, 500 Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8RR
Bayer Plc (Bayer House, Strawberry Hill, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 1JA) and Medtronic Ltd (9 Hatters Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 8WW) the organisers of this event, require you to share certain basic personal data with them. This is for the purpose of administrating this event and ensuring that any persons with, or with a vested interest in Type 1 diabetes are able to attend. By completing the following registration information you give consent for the declared personal information to be provided to Bayer plc and to Medtronic Ltd for this purpose.
I have been using the Bayer Contour Next for a short while and just thought I would share my early thoughts on it before I next try the Bayer Contour Next USB which looks very compact J. I have used the Bayer products for a long time now and always been very happy with the design/technology and support they offer, I tend not to use the software to its full potential but moving forward the Bayer Contour Next USB it will be far easier and my ultimate goal is to get the Medtronic 640G Insulin Pump which works in conjunction with the very New Bayer Contour Next Link products so what this space.
The Bayer Contour Next now tests the blood sample 7 times before it reports the results.
Below is the Tech from Bayer :
800 test memory – store up to 3 months of your results, which is suitable if you need to maintain a record for the DVLA/DVA+
7, 14, 30, or 90 day averages
Reversible screen contrast to best suit individual needs
Easy to track your blood glucose pre-meal, post-meal and fasting
Set alarms to remind you to test
Uses the GLUCOFACTS DELUXE diabetes management software from Bayer, which helps track patterns and trends for more productive conversations during your visits with your healthcare professional
The meter is very easy to use as with most of the Bayer range and has a superb size screen for my personal needs, as always fast results and a huge memory. The Bayer Contour Next comes with a fairly good finger picker but moving forward it would be great to see some more technology from all the Diabetes Companies in relation to getting that frustrating droplet of blood from your finger, possibly like me you text many times per day and it really does take its toll on your fingertips – surely there is another answer out there ?
The only thing for me that lets down many of the BG Meters available to us is the size of the carry case which keeps your meter safe, they tend to be huge so fairly big to pop in your pocket and being a male I don’t fancy carrying a handbag or even manbag around with me lol J
The Bayer Contour Next also has a more in depth software program which I am still getting used to for editing your readings and doesn’t require that you download the Glucofacts software program which is a real plus so you can just plug it into your USB port.
Thanks for reading and I would certainly recommend giving this meter a try.
Uses CONTOUR® NEXT test strips for remarkable accuracy
The CONTOUR® NEXT range of meters all utilise the CONTOUR® NEXT test strip and have demonstrated they deliver exceptional accuracy for results you can rely on, to help you make better diabetes management decisions.
Available on prescription
Tiny sample size with easy Sip-In Sampling® helps you get the right amount of blood on your first try
Second-Chance™ sampling allows you to apply more blood if the first sample was insufficient, which helps to avoid the need for repeat finger pricking
Innovative Multipulse accuracy technology from Bayer, evaluates a single sample 7 times to ensure accurate glucose measurements, even when blood glucose levels are low. Accuracy is not affected by many common interfering substances*
No Coding technology removes the need to manually code the meter before testing, eliminating errors due to miscoding
So on the news this morning which I am sure you have all seen but it’s going to be 35c – wow what a scorcher.
This heat plays havoc with my BG levels through the day and especially in the evening once I am home from work, last night when I got home from work before dinner I was 7.2 then had dinner but a little less insulin, woke up at 12.15am as it was hot to 3.2.
The most frustrating part of this for me as that this morning I am 12.2 ggggggrrrrrrrr.
I also have another problem as I use an Animas Vibe Insulin Pump which is the easy bit however in the heat I find the cannula can peel off the skin, however I have found something called Tac Wipes which are also available from Animas. Certainly worth asking the question as these work very well.
So trying to keep hydrated and BG levels up as the carbs seem to burn away fast in the heat especially as we are not so used to it.
As you may or may not know I have had many problems with my eye site over the past 10 years and I have had approx 10,000 laser burns in each eye to help correct Retinopathy and also a Vitrectomy Operation in each eye.
Please take the time if you can to look at my previous blogs relating to eye health and the importance of regular Diabetes Eye Check Up’s.
Over the years my night vision with all the treatments I have had my night vision has suffered to the point where I am unable to drive during the winter months as it tends to be dark at 4.00pm, it is so frustrating to have to rely on other people,public transport and cabs to get around as I like to think I am quite independent – my wife Gill is a huge help to me.
So what I tend to do is carry a large torch everywhere even during the summer as if I am out late (doesn’t happen much as I have three young children lol) I would be stuck or struggle a lot to find my way around even just using the torch on my phone which is pretty poor. I have tried lots of different options of torch ranging from very cheap small torches which are useless to expensive large torches which are too big.
I then cam across a company who manufacture a superb quality range of torches and head torches that I was hoping could help me.
The company is called Suprabeam and from the first enquiry I sent them I knew they could help as they certainly know their stuff, they seem to deal with people who run, ride and even climb who need a decent quality torch that they can rely on 100%. The reason I decided on a headtorch is purely because I don’t have to hold it and they are now very small and bright, especially compared to what I have used in the past. The Suprabeamheadtorches are very comfortable to wear, small but extremely bright – I can even use if I decided to cycle.
The Suprabeam head torch we decided on was the Suprabeam V3air Rechargeableas I didn’t want anything super bright but bright enough to light the path or road in front of me, this certainly does the job, I have been using this now for about 4 months and I am so pleased I bought one as it has given me so much confidence when being out during the evenings or night. It is very a small and just fits in my pocket ready for when I need it.
Personally if you are looking for a top quality Torch or even HeadTorch then have a look at Suprabeam as the products are very high quality and affordable, the staff are also very knowledgeable and not pushy at all so they will guide you to the product they think will best suit your requirements.
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