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Type 1 CGM recommendations

H

HarryboBoss

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hullo to all!

I know this is a regular in the comparison of CGM but I’m really starting to get annoyed now -I’m new to this (but not T1D) and after initial amazement and feeling like I was in a sci-fi future, my sensors only last 10+ days (with patches to help) but the one time it did last, it still shut down on day 14, (which is super frustrating) I had one fail on day two, which Abbott agreed to replace, but this weekend, it failed on day 1
I’ve followed all the guidance of location and application and tbh even when they do last, they only alert me of a high or low after I’ve tested… I’m relaxed about this and do think it’s still a great system, but as my GP will only give me two a month, when they don’t last for 14 days, I’m kinda stuck

If anyone has a good CGM experience, I’d really appreciate hearing about it… most Freestyle on here seems to be the same issues I have, so just thought I’d ask if there’s a decent alternative??
Thanks (and apologies for the mild rant
)
 
Assuming you are based in England, are not looking to fund the CGM yourself and you have special needs (e.g. if you are pregnant), the only option available on the NHS is the Dexcom ONE. This is not as widely available but some people find the Dexcom more reliable. The phone app is more basic and only works on a smaller set of phones. But it is a CGM with no need to swipe.

As for Libre shutting down after 14 days, this is the way i is designed which is why there is a countdown on the app. Once you know, it is easy to get used to.
 
No special needs, NHS funded and 35yrs of T1D (previous jobs wouldn’t allow CGM, so I’m rather behind the times)
My team suggested Libre over Dexcom but I’ll ask them again.
I do understand that 14 days is the limit, just that if it’s still working (when the previous one failed -not fell off, but) failed after two days it seemed a little wasteful.
Anyway, thanks for the thoughts and I’ll ask about Dexcom
 
HarryboBoss said:
I do understand that 14 days is the limit, just that if it’s still working (when the previous one failed -not fell off, but) failed after two days it seemed a little wasteful.
Click to expand...
My understanding (possibly incorrect, I am a dexcom user) is that if it doesn't last the full 14 days you can call Abbott and they will send a replacement.
 
EllieM said:
My understanding (possibly incorrect, I am a dexcom user) is that if it doesn't last the full 14 days you can call Abbott and they will send a replacement.
Click to expand...
Yes, you’re correct -they do try to be as helpful as possible, but when you only get two a month on the NHS, the delay is replacement means I’m spending +\- 10 days a month without CGM coverage and tbh, going back to bleeding fingers is kinda annoying…. So, was just wondering if anyone has a better idea? Dexcom is the only suggestion so far, so if anyone has any others I’d really appreciate it
 
2 a month is going to cover you for 50 weeks a year (once you've had to wait for Abbott to replace the first failed sensor you should be covered for the wait time for future failures). Maybe point out to your GP that a year has 52 weeks and ask what you are supposed to do for those final 2 weeks? (My 92 year old dad has similar issues with medications that come in 28 pill packs, but his GP gives him an extra one when he gets low on the medication).
 
LIke @EllieM suggests, I would demand surplus from my GP. I was lucky that my GP prescribed two at a time but there was little limitation when I could order them so I would order when I used my penultimate sensor which gave me a spare if it failed. Once I got a few replacements from Abbott, it was easier to maintain my stock although I had to be careful when I went away.
 
You should be able to order 2 sensors every 28 days, that's what I was doing when I used Libre, and that was NHS funded. If I was due a prescription on a bank holiday, I'd order everything a few days early online, and there was never a problem.
 
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