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Hello

Matt J

Matt J

Well-Known Member
Messages
55
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello all

Just a bit about myself and diabetes.

I've been a type 1 diabetic for nearly 30 years. (Where has the time gone!!) I started off on 2 injections of Humulin I. Switched after a year to the then new Novopen Actrapid, the one with 1.5ml cartridges (still got it in a drawer somewhere) and Ultratard. Then moved to the 3ml Actrapid cartridge Novopen with Ultratard and have now been on the Flexpen with NovoRapid and Levemir for the last few years,

I do quite a bit of cycling in my spare time and I am very interested in CGM as it's a bit tricky trying to check your blood whilst riding a bike! (Although I have seen it done - lancets, strips and all). It seems a good system to enable better control of diabetes as well. Obviously it's not routinely given on the NHS due to cost but I'm keen to find out more - so hopefully I'll find out more information from people that are using it on here.

Regards

Matt
 
Hi @Matt J, welcome on board.
I'd like a CGM system as well but they are so expensive. The other option is a freestyle libre which currently isn't available where I am and is not accepting new customers atm in UK.
As you're on novo insulins, you might want to look at Echo pens. I find the memory, half unit increments and build quality fantastic, much better than the disposables.
 
Hello Vic

I would be very interested in a Libre. As with a lot of things it comes down to cost. The sensors last 14 days and cost £58 which works out at around £1500 a year. I realise you don't have to use it all the time but to me that defeats the object and I would want to see a continuity in my results. At the moment the cost is out of reach but as you say hopefully the cost will come down in future and we can all get the sensors on the NHS.

I understand (despite their proclamations they exist for the benefit of humankind) these companies are there to make a profit and have to cover their R&D costs. If the money wasn't there they wouldn't do it. With normal blood glucose meters they give the meters away for free and make the money on the strips. As for a Libre/CGM until the cost comes down and I'm able to get one/afford one it'll be a bg meter for me.
 
Hi @Matt J
Keep an eye out for the Team blood glucose diabetes grand tour. When they run a medical study on the ride, you usually get the opportunity to wear a Dexcom. It's an opportunity to join an amazing cycle tour, get to track your BGs with exercise, share data and learn from other people with D on the ride, and also help with our understanding of Diabetes.
There are other plans in the pipeline too, so it's well worth keeping an eye out for what they're up to. Www.teambloodglucose.com (By the way, TeamBG will be organising a cycle ride around Box Hill on the 18th July - make a note in the diary and see if you can come along):)
 
Hi @Bebo321

Thanks for the heads up. Will keep a lookout on the Team BG site. Would love to ride Box Hill at some point (along with the millions of other cyclists on the Surrey roads!!) but it is some way away for me being up here further north. Mind you I have to contend with plenty of climbs locally and sometimes think whilst struggling to the top on some that Lincolnshire or the Yorkshire Wolds look enticing being nice and flat!! I occasionally go into Cheshire which is not too bad in terms of hills.
 
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