Isn’t the dexcom one only available from Gp’s? I’d try dexcom if it was available to buy
As best I know of the 5 x CGMs that might be prescribed through the NHS, 4 can be purchased from the Manufacturer and one of those 4 can also be purchased from Pharmacies. These are:
Libre 2 from Gp prescription, or purchased from Abbott direct or a Pharmacy.
Dexcom One from GP script or purchase from Dexcom direct. Might possibly now also be purchasable from a Pharmacy.
Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7 only from Hospital arrangements, not on GP script. But both purchasable from Dexcom direct.
The 5th is Libre 3, from Hospital arrangements and just possibly very recently from GP script. I don't believe this can yet be purchased from Abbott or a Pharmacy. The Dexcom G7 is comparable with Libre 3, with both being combined sensors with built in transmitters.
The L2 and Dex One are similar lower cost and the Dex G6, 7 and L3 are about the same higher cost.
There are a couple more lower cost CGMs which can be prescribed by GPs but they are rarely mentioned on this forum.
Dex One is a cheaper version of G6 and it's main shortcoming is that neither the app nor the hand held Receiver (equivalent to a Libre Reader) allows any recording of data about insulin, meals or any other notes. A second shortcoming for me was that (as with G6) this device is in 2 parts: a 10 day sensor and a 90 day transmitter. Once the transmitter is activated its clock is ticking for the next 90 days. So you need to buy 9 sensors with one transmitter just to try it or waste the 90 day transmitter.
Personally I think that Libre 2 is best suited for non-insulin dependent BG monitoring.
Firstly, you need to see trends, not spot readings; accuracy of individual readings is not super-critical if you don't need a number for calculating an insulin dose.
Secondly, the graphs that CGM provide are terrific for displaying those trends and making clear how your body is managing either food, or activity, or food in conjunction with activity.
Thirdly, if self-funding is a financial strain then using Libre 2 for 14 days then taking a break for a few days or weeks and then another 14 days with a new sensor and so on, ie using L2 intermittently, is most cost effective. This provides the opportunity to learn a few things about what works for you then consolidate those lessons with routine fp checks and subsequently explore a different aspect of your daily living with a series of new sensors.
With a 14 day stand alone sensor you can choose when you monitor and learn, without being locked into a 90 day experiment.
I suspect 6 x 14 day periods spread across 6+ months would give you masses of detail about how different foods and activities works for you and what is sustainable by you in the longer term. Supplemented by fps when "sensor less".
