Well hello all, Andy here, 57 and three quarters, newly diagnosed T2, refusing meds at first to see if learning, lifestyle and exercise can challenge the status quo - keen to buy a CGM and monitor levels for my info only, dazzled at the choice, seems dexcom one+ and Lifestylre Libre 2+ are the best choices, any recommendations, pointers or suggestions please ?
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Newbie asking for advice about CGM
- Thread starter Bulldog
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Taighnamona
Active Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Three months self funding libre2. It was very useful in helping me identify foods which raised my glucose levels. Things like porridge, lentils which were staples for me spiked my glucose really high. I learned which carbs to avoid and reduced my carb intake to around 60-80gm per day. I found the Libre 2 to be erratic at high or low levels compared to finger pricks but overall useful. I believe the libre2+ is better but have no experience with it.
I’m now funding the dexcom1+ and finding it better, more accurate than the libre2. A plus is it connects to my Iwatch without a third party app.
Others on here will give you their views too. But ultimately they are just our views. None of them are perfect yet and the apps have room for improvement. Dexcom recent pricing bundles tipped the balance for me. Good luck
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
You could always get a free trial of the Libre as long as you have a compatible phone. Remember if you are self finding they are quite expensive £40 ish for 2 weeks. Also as said they do have limitations so have a look at the thread about that.
Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I suggest starting off using a simple meter, find out how to keep your blood glucose down first - then use a continuous monitor to check for rogue foods - mine are legumes.
Use the money you save to buy your favourite proteins, low carb veges and fruits and maybe some cooking 'toys' such as a good grill or pressure cooker.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I never even considered a Libre and found the information I got from strategic finger pricking absolutely fine and you can do an awful lot for the cost of a Libre. I would rather spend the money on good quality appropriate food./
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Welcome to the forum @Bulldog
If money is no object, you might find CGM a really helpful and immediate way to see your reaction to various things during the day (and overnight) in a way that is trickier to get with fingersticks alone. But for just before/after meal BG monitoring, you do get a LOT of strips for the cost of a CGM (8-10 a day?)
So you may find before meal and 1-2hrs after meal checks give you a helpful picture for lower outlay, and a slightly less ‘big brother’ feel as you’ll only see results when you want to look at them.
It’s a very personal choice though!
If you are interested in the option of self-funding a fingerstick meter it can make a big difference which brand you choose. The most affordable and reliable meters members here have found are the SD Gluco Navii, the Spirit Tee2, or the Contour Blue - which all have test strips at around £10 for 50. Some other brands can be 3x that much!
If money is no object, you might find CGM a really helpful and immediate way to see your reaction to various things during the day (and overnight) in a way that is trickier to get with fingersticks alone. But for just before/after meal BG monitoring, you do get a LOT of strips for the cost of a CGM (8-10 a day?)
So you may find before meal and 1-2hrs after meal checks give you a helpful picture for lower outlay, and a slightly less ‘big brother’ feel as you’ll only see results when you want to look at them.
It’s a very personal choice though!
If you are interested in the option of self-funding a fingerstick meter it can make a big difference which brand you choose. The most affordable and reliable meters members here have found are the SD Gluco Navii, the Spirit Tee2, or the Contour Blue - which all have test strips at around £10 for 50. Some other brands can be 3x that much!
Thanks everyone for your kind comments, very much appreciated. I travel extensively for work and am onstage a lot as a professional speaker so I can't visually stop for bloodchecks, best option is CGM, appreciate the cost challenges but as levels arent as yet affecting my everyday life I want to learn all I can to manage the condition, Cheers all
harbottle
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I am currently using Libre 2 plus sensors as I wanted to check things out when coming off Metformin and I like the continuous readings. I find the BT connection sometimes a bit flaky, but apart from that very happy with them. It's also thrown up some interesting results when I've experimented with higher carb meals and shown me that the lentils I eat affect BG about 3 hours after eating them!
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