Switch from Libre 2 to Dexcom G6

[mikeyB]

At my recent diabetic appointment, I announced that I wanted to switch from Libre 2 to Dexcom. The consultant went a bit pale and said she'd have to apply for special funding. Don''t worry, said I I'll pay for it. And have done. I've let them know I'm on Dexcom Clarity, so they can view my progress.

It's like moving from a horse and cart to a car. I downloaded the App on to my phone (Apple iPhone 12 Pro running iOS 15.3), and it instantly appeared on my watch (again, Apple Watch 7 currently using watchOS 8.4). Had no problem linking it to the transmitter on the sensor. It has to be said, being a CGM using interstitial fluid for readings still means have to use blood tests for very high or low readings, but as I've got Siri announcing alerts, those should be avoided.

But just being able to look at my watch during football games, or driving my Mobility Scooter is a huge transformation. And because it accumulates data every 5 minutes, I can see the direction of travel and its rate on my watch and take any appropriate action. Including injecting insulin in front of 16,000 folk and TV cameras.

I know most of this is available on this is available on Libre 2, but looking at the lengths folk have to go to (including logging on to the poisonous Facebook) to get the Libre 2 to even appear on the watch, Dexcom wins hands down.

And I know financially it's out of most people's reach, but it isn't that much more expensive than the Libre, which until the last year always self funded. That is prescribed, so really there's no reason why folk who need CGM can't get the Dexcom on prescription. I'm sure that is coming, once the government starts working again instead of spending their time supporting that serial liar.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

I'm sure that is coming, once the government starts working again instead of spending their time supporting that serial liar.

It is what the proposed NICE guidelines are suggesting, I think. (Well, maybe Libre 2 for most people, but with any luck Libre 3 isn't that far off.)

 

[Shaggy]

How are you getting on with the dexcom G6. I used it for a few months and found the libre 2 to be or reliable. For example, finger prick was 5.3 Libre 2 was 5.9 and dexcom was 7.1. I had these strange readings all the time and I used both for 2 months one on each arm. Please let me know how you are getting on.

Thanks Ian

 

[rayray119]

At my recent diabetic appointment, I announced that I wanted to switch from Libre 2 to Dexcom. The consultant went a bit pale and said she'd have to apply for special funding. Don''t worry, said I I'll pay for it. And have done. I've let them know I'm on Dexcom Clarity, so they can view my progress.

It's like moving from a horse and cart to a car. I downloaded the App on to my phone (Apple iPhone 12 Pro running iOS 15.3), and it instantly appeared on my watch (again, Apple Watch 7 currently using watchOS 8.4). Had no problem linking it to the transmitter on the sensor. It has to be said, being a CGM using interstitial fluid for readings still means have to use blood tests for very high or low readings, but as I've got Siri announcing alerts, those should be avoided.

But just being able to look at my watch during football games, or driving my Mobility Scooter is a huge transformation. And because it accumulates data every 5 minutes, I can see the direction of travel and its rate on my watch and take any appropriate action. Including injecting insulin in front of 16,000 folk and TV cameras.

I know most of this is available on this is available on Libre 2, but looking at the lengths folk have to go to (including logging on to the poisonous Facebook) to get the Libre 2 to even appear on the watch, Dexcom wins hands down.

And I know financially it's out of most people's reach, but it isn't that much more expensive than the Libre, which until the last year always self funded. That is prescribed, so really there's no reason why folk who need CGM can't get the Dexcom on prescription. I'm sure that is coming, once the government starts working again instead of spending their time supporting that serial liar.

i asked about the change of guidelines at my appointment on Tuesday and I was told that just meant the libre would be more available to type 2 and other stuff but my friend I didn't read that why but friend did say that sometimes other diabetics know more about these things then dsns

 

[mikeyB]

How are you getting on with the dexcom G6. I used it for a few months and found the libre 2 to be or reliable. For example, finger prick was 5.3 Libre 2 was 5.9 and dexcom was 7.1. I had these strange readings all the time and I used both for 2 months one on each arm. Please let me know how you are getting on.

Thanks Ian

I’m actually running the Libre 2 as well as the Dexcom, and they are much the same. The Dexcom G7 is ready for release in the UK, it is supposed to be more accurate and has a 30 minute warm up time. And it’s smaller.

 

[rayray119]

if i do go back to libre after my back though I might try to set it yp with one of those apps that's turns it into a cgm I did try it with xdrip but couldn't get it to work

i asked about the change of guidelines at my appointment on Tuesday and I was told that just meant the libre would be more available to type 2 and other stuff but my friend I didn't read that why but friend did say that sometimes other diabetics know more about these things then dsns

 

[Charlie Moore]

Yes dexcom is quite expensive. I used it for a month or so only . then switched to another CGM due to some financial issues. I recently started using libre 2 with blucon nightrider was using libre 14 earlier , intially faced some issues by getting no readings but then restarted my phone and it was fixed, i get readings every 5 minutes on my phone, sometimes a difference of 5-10points. calibration feature is also there and i can also manage my food track, my daily carbs consumption, activity levels and heart rate too and i don't have to scan also.

 

[rayray119]

Yes dexcom is quite expensive. I used it for a month or so only . then switched to another CGM due to some financial issues. I recently started using libre 2 with blucon nightrider was using libre 14 earlier , intially faced some issues by getting no readings but then restarted my phone and it was fixed, i get readings every 5 minutes on my phone, sometimes a difference of 5-10points. calibration feature is also there and i can also manage my food track, my daily carbs consumption, activity levels and heart rate too and i don't have to scan also.

could you do this with a phone that wasn't comparable with the app?
/

 

[rayray119]

It is what the proposed NICE guidelines are suggesting, I think. (Well, maybe Libre 2 for most people, but with any luck Libre 3 isn't that far off.)

are you saying they are suggesting that Dexcom will be available on prescription because I was told no when asked at my appointment and it just meant the libre would be more available

 

[Bruce Stephens]

are you saying they are suggesting that Dexcom will be available on prescription because I was told no when asked at my appointment and it just meant the libre would be more available

My reading of the currently proposed update (which may well be too generous, and the final guidelines may well be different) is that some form of CGM (either rtCGM or isCGM) is to be regarded as the default. Which I think implies that if Libre doesn't work well for someone then something else (like Dexcom) should be offered.

Similarly, if something other than Libre is more appropriate for a patient (because it offers some useful connection with their pump, for example) then that's an important factor.

I don't know how far someone would get with the argument that being able to see the value on a smartwatch was valuable. For some people (like @mikeyB who uses a mobility scooter) I could see it, but I doubt I'd have any luck.

I presume cost will end up being important, too, though that seems to have softened a bit with the experience of how well Libre is working.

 

[AnnSebastian]

It is what the proposed NICE guidelines are suggesting, I think. (Well, maybe Libre 2 for most people, but with any luck Libre 3 isn't that far off.)

Sounds tempting. I’ve only recently discovered Libre - it’s been life changing - apart from several dysfunctional sensors that it’s been hard work to replace. As far as I know, Libre is only available on NHS for T2 - and not everyone. I’m hoping that will change. You’re tempting me to check out this one.

 

[rebrascora]

apart from several dysfunctional sensors that it’s been hard work to replace.

You have mentioned this before but not explained why you found it difficult?? Most of us have found Abbott customer services quite easy to access and they have replaced defective sensors without any problem once a few simple checks have been done.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

As far as I know, Libre is only available on NHS for T2 - and not everyone. I’m hoping that will change.

For T1, you mean. And yes, that's the case currently. The proposed update will make it available to everyone with T1 and (approximately) allow the current T1 criteria to be used for people with T2. (So if you have T2 and you're using insulin significantly (so you have similar requirements for testing as people with T1) then there's a decent chance you should qualify.)

The proposed wording of the guidelines are public (so shouldn't be too hard to find on the NICE website). It's out for consultation, so may well change before it's adopted.

There are also other devices around. There's a new CGM (the GlucoRx Aidex) that looks a bit cheaper than Libre. (I imagine the NHS will prefer Libre for a while because there's so much experience with it.)

 

[Bruce Stephens]

You have mentioned this before but not explained why you found it difficult?? Most of us have found Abbott customer services quite easy to access and they have replaced defective sensors without any problem once a few simple checks have been done.

And there's now an online form for this, too.

 

[AnnSebastian]

For T1, you mean. And yes, that's the case currently. The proposed update will make it available to everyone with T1 and (approximately) allow the current T1 criteria to be used for people with T2. (So if you have T2 and you're using insulin significantly (so you have similar requirements for testing as people with T1) then there's a decent chance you should qualify.)

The proposed wording of the guidelines are public (so shouldn't be too hard to find on the NICE website). It's out for consultation, so may well change before it's adopted.

There are also other devices around. There's a new CGM (the GlucoRx Aidex) that looks a bit cheaper than Libre. (I imagine the NHS will prefer Libre for a while because there's so much experience with it.)

Oops. Yes, of course, I meant T1.

 

[rayray119]

My reading of the currently proposed update (which may well be too generous, and the final guidelines may well be different) is that some form of CGM (either rtCGM or isCGM) is to be regarded as the default. Which I think implies that if Libre doesn't work well for someone then something else (like Dexcom) should be offered.

Similarly, if something other than Libre is more appropriate for a patient (because it offers some useful connection with their pump, for example) then that's an important factor.

I don't know how far someone would get with the argument that being able to see the value on a smartwatch was valuable. For some people (like @mikeyB who uses a mobility scooter) I could see it, but I doubt I'd have any luck.

I presume cost will end up being important, too, though that seems to have softened a bit with the experience of how well Libre is working.

thats what i though as well but she didn't seem to think it meant anything other then the libre being more avaible

 

[rayray119]

thats what i though as well but she didn't seem to think it meant anything other then the libre being more avaible

i'm taking a month off from the libre at the moment. but do there's probably times if able to think logically where seeing which way it's going and the in-between test info would be helpful easily for decision making

 

[Bruce Stephens]

thats what i though as well but she didn't seem to think it meant anything other then the libre being more avaible

I imagine CCGs will need to come up with their policies. Ordinarily I think they try to follow NICE guidelines but I don't think there's a requirement to do so.

 

[rayray119]

//I imagine CCGs will need to come up with their policies. Ordinarily I think they try to follow NICE guidelines but I don't think there's a requirement to do so.

whats ccgs/

 

[Bruce Stephens]

whats ccgs/

Clinical Commissioning Groups (probably only relevant for England, and probably only for a while since it must be time for another pointless reorganisation).