Freestyle Libre Review - Diabetes

Afternoon all,

Being a Type 1 Diabetic isn't a lot of fun, in fact, it sucks. Majorly sucks.
Type 1 Diabetics are incapable of producing insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, which helps control your blood sugar levels. When you eat or drink, your blood sugar rises but insulin combats this to regulate the levels between 5-7mmol (average persons blood sugar level). Diabetics blood sugar levels can rise and fall to dangerous levels causing both short-term and long-term damage to the body, and in some cases, premature death.  This is why it is important for blood sugar levels to be controlled.
Problem is, almost everything affects blood sugars; food and drink, emotions, being ill, activities, the weather.... For some diabetics its a nightmare trying to control their levels. I'm one of them.
Since I was diagnosed over 10 years ago, my blood sugars have been all over the place. I'm trying so hard but as soon as I think I've got it stable, something happens and it goes tits up. I've now got 'Background Retinopathy' - the capillaries in the retina become blocked, they may bulge and leak blood or fluids. If not carefully monitored, the damage will increase and the problem will evolve leading to blindness.

To check blood sugar levels, Diabetics use their own personal blood testing kit and test their bloods how ever many times a day (for some twice, for some more than ten times) using their fingertips or upper arms. It may not seem like much hassle but it really is. Personally, I don't like drawing attention to myself so testing in public/work, I always get looks.

For years, various health companies have been trying to develop an easier way to test blood sugars. I hear there are plans for bracelets to read the levels from outside the skin - sadly something like that will be way into the future. However, a healthcare company called Abbott have manufactured a flash glucose monitoring system - FreeStyle Libre.

                                                    
Serious game changer in the Diabetic Community.

Desperate to try it, my family and I joined the waiting list as soon as we found out about it. Unfortunately, due to incredibly high demand, the waiting list was several months :(

Time passed and my health wasn't the best; in and out of hospital with a mysterious stomach condition. My need for the monitor increased by the day! Almost 7 months later, I finally received my monitor and sensors.

First thing first. Pricing.

Monitor - £57.95.
Reasonable. Comes with very clear instructions.

Sensor - £57.95.
Pricey. The sensor lasts for 14 days. Over £100 for a month's worth. That's a lot of money if you want a sensor throughout the year!

I have seen and signed many petitions to get these products on the NHS. In all honesty, I doubt it will happen but fingers crossed!

The sensor box contains: one sensor, one applicator and instructions.
Fair play, the instructions are so easy to understand. There are pictures and step by steps; you can't go wrong.
Loading the sensor into the applicator is very simple. Line the two up with the "markers" on the products and click into place. Find the area where you are going to apply the sensor to and press down on the applicator in one smooth push. Done!
The needle on the sensor is so small and thin, I didn't feel a thing when applying! The adhesive on the sensor is good. No way was that thing moving unless I picked it off.
The size of the sensor itself is relatively small. Its thin, no thicker than £2 coin and its roughly the same size.

First day with the sensor. 

Day one. 8am, first scan. Reading of 6.8mmol. Perfect!
The greatest thing about these products is the monitor shows an arrow next to the blood sugar reading. Vertically up, angled up, horizontal, angled down, vertically down. This indicates the "path" your blood sugar is going, allowing you to act accordingly. This occasion showed a horizontal line. Brilliant.
Arrived at work. Nobody commented on my new item, I know they noticed it but perhaps they were a little nervous to ask me about it. Throughout the day I scanned myself every hour to help me get a clear idea of how my body reacts to day-to-day activities. Scanning is so discreet. You just need to hold/swipe the monitor a small distance from the sensor, a little bleep alarms you the reading is complete (you can adjust how loud this is and the vibration settings) and thats it!

Next day at work, people started to ask questions - good! I like people asking questions, allows me to help others understand Diabetes. My friend commented it looked like the plug you attached an air pump to blow up a paddling pool with! For the next two weeks I was known as "Ellie - the blow up doll", haha!

Showering/bathing with the sensor was no problem. It can withstand 30 minutes fully submerged. Plus there was no chance soaps could get under the sensor with the strong adhesive.

My boyfriend had great fun scanning me and showing all his friends his "hi-tech girlfriend". Late June, for the first time in 2015, I was well enough to go for a mini-night out. The sensor made this so much easier. Instead of carrying my whole blood kit in purse, it was just the monitor! No need for big purses. Alcohol and dancing can affect Diabetics. Alcopops are probably the worst drinks to have as they are full of sugar and carbs, raising the sugar levels quickly but the alcohol itself can lower levels later on so you have to be careful. I usually stick to Vodka + Diet Coke or G&T, these have little or no effect on my blood sugar levels.
                                           

Bedtime!

I was a little worried about sleeping. I tend to move about a lot so was a little weary of the sensor placing my arm on the bed, however, I was proved wrong. No problem, couldn't feel a thing! Definitely put my worries to rest,

Over the two weeks, I was able to look at the patterns, averages, graphs of my readings with ease. Navigating around the settings on the monitor is simple but one minor thing, the touch screen isn't always as sensitive, I had to press firmly for the monitor to register what I wanted it to do.

The 14 days passed very quickly and the time came to take the sensor off. The monitor warns you a when the sensor will "run out" up to a week in advance and the consecutive days. Taking the sensor off was actually pretty easy. Peeling it off like I would a plaster, still couldn't feel the little needle! The only bad thing would be the adhesive itself is a little tricky to rub off. It required a good scrub in the shower.

The sensor after 14 days. 

Overall, I am pleased with the FreeStyle Libre. Made my Diabetic side of life much easier. My blood sugar was easier to control knowing what direction it was heading, completing readings literally took seconds instead of minutes. It really is the little things in life that make a difference!

If you're Diabetic or have a condition that requires blood testing, I definitely recommend giving this a go. I felt more relaxed in those two weeks than I have in a long time.
I'm saving the other sensors for when I really need them - like going on holiday or the Christmas period. Unfortunately they do have an expiration date so they won't last forever.
For now, back to normal blood testing *sigh*.


Hope you have a lovely day.
Love love xxx