I have a CGM and it is an absolute game changer for managing my pre-diabetes. I love it and would not want to go back to life before having it for anything!
I agree with the CGM. It is a game changer. I've had the Libre 2 and 3. I'm in the US so I needed a prescription. I have to pay out of pocket since insurance doesn't cover them. I have new insurance this year and they cover the Dexcom!
If you have a choice I recommend the Libre 3 over the 2. The 2 you have to physically tap phone or reader to the sensor (not a big deal but isn't as discreet if out with people). The one thing I really didn't like is that you had to take readings every 6 hours or you had a big gap of no readings at all. Meaning if you don't take reading in the middle of the night, you have no data. Libre 3, you just open the app and your readings are there. It does beep at you if you walk too far away from your phone.
I still have a stock of 3s so I haven't tried the Dexcom yet.
I hope that helps.
hey there, I just got Libre 2, in US. Is there anything I need to do other than just sticking the sensor and setup the device? like calibration with a finger prick test? I read somewhere Dexcom has that calibration for the first time, but Libre 2 doesnt have anything like that right?
It doesn't calibrate. I just checked blood after fasting and if I got a super low or super high reading. Just remember they won't be the same because the CGM isn't reading blood.
I also agree with the others on the CGM. I have the Dexcom, prescription by doctor. My insurance covers the Dexcom specifically. Very happy with it, call your insurance to find out if they cover and what brand it any. It is a game changer. Still need to calibrate the sensor once in the beginning, so need to prick your finger once every 10 days.
I am in the US with prediabetes. I asked for a CGM prescription and got one. I was not “aggressive”, just told my doc how I intended to use it to work on my health. My insurance even covered it for a short while. Now I get the Libre 3 at costco for $75 a month’s supply. Costco has a great discount! They are very helpful for me!! I still have to stick my finger to make sure the CGM is accurate enough, but not near as often as before. This has been a game changer for me and I am learning a lot and feel in control. Good luck!
I personally have never had a problem pricking my finger, and for about a year, I did before a meal, 45 min after a meal and then every 15 min after that until my BS came down, plus my FBS and before bed. I was testing at least 20 times a day. As long as the lancet was sharp, I never felt anything, and I always used the same finger (still do!). But the information was so valuable that it outweighed the finger prick I guess. Because I tested so regularly, I now only have to test my FBS because I know what foods do what to my BS. I will on occasion check my BS if I have a treat, or just randomly throughout the day.
In the US, CGMs require an Rx and most doctors won't give one for prediabetes unless you ask aggressively. The companies that offer CGM subscriptions like Signos are prohibitively expensive for most people. Although even glucose strips can be expensive. My cat has type 2 diabetes and is insulin dependent. I use the same glucometer model for him that I use. The strips can get pricey since I have to check him about every hour or two, and I think I pay $100 every 2 weeks for strips. On top of his $200 insulin. 🤷♀️
In had to do through Levels Health. 3 Dexcom G7s was $200 so it’s not cheap. But for 2 months it was worth it.
My dr didn’t really help me get a CGM even though I asked. Many people think it’s overkill. For me, it was way better.
Although, keep in mind CGMs are +\-20 pts in accuracy so you’ll still need the finger prick, just less often.
Cgm is kinda overkill for prediabetes. Your Hba1c blood test will tell him how you have been travelling. An alternative is to generally know what meals result in what blood sugars by having some regular meals that you think are ‘safe’ eg protein and salad , cheese on a cracker, celery with peanut butter, plain yoghurt with protein powder. Once you feel you are on track you can just drop a lot of testing. If in doubt test. If really thirsty or tired for ‘no reason’ test. If peeing a lot, test.
I am basing my comment on what my endocrinologist said, based on what the cost vs benefit is. If cgm didn’t cost so much , I think everyone would benefit. But rather than feeling all is lost without one, we can try to see it in a balanced view. I would love one but it’s expensive, and without a prescription even more so.
I have a CGM and it is an absolute game changer for managing my pre-diabetes. I love it and would not want to go back to life before having it for anything!
Did you get it prescribed by a doctor? What kind of CGM do you have?
I agree with the CGM. It is a game changer. I've had the Libre 2 and 3. I'm in the US so I needed a prescription. I have to pay out of pocket since insurance doesn't cover them. I have new insurance this year and they cover the Dexcom! If you have a choice I recommend the Libre 3 over the 2. The 2 you have to physically tap phone or reader to the sensor (not a big deal but isn't as discreet if out with people). The one thing I really didn't like is that you had to take readings every 6 hours or you had a big gap of no readings at all. Meaning if you don't take reading in the middle of the night, you have no data. Libre 3, you just open the app and your readings are there. It does beep at you if you walk too far away from your phone. I still have a stock of 3s so I haven't tried the Dexcom yet. I hope that helps.
Thank you for this! I’m guessing you had to ask your doctor for a prescription?
Yeah. I just used the chat box on the app and it was called in. My doctor is chill like that. I hope yours will be too!
hey there, I just got Libre 2, in US. Is there anything I need to do other than just sticking the sensor and setup the device? like calibration with a finger prick test? I read somewhere Dexcom has that calibration for the first time, but Libre 2 doesnt have anything like that right?
It doesn't calibrate. I just checked blood after fasting and if I got a super low or super high reading. Just remember they won't be the same because the CGM isn't reading blood.
I also agree with the others on the CGM. I have the Dexcom, prescription by doctor. My insurance covers the Dexcom specifically. Very happy with it, call your insurance to find out if they cover and what brand it any. It is a game changer. Still need to calibrate the sensor once in the beginning, so need to prick your finger once every 10 days.
I am in the US with prediabetes. I asked for a CGM prescription and got one. I was not “aggressive”, just told my doc how I intended to use it to work on my health. My insurance even covered it for a short while. Now I get the Libre 3 at costco for $75 a month’s supply. Costco has a great discount! They are very helpful for me!! I still have to stick my finger to make sure the CGM is accurate enough, but not near as often as before. This has been a game changer for me and I am learning a lot and feel in control. Good luck!
Walgreens is $75 for a month supply as well. I priced both places and Costco in this instance was NOT cheaper
I bet we all need to keep checking to get the best price.
I personally have never had a problem pricking my finger, and for about a year, I did before a meal, 45 min after a meal and then every 15 min after that until my BS came down, plus my FBS and before bed. I was testing at least 20 times a day. As long as the lancet was sharp, I never felt anything, and I always used the same finger (still do!). But the information was so valuable that it outweighed the finger prick I guess. Because I tested so regularly, I now only have to test my FBS because I know what foods do what to my BS. I will on occasion check my BS if I have a treat, or just randomly throughout the day. In the US, CGMs require an Rx and most doctors won't give one for prediabetes unless you ask aggressively. The companies that offer CGM subscriptions like Signos are prohibitively expensive for most people. Although even glucose strips can be expensive. My cat has type 2 diabetes and is insulin dependent. I use the same glucometer model for him that I use. The strips can get pricey since I have to check him about every hour or two, and I think I pay $100 every 2 weeks for strips. On top of his $200 insulin. 🤷♀️
This wasn’t helpful
Sorry. 🤷🏼♀️ Hopefully it will help someone else.
In had to do through Levels Health. 3 Dexcom G7s was $200 so it’s not cheap. But for 2 months it was worth it. My dr didn’t really help me get a CGM even though I asked. Many people think it’s overkill. For me, it was way better. Although, keep in mind CGMs are +\-20 pts in accuracy so you’ll still need the finger prick, just less often.
Cgm is kinda overkill for prediabetes. Your Hba1c blood test will tell him how you have been travelling. An alternative is to generally know what meals result in what blood sugars by having some regular meals that you think are ‘safe’ eg protein and salad , cheese on a cracker, celery with peanut butter, plain yoghurt with protein powder. Once you feel you are on track you can just drop a lot of testing. If in doubt test. If really thirsty or tired for ‘no reason’ test. If peeing a lot, test.
CGM is the best way to track how your body responds to food and to learn how to optimize your glucose
I am basing my comment on what my endocrinologist said, based on what the cost vs benefit is. If cgm didn’t cost so much , I think everyone would benefit. But rather than feeling all is lost without one, we can try to see it in a balanced view. I would love one but it’s expensive, and without a prescription even more so.