Over thanks giving, I learned from my dad's girlfriend that my blood sugar was very high, prmpting an unexpected doctor's appointment. While I don't have the results of my blood work yet, I'm trying to come up with anything that could help me, as I might be diabetic. For those who have this condition, what resources can I turn to for help? What toos are out there for me to manage this condition? What apps and devices can I use to keep track of my blood sugar without sighted help? Any and all help is welcome, as I have no idea where to start with this.
Comments
Dexcom CGM
Hello,
As someone who is diabetic, I could never get the hang of finger sticks, then getting the blood on to the test strip. Even though I was able to get a reader that would speak the blood sugar level, it did me little good since I couldn't get the blood on to the little spot on the test strip. So, after fighting a bit with the state, my doctor finally got them to approve me for the dexcom cgm. I use the Dexcom G6, though the g7 has been out for a bit, I just haven't made the switch over. To further explain what this is and how it works, it is a system that comes with a transmitter and a sensor. You have to change out your sensor every 10 days, and the transmitter every 90. The sensor has a tiny piece that actually goes in your skin. It measures certain fluids that are in your skin to get a measurement of your blood sugar. I honestly have no idea how they pull it off. But anyway, the transmitter fits inside the sensor. So, when you go to change out the sensor, you take the transmitter out of the old one, put on the new one, and snap the transmitter in to the new one. You normally wear this on your stomach. Putting the transmitter on doesn't hurt at all. I barely feel it when the little wire goes in. Taking it off is what kinda sucks, if you have any hair at all. I've tried shaving the area where I will put the sensor, but then unfortunately the adhesive doesn't stick as well. Anyway, you enter both the sensor and the transmitter code in to the Dexcom app, and the transmitter connects via bluetooth, and sends readings to your phone, as well as to an Apple watch.
The only issue with this is getting insurance to cover it. But if you can, I highly recommend, as it gives you constant access to your blood sugar readings.
Freestyle Libre 3
Since I don’t have a diabetic condition, I can’t speak for the certainty of what I’m about to say. But I have heard that the Freestyle Libre 3 app is accessible. I was trying to help a client get set up with that app, and I got as far as creating an account. Both of us were trying to figure out how the transmitter worked since it had been her first time. It was my first time working with such an app, and the one that I was using was for android. But the app seemed very accessible. perhaps you could give it a try?