Anyone using Accu-Chek Mobile or Freestyle Libre for blood sugar testing?

Dear all
Is anyone here using the Acc-Chek Mobile or Freestyle Libre?
After >10 years I am tired of the daily test strip fiddle.
The Freestyle Libre doesn’t need needles [!] but I don’t think I use enough insulin to qualify. The alternative is the Accu-Chek Mobile - which does involve pricking, but no test strips.
I’d be interested to know how anyone is getting on? And if they are fully reimbursed by Ameli for the gadget and consumables.
TIA?

As you surmised, only reimbursed if you use enough insulin. Here:

Tired enough to try and reverse your diabetes?

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Thanks
Have now been using the Accu-Chek Mobile for a week - certainly easier than test strips, much less fiddle, which means it’s easier to do more frequent testing. I think it will be a real boon when travelling [whenever that will be!!!]

LCHF?

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LCHF, anyone else just used Google to find out what that means :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

The freestyle libre does use a needle which is on the back of the puck. You will need the app or the dedicated reader to use it. Bear in mind you will have this stuck to your arm for up to 28 days before replacing it for a new one.

It means bringing insulin levels down and reversing type 2 for many getting them off medication.

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And so easy to loose a ton of weight!

I am T2 and was for some while on insulin but with careful diet management have managed to get off insulin all together. Because of other medical indicators (heart &, kidney function issues) and after stopping insulin, I was taken off metformin doses and placed instead on a single 50 mg morning tablet per day of Januvia (sitagliptine) and my Mg/dL readings are now remarkably stable and predictable.
Whether or not I can count myself as “cured” is moot but age is against me in that respect and so long as I can maintain the stability and stay off the insulin doses, I’m content.

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I presume you don’t mean Type 1 diabetes.

No sadly thats inherited genetic condition I believe

No type 2. They are doing a huge amount of research into the Low Carb High Fat (LCHF) diets and type 2 diabetes and there are astounding results. lots of info on the NHS ‘Diabetes’ website / forum. I had gestational diabetes with all 3 pregnancies and was on insulin with the 3rd. My levels were heading in the wrong direction (borderline type 2) and after not long on the LCHF (maybe 12 weeks - 6 being really tough and 6 maintenance) I’d lost 16 kg and my levels were normal.

I still don’t eat carbs in the same way, avoid sugar where possible, very, very rarely have a big bowl of pasta, never touch beer / cidre (just dry white wine) and generally try to keep carbs below what most would see as ‘normal’. I’ve not been as good as I should really for a while - maybe a good reminder it’s time to get out my machine and do some testing and if I’m inching up get back on the LCHF and let it do it’s stuff!

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years ago I followed the Atkins diet when I tested positive for T2 when seeking my Pilot’s licence medical and did manage to get my weight down and HbA1c levels corrected after the medical was initially refused. My Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) was amazed that I managed it so quickly bringing the weight down significantly in the process. But then, I was younger…
However, ISTR that there was a lot of controversy around at the time about that diet and the possible long term effects of it so relaxed back in to a normal diet with extra care taken a week or so before my next medical and urine test at the surgery.
Having retired and moved to France, I relaxed just a tad too much and let things go slip back in to old ways when it all kicked off with a stroke and a number of health related issues followed which is where I am at now.
I believe that current thinking is LCHF is less de rigour than it was then and all the advice now is that appropriate medical advice must be sought before embarking on such a regime and careful monitoring must be maintained throughout.
I realise it’s not related but poor old Dr Robert Atkins didn’t survive a fall outside his clinic in NYC when he slipped on ice and sustained a head injury but the warnings about the consequences of his diet viz-a-viz heart issues in particular were unfortunately shown to be true in my case.

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Sadly a big proportion of GP’ just tow the NHS 30-40 years out of date, was wrong from the start information.
The problem was Ansel Keyes, an American doctor who wasnt a cardiologist or any other thing special but saw the $2 million grant. He was so wrong and because America is so perfect other governments follwed the advice. Through shear numbers and persistence the real truth is coming out at last.

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I think the difference between Atkins and the LCHF is the Atkins was insanely high in protein. LCHF is much more veggie based with moderate amounts of protein. May be worth looking into Graham.

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My hospital based Endocrinologist and Diabetes specialist advised me well and is content with the progress I have made so I don’t see a need to change - particularly since this might impact other disciplines such as my Cardiologist and my Nephrologist who all seem to be working together. The (now 6 years) total absence of alcohol also helps considerably I believe - not even a sniff of a bar maidens apron!

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That’s it isn’t it, finding what works for YOUR body and your medical issues. I hope for many more 6 years of good health for you!

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Wow! Many thanks for recounting your experiences Tory. It’s very interesting to hear how you used the LCHF diet, and how you are dealing with it all now.

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I agree John and it’s not that different here in France with local MTs. Someone in our French lesson was saying her MT had said it was “inevitable” that we got type 2 diabetes as we aged. My observation on hearing this viewpoint is not repeatable here! I think she was not impressed with me as I was disputing the wisdom of her doctor.

For me, what has helped is moving from a view that I am “dieting” to a view that I am eating differently. For me, the dieting perspective is not sustainable because it is about “lack”. Also it was always linked to some specific event - eg wanting to get into a dress for a friend’s golden wedding. So once that event was over the weight would creep up again.
I go to the stage where I was tired of seeing the rolls of fat around my waistline when I looked at myself in the mirror. From there, it has just been “little by little” - tweaking/fine tuning all the time the minute I feel my weight may creep up again. After a while, there is a positive investment in seeing how well I’m doing and not wanting to slip back.
I found Brightline Eating and Susan Peirce Thompson to be invaluable because she explains the science behind why we find it so hard to lose weight (eg that we now know we have finite willpower) and so I adjusted my behaviour to support what happens in the brain and at a cellular level. Absolutely key was getting sugar out of my life, completely /utterly / totally because of its addictive qualities. Then no white flour ever in any form. Then, as @toryroo says, it’s about moderation in proteins and lots of veg/fruit/salads. There’s more, but just to show what I’ve achieved - I weigh myself daily and have been doing so for nearly 1500 days. This is not a diet. It is a way of life.

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