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A comment on Biohackers take aim at big pharma’s stranglehold on insulin. Parent comment

Re:Biohackers take aim at big pharma’s stranglehold on insulin by RHSeeger on Monday June 28, 2021 @04:03PM (#27667154)
On a related note... if you can afford a CGM (continuous glucode monitor), especially one with alerts (like the Dexcom G6), I wholeheartedly recommend one. They are life altering for a type 1 diabetic. Being able to check your blood sugar by just looking at your phone (or separate receiver) is very convenient. I check my blood sugar 100 times a day, instead of poking a hole in myself 10 times a day. And I can (mostly) rely on it alerting me if my blood sugar gets low (or is going to get low soon). I cannot stress enough how much it changed my control of my diabetes.

Admittedly, they're not cheap w/o insurance, which sucks. But if you can get one, so do. You won't be disappointed.

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Re:Biohackers take aim at big pharma’s stranglehold on insulin by mgarfias on Monday June 28, 2021 @05:59PM (#27668766)
I keep on trying to get one, but being well controlled, the ins cos won't approve it. And its pretty spendy out of pocket. My biggest use case would be an alert that my glucose levels are tanking while exercising so I can do something about it before I drop out. I find myself not doing things like long bike rides that I'd really like to do because of it.
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Re:Biohackers take aim at big pharma’s stranglehold on insulin by mikeproctor on Tuesday June 29, 2021 @08:30AM (#27674897)
You should be able to get the Libre 14 day sensors for about $120/per month (2 sensors) without insurance. I've been using it for about a year and it has been a huge game changer for me. I've been on insulin for about 23 years. The Libre doesn't have alerts but being able to tap your phone to your arm to test your glucose makes a big difference in how you test/monitor even without alerts.
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Re:Biohackers take aim at big pharma’s stranglehold on insulin by RHSeeger on Tuesday June 29, 2021 @10:32AM (#27676324)
The alerts (of the G6) are certainly desirable (amazing). But, as mike notes, even just being able to check your glucose with 0 effort... just changes everything. You wind up checking it so often that it's more than just checking it, you get more of a feel for how your body is reacting to your food/activity/etc. I can't say enough positive things about it.
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