There have been comments on multiple different posts, but wanted to get all opinions in one place.
Curious if:
I’m not currently using a CGM, but intend to get the Freestyle Libre as soon as it is available in US. Hopefully, Medicare will eventually cover it, but I don’t intend to wait for that. Although I don’t feel I can afford on my retirement income to use it all year if I need to pay totally out of pocket, I think I’d be able to learn enough even if I used it only one-fourth to one-half the time to improve my control even when not using it.
Since I’ve had an A1c between 5.5 and 6.1 ever since going on insulin more than four years ago, I don’t expect that using the Freestyle will improve my A1c. What I do expect, though, is that I should be able to reign in my variability, both highs and lows. I rarely have lows at night, so I’m not worried about the lack of alarms.
The low alert has made a world of difference to me (and my partner’s anxiety level), and the high alert is pretty handy too. I would find it really really really hard to do without those. The DIY fixes so far available strike me as fairly cumbersome. For me each day is different, and a similar meal can affect me differently, so knowing my trends is all well and good but I can’t count the number of times I have gone to bed while fairly flat and been awakened in the night by a high or low alert I would never have expected based on trends.
2
My son is the user. No reason to change. Having a live, continuous flow of information w real time alerts is priority to us.
2
The alerts and accuracy make the dexcom top choice for me !
Dexcom user and will stay with it as I really need the alarms and I love my trending arrows and being able to see where I’m at whenever I look at my receiver. My family also loves the alarms as they can hear where I’m at depending on tone of alarm.
I will stick with Dexcom G4 Share as it serves as the basis for my Loop artificial pancreas. Living without the Dexcom alarms, for me, is too much of a sacrifice. I’m lucky to have good insurance coverage for the Dex system. If I did not, the Libre would present a nice option.
I would like to try the Libre, however.
Was type 2 on insulin,I look forward to using this new tool. Nancy
I have never had a burning desire to have a CGM, I have considered it but never followed through because like I said, no burning desire. I don’t see how the Libre can convince me otherwise.
Sticking with Dexcom. Not interested in losing alarm. Plus, new X2 pump coming in the mail tomorrow which has Dexcom integration. Pricking myself twice sounds better than having to remember/guess when to swipe on Libre.
I would wear it but not in place of my CGM. For me, and the manufacturer, it is a meter replacement, not a CGM replacement, because it is not a CGM.
So yes my fingers could use a break now and again.
I’ll stick with Dex as long as my insurance covers it, but if I ever have to self-fund and the Libre ends up being cheaper, then I’d switch. The alerts aren’t as important to me as the BG number when I check it and the trending data.
#2 …
As per my previous posts, I will definitely go for the Freestyle Libre when it’s available. I’ve been doing well with fingersticks and MDIs for many years. And my current low-carb eating plan has made severe highs and lows VERY infrequent.
It just seems like a simpler (and cheaper) system for those that don’t feel the need for an alarm system. It’s my impression that part of the Dexcom system has to be replaced every 5 months? With the Freestyle system, I could wear it once a month if I wanted and nothing will expire. I may find that an occasional “tune-up” is all I need.
Dexcom G5 transmitter itself lasts ~3 months, and the sensor is good for 7 days. You’re supposed to change then, but you can restart the sensor and squeeze longer than the 7 days out of it.
If I didn’t care about alarm, Libre sounds like it would be a great choice.
I’ll stay with dexcom. As others said free style libre isn’t really a cgm and it has no alerts so it can’t warn you about dangerous lows and highs coming on, Bg dropping or going up and trends suggesting highs and lows coming on. I’d like to try it though to see what it’s like as a meter as someone said.
Sensors (you refer to insertion sites) are intended to last seven days, many users restart and extend the life of sensors. Transmitters last 3 months (I think that’s what you mean when you refer to sensors).
Thanks, I always mix up the terminology 
Jason, that’s OK–just don’t try to jam the xmitter into your skin–it will hurt like h*ll and will leave quite an entrance wound. 
I’ve been watching the video and took it upon myself to sign up… knowing where I am and what levels I’m at provides comfort. I also liked the easy way in which it attaches to the body - just punch and done…