Managing Diabetes With New Technology

I am officially managing diabetes with new technology! I have been a Type II diabetic for 16 years.  My journey with diabetes started when I  was pregnant. I developed gestational diabetes and took insulin shots twice a day until my son was born.  A few months after he was born, I received my diagnosis of Type II Diabetes.  Fast forward 11 years and I had heart surgery.  Since then, my blood glucose levels have been unmanageable.  After trying nearly everything, my cardiologist sent me on to see an endocrinologist.  My appointment was this past Monday.

I fully went in expecting to be put on insulin shots again.  I dreaded returning to the days of checking my levels by sticking my finger several times a day and giving myself inulin shots again.  But I have reached the point where if they told me to get my nose pierced I would do it if it would help.  I have been feeling so bad for so long and just want to feel good again.

Meeting The Endocrinologist

My doctor turned out to be amazing.  She was very proactive and supportive.  I explained to her that no matter what I ate, my glucose levels were high.  I always felt hungry.  I had tried doing keto….low carb, everything.  She explained that she didn’t think I needed insulin just yet and she noticed some hormonal things going on in the bloodwork that would explain why I was always hungry as well.  She took me off of Metformin and prescribed two new medications, Synjardy and Ozempic, which is a once-a-week injection.  I go back in two weeks to see how this is working for me.

Managing Diabetes With New Technology

But, the coolest thing is that I am now managing diabetes with new technology!  I had NO idea how far technology has come when it comes to checking blood glucose levels.  I am now proudly wearing a FreeStyle Libre 2 continuous glucose monitor.  This little sensor inserts into the skin and you wear it on the back of your arm, like this:

The sensor is good for two weeks.  It comes with a hand-held reader and an alarm goes off if my blood glucose levels are high or if it can’t detect the sensor for some reason.  Here is my reader, with a very high reading:

The best part? I never felt the sensor go into my skin.  I actually had to ask the nurse was it IN my skin, or just stuck to my skin like a sticker.  I don’t even notice I have it on.  It’s also fine for me to shower with.  It’s even comfortable while sleeping.  I just have to watch when I put on or take off my shirts and bras.

I am loving that I don’t have to prick my finger daily to check my numbers.  All I do is hold the little reader up to the sensor on my arm and it scans it automatically and keeps track of my readings in the logbook.  It also has graphs as well.

I’m pretty sure it’s only available by prescription, but if you have to check your blood sugar levels daily, then this is a wonderful alternative to regular glucose monitors.  I am so thankful for this new technology and the fact that it literally saves me time and makes this part of trying to manage my diabetes much easier.

I did not receive this monitor for review.  I am not a healthcare professional.  I am not offering health advice.  I’m just sharing what is working for me. No affiliate links in this post.