Every 23 seconds, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with diabetes.1 Every 23 seconds, someone’s life is at a crossroads.
Unlike with traditional blood glucose monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, such as the FreeStyle Libre family of products, are small sensor-based systems that provide real-time glucose readings every minute, day and night, without painful fingersticks,2,3 for people living with diabetes. This information can empower people to find greater control over their diabetes management decisions.
The problem? Only 1% of people living with diabetes around the world use CGMs.4
The FreeStyle Libre portfolio is the number one sensor-based glucose monitoring system in the world,5 having changed the lives of over 5 million people across more than 60 countries6 by providing breakthrough technology that is accessible and affordable.7 Yet, millions still don’t know this technology exists.
Is there someone in your life who has been affected by diabetes? Let them know about MyFreeStyle, which is a free diabetes education and support program that can teach them how to use one of the FreeStyle Libre CGM systems to manage their diabetes. If they have a commercial insurance program or pay with cash, they may be eligible to receive a voucher for a free8 CGM sensor when they sign up.
My countdown began with getting a diagnosis that probably saved my life. Over 15 years ago, my doctors told me I had Type 2 diabetes. My family had a long history of diabetes. And in the African- American community, diabetes is commonly referred to by the cute name “the sugar.” But I didn’t really know what that meant. I was scared. I was so scared of my diagnosis that I immediately sought comfort where I always had: food.
MY CROSSROADS: THE WORDS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE
“Mommy if you die…who’s going to be my bodyguard?” That shook me to my core. I tried to give up all kinds of foods, but that just made my glucose levels spike up and down. This led me to find FreeStyle Libre technology. This little sensor was a miracle that changed my life. It gives me my glucose information that is unique to my body so I can make healthier choices. It holds me accountable. But more importantly, it’s helping break this multi-generational diabetes history in my family. My son Jeffrey has picked up my passion for learning about food, nutrition, and health. Knowing that he has a better chance at a healthier lifestyle is a huge silver lining for me.
Little bits of the world here and there, but mostly darkness. That was my introduction to Type 1 diabetes. They told me I was out for a few days, but that’s all I really remember. I have Type 1 diabetes and was really sick and in something called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which can affect some people with diabetes. DKA is when the patient has very high blood glucose along with low, or almost no, insulin, which is very dangerous and requires hospitilization.9 My dad actually works at Abbott, so I’ve worn one of Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre CGM sensors since my second day home from the hospital after my diagnosis. I knew things were serious when I saw how scared my parents were…I wanted to stay on top of my diabetes for them and for me. My FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor gives me the confidence to know what my numbers are, where I’m at, and what direction I’m headed in. So I can make better choices on what I eat and when. I guess you could say that I truly had a countdown at a crossroads: I got a CGM because I absolutely had to have one and I’ve never looked back.
MY COUNTDOWN: WORRY FOR THE PEOPLE I LOVE
It’s not every day you realize you’ve got limited time to take care of the people you love. When I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, it hit hard. My mind raced with worries about caring for my family and parents. I met with my doctor right away, and we talked about a management plan. I’m a business executive, and I’m used to putting in my own research. So that’s what I did when I was diagnosed. I didn’t realize that Hispanic people are 70% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes.10 That knowledge can be really helpful to understand. Through online diabetes support groups, I learned about portion control while eating. Changes like that not only helped me...they nudged my family towards better food choices, blending our efforts towards a balanced lifestyle.
MY CROSSROADS: TAKING CHARGE WITH DATA
It’s like I suddenly was able to see that I’d been flying blind. My crossroads moment happened when I first started using a FreeStyle Libre 2 CGM. For me, the device was more than a piece of technology. It was a step towards normalcy, a medium to take control of my diabetes subtly and effectively. If my glucose levels were high, I’d walk; if they were low, I’d eat. In my case, it was as straightforward as that. Access to my personal health data allowed me to channel the proactivity I’d built up with my diet and lifestyle. And once I started using my sensor, I felt like I was in charge of my diabetes.
MY COUNTDOWN: PLACING BLAME ON MYSELF
One phone call can alter the course of your life. “Mrs. List, I regret to inform you that you have diabetes.” I still remember picking up the phone and hearing those words from my doctor. That diagnosis led me down a path of self-blame. I thought I could get away with not checking my glucose levels every day of the week. I didn’t feel like I had the discipline to make it part of my life. In the end, my family stepped up to help me. They showed me the value of small changes that can have a big impact. I started walking slowly, building up from a half-mile a day to a mile, then two, then three miles.
MY CROSSROADS: A COMPLETE MINDSET SHIFT
My FreeStyle Libre 2 system helped me realize it was never about discipline or willpower—it was about data and information, pure and simple. My daughter gave me my crossroads moment. She told me about this new device that could check my glucose levels continuously, without the need for fingersticks.3,4 My doctor and I made the decision to try it together. Seeing that I have the power to take action to control my glucose levels helped me get past the doubt, the shame, the self-blame. Now I feel ready to welcome what life brings. It may have taken a while, but my FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor helped me get here. And here I am, ready to take on the world.
MY COUNTDOWN: RIGHT WITHIN REACH, YET SO FAR
At one point I thought: “This tech could be game-changing for me. So why is it so hard to get it covered?” My dad had diabetes, and I knew it came with a lot of health problems. A myriad of issues worried me when I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. High blood pressure. Cholesterol. Kidney issues. Eyesight. I knew there’d be a tremendous number of concerns that I’d now have to worry about. I’ve never liked needles, and eventually, my fingers started to get numb. So, you can imagine my frustration when my Medicaid plan wouldn’t provide coverage.
MY CROSSROADS: WINNING THE FIGHT … FOR MY OWN DATA
When I finally got covered and put on a FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor for the first time, the past six years of waiting melted away. It was so worth it. Not needing to prick my finger3,4 to check my glucose levels was everything I’d expected. But it really hit me when the CGM data came up in my doctor appointments – where my doctor saw the data in LibreView,11 too! That was my crossroads moment – when I realized that this was a whole new world, a whole new way of working with my healthcare team. It took me six years to get my CGM covered. Seeing how I’m doing now, I can tell you that every day of waiting was worth it.
MY COUNTDOWN: NAVIGATING A NEW PATH WITH A FAMILIAR CHALLENGE
You manage your gestational diabetes, and once you give birth, you’re kind of done with it. Little did I know, my journey was just beginning. The turning point in my life was when I received the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. It wasn't entirely unexpected, given my history with gestational diabetes during both of my pregnancies. The gravity of living with it hit me with a mix of emotions. With gestational diabetes, there was an end goal — a tough but temporary path where you persevere for a while and then move on. It was a hard realization that this time, it wasn't a fleeting phase.
MY CROSSROADS: EMBRACING THE CGM REVOLUTION
I can still live my life as I choose. CGM gives me a view into what's going on inside my body. It gives me visibility into the impact of food and lifestyle choices on my glucose levels. My real Crossroads Moment was when I recognized the power of data in adjusting my medication. Monitoring my numbers with my FreeStyle Libre 3 system during sleep allowed me to fine-tune my medication to align it with the changing needs of my body. Wearing a CGM is like an extra set of eyes, guiding you through the invisible struggles of diabetes. As I continue this journey, my goal is to control my diabetes through proactive lifestyle changes, making each day a step toward a healthier future.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed on this website should not be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice. Individual symptoms, situations and circumstances may vary. Sherri Shepherd is a paid ambassador for FreeStyle Libre portfolio.
References:
1 Research is the Key to Ending Diabetes. American Diabetes Association. Accessed September 27, 2023. https://diabetes.org/ways-to-give/donations.
2 FreeStyle Libre 14 day system: Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings, when you suspect readings may be inaccurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.
3 FreeStyle Libre 2 and FreeStyle Libre 3 systems: Fingersticks are required if your glucose alarms and readings do not match symptoms or when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol during the first 12 hours.
4 International Diabetes Federation, IDF Diabetes Atlas 10th edition, 2021; Seagrove Partners, Diabetes Bluebook, August 2023.
5 Data based on the number of users worldwide for FreeStyle Libre family of personal CGMs compared to the number of users for other leading personal CGM brands and based on CGM sales dollars compared to other leading personal CGM brands.
6 Data on file, Abbott Diabetes Care.
7 Based on a comparison of list prices of the FreeStyle Libre 14-day, FreeStyle Libre 2, and FreeStyle Libre 3 systems versus competitors' CGM systems, assuming annual use of one receiver (or equivalent hardware) and quantity of transmitters and/or sensors according to use life. The actual cost to patients may or may not be lower than other CGM systems, depending on the amount covered by insurance, if any.
8 Eligible patients will receive one (1) FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor for users with a compatible mobile phone operating system at $0 copay. The expiration date of the voucher is 60 days from the issue date. This program is available for patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes; it is not available for patients with gestational diabetes. Only patients ages 18 and older are eligible to sign up and receive an offer for the FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor and patients ages 4-17 are eligible to receive an offer for the FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor through their parent or guardian. This offer is void where prohibited by law. Abbott may modify or rescind this offer at any time without notice. The discounts are not available to beneficiaries of Medicare, Medicaid or other federal or state healthcare programs or residents of Massachusetts, Puerto Rico and other US territories. The free FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor is provided as a sample and is limited to one NDC per eligible person. The FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor cannot be re-sold, traded
9 Diabetes complications: Diabetes & DKA (Ketoacidosis). American Diabetes Association. Accessed September 27, 2023. https://diabetes.org/diabetes/dka-ketoacidosis-ketones.
10 Diabetes and Hispanic Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/diabetes-and-hispanic-americans
11 The LibreView data management software is intended for use by both patients and healthcare professionals to assist people with diabetes and their healthcare professionals in the review, analysis and evaluation of historical glucose meter data to support effective diabetes management. The LibreView software is not intended to provide treatment decisions or to be used as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
FreeStyle Libre 14 day, FreeStyle Libre 2 and FreeStyle Libre 3 systems
Failure to use FreeStyle Libre systems as instructed in labeling may result in missing a severe low or high glucose event and/or making a treatment decision, resulting in injury. If glucose reading and alarms (if enabled) do not match symptoms or expectations, use a fingerstick value from a blood glucose meter for treatment decisions. Seek medical attention when appropriate or contact Abbott at 855-632-8658 or FreeStyleLibre.us for safety info.
FreeStyle Libre Customer Service
People in the U.S. who have questions about the FreeStyle Libre portfolio can reach out to Abbott's Customer Service toll-free at 855-632-8658. Agents are available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding holidays.
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