James self-funds the FreeStyle Libre 2 for his type 2 diabetes as he can't get it on prescription.
FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors were phased out in the UK at the end of August 2025, meaning that people living with diabetes who use the sensors need to transition to using FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensors. Find out more in our news article.
Benefits
I'm able to get virtually real-time readings for my blood sugar levels. I can set an alarm which wakes me at night if I have low blood sugar - a hypo - that starts before I need an ambulance (in time for me to do something about it).
The same applies to high bloow sugar - hypers, which are rare for me - which tend to occur during the day. This gives me averages for a range of measurements including HbA1c and tells me percentage time in range.
This is easy to show people if I'm ever in trouble — they understand a red flashing number more easily than a standard meter.
Thanks to my Libre 2 I have not had to call an ambulance for many, many months and indeed in recent weeks I have been achieving many days of 100% in target range.
Limitations
I live in South Gloucestershire so I have to self-fund, despite meeting NICE guidelines for NHS funding. It's very expensive. And I've had several faulty sensors from new.
Another issue I've found is that many clinicians seem unable to use the excellent app that comes with it.
What led you to use tech?
I take around 110 fast-acting units, and 80 glargine units per day — 8-to-10 injections per day, and I was regularly having hypos and hypers.
I was getting infections from the amount of blood testing pricks I was doing, and I had several myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) that were attributed to unstable diabetes. I also developed finger infections from prick tests.
When my daughter-in-law was prescribed a Libre 2, I contacted Abbott, the makers of the Libre, and went on a trial. I saw a massive improvement in just a few weeks.
