I found an intriguing tidbit that I thought was worth sharing after following Michel’s post about Stackexchange. It has very few diabetes posts, but someone there is using the Freestyle Libre Pro, which is normally a physician’s tool, as a diabetes management tool.
The Freestyle Libre Pro is somewhat similar to the Freestyle Libre, in that it has a sensor that remains attached to the body for 2 weeks, and which you have to scan with a scanner to see the results. However, the sensor from the Freestyle Libre Pro stores the results (the Freestyle Libre sensor does not), so its scanner can show all the past data. You have to scan for every measurement, so obviously you can’t get alarms. The Freestyle Libre is not for sale in the US while the Pro is – the Pro is FDA approved, and intended for use by doctors, for them to see what their patients’ BG looks like in the past 2 weeks. It is possible to download the data from the scanner onto a computer.
However, the person in question was writing that he bought both sensors and scanner in India, and uses the system himself here. I looked up the price of the system in India: The sensors appear to cost $32 (2,000 rupees) for 2 weeks of use, while the scanner costs about $80 (5,000 rupees).
So, if you have access to someone who travels to India, you could get a year’s worth of CGM use with for about $900 – again, with no alarms. For us, this is somewhat of a non-starter because the alarms are critical to monitoring a child.
FYI, it appears that there are compatibility issues between the system used in India and the one used here, so I would not be sure if you can use Indian sensors with a US scanner and vice versa.
@MaryPat There area few workarounds to turn the Libre into a CGM that involve Bluetooth dongles. In order to have a receiver you have to use something open source like xDrip, which has connectivity to the Libre data.
@Kaelan No, there are ways to turn the Libre into a CGM.
I believe the Libre scanner uses NFC. There are NFC to Bluetooth dongles that are worn adjacent to the sensor and they constantly read the sensor and send the data out via Bluetooth to a receiver, usually a phone with an app on it that can read and interpret the data.
One is called the LimmiTTer (I think), and there are a couple in development on group funding sites. Most are European based for obvious reasons.
The LimiTTer is a DIY transmitter, a couple of months I heard about a company that sells ready-to-use transmitters: https://www.ambrosiasys.com/
I don’t have an FSL, but if I could afford it, I would consider building or buying a transmitter for use during the night. During the day I wouldn’t like to be disturbed by alarms, but while asleep it would be great if something could warn me.
That is VERY interesting! After reading @docslotnick’s post, I spent 45 minutes researching dongles. I found the LimiTTer on Github (it is beyond me), and found a couple of dongles that had tried to raise funds but none actually selling a real dongle – this is really a good find.
What is too bad, though, is that it is one-time use only: $35 per dongle, and you have to toss it every time you toss a sensor. Between the two, it’s only marginally cheaper than a Dexcom, a brand I really trust. I am still hoping that someone will come out with a commercial version of a long-living dongle!
edit: After reading Boerenkool’s comment below, I realized I was wrong – Ambrosia has a 2nd system, the Nightrider, that is a permanent dongle where you can change the battery! It costs $110, and this one is, in my opinion, a game changer if you have access to the Libre sensor.
If I had to use it, I would buy the more expensive reusable dongle. However, I read somewhere that their app doesn’t have an alarm function yet, which would defeat the whole purpose of the dongle to me.
oh, i really wish that i did; i am wearing one now that my endo put on me. it is sooooo much more comfortable and convenient than the dexcom sensor. it is half the size …the size of a silver dollar and almost as thin. it is attached to the back of my left shoulder. it is waterproof, so i can swim with it, and there is no receiver that goes to ??? every time i swim laps.
my endo will download it at the end of the 2 week period and have 24/7 access to my BGs. (and the scanner is pretty cool too.)
LIbre sensors can be bought on Ebay. I was looking for them a few weeks ago after reading a post on “the other site” concerning using the Libre pro to get a better idea of BG control. I haven’t bought any yet, as the prices were “a bit out of my wallet’s reach at the moment.”
In the past there some really good news.
Here in europe ara many people using the Libre as CGM. I self use a Sony Smartwatch 3 as NFC to Bluetooth bridge. There are some other projects for bridges. The most Information i got in the facebook group “freestyle libre freaks”
There are files with documentation and howto’s.
Some additional interesting links: https://bluetoolz.de/blueorder/#home https://mareklibre.blogspot.de/2017/08/transmiter-mini-eng.html?m=1
You also will find very interesting storys by searching for #WeAreNotWaiting
@jroth, welcome to the forum, and thanks for the interesting links!
If you have a minute, you may want to introduce yourself on this thread: Welcome, introduce yourself here!. I look forward to reading more of your posts!
Hi Mary,
Currently I’m following all the News and evolvement of #WeAreNotWaiting.
My current setup is:
Android Smartphone
Freestyle Libre FGM (I don’t have a CGM)
Sony Smartwatch 3 with special Firmware and NFC enabled.
LibreAlarm (scans every 10 minutes and transmitt the data to the smartphone)
xDrip+ (get the data and do the upload to my NightScout Web)
pebble smartwatch
In the next weeks i’ll get the NightRider from Ambrosia Systems (https://www.facebook.com/ambrosiasys/).
This will replace the Sony Smartwatch and the app LibreAlarm and the battery will be better.
xDrip+
This is the best App I ever seen!
I’m able to do calibration
I can see a forcecast of the bg value
visualize BG, Insulin, Carbs
send the data to my pebble smartwatch
my NightScout Web
I use it also ti visualize and collect data.
It has also reports,…
NightscoutLoader
An java based desktop app for analysing data
Later I plann to use AndroidAPS.
Currently my veo is not compatible. If its fault and I’ll get a new one, I’ll take the DANA RS.
Then I’ll be able to run a closed loop…
Thank you for the very valuable information, @jroth! I hope you will keep on updating us with your system changes. I am very interested in reading about your experience with Ambrosia Systems, as I have been following them for a while.
I just got the smartwatch 3 to read my Freestyle Libre according to your instructions, I however am used to using mmol as measurement and not mg/DL. I have switched to mmol in the app on my phone but still getting mg/DL on the watch. Do you guys have any idea how I fix this? Thank you in advance
