New Doctor, New Data

Frustrated but persistent, Clarke was confident she was doing all she could physically to keep her numbers in line. She vowed to continue to acquire information until she learned why her condition wasn't improving.

"I was ready to go to every doctor in the city until someone listened. I was doing everything I should, so what was going on with me?" Clarke said.

Fortunately, her next physician better understood her concerns and shared Clarke's enthusiasm for learning more. After the new doctor agreed to prescribe the FreeStyle Libre 14-day system, they were better able to communicate, with months of data to discuss.

"She could see how hard I was working and only getting marginal results," Clarke said. "I had lots of data and data don't lie. I could show when I had dinner and the impact it had. It added a layer of credibility and quantifiability to what I was saying."

This additional clarity led to a new finding: That Clarke's second physician would not be her last. She needed an endocrinologist to move forward in her care.

The Comfort of Numbers

Like Clarke, her doctor was always open to evolving his thought process and treatment to new ideas: Like the Freestyle Libre 2 system.

This next iteration device was the only CGM, at the time of its release, that measured glucose every minute, while meeting the highest accuracy standards,² with optional, customizable and real-time alarms that alert users if they are too high or low.³

Clarke's infatuation with the new device was both medical and psychological. The customizable alarms allowed her to stay ahead of her glucose levels, letting her know when her numbers were getting too high or low, before her body reacted to the changes.

"I wasn't worried all the time because I knew the alarms would tip me off before I got into trouble," Clarke said. "I keep my customized, acceptable ranges tight so I could catch highs and lows quickly. That gave me great peace of mind."

That feeling of confidence has only increased since the launch of Freestyle Libre 3 in the U.S., the newest and most advanced of our CGMs. The device has some pretty nice features, including:

• The world's smallest, thinnest (among patient-applied sensors⁴) and most accurate 14-day glucose sensor.
• It automatically sends real-time, minute-by-minute glucose readings to a compatible smartphone⁵ without scanning.
• The strongest Bluetooth range amongst CGM.⁶

The numbers nerd in Clarke continues to be infatuated with the options provided: "My doctor and I love to discuss time in range, which lets me track how I’m doing. I can see what my custom time in range is. I like being able to personalize based on my knowledge of my body, and I love meeting my own goals."

Information Shared, Community Formed

With the technology attached to the back of her upper arm and a laptop in front of her, Mila Clarke sets out each day to help others who are where she has been: Maybe a little isolated and maybe a little afraid.

"I felt alone for so long. I didn’t want people to know I had diabetes. There was a stigma," Clarke said.

Over time, however, she realized that sharing her life, even her glucose data, with friends brought messages of support, encouragement, and comradery. Loved ones would ask questions, further expanding chances to talk openly.

She started forming a community with Hangrywoman.com, as well as seeing a path forward to make others feel more comfortable with their lives. "I found myself opening up, even educating, letting people into a world they likely didn't know," Clarke said. “People started asking questions. It was liberating."

Food and Facts

It was also informative and potentially transformative. Aware of how intimidating diabetes-related content can be, she decided to feed both stomachs and minds.

"Food is such an important part of the diabetes lifestyle and I’ve always loved to make great food for my friends. People would ask for my recipes so now I add them to my blog," Clarke said.

But she's equally determined to make her other content just as digestible, taking complex information and breaking it down so it is more understandable to readers.

"I want them to have information that doesn’t read like a research study, that engages them," Clarke said. "This, combined with the person-to-person discussions helps reduce feelings of isolation."

Clarke is especially sensitive to the idea of people feeling they can't share with others. "My mom and I talked about how we wished we'd discussed diabetes earlier," she said. "I'd have loved to have been able to help ease her burden. Fixing meals, fingersticks, anything."

As she continues to grow and nurture her community, Clarke knows the brightest future is one illuminated by information, evolving technology and simple human contact: "With encouragement, accountability, technological support and help, you can live a great life with diabetes. But we have to talk about it, or we can’t get the help we all need."

The testimonial presented reflects the real-life experience of someone that has chosen to use an Abbott product and is only applicable to the individual providing the testimonial. It may not be indicative of future outcomes for prospective patients.  Abbott does not claim that these are typical responses or experiences that a patient will generally encounter. In the case you are experiencing any of the symptoms noted within please consult your healthcare provider before making any diagnostic, treatment, or other medical decisions.

References
 
¹ 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.
² Based on FDA iCGM special controls.
³ Notifications will only be received when alarms are turned on and the sensor is within 20 feet of the reading device.
⁴ Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care.
⁵ The FreeStyle Libre 3 app is only compatible with certain mobile devices and operating systems. Please check our website for more information about device compatibility before using the app. Use of the FreeStyle Libre 3 app requires registration with LibreView.
⁶ Based on the signal strength in Dexcom G6 CGM User Guide and Medtronic Guardian Connect System User Guide. 

This story was originally published on Oct. 25, 2022, and updated on Jan. 9, 2023.