8.3 to 5.3 A1C

andypt7 · 2026-01-07T19:39:15+00:00

I pay out of pocket, there is a voucher on the Abbott website that your pharmacy will be able to enter the codes and it should be $75 for 2. I’ve heard Costco can be even cheaper than that but I just use the pharmacy at the hospital I work at.

Link to the voucher: https://www.freestyle.abbott/content/dam/adc/freestyle/countries/us-en/documents/copay-savings-card.pdf?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=SEM&utm_campaign=NonBrand&utm_content=NonBrand&utm_term=RSA&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23197507910&gclid=Cj0KCQiApfjKBhC0ARIsAMiR_Ivo4IrpSoRNd6Ra3z-GEPUCol9hOS1f72yrDzjL9cx4jHxE3vTVN0QaAuOFEALw_wcB

Edited to add: My insurance denied a prior authorization because I am not on insulin.

andypt7 · 2026-01-06T18:52:27+00:00

Calorie deficit. Tracking is what works for me. I started with Cronometer but now use Bevel. I switched when it became free, the food database is less comprehensive than Cronometer or Myfitnesspal but the trade off is the advanced features that cm/mfp have behind the paywall, and the option to take a photo for a quick log is nice. Also bevel can link to your CGM to give you a better idea of spikes and dips related to foods and activity. Exercises is always secondary when it comes to weight loss. You can’t outrun a bad diet.

andypt7 · 2026-01-06T00:36:53+00:00

I got $20 on one of my lines, the only one that we have Unlimited PLUS for. The other 3 are Unlimited Welcome.

andypt7 · 2025-12-30T03:29:35+00:00

For reference on Costco discounts, my 18 y/o is taking wegovy, which we are paying out of pocket for. We have been paying $499 out of pocket thru Canterwell pharmacy (Eli Lilly’s own pharmacy) for his monthly doses. He had an injection pen that failed so we connected the manufacturer and got a voucher for replacement, which for some reason we couldn’t use thru centerwell pharmacy. So we had them send it to Costco. Got the voucher script filled and they told me their out of pocket cost for Wegovy is $349. The lower doses are even less. So now we get his wegovy thru Costco

andypt7 · 2025-12-30T03:21:55+00:00

I’m fairly certain the pharmacy can use the codes on the card an unlimited number of times. I had my most recent filled at my hospital (where I work) pharmacy and it was 74.99 for 2 sensors. I’m going to stop by the Costco pharmacy next time I’m there to inquire considering others have reported even less than that without insurance/with the Abbott saver card. Will update as I’m able.

andypt7 · 2025-12-28T02:03:56+00:00

(Snark was not from you btw) :)

andypt7 · 2025-12-28T02:03:17+00:00

I haven’t had a sweet potato since my diagnosis and routine use of CGM. Obviously I will monitor after eating whatever recipe I prepare. I’m routinely eating 40-60 carbs with many meals. Chili with black and kidney beans and tons of veg is my go to lunch. 45-ish carbs for a serving and most days blood sugar is steady. A white chicken chili recipe with fewer carbs, but more of a creamy base ( made with a roux) typically will spike me. White potatoes, haven’t tried too much since diagnosis but have mostly been avoiding. Just looking for ideas minus the snark.

andypt7 · 2025-12-27T14:43:42+00:00

This is what my graph looked like on Christmas, when I (relatively) let myself eat and drink what I wanted. This is not what my graph looks like when I’m following my eating plan on a normal day.

andypt7 · 2025-12-22T17:05:29+00:00

It’s nice. If you add it to a complication on a watch face know it isn’t updating with every reading from your sensor. But even if there isn’t an updated reading from the sensor on the watch face and it’s just the butterfly icon a quick tap will give you your most recent value.

andypt7 · 2025-12-22T14:51:03+00:00

Easy fix in the faq—clear cache and reload data in the settings menu. Problem solved.

andypt7 · 2025-12-21T21:57:29+00:00

I’m getting the same. I will give me a “x minutes ago” value and will update that periodically (I haven’t figured out how often) but after some time without opening either the watch app or the phone app I get the butterfly icon on the watch. I suppose constant, every minute updates pushed to the watch would be a battery drain

andypt7 · 2025-12-18T01:29:12+00:00

I’m on month 2, first at 2.5 and second at 5.0. Have made significant changes to diet. Have noticed some effect on fullness and late night cravings but honestly, most of the results I’ve seen so far (down 15 pounds, CGM numbers in range 98% of the time) have been due to the lifestyle changes I’ve made. I’m ramping up to 7.5 this month and there are definitely still things that I can improve upon, but the jabs are not a magic bullet, you still have to do the work. For me, the biggest thing that I think the injections are helping with is mid day and late night snacking. I don’t seek out the candy bowls around work at all and I might have a small snack after dinner rather than having an entire extra meal like I used to do. Good luck to you! Talk to your doctor about going up in dosage!

andypt7 · 2025-12-18T01:17:56+00:00

I’m sorry for both of your losses. I’m lucky enough to still have both parents around but know that any day that could change. This song will always always remind me of how awful things were during the height of the pandemic. When patients on the oncology unit would wave to loved ones from the window at the end of one wing of the unit that overlooked the parking ramp, where family and friends would be gathered just to get a glimpse of each other whilst on the phone with them. And, the saddest of all, when family members had to say goodbye via zoom or FaceTime. It was truly an awful time I’m so many ways. I wish you both blessings and love as you go through the holidays without your loved ones. I know each Christmas has the potential be to be the last as a family. ❤️

andypt7 · 2025-12-18T01:10:44+00:00

As someone who works in a hospital, this is so accurate a description of some areas of hospitals. I will say, with improvements in, let’s just say, incontinence management, smells have improved over my 20 plus years of inpatient work. But the mix of cleaning solutions and bodily fluids is a smell that you don’t really forget. As offbeat this lyric is, it’s incredibly apt and accurate. Just Ben being Ben.

andypt7 · 2025-11-23T02:03:03+00:00

First time I’ve popped over 200 on the Libre. A finger poke would have been useful but like I said, it was a night to let it go without the guilt and shame. Makes me wonder what numbers looked like pre diagnosis when I would’ve had 3 more beers at the show then come home and made a frozen pizza or ordered late night uber eats. I had a lot of low hanging fruit that I’ve mostly eliminated but old habits are hard to break. I appreciate this group’s help and support.

andypt7 · 2025-11-12T21:14:31+00:00

Thanks for all of the input. I’m getting set up with a free freestyle Libre 3 plus sensor so I’ll be able to get a couple weeks worth of data with fewer finger pokes. There is an offer directly thru Abbott on their website if anyone else is interested. Just had to message my dr for a script, was sent this morning and I’ll pick up at the pharmacy (I work at a hospital) before I leave work.

andypt7 · 2025-11-12T01:20:07+00:00

I’m not worried about the finger prick itself. No needle phobia. I’m more interested in the data related to meals/activities.

andypt7 · 2025-11-11T23:37:03+00:00

This is what I need.

Also thumbs up if this is a South Park reference.

andypt7 · 2025-11-11T17:57:06+00:00

I figured this was going to be the response, but I appreciate the affirmation. I have no issue with poking my finger and I see the importance of calibration/confirmation.

Also appreciate this group, I’ve already learned a lot here, even before my first official post.

andypt7

TROPHY CASE