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Freestyle Libre 2

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
R

Ratbag

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hello

My free trial has just arrived and I scared. The needle looks big. Does it hurt applying it please?
 
No, not at all.
 
Usually no but you can get the odd one that nips due to hitting something on application, some use a method of pressing around the area where they are going to apply it and if you feel a tingle avoid that spot as there's a nerve there xx
 
As others have said, it is relatively painless.
There is a loudish clang when the sensor is attached and the shock of that will distract you from any pain.

Bear in mind that the needle you see is only used to apply the sensor, it does not remain in your arm. All that remains is a very fine filament.

Hope you get some great data from your trial. I highly recommend reading about the limitations. You will be very disappointed if you expect the sensor to be as accurate as finger pricking all the time - the value is from the trends.
 
Well done @Ratbag

I hope that the trends you see on the graphs help you, and also the direction of travel alongside the glucose reading. I found it great for identifying specific foods that made my glucose levels spike more than others and then did swaps and/or reduced portion sizes.

Let us know how you get on.
 
Thank you. Looking forward to new discoveries.

I am worried about the cost going forward though.

Are there other similar technologies that are cheaper?
 
Ratbag said:
Thank you. Looking forward to new discoveries.

I am worried about the cost going forward though.

Are there other similar technologies that are cheaper?
Click to expand...
As far as know this the cheapest around.
 
Hi and I'm sure you will find the Libre 2 great as I do. I applied my current one a bit too near the bony part of my arm (I'm slim) and sometimes feel it, so always best to use a fleshy area.
 
Ratbag said:
I am worried about the cost going forward though.
Click to expand...
It is common not to wear one all the time.
At first you are able to gather information about what foods and activities affect your blood sugars.
Once you have this information, unless you have a change in lifestyle or take medication which may cause hyposm you do not need it all the time - you can wear one occasionally to check there have been no significant change.
 
helli said:
or take medication which may cause hyposm
Click to expand...
Don't think I've ever experienced one of these! LOL (sorry couldn't resist!) xx
 
Ellie Jones said:
Had my webinar training today, so now wearing the sensor, and no it didn't hurt and can't really feel its there...
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I just responded to your other post.
Something I forgot to mention ... but is equally relevant on this thread ... is that some of us find the sensors are less accurate for the first day or two after inserting as our bodies get used to have an alien object inserted into our arms. For this reason, I usually insert my sensor a couple of days before activating it so it is no longer considered alien whilst it is working.
I suspect you were advised to activate it straight away. That's fine. Just be a little more suspicious of the first couple of days of readings and don't be put off if they seem off.
On the other hand, you may be one of the lucky ones who don't experience this ... it's just something else where we are all different 🙂
 
⁸
helli said:
I just responded to your other post.
Something I forgot to mention ... but is equally relevant on this thread ... is that some of us find the sensors are less accurate for the first day or two after inserting as our bodies get used to have an alien object inserted into our arms. For this reason, I usually insert my sensor a couple of days before activating it so it is no longer considered alien whilst it is working.
I suspect you were advised to activate it straight away. That's fine. Just be a little more suspicious of the first couple of days of readings and don't be put off if they seem off.
On the other hand, you may be one of the lucky ones who don't experience this ... it's just something else where we are all different 🙂
Click to expand...
Thank you.
 
Supratad said:
Oh good. I was concerned that if you thought the Libre needle was big, the Covid one was going to freak you out.
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I think its just the same administering that is worse. I close my eyes normally but that doesn't work if youre in charge.
 
Ratbag said:
I think its just the same administering that is worse. I close my eyes normally but that doesn't work if youre in charge.
Click to expand...
Ah you probably didn’t get a proper look at it. The Covid one is more then 10x the libre one. The libre one might well be the tiniest type needle used on people.
 
When applying, I tend to flex my arm so it presents a more "solid" target to the "needle". A bit like pinching some skin before injecting, a bit more "stuff" to inject into. Good luck
 
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