Just joined and very pleased to be in touch with other Diabetics. I am a medalist with 52 yrs under my belt. Presently on multiple injections and blood testing with expert meter. Very disappointed that I am unable to use Libre sensors as I have developed an allergy to both adhesive ( terrible itchy rash within 24 hrs) and the probe ( pea size lump). Anyone any advise on dealing with this ? I have tried Cavilon spray, but didn't help. Thanks for any advice guys !
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Hi there !
- Thread starter briepayne
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rebrascora
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Hi and welcome. Great to have your vast experience added to the forum!
How disappointing that you can't get along with Libre! Have you tried Dexcom? Or someone else on the forum was trialing Glucomen CGM I believe. Out of interest, do you need special/particular needles for your MDI to prevent lumps forming.... Just wondering if it is a coating on the filament to help it slide in smoothly or the actual substance it is made from. I would guess if you also experience problems with certain needles then it may be a coating.
If you tried Dexcom and found it was better, I think there may be a change to NICE guidelines coming up which might make it a prescription option in some cases.
Which insulins do you use and how do you find them. Have you ever fancied a pump?
Are there any bits of wisdom you have found helpful over the years in managing your diabetes that you would like to share? Congrats on your medal by the way!
How disappointing that you can't get along with Libre! Have you tried Dexcom? Or someone else on the forum was trialing Glucomen CGM I believe. Out of interest, do you need special/particular needles for your MDI to prevent lumps forming.... Just wondering if it is a coating on the filament to help it slide in smoothly or the actual substance it is made from. I would guess if you also experience problems with certain needles then it may be a coating.
If you tried Dexcom and found it was better, I think there may be a change to NICE guidelines coming up which might make it a prescription option in some cases.
Which insulins do you use and how do you find them. Have you ever fancied a pump?
Are there any bits of wisdom you have found helpful over the years in managing your diabetes that you would like to share? Congrats on your medal by the way!
Bruce Stephens
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There's a paper which might help, but I'm afraid it may well just list things you've tried: Preserving Skin Integrity with Chronic Device Use in Diabetes
Your best bet is probably to try some different devices as @rebrascora suggests.
Inka
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Welcome @briepayne 🙂
Pumper_Sue
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Hello and welcome to the forum 🙂
I know some people use tegaderm sp* the apply the patch first then the sensor on top. This might be worth a try, nothing to loose anyway.
Thank you all for your welcome and suggestions, will try anything suggested ( within reason !) I have always had problems with lumps and hollows but these are better on more refined insulin, I take Tresiba long-acting and Apidra short acting in pens.After 52 yrs my injection areas have become thickened even though I move around as much as possible.
I take fish oil, multivits and magnesium to try to help with my immunity/cholesterol etc. I also have Praluent injections once a fortnight to combat cholesterol as I can't tolerate statins. I have 3 stents in my coronaries due to Ischaemic heart disease, and aortic stenosis. I am about to have my second Cataract operation and have had laser treatment to one eye for retinopathy.
Pumps I have tried since my first in 1985, for my pregnancies especially, I have 2 healthy children in their 30s.I am on the wait list to try a new one but concerned about skin reactions.
I am told Dexcom use same adhesive patches so haven't been offered any. Needles are not generally a problem, but I seem to have periods where I become more sensitive and get more bruising and reactions.
Would love to hear of others who struggle with these things.
Thank you for reading this !
I take fish oil, multivits and magnesium to try to help with my immunity/cholesterol etc. I also have Praluent injections once a fortnight to combat cholesterol as I can't tolerate statins. I have 3 stents in my coronaries due to Ischaemic heart disease, and aortic stenosis. I am about to have my second Cataract operation and have had laser treatment to one eye for retinopathy.
Pumps I have tried since my first in 1985, for my pregnancies especially, I have 2 healthy children in their 30s.I am on the wait list to try a new one but concerned about skin reactions.
I am told Dexcom use same adhesive patches so haven't been offered any. Needles are not generally a problem, but I seem to have periods where I become more sensitive and get more bruising and reactions.
Would love to hear of others who struggle with these things.
Thank you for reading this !
SB2015
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- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome to the forum @briepayne
Great to have your experiences to tap into on the forum.
Sorry to hear that you have had difficulties with various sensors and also with needle sites.
I was surprised what a difference in bruising came with a change of needles. I had used BD Microfine but was switched to RX needles, and suddenly had loads of bruising, as there were fewer bevels in the needle, and reactions as the lubricant was different. I t might be worth trying a different make.
For my sensors (Medtronic Guardian 3 at present) I did use a tegaderm under it with a small hole for the needle when I had a bad reaction but it settled. I do find using adhesive removal wipes stops me ending up with sore arms when taking them off.
I look forward to hearing more from you.
Great to have your experiences to tap into on the forum.
Sorry to hear that you have had difficulties with various sensors and also with needle sites.
I was surprised what a difference in bruising came with a change of needles. I had used BD Microfine but was switched to RX needles, and suddenly had loads of bruising, as there were fewer bevels in the needle, and reactions as the lubricant was different. I t might be worth trying a different make.
For my sensors (Medtronic Guardian 3 at present) I did use a tegaderm under it with a small hole for the needle when I had a bad reaction but it settled. I do find using adhesive removal wipes stops me ending up with sore arms when taking them off.
I look forward to hearing more from you.
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Welcome to the forum @briepayne
Hope you can find a workaround to your sensor sensitivity (or find an alternative type).
Excitingly it seems like NICE may be changing the recommendations on CGM for T1s to ’offer’ which is their strongest positive - so it may be that over the next 12 months or so, many more T1s can get access to full CGM.
I bet you’ve seen a whole lot of changes over your years with diabetes. Are you connected to the Diabetes UK Medallists Group?
Hope you can find a workaround to your sensor sensitivity (or find an alternative type).
Excitingly it seems like NICE may be changing the recommendations on CGM for T1s to ’offer’ which is their strongest positive - so it may be that over the next 12 months or so, many more T1s can get access to full CGM.
I bet you’ve seen a whole lot of changes over your years with diabetes. Are you connected to the Diabetes UK Medallists Group?
Thank you Mike, yes I am connected to medalists group, valuable.
Thanks for your welcome, its great to feel connected ! Yes I noticed I have been changed to RX needles, guess they are cheaper ! Can I request BD microfine ?
I shall look up Medronic Guardian sensors maybe they use a different adhesive ? With Libre it's difficult to get the needle through a hole in a dressing as applicator covers about a 5cm circle and can't see through it ! Is guardian different ? I look forward to hearing more !
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