Libre 2+ trial

[This Old Grouse]

I received the Libre 2+ trial sensor today, hoping I can press my case for getting them on prescription. Hopefully the data gleaned in the next two weeks will help there. I have been doubting some of my FP tests over the past week or so, due to the strips being two years out of date. So far I have been pleased with the experience from the ease of application, to how unobtrusive it is. No struggling to let some blood for the next fortnight, I have tried several sticks and they have all struggled to pierce my skin, even on their deepest setting. Gleefully looking forward to the respite from sore finger tips, however brief.

 

[Leadinglights]

I received the Libre 2+ trial sensor today, hoping I can press my case for getting them on prescription. Hopefully the data gleaned in the next two weeks will help there. I have been doubting some of my FP tests over the past week or so, due to the strips being two years out of date. So far I have been pleased with the experience from the ease of application, to how unobtrusive it is. No struggling to let some blood for the next fortnight, I have tried several sticks and they have all struggled to pierce my skin, even on their deepest setting. Gleefully looking forward to the respite from sore finger tips, however brief.

I hope you get on OK with it and gain some useful information on which to base some dietary changes, you may still need to confirm some readings if they are unexpectedly high or low as the Libre does have some limitations which it is worth being aware of.
Many struggle to be prescribed finger prick monitors if Type 2 let alone a Libre so don't hold your breath./

 

[goodybags]

I received the Libre 2+ trial sensor today, hoping I can press my case for getting them on prescription. Hopefully the data gleaned in the next two weeks will help there. I have been doubting some of my FP tests over the past week or so, due to the strips being two years out of date. So far I have been pleased with the experience from the ease of application, to how unobtrusive it is. No struggling to let some blood for the next fortnight, I have tried several sticks and they have all struggled to pierce my skin, even on their deepest setting. Gleefully looking forward to the respite from sore finger tips, however brief.

hope you get on well with your trial Libra CGM, in regards you asking for on prescription CGM, what medication are you currently on @This Old Grouse

 

[This Old Grouse]

hope you get on well with your trial Libra CGM, in regards you asking for on prescription CGM, what medication are you currently on @This Old Grouse

Currently on 500mg Metformin, 3x a day, but struggling to keep my HbA1c down, although it is much better than at the beginning of March MySugr estimates it is hovering around 60 down from 109.

 

[helli]

If you use a CGM, it is important to understand the limitations. Otherwise, you maybe one of the many who find it incredibly frustrating rather than incredibly insightful.

H

Thread 'CGM limitations and precautions'

Sep 8, 2023

Moderator Note: This helpful reply was copied from another thread as it details some of the commonly experienced limitations of continuous glucose sensors.

My blood sugar has been in perfect range for days now, but although I haven't changed anything, I'm starting to get very short periods of hypos while I sleep and this morning I had a hypo alarm.

If these are very short periods of lows and occur overnight, they are more likely to be compression lows - when pressure is applied to a sensor, it will report a false low. The reason I say this is more likely to happen at...

• helli
• Replies: 23
• Forum: Pumping and Technology

• 
• 
• 

Unfortunately, this may mean you need the occasional finger prick with in date test strips.

 

[This Old Grouse]

Thanks @helli, yes, I have spent a lot of time on this forum recently, mostly reading the wealth of information here and understand about compression lows. I think they will not apply to me as I am a chronic insomniac and very rarely do I lie down. Currently experimenting with foods and a dry piece of wholemeal toast as a snack between breakfast (5am poached egg and salad) and lunch has sent my BG up to 11.2. so from now no snack of dry toast between meals for me.

 

[helli]

understand about compression lows.

These are not the only "limitations".
I strongly recommend you make sure you are aware of all of them.
For example, I find both highs and lows need to be checked as something like 11.2 may not be as high and you may believe your BG is rollercoastering more than it really is.

 

[rebrascora]

Is there a reason why you are having dry toast? If it is because you like it that way then fair enough, but a bit of butter on your toast will not increase the impact it has on your BG levels as there are no carbs in butter and it may actually lower the spike you get from the bread as the fat can slow down the release of glucose from the bread. That said I personally find it is best for me to avoid bread altogether. Nuts are my go to snack or cheese if I feel I need a snack.

 

[helli]

Is there a reason why you are having dry toast? If it is because you like it that way then fair enough, but a bit of butter on your toast will not increase the impact it has on your BG levels as there are no carbs in butter and it may actually lower the spike you get from the bread as the fat can slow down the release of glucose from the bread. That said I personally find it is best for me to avoid bread altogether. Nuts are my go to snack or cheese if I feel I need a snack.

I prefer my toast without butter - I find it makes it soggy if the butter is left to melt and I enjoy the crunch.
However, I do like toast and peanut butter which contains enough fat to reduce the speed on my BG rise.

 

[This Old Grouse]

@rebrascora I normally have it with peanut butter but don't have any in at the moment, shopping tomorrow. Plus I wanted to see what bread alone did still learning the combinations that work for me. since my change from HbA1c average of 45 for past three years to 109 at last check, have another one booked for 9th /17th April in case it was an error. I know they have been higher than 45 probably due to slipping at Christmas, I know I ate too many sweet things but not enough to skyrocket it for so long after. I have also cut my portion sizes right back to hopefully get back on track, but it is getting extremely low carb right now, have checked ketones and they seem fine. I really need to eat more than I currently am. What I don't get is why what I had been eating for the past three years is not working now?

 

[Leadinglights]

@rebrascora I normally have it with peanut butter but don't have any in at the moment, shopping tomorrow. Plus I wanted to see what bread alone did still learning the combinations that work for me. since my change from HbA1c average of 45 for past three years to 109 at last check, have another one booked for 9th /17th April in case it was an error. I know they have been higher than 45 probably due to slipping at Christmas, I know I ate too many sweet things but not enough to skyrocket it for so long after. I have also cut my portion sizes right back to hopefully get back on track, but it is getting extremely low carb right now, have checked ketones and they seem fine. I really need to eat more than I currently am. What I don't get is why what I had been eating for the past three years is not working now?

You have in your profile that you have COPD in which case do you take steroids as they can increase blood glucose quite significantly.

 

[This Old Grouse]

I do use a Trimbow inhaler, total of four puffs a day, which does include a steroid as one of it's ingredients. Thanks for noting this @Leadinglights. Do you think this could be the cause? I shall bring this up at my appointment on 17th April, I have quite the list of questions drawn up.

 

[Lucyr]

I received the Libre 2+ trial sensor today, hoping I can press my case for getting them on prescription.

If you’re t2 then to meet the nhs libre on prescription criteria you need to be injecting insulin2+ times a day as well as meeting other criteria for example having been advised to fingerprick 8+ times a day

If fingerpricking is making your fingers sore then you’re doing it wrong. What device do you use, where are you testing, what setting do you have it on etc? I use the almost universally favourite device accuchek fastclix and have it set to 0.5 depth, no pain whatsoever.

 

[Loobyloo]

If you’re t2 then to meet the nhs libre on prescription criteria you need to be injecting insulin2+ times a day as well as meeting other criteria for example having been advised to fingerprick 8+ times a day

If fingerpricking is making your fingers sore then you’re doing it wrong. What device do you use, where are you testing, what setting do you have it on etc? I use the almost universally favourite device accuchek fastclix and have it set to 0.5 depth, no pain whatsoever.

I second that, fastclix is virtually painless i use 1.5 depth.