Hi I’m Nanette , diagnosed about 5 weeks ago and using a libre sensor. First 2 we’re no problem, but the third one I put on yesterday started nipping and hurting. I removed it and put in a new one at different site, but this one is also hurting, especially when I scan & it feels hot. Had no luck trying to ask on libre website and diabetes nurse not on at weekends. Has anyone had this problem? Should I remove this one snd try another one ? As I’m just learning, this sensor has been invaluable to helping me control BG & prevent hypos & Im a bit panicky about doing without it. Would appreciate any advice - thank you
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Libre sensor problem
- Thread starter Nanette
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Thank you Ian- yes it does seem like that might be the case - I’m just not sure whether to remove it or put up with it till I can speak to the nurse on Monday. I can’t imagine not being able to use this sensor as my BG is up and down like a yo-yo - hard to keep it under control with finger pricks when it’s all so new to me.
Sorry to read about your sensor problems. I am afraid I have no answer whether to remove as that depends whether you can tolerate it
However, I wanted to comment on "because Ng able to control" "yoyo-ing level"
Firstly, I strongly believe trying to control diabetes is asking for failure. There are so many things which can affect our levels that the best we can do is manage it. Trying to control it can lead to mental fatigue and burn out
Technology like Libre us great but things were easier when we just had finger pricks. Remember, many of us have managed our diabetes that way for most of our d lives. People got their 50 year medals and most of that time was without even finger pricks
Our levels do yoyo. They do not stay the same.
So, my advice is not to worry if you have to take a Libre break. It maybe good for your mental health and unlikely to be bad for your d health.
However, I wanted to comment on "because Ng able to control" "yoyo-ing level"
Firstly, I strongly believe trying to control diabetes is asking for failure. There are so many things which can affect our levels that the best we can do is manage it. Trying to control it can lead to mental fatigue and burn out
Technology like Libre us great but things were easier when we just had finger pricks. Remember, many of us have managed our diabetes that way for most of our d lives. People got their 50 year medals and most of that time was without even finger pricks
Our levels do yoyo. They do not stay the same.
So, my advice is not to worry if you have to take a Libre break. It maybe good for your mental health and unlikely to be bad for your d health.
Thank you, that’s very reassuring and helpful. It had crossed my mind about how did people manage before & yes I’m quite focussed and possibly obsessed about checking BG and keeping within target to prevent hypos, which seem to happen fairly frequently. I still have the sensor on and note this morning that I had one while sleeping at about 3am, which resolved without treatment ? It’s all very confusing for me at the moment and although my hospital diabetic team say to call anytime , they are never at the end of the phone when you need an answer or are anxious, although they always call back as soon as they can. There is no one to talk to at weekends. I’m grateful for your comment
Are you sure that was a hypo not a compression low!
When pressure is applied to a sensor, it will report a false low
Most temporary dips during the night are due to lying on the sensor.
Libre have limitations and, unfortunately, it is rare to he told about them when we get given them. The compression low is one. Time taken to bed in is another (some of us find we need to apply sensors for a day or two before activating to avoid a couple of days of wasted random numbers) . And sensors are calibrated to be accurate between about 4 and 9 mmol/l so you should finger prick test before correcting (unless you feel am obvious hypo).
If you do not understand these limitations, Libre is likely to cause unnecessary stress
rebrascora
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Hi and welcome.
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis and that you are having difficulties. Do report these problems to Abbott as it is important to get the sensors replaced. They cost the best part of £50 a shot so should not be discarded lightly.
I have had one of two that pinched and I am guessing that I caught a nerve. It usually settles down after 3-4 days. If it is a skin reaction to the adhesive then I think there are products that you can apply prior to application. I imagine the increased discomfort when scanning is likely because you are flexing your arm as you reach to scan and that is nipping the nerve more. Personally I would persevere, but only you can decide if you can ignore the discomfort.
As regards overnight hypos.... are you aware that the sensors suffer from "compression lows" if you lie on them? These are not real hypos but are caused my the tissue around the filament in the sensor being compressed and that causes it to read low. It will usually be a noticeable dip and then recovery rather than a gentle decline into "the red" which is a more normal overnight hypo profile.
Are you using Libre 1 or Libre 2? Libre 2 has alarm settings which you can set to warn you that levels are dropping, so that you can wake up and check with a finger prick in such situations. Libre should always be double checked with a finger prick before any action is taken either hypo treatment or insulin correction, as it can be unreliable for a variety of reasons. It is a really game changing bit of kit but it has its quirks and limitations and you have to learn how to interpret what it tells you. Good luck and I hope you can manage to get along with it and make it work for you.
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis and that you are having difficulties. Do report these problems to Abbott as it is important to get the sensors replaced. They cost the best part of £50 a shot so should not be discarded lightly.
I have had one of two that pinched and I am guessing that I caught a nerve. It usually settles down after 3-4 days. If it is a skin reaction to the adhesive then I think there are products that you can apply prior to application. I imagine the increased discomfort when scanning is likely because you are flexing your arm as you reach to scan and that is nipping the nerve more. Personally I would persevere, but only you can decide if you can ignore the discomfort.
As regards overnight hypos.... are you aware that the sensors suffer from "compression lows" if you lie on them? These are not real hypos but are caused my the tissue around the filament in the sensor being compressed and that causes it to read low. It will usually be a noticeable dip and then recovery rather than a gentle decline into "the red" which is a more normal overnight hypo profile.
Are you using Libre 1 or Libre 2? Libre 2 has alarm settings which you can set to warn you that levels are dropping, so that you can wake up and check with a finger prick in such situations. Libre should always be double checked with a finger prick before any action is taken either hypo treatment or insulin correction, as it can be unreliable for a variety of reasons. It is a really game changing bit of kit but it has its quirks and limitations and you have to learn how to interpret what it tells you. Good luck and I hope you can manage to get along with it and make it work for you.
Inka
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It’s not uncommon to be stressed and hyper-focussed on ‘perfect’ blood sugar early in diagnosis. I was and I partly blame my team for not giving me a realistic idea of what blood sugar does. I saw every little blip as a failure on my part. It wasn’t.
Relax a little. You will never get perfection. Especially in the early days, blood sugar is spiky because you’re still making your own insulin and that can kick in randomly. I agree with @helli that taking the sensor off and having a break by just fingerpricking is wise. You don’t need a Libre to get good control and if it’s stressing you, then it’s counter-productive as stress will affect your blood sugar.
Wow! This is interesting - you are right I was told very little about it - just how to put it on and download the app to my phone. I do feel that after I was discharged from hospital I’ve been very much left to learn on my own. There are some courses I could sign up to, so may do that. I’ve been very careful about working out insulin doses by weighing and carb counting but am extremely anxious about going away on a car tour to Wales, where we will be in different hotel every night ( booked before diagnosis) I’m not skilled enough yet to look at a plate of food and estimate how much insulin to give.
Inka
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You’re doing well carb-counting @Nanette 🙂 That’s an important skill. When you’re away, you could just go for meals that are easier to carb count eg ones with potatoes rather than pasta. Always under-estimate the carbs. You might find that being away and relaxing and maybe walking and sightseeing has a positive effect on your sugars anyway.
rebrascora
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Many of us had to do the "Libre Academy" on the Abbott website before our consultant would prescribe Libre..... even though some of us where self funding it for months or years before being prescribed, but you will learn a lot just from this forum both in terms of practically managing your BG levels as well as using Libre, so stick around.
As regards your road trip to Wales, I can understand it is daunting but all you can do is your best and I am sure you will manage fine but don't forget to enjoy yourself. If you are likely to be doing a lot of walking, that will likely drop your levels so do keep hypo treatments with you at all times, especially by the bed along with your test kit.
As regards your road trip to Wales, I can understand it is daunting but all you can do is your best and I am sure you will manage fine but don't forget to enjoy yourself. If you are likely to be doing a lot of walking, that will likely drop your levels so do keep hypo treatments with you at all times, especially by the bed along with your test kit.
Thank you - once agdin this is hugely informative and helpful ! I went to bed last night feeling lonely and anxious and this morning have found so many comments on here reassuring - thank you to everyone, it reallly is so helpful
Thank you again - really appreciated
Underestimating the carbs when away iis good advice- I was a bit frightened to do that as I also get very high peaks after meals even when I’ve balanced the dosage accurately- but then I’m guessing the lows are more likely to be harmful?
The way I think about highs and lows is that long term highs are bad but short term lows are immediately bad.
So, if you underestimate carbs you are unlikely to hypo. You may go high but you can correct before it causes harm. And, as @rebrascora says, if you exercise more than usual, it is likely to lower your levels.
So, if you underestimate carbs you are unlikely to hypo. You may go high but you can correct before it causes harm. And, as @rebrascora says, if you exercise more than usual, it is likely to lower your levels.
There’s a lot to learn isn’t there? A completely different way of living. I’m sure I’ll get used to it, but right now I’m probably overthinking everything. Can’t tell you how much I appreciate all comments on this thread - thank you all, it has calmed my anxiety . Hope you can get out today and enjoy this overly weather & best wishes xxx
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Glad the responses on the forum have helped @Nanette
There’s nothing quite like having the forum ‘hive mind‘ to consult with questions, uncertainties, anxieties and quandaries - or just to ask about things you’ve heard or read that you aren’t quite sure you understand correctly 🙂
Regarding high numbers after meals, one important factor that it took me rather too long to properly appreciate was quite how long ‘rapid’ insulin can take to get going, and how long it lasts. Usually the duration of action is something like 4-6hours. And it can be quite alarming to see a steeply upward moving glucose trace on Libre giving the impression that perhaps the dose wasn’t enough - when actually it might have been a perfect dose, just that the timing was a bit awry and the food hit before the insulin.
So be cautious if considering correcting high BG within 6 hours of an earlier dose - because of what is sometimes called ‘insulin on board’. Insulin already in circulation, which hasn’t finished acting yet.
Lovely weather
sooo helpful thank you! I’m benefitting from lessons already learned by you all . You’ll definitely be my ‘go to gurus’
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Hehe! Well I don’t known about that… we are all just muddling along in our own ways. But a few of us have already made some mistakes and/or discoveries which might give some pointers for your own experimentation.
Diabetes can feel very contrary at times, and what works well for one person may be completely the wrong approach for someone else. Your Diabetes May Vary, as the saying goes
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