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Newbie

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Welcome @HalfpipMarathon 🙂 I think some people have more difficulty with the Libre than others, probably due to oils in their skin or something. Mine has always stayed on fine with no special treatment. I do press round the edge carefully after application but that’s all.

How long have you had Type 2?
 
Thank you.

I have been type 2 over 20 years.

I have some waterproof sensor covers from Amazon however due to the position of the sensor removing the remaining backing paper is a bit difficult. Suppose I could try applying the cover in front of a mirror so I can see what I am doing better.
 
Hi and welcome.

I use a Libre arm strap to keep mine protected and secure.
It is sort of like a watch face which is 3D printed plastic designed to fit exactly over the Libre sensor and an elasticated strap which keeps it in place. There have been a few times that the elastic strap and face have pinged on clothing.... sports bras being a prime culprit.... but not lost a sensor since I started using it and it also acts as a visual reminder for when I am giving myself a good scrub in the shower too. I have found it was well worth the money (about £8) for the improved security for my Libre and confidence that it is safe.

Can I ask are you using insulin and if so, are you getting the Libre prescribed or self funded and if currently self funded, it may be worth enquiring about getting it prescribed as the guidelines have recently changed.
 
Hi rebrascora

I don't take insulin just Dapagliflozin and Alogliptin. I haven't asked about getting the sensors on prescription as when I had my diabetic review last year the nurse said they didn't encourage finger pricking for type 2 diabetics so doubt very much that they would agree especially as the sensors are expensive.
 
HalfpipMarathon said:
I don't take insulin just Dapagliflozin and Alogliptin.
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And you find the sensor useful enough with those drugs? I'm just commenting because with insulin the benefit's more obvious since we change timing and doses routinely. I guess the sensor lets you see the effects of foods, exercise, and so on. Still feels rather less valuable, so maybe a sensor now and again makes sense?
 
Hi Bruce

Yes I find it helpful for seeing what foods affect me. Also because, although I know it probably won't make a difference to my HbA1c, I like to keep an eye on my bs but not in an obsessive way. I stopped finger pricking as I was getting stressed about the occasional high reading so stopped.

I think because finger pricking is so in your face so to speak yet I forget I have the sensor on most of the time until I scan. I know it's there but it's not in my face.
 
The sensor does seem a very expensive way of monitoring the effect of meals because usually once people have tested before and 2 hours after meals and established that food is tolerated they can reduce testing to only when having something new and keeping track on a week by week or day by day basis.
So the cost of strips especially if you have the GlucoNavii which has strips at only £13 for 100 would be much more economical than the cost of sensors. If you are paying that much you have to make to information you are getting worthwhile.
 
HalfpipMarathon said:
I stopped finger pricking as I was getting stressed about the occasional high reading so stopped.
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Yes, I can understand that. I find the Time in Range information much easier to use as a general guide on how I'm doing, and looking at the graph (and trying to keep it in range) works much better (I find) than looking at individual values.

(I must admit the estimated HbA1c always seemed rather useless, but it's harmless and I completely see why they offer it.)
 
HalfpipMarathon said:
Hi rebrascora

I don't take insulin just Dapagliflozin and Alogliptin. I haven't asked about getting the sensors on prescription as when I had my diabetic review last year the nurse said they didn't encourage finger pricking for type 2 diabetics so doubt very much that they would agree especially as the sensors are expensive.
Click to expand...
Ah yes, if you are not on a basal/bolus insulin system then you would not qualify for it on prescription.
 
HalfpipMarathon said:
I find the time in range very useful.

Yes the sensor is an expensive way of testing good however some people dislike finger pricking so scanning is a relief.
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Glad you are finding Libre helpful @HalfpipMarathon - and great that you have found something that works for you. People’s experience of diabetes is very individual - and what matters most is getting a set of strategies, meds, and gadgets in place that suits your own particular needs and preferences - your diabetes, your rules 🙂

Good that you were able to get a replacement for your non-working sensor too. Abbott are very helpful in my experience, and have always replaced the few sensors I have had that didn’t perform to their expectations.

As @Inka says, sensor adhesion seems to vary from person to person. The vast majority find the sensors stay firmly put, but there are a few folks who seem to find the adhesive works less well for them. There are additional preparations such as cavilon or skin-tak that you might find helpful.

Some people use overtapes or bands, but Abbott’s recommendations are that nothing is out over the sensor I think. The central hole is designed to let the skin underneath breathe during the 14 day wear. Plus if you apply anything over the sensor it’s important that it doesn’t press down very much as this can create a partial or full ‘compression low’ where the circulation of interstitial fluid (which the sensor uses to provide glucose levels) can be restricted affecting the results the sensor provides.

Hope your next few sensors are trouble-free and you continue to find them helpful as often and as many times as you choose to wear them 🙂
 
Hi everydayupsanddowns

Thank you. I love it so far.

There are a few things I am confused about:

Someone else on this thread said I can scan as many times as I want yet I posted in a fb group I had scanned at 1.25am,5.06 then before breakfast and my run this morning and someone asked why I was testing so often during the night. Ok only tested twice! I was advised to test when I went to the bathroom during the night so there wasn't a gap in the graph.

The 2hr testing after food confuses me as is it when you finish eating and drinking or just eating that you want two hours? Obviously an hour is too soon but sometimes I forget and 2 turns into 3 hrs!

Like you say my diabetes my rules.

I'm tempted to order the starter pack as you get two sensors so I would have about a month of testing but going to wait until Wednesday as I have dds coming out so once they have gone out I will order it.
 
@HalfpipMarathon The 2hrs after food is 2hrs after the start of your meal eg start breakfast at 7am, DP your 2hr test at 9am. Obviously some meals it won’t work that well for, eg if you were grazing at a buffet for two or three hours, but it gives you a general idea.

You can scan when you want, but if you’re waking to scan you shouldn’t need to. The Libre holds 8hrs worth of data, I think, so scanning just before bed and as soon as you wake would be sufficient.

The only thing I’d say is not to get obsessed with scanning. Some people do, and then obsess about tiny, irrelevant differences in results. Remember it’s a tool not your master.
 
Hi Inka

The problem with this 2hrs thing is I would be constantly looking at my watch when I ever start eating but I always thought it was 2hrs on finishing eating.

That's where the obsessive part could become an issue. I was advised to test if I get up to go to the bathroom in the night so the graph didn't have a gap so is that not necessary then?

I just want to see if I am remaining in range as hopefully that might turn into a reduced HbA1c as with the help of the Libre I am able to keep an eye on my bs and choose food that will help keep me in range majority of the time.

Scanning rather than finger pricking is more of an incentive for me. Not sure why it should be better but it is.
 
HalfpipMarathon said:
I was advised to test if I get up to go to the bathroom in the night so the graph didn't have a gap so is that not necessary then?
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Won't do any harm (and it only takes a few seconds). The sensors keep the last 8 hours of readings, so provided you don't leave it more than 8 hours between scans you'll get everything.
HalfpipMarathon said:
The problem with this 2hrs thing is I would be constantly looking at my watch when I ever start eating but I always thought it was 2hrs on finishing eating.
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The 2 hours after eating is an attempt to get roughly the maximum blood glucose. But with Libre (or other CGM) there's not really a need to worry since you can look at the graph and see what the maximum was.
 
You don’t have to monitor every meal @HalfpipMarathon If, for example, you wanted to see what a small portion of pasta did to your blood sugar, you could note the time you started your evening meal of pasta, then test/scan 2 hours after. The 2hrs thing is definitely 2hrs after the start of your meal.

More important is to pace yourself a bit. Diabetes is a marathon not a sprint. Go along slowly and steadily and you’ll be ok.
 
Hi Inka

Thank you . I thought you had to test everything. Obviously not.

If for example I had a jacket potato I would test before then as you say 2hrs later . I have given up logging my food. I know what I have eaten if I test 2 hrs later. I don't want to get obsessed. Some will say what is the point of testing whether it be finger pricking or by scanning a sensor if you are not testing food?

I'm just interested in my bs and what it is at different times of the day. If it coincides with something I have not eaten before that is good.
Bruce Stephens said:
Won't do any harm (and it only takes a few seconds). The sensors keep the last 8 hours of readings, so provided you don't leave it more than 8 hours between scans you'll get everything.

The 2 hours after eating is an attempt to get roughly the maximum blood glucose. But with Libre (or other CGM) there's not really a need to worry since you can look at the graph and see what the maximum was.
Click to expand...
That's a relief as I get the impression sometimes that 2hrs is set in stone. I'm happy to scan but I am not going to get obsessed with it or what it shows me. Like you say I can find out the maximum by looking at the graph.

As long as the time in range is good which it is so far. I know that individual bs readings are just snapshot but they do make a difference to the overall three months HbA1c.
individual
 
Obviously you have a different perspective if you are using the Libre rather than just finger pricking as you would be picking up effects of other things other than the food you have just eaten. If finger pricking the theory is that the conversion to glucose from the carbohydrates you have just eaten will be at maximum after 2 hours so that is a good time to find out if the meal you just ate was tolerated if you see no more than 2-3mmol/l increase. Different carbohydrates may be converted more quickly or slowly but the 2 hour point is an average that works for most people. You had a jacket potato which is something many Type 2 folk would not tolerate well but presumably by looking at your Libre scan it showed you were able to cope with it.
I think it depends on where your priority is as for many people the cost of the sensors would be prohibitive if they are self funding and may mean they were unable to afford foods which would be more suitable for managing their blood glucose.
 
Hi Leadlights

Don't want to sound dim but what other things would I be picking effects up from besides food?

I assume you are speaking hypothetically regarding the jacket potato. I haven't had one but if I was going to have one then I would scan before and 2hrs after.

Because of the cost I may only test once a month or every other month. The cost of my gym and swim memberships would cover the cost of one sensor a month if I chose to cancel them.

My reason for testing albeit by scanning is to keep an eye on my bs so I can make changes if needed to ensure my bs remain within range through the day.
 
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