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Questions About Libre

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
I use the libre reader as my regular meter and as far as I know it has no effect on the scanner accuracy. I've often thought that there should be a calibration function available.

The applicator has a metal spring inside it so probably shouldn't go in the plastic recycling.
 
When I have them most of the bits go in the general waste as they don't appear to have been designed very well for recycling :( I think the only bit I put in recycling is the plastic top that comes off the applicator, plus all the various bits of paper/cardboard etc. :(
 
The Reader has a bolus calculator (only available when you use test strips) so that's a possible advantage. Also, readings from test strips appear on the graph (at least when viewed on a computer). On the negative side the test strips are more expensive than many, so there's a decent chance your surgery won't want to prescribe them.
 
Thank you all for the info 🙂

Without the callibration function it seems that the Libre is not going to be that useful for me as the two sensors I've had have been so far out from my actual readings (one far too high, the other far too low) that I ended up doing more rather than fewer finger tests while I was using them. The graphs have been interesting, and it's been a bit of an eye-opener to see how much I spike as well as plummet, but there is very little in the way of patterns to them from day to day (even though I'm eating the same or similar things each day), so unless I can work out how to change the way I eat to stop the random spikes and plummets there seems little point in accumulating more graphs. I'll get sensors again when I'm doing something different or to see if I get different graphs at different seasons, I think, rather than using them all the time (also I don't think I could wear sensors all the time as my arms are too skinny, I'd very soon run out of places to stick them!).

Shame about the packaging not being easily recyclable, as there's so much of it. I can just imagine what Copepod would be saying about it :(
 
TheClockworkDodo said:
Thank you all for the info 🙂

Without the callibration function it seems that the Libre is not going to be that useful for me as the two sensors I've had have been so far out from my actual readings (one far too high, the other far too low) that I ended up doing more rather than fewer finger tests while I was using them. The graphs have been interesting, and it's been a bit of an eye-opener to see how much I spike as well as plummet, but there is very little in the way of patterns to them from day to day (even though I'm eating the same or similar things each day), so unless I can work out how to change the way I eat to stop the random spikes and plummets there seems little point in accumulating more graphs. I'll get sensors again when I'm doing something different or to see if I get different graphs at different seasons, I think, rather than using them all the time (also I don't think I could wear sensors all the time as my arms are too skinny, I'd very soon run out of places to stick them!).

Shame about the packaging not being easily recyclable, as there's so much of it. I can just imagine what Copepod would be saying about it :(
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If the sensors are way out from blood test readings they may be faulty. I have had two that I’ve complained about. On the phone they asked me for comparative readings from a strip and as they were out on three separate occasions, they sent me replacements.

It’s not really a problem finding a spot for them as if you use alternate arms they’ve had a two week break between use. My arms are quite thin but I’ve not experienced any problems.
 
Thanks, Radders, that's worth bearing in mind. Mine weren't so much way out as consistently about 2mmol/l higher in one case and lower in the other.

I don't think I could stick one on my right arm as I need to sleep on it! I struggled to find places on my left arm where the arm was wider than the applicator, as I'm very lacking in arm muscle.
 
Hi, may i ask, if you have been using the reader handset thing and i want to switch to using my phone, i assume i cant transfer old results to phone?

Edit: or even better can i use reader and phone for same sensor?
 
Andy12345 said:
Hi, may i ask, if you have been using the reader handset thing and i want to switch to using my phone, i assume i cant transfer old results to phone?

Edit: or even better can i use reader and phone for same sensor?
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You can use reader and phone for the same sensor but you must activate with the reader.

You can't transfer results to the phone app but if you download to a pc you should be able to transfer the resulting PDF to your phone.
 
khskel said:
You can use reader and phone for the same sensor but you must activate with the reader.

You can't transfer results to the phone app but if you download to a pc you should be able to transfer the resulting PDF to your phone.
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So i zap sensor to activate with reader, then zapp with phone during the first 60 minutes and they both work?

I tend to use the reader stats as i dont have a pc, i do have a imac but struggled finding software on that

Thankyou
 
Andy12345 said:
So i zap sensor to activate with reader, then zapp with phone during the first 60 minutes and they both work?

I tend to use the reader stats as i dont have a pc, i do have a imac but struggled finding software on that

Thankyou
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Correctamundo
 
TheClockworkDodo said:
I know there have been several threads about Libres, but I thought it would be useful to have a general thread for questions for Libre users from those of us who are thinking of getting one, or have recently got one - please feel free to chip in with different questions!

My first one is - do you need Windows to run the software?! I have a Linux machine and, what with R being an internet security specialist, we wouldn't have Windows in the house (that sounds a bit funny, but you know what I mean 🙄). Only just thought of it when I realised that my spare meter - which I don't normally use, but is much fancier than my normal meter - has software I'm not using because it requires Windows or a Mac.

I also wondered about alcohol wipes - on other threads people have mentioned using alcohol wipes before applying sensors. I'm allergic to alcohol - would I be able to use an alternative (I have alcohol-free, scent-free handwipes if they would do)? Are they just to clean the skin, or what?
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This instructional video from a diabetic on the libre is well worth a watch.
 
Thanks, AI - I've been AWOL for a bit so only just seen this, will have a look when I have a minute!
 
I don't have micro$oft either (sounds better than a home with no windows). I use Linux. Anyone tried to use use Linux with Vine for this software?
 
Hi all, not sure whether anybody has asked this question yet but, is it better buying the freestyle libre rather than seeing if I can get it off my DN? I'm not quite sure what would make me eligible to get one if anybody could fill me in on that? my fingers are in agony, finally got on board with my health and checking my bloods, doing my needle etc. but I've finally realised why I have doing my blood sugars so much! They bleeding kill!!! Thanks in advance!
 
evecainx said:
is it better buying the freestyle libre rather than seeing if I can get it off my DN? I'm not quite sure what would make me eligible to get one if anybody could fill me in on that?
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It's cheaper if you can get it prescribed, and at present new customers can't buy it (at least from Abbott). So try and get it from your DSN, and see what they say.

The criteria are (at least before April) regional things, so it'll depend on your CCG. The forthcoming criteria are given https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/flash-on-nhs. It's likely your local CCG will currently have similar ones (maybe a little more strict).
 
Hope you can get a Libre on the NHS, @evecainx - in the meanwhile though, I'm wondering why your fingers are hurting so much :confused: I usually test 8-10 times a day, sometimes more, and mine don't hurt at all. Are you testing a lot more than that?

If not, maybe your lancing device is turned up too high - you might be able to turn it down (I use it on 2 most of the time - that's intended for children, but my fingers would hurt a lot too if I used it on 3 or 4).

And are you only testing on the sides of your fingers (alongside, but not too close to, the sides of your nails), not in the pads? It will hurt a lot more if you're spiking the pads, where there are nerve endings, rather than the sides. It will also hurt more if you keep re-using the same fingers - I alternate the sides of all of mine, so I've got 20 to circulate through.
 
If fingers get a bit sore you can also you use the pad on the palm at the base of your thumb, still following all the advice about depth, and changing your needle that @TheClockworkDodo has given you.
 
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