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Resistance is futile!

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Robin said:
I'm a side sleeper, and do the same as Greyhound Gal, put it right round the back of my arm, then I'm not lying on it directly. (whenever I haven't got it round far enough I find it's uncomfortable to lie on anyway). Mine's been fine with daily showers.
I have always put a bit of micropore tape over the top as belt and braces, but I'm not sure it's really necessary, the most difficult bit about the whole process has always been trying to prise the sensor off when it's finished.
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It's a shame there aren't more options of where to put it - I wonder if they are working on that, or 'sticking' with the upper arm? CGMs work in other places and use similar technology, I would have thought.
 
Bet you can't wait for it to arrive.
I'm a side sleeper too. So far I've never had any problems I get it as far round the back as I can.
I love real hot showers, you just have to be a bit careful when washing, drying that area.
Lucky you, you won't have to worry about bra straps :D do beware of those pesky door jams though.
Having said that
Just like @Robin says , the most difficult bit of the whole process has been trying to prise the sensor off when it's finished, they really don't want to let go.
Till I am reasonably sure how a new sensor behaves at various BG levels I bodge my finger, then 10-15 mins later swipe sensor.
You'll find the actual graph fascinating and really helpful.
The code to get into the professional bit is CAA1C, you need to tick yes in there.
 
Northerner said:
OK, I give in, I have got fed up of reading everyone else's Libre posts so have taken the plunge and will be voluntarily connecting myself on a (semi)permanent basis to a biometric scanning device in the next 5-7 days 😱

View attachment 3199

Had a right palaver trying to buy the darned thing though - website refused to respond to the 'find address' button, so had to enter manually, then it refused to respond to the 'payment' button. Ended up logging out, entering my address via my account details and finally got all the way through. Obviously some kind of test that all you others are sworn to secrecy about and couldn't tell me - well, now I have told the world!!! 😱 🙂

Looking forward to becoming part of the Collective 🙂
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Confession time. Was put off by the cost for a long time but succumbed to the lure of two sensors plus monitor in the promotion that's lured many others in. It makes old-fashioned blood sugar testing seem really clunky and awkward. Every time my lovely Ken alerts (should add he's my alert dog for those who haven't met him) I have to check his accuracy with a blood test - can be very difficult when you're standing on a packed train and trying not to smear blood everywhere. The Libre has streamlined everything and got rid of a lot of my awkwardness and embarrassment about frequent testing in public places.

The only downside was that I had to delay a pretty critical dental appointment as I knew I would need an X Ray and that's a no-no when wearing the Libre. Currently sensor-free and counting the days to joining the Libre club again. Think it's definitely the right decision Northerner and everyone else who is considering trying one out 🙂
 
Ljc said:
Bet you can't wait for it to arrive.
I'm a side sleeper too. So far I've never had any problems I get it as far round the back as I can.
I love real hot showers, you just have to be a bit careful when washing, drying that area.
Lucky you, you won't have to worry about bra straps :D do beware of those pesky door jams though.
Having said that
Just like @Robin says , the most difficult bit of the whole process has been trying to prise the sensor off when it's finished, they really don't want to let go.
Till I am reasonably sure how a new sensor behaves at various BG levels I bodge my finger, then 10-15 mins later swipe sensor.
You'll find the actual graph fascinating and really helpful.
The code to get into the professional bit is CAA1C, you need to tick yes in there.
Click to expand...
Thanks Lin 🙂 As I understand it, it's best to put it on then leave it for 24 hours before activating it, is that right? Also, does the meter take the same blood test strips as the Freestyle Optium? Hope so, as I already have some of those on prescription 🙂
 
I always put mine on 24 hrs in advance, I find it reads low for the first day otherwise.
When I first started using mine, I looked at a Facebook group of Libre users, and some of them were unofficially trying out other areas of the body, upper abdomen seemed a favourite. Trouble is, if you do, and you have a problem with that sensor, Abbot aren't going to replace it.
 
@Northerner ,Sorry I can't help with the test strips I've looked online and am still unsure, I'm using my gluco Rx till Find out. Perhaps others here will know.
I try and leave mine longer than 24 hrs to settle in.
 
Good luck with it Alan. Yes, it uses the Optium Neo strips - bg and ketones. I've got an Optium and it's useful because you can have a direct comparison between sensor and strips on the reader (and just need to carry one meter!)
 
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Matt Cycle said:
Good luck with it Alan. Yes, it uses the Optium Neo strips - bg and ketones. I've got an Optium and it's useful because you can have a direct comparison between sensor and strips on the reader (and just need to carry one meter!)
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@Matt Cycle ,Thanks . I wonder if I can persuade my practice to prescribe a few.
 
Matt Cycle said:
Good luck with it Alan. Yes, it uses the Optium Neo strips - bg and ketones. I've got an Optium and it's useful because you can have a direct comparison between sensor and strips on the reader (and just need to carry one meter!)
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That's great Matt, thanks 🙂 I only have the Optium as my spare meter, chiefly for ketones, but will put in a new order for some strips 🙂
 
My 10p worth...

Many people find it better to insert the sensor 24 hours before activating it, but we don't, we just activate it straight away and don't find it makes any difference at all to the accuracy. I think we are in the minority though!
Should be no problem with showering, we had a couple of sensors that looked like they were trying to fall off after a couple of days normal use though, so now always stick Tegaderm over them as a precaution. Which I think actually gives them an extra level of waterproofing if you go swimming, and makes them hard to remove at the end!
Yes they do take the Optium blood test strips, we currently only use the ketone ones, as we have to use Accu Chek Aviva glucose ones with the pump kit, but when daughter eventually goes onto a different pump we'll probably get the Optium glucose strips too and use the Libre as the main meter.
Hope you enjoy your Libre as much as we do! 🙂
 
I'm looking forward to finding out what happens to your trace overnight, as a non-basal user. Will you have the 'washing line' effect, of a dip around 3am and a rise, or will you have a straight line because you have enough of your own insulin for it to adjust to counter it?
 
Robin said:
I'm looking forward to finding out what happens to your trace overnight, as a non-basal user. Will you have the 'washing line' effect, of a dip around 3am and a rise, or will you have a straight line because you have enough of your own insulin for it to adjust to counter it?
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Yes, I'm wondering about that as well! 😱 I tend to wake around similar levels to my bedtime levels, usually within meter accuracy tolerances, but it will be interesting to know what's going on!
 
Like Sally I use Tegaderm over my sensor. I then don't need to worry about showering, door jams (they definitely attract sensors) or anything. I am a wait 24 hours before activating person and it seems to work for me. Sleeping is not a problem as I put it fairly near the back of my arm so that I am not actually leaning on it when sleeping on my side. I switch between using left then right to make sure I avoid the same spot for a good fortnight. All in all it is great when out walking, diong gardening, exercise. It encourages me to check when maybe I would not bother if I had to get the test kit out, and so I head off highs and lows before they become a problem.

It will be very interesting to hear how your levels behave since you are still making you ur very own insulin.

I hope that you enjoy using it.
 
Ps
I got a box of test strips from the GP specifically for the Libre as I usually use Accu check Ines for my pump hand set. It was no problem especially when I explained how I fund the Libre and now do less fingerprick tests.
 
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SB2015 said:
Ps
I got a box of test strips from the GP specifically for the Libre as I usually use Accu check Ines for my pump hand set. It was no problem especially when I explained how I fund the Libre and now do less fingerprick tests.
Click to expand...
Great minds think alike , that's what I'm planning to say.
 
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