Switching off

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HalfpipMarathon

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
After posting yesterday. I have given it a lot of thought and decided rather than stop the sensor I will switch off the receiver.

The fact that I have a spare transmitter and sensor (Dexcom called me this morning and said that I can keep the extra transmitter and sensor I received and I don't need to pay (I was willing to) and I can ring up and order more sensors individually means I can go back and try again when I am ready.

Out of interest what have people found best place for the Dexcom One sensor - belly or back of arm - in terms of readings? I thinking about trying it on my arm next time .

I have read that it's best not to overreact to higher than expected readings easy to say not so easy to do .
 
I am struggling to know why you think it is beneficial to have either of the sensors Libre or Dexcom as they seem to be stressing you and causing anxiety.
It is a lot of money to be paying for something which you are not using to its full capability.
 
HalfpipMarathon said:
After posting yesterday. I have given it a lot of thought and decided rather than stop the sensor I will switch off the receiver.

The fact that I have a spare transmitter and sensor (Dexcom called me this morning and said that I can keep the extra transmitter and sensor I received and I don't need to pay (I was willing to) and I can ring up and order more sensors individually means I can go back and try again when I am ready.

Out of interest what have people found best place for the Dexcom One sensor - belly or back of arm - in terms of readings? I thinking about trying it on my arm next time .

I have read that it's best not to overreact to higher than expected readings easy to say not so easy to do .
Click to expand...

You can't change that high.
It's just there, and a part of the picture.

I did a lot of testing (finger prick) where I chased the highs.
I didn't care about seeing the lows as they gave me nothing to work with.

I broke all my own rules, tested at one hour (most people, including none diabetics spike then)
I tested hot, cold, after exercise, I built up a picture of stuff I couldn't change.
But, I could use it to help avoid things.
(Sometimes, but other times it was lifestyle that won over, as I wasn't going to let diabetes chain me up, and I balanced one against the other)

So, use the readings, take control, the information is helpful, but don't stress about them.
 
Leadinglights said:
I am struggling to know why you think it is beneficial to have either of the sensors Libre or Dexcom as they seem to be stressing you and causing anxiety.
It is a lot of money to be paying for something which you are not using to its full capability.
Click to expand...
I understand that however if I don't use either how do I know if I am too high. My Dr said that if you don't know what your blood sugars are doing how can you make better choices.

Regards cost yes you are right however I am not the one who makes them expensive the manufacturers do, as they are more interested in a profit than a genuine desire to help diabetics. I'm could be wrong but that's my opinion.

I thought having cgm would resolve my need to look at my phone or receiver hence less stress I was wrong. I thought having alarms would remove that need again I was wrong.

Not sure how to resolve this issue. I am caught as someone said in an unfortunate cycle of wanting to know my levels but struggling with the wobbles.
 
travellor said:
You can't change that high.
It's just there, and a part of the picture.

I did a lot of testing (finger prick) where I chased the highs.
I didn't care about seeing the lows as they gave me nothing to work with.

I broke all my own rules, tested at one hour (most people, including none diabetics spike then)
I tested hot, cold, after exercise, I built up a picture of stuff I couldn't change.
But, I could use it to help avoid things.
(Sometimes, but other times it was lifestyle that won over, as I wasn't going to let diabetes chain me up, and I balanced one against the other)

So, use the readings, take control, the information is helpful, but don't stress about them.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for your reply. In feel that most are questioning why I need Libre 2 or Dexcom One if it's causing me anxiety. I understand this and for many years I didn't test at all yet my HbA1c was reasonable and in range 99% of the time.

I know that, especially in the evening ,I can't do anything about the highs - drinking water sometimes helps but not always and exercise is not an option.

I don't want to give Dexcom One up but not sure how I can stop myself stressing about high readings.
 
HalfpipMarathon said:
Thank you so much for your reply. In feel that most are questioning why I need Libre 2 or Dexcom One if it's causing me anxiety. I understand this and for many years I didn't test at all yet my HbA1c was reasonable and in range 99% of the time.

I know that, especially in the evening ,I can't do anything about the highs - drinking water sometimes helps but not always and exercise is not an option.

I don't want to give Dexcom One up but not sure how I can stop myself stressing about high readings.
Click to expand...

Can you change them?
 
What do you define as too high? If you check with whatever testing means you are using 2 hours after you eat, and your blood glucose is above what you say is too high what do you do?
 
Leadinglights said:
If you check with whatever testing means you are using 2 hours after you eat, and your blood glucose is above what you say is too high what do you do?
Click to expand...
That's what I wonder. It's obvious what I can do: I can go for a brisk walk, take a bit of bolus insulin, or even better both. I'm sure the exercise part would work for anyone, it's probably much more effective if you can inject some insulin as well.

I do wonder if having a CGM could just increase one's sense of being powerless. Obviously there are things to do but they're mostly longer term things like changes in diet, and CGMs are perhaps not necessarily a natural tool for helping with those. At least not for everyone.
 
HalfpipMarathon said:
Thank you so much for your reply. In feel that most are questioning why I need Libre 2 or Dexcom One if it's causing me anxiety. I understand this and for many years I didn't test at all yet my HbA1c was reasonable and in range 99% of the time.

I know that, especially in the evening ,I can't do anything about the highs - drinking water sometimes helps but not always and exercise is not an option.

I don't want to give Dexcom One up but not sure how I can stop myself stressing about high readings.
Click to expand...

What do you call high? Are your expectations realistic? I think you’ve got into a way of worrying (and I’m a worrier myself so sympathise) where you start thinking that if you don’t watch your blood sugar every few minutes it might go high and you’ll never know and that will be awful, etc etc.

That way of thinking will mess with your head. There’s a difference between being sensible and cautious and getting very overly focussed on something and the ‘what ifs’. It’s something I have to stop myself doing sometimes. Having diabetes can understandably increase anxiety. It’s just a question of setting the level right. Obviously it would be silly to completely ignore your diabetes, but the opposite extreme is bad too. Somewhere in the middle is sensible, as with most things 🙂
 
travellor said:
What numbers are you seeing?
What are your targets?
Click to expand...
Anything from 9.9 to the highest 16 although this has only occurred once.

I had the occasional 12 when I was using Libre 2 but never 16.

Depends what you mean by targets. I just like to stay in range preferably over 70% and with Libre I managed that. The lowest TIR was 84%.

With Dexcom One you only get figures for 3-days not a daily TIR.
 
Inka said:
What do you call high? Are your expectations realistic? I think you’ve got into a way of worrying (and I’m a worrier myself so sympathise) where you start thinking that if you don’t watch your blood sugar every few minutes it might go high and you’ll never know and that will be awful, etc etc.

That way of thinking will mess with your head. There’s a difference between being sensible and cautious and getting very overly focussed on something and the ‘what ifs’. It’s something I have to stop myself doing sometimes. Having diabetes can understandably increase anxiety. It’s just a question of setting the level right. Obviously it would be silly to completely ignore your diabetes, but the opposite extreme is bad too. Somewhere in the middle is sensible, as with most things 🙂
Click to expand...
The issue is that the range for Dexcom One and Libre is 3.9-10.0 so anything over that is not considered good and if it stays that way for too long it could cause issues in the future plus have an adverse effect on HbA1c. I have managed to get my HbA1c down to 7.2 not perfect but an improvement and room for further improvement.

I can cope with 10 even 12 mmols but anything higher makes me nervous. I have never had readings above 12.2 on Libre 2 albeit only occasionally so don't understand why I am getting these on Dexcom One. I'm not eating any differently
 
HalfpipMarathon said:
With Dexcom One you only get figures for 3-days not a daily TIR.
Click to expand...

Do you have access to ‘goals’ in Dexcom Clarity with the reader?

That will give you a daily TIR
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Do you have access to ‘goals’ in Dexcom Clarity with the reader?

That will give you a daily TIR
Click to expand...
I was under the impression you had to use a computer to download from a Dexcom receiver which is no good if you are not home or even if you are home.

I have a receiver because my phone is not compatible with the Dexcom One app but I have looked and the Clarity app is compatible with my phone (Sony Xperia 5) but not sure if or how it works.
 
HalfpipMarathon said:
The issue is that the range for Dexcom One and Libre is 3.9-10.0 so anything over that is not considered good and if it stays that way for too long it could cause issues in the future plus have an adverse effect on HbA1c. I have managed to get my HbA1c down to 7.2 not perfect but an improvement and room for further improvement.

I can cope with 10 even 12 mmols but anything higher makes me nervous. I have never had readings above 12.2 on Libre 2 albeit only occasionally so don't understand why I am getting these on Dexcom One. I'm not eating any differently
Click to expand...

Yes, those are the targets. I’m Type 1 so I don’t know how difficult it is for Type 2s but for myself I can say that perfection is impossible. I know I’m going to get ‘bad’ results sometimes. Sometimes I can pinpoint a cause and can act differently to try to prevent it next time, but sometimes it’s just bad luck.

I understand why being over 12 stresses you - do you check with a fingerprick? I have a Libre but find it often reads higher than I actually am. Doing a fingerprick and seeing that I’m not actually 12 but am 9.8 or whatever makes me feel better and helps me plan better.

Is it certain foods sending you above 12? How often do the above 12s happen?
 
HalfpipMarathon said:
Anything from 9.9 to the highest 16 although this has only occurred once.

I had the occasional 12 when I was using Libre 2 but never 16.

Depends what you mean by targets. I just like to stay in range preferably over 70% and with Libre I managed that. The lowest TIR was 84%.

With Dexcom One you only get figures for 3-days not a daily TIR.
Click to expand...

Can I ask what meds, or what you do to control your diabetes.
Your signature says you are type 2.
It looks like you are doing a good job here, same as me, but I'm going for a balanced approach.
Age, (BG rises with age) lifestyle, and diabetes are all in my mix, so, I have "normal for my age" no complications, so my focus is a wider approach maybe.
 
HalfpipMarathon said:
I was under the impression you had to use a computer to download from a Dexcom receiver which is no good if you are not home or even if you are home.

I have a receiver because my phone is not compatible with the Dexcom One app but I have looked and the Clarity app is compatible with my phone (Sony Xperia 5) but not sure if or how it works.
Click to expand...

Ah yes! forgive me, i’d forgotten your lack of computer for uploading the data from reader to Dexcom’s cloud. Sorry!
 
Inka said:
Yes, those are the targets. I’m Type 1 so I don’t know how difficult it is for Type 2s but for myself I can say that perfection is impossible. I know I’m going to get ‘bad’ results sometimes. Sometimes I can pinpoint a cause and can act differently to try to prevent it next time, but sometimes it’s just bad luck.

I understand why being over 12 stresses you - do you check with a fingerprick? I have a Libre but find it often reads higher than I actually am. Doing a fingerprick and seeing that I’m not actually 12 but am 9.8 or whatever makes me feel better and helps me plan better.

Is it certain foods sending you above 12? How often do the above 12s happen?
Click to expand...
Thank you. Because Dexcom One doesn't have a logbook like Libre it's impossible to look back. With Libre I could go for weeks before getting a 12.

As to what food I suppose anything too high in carbs or sugar but nothing specific.

I had a reading of 12.5 the other evening and finger pricked to check as I felt okay and it was 9.5 although that's in the range according to Libre 2 and Dexcom One Diabetes UK website suggests no more than 8.5. it's very confusing.

I don't like going to bed with a double digit reading so finger pricking and finding I am lower makes me feel better like you say it does for you.

I sometimes know why but other times I have no idea why I am high.
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Ah yes! forgive me, i’d forgotten your lack of computer for uploading the data from reader to Dexcom’s cloud. Sorry!
Click to expand...
That's okay no worries. Although even if I had a computer it's not very convenient. I wish they would hurry up and test more phones but I suppose they wouldn't be able to sell the receivers then.

By getting a phone compatible with the app would mean downgrading as as any new phone will not be tested for compatibility.
 
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