[kyteflyer]

More info on my sensor experience. It seems to me that there may even be variability not just between devices and methods of testing BGL, but also between the sensors themselves. My BG has ranged widely in the last 48 hours, and I am on my last available sensor. Readings have been pretty much accurate no matter which method I am using to test, so for the rest of the month I'll probably just stick to the sensor unless there are anomalies in the reads (eg super high or super low). No wonder the government wont subsidise it. Abbott has to do more about safety... because such inaccuracies are not safe, especially for T1s.

 

[kyteflyer]

Well, there we go. Last sensor fell out last night with 6 days to go. I had tried strapping it down with some micropore but it didn't help. Back to finger pricking ... oh joy.

 

[kyteflyer]

And, a few months later, I have decided to give the Libre sensors another shot. I have seriously lost control of my BGLs and am heading into organ damage territory. Also going to get back to the endo when the pandemic is over (well died down enough to get an appointment) and have her chek again to be certain I am not really a Type 1. I *look* like a 2 but I am recalling now being flagged during my teens for possible diabetes. I was excreting lots of glucose n urine but they didnt name it diabetes... now thinking... maybe. I was on a reasonable diet back then and was very active.

But.. I ramble. I have 3 months worth of sensors coming soonish. Last year when I was using them, in spite of the frustrations of some failing, I was able to control much better than I currently do.

 

[itissteve]

Sue, good for you for giving it another shot. We've got to do what works...

 

[kyteflyer]

So.. the first sensor in this batch... worked well until it fell off at 11 days (of 14). Second sensor worked beautifully until it fell off in the bed yesterday morning also at 11 days of 14. I’ve decided I just cant afford to slap a new sensor on as soon as one falls out so I’m finger sticking until that 14 days is up (2 to go). Overall, though, its been more successful (so far) than it was last year, and I have managed to keep about 85% of readings inside the range 3.9-8.5. I’ve had a few lows overnight initially but have sorted that by not necessarily dosing with RA at dinner. A few highs were self inflicted I still love hot chips.

 

[moon]

Rats on losing the sensors. I use Dexcom and having pulled one out yet, but ironically this time switched to arm placement. They say to use on abdomen, like Libre says to use on arm, but so many Dexcom users like the arm that I thought I'd try. Have it on my forearm and so far (1 day!) so good.

Are there tapes that can secure it, or maybe using Skin Tac would help?

Glad to hear it's working well this time around and that you're getting great info!

 

[kyteflyer]

Rats on losing the sensors. I use Dexcom and having pulled one out yet, but ironically this time switched to arm placement. They say to use on abdomen, like Libre says to use on arm, but so many Dexcom users like the arm that I thought I'd try. Have it on my forearm and so far (1 day!) so good.

Are there tapes that can secure it, or maybe using Skin Tac would help?

Glad to hear it's working well this time around and that you're getting great info!

I ordered an arm band which is designed to fit round the sensor, but its coming from the UK and is taking forever to get here. In the meantime... never heard of skin tac! Must look into that.

I’ll be applying the next sensor this morning. I looked into Dexcom but in Australia, its exponentially more expensive than Libre, and because I am not a T1, I really don’t need the immediacy of its reporting. Also, because I am still considered T2, no subsidy for me.

I must admit I LOVE not needing to stick my fingers many times a day. I only do it to check on what might seem to be very low or very high. ie, rarely!

 

[moon]

I ordered an arm band which is designed to fit round the sensor, but its coming from the UK and is taking forever to get here. In the meantime... never heard of skin tac! Must look into that.

Skin Tac and an over patch should keep it in place. Have seen the arm bands - hope that works well for you.

Agree on not having to finger stick - fantastic! I also only do it when my dex seems off and I want to make sure my bolus is correct. Have found once a sensor is spot-on, it tends to be the full time and I can relax.

 

[kyteflyer]

So so happy!! MY armband arrived and its perfect. I barely notice its there. Next time I will only using it toward the end of the sensor period, when the adhesive starts to get a bit dodgy. I’ve even knocked it on a doorway a couple of times, and it has remained in place (hmm, maybe I should have it on all the time)

ON another note, I need to change the range for my BG levels. Its currently between 3.9 and 8.5 (was 9.5) and I am staying within, with only one or two spikes to the top of the range, a day... (mostly hovering between 6 and 7.5 and I know thats a bit high... working on it) but what is the real recommended? I’m staying inside that with reducing my insulin to half what it was, and rarely dosing with RA.

 

[itissteve]

I'm glad to see you found a solution!

 

[moon]

ON another note, I need to change the range for my BG levels. Its currently between 3.9 and 8.5 (was 9.5) and I am staying within, with only one or two spikes to the top of the range, a day...

I have my dexcom range set at 3.9/70 low and 7.8/140 high but that's fluid. I've fiddled with it based on how much (or little) I wish to be annoyed, I mean alerted, with an alarm. Not sure how the Libre works, but I can change those settings at any time and see in the software how much I was in/out of range, so they really are only for my info/benefit.

Glad your armband has worked out so well! Woot!

 

[kyteflyer]

I have my dexcom range set at 3.9/70 low and 7.8/140 high but that's fluid. I've fiddled with it based on how much (or little) I wish to be annoyed, I mean alerted, with an alarm. Not sure how the Libre works, but I can change those settings at any time and see in the software how much I was in/out of range, so they really are only for my info/benefit.

Glad your armband has worked out so well! Woot!

Me too! The Libre doesnt alarm and it doesnt care what level you are at, it just reports it when you scan, and you just need to scan at least once in every 8 hours to get a continuous graph. I’m kinda glad, really because it would have been setting off something shocking. My last reading was 2 just a short time ago. That is insane. So I checked with a finger prick and its actually 4.5 which is fine. I’m having a couple of spoons of sugar in a cup of tea (and ewww I do not like it!), just to be sure.

I’m really struggling with it at the moment, staying above 3.9, because if I have insulin, it drops like a rock. I have NO idea whats going on, really. Maybe my pancreas is repairing itself (I know... unlikely)

[edit] As an aside, I’m a scanning monster. Its a rare thing that I dont scan at least 8 times a day.

 

[kyteflyer]

.

I’m really struggling with it at the moment, staying above 3.9, because if I have insulin, it drops like a rock. I have NO idea whats going on, really. Maybe my pancreas is repairing itself (I know... unlikely)

[edit] As an aside, I’m a scanning monster. Its a rare thing that I dont scan at least 8 times a day.

Problem solved. MY BG was NOT going as low as the sensor said... clearly that sensor was just inaccurate for most of its life. Checked a few times when I was awake and “low” and found that a test with a strip on the same reader gave a different read. 3.2 was 4.1, and so forth. New sensor today, firs read was 7. On the strip, 8.6. I feel normal again.

 

[volleyball]

Was the sensor inaccurate or is your fluid off. The sensor is reading what was at your fingertip awhile ago. Maybe it has stabilized and the reading are close. Depending on where it is located and how much fat is there will help with the accuracy. I found my arm and chest give similar readings. So I use my chest most of the time. And I use 1 of those clear cover adhesive patches and it doesn't come off. It is a lot of slow peeling of the patch and then the sensor and lots of alcohol, the rubbing not the drinking.
I have had a few sensor problems. One lasted 10 days and died. Another read way low right out of the box. A third died after less than 24 hours.
I did find that I was inserting too hard. I now let the spring do the work. Let it sit a few seconds and remove the installer. patch it, scan and wait an hour.