@LaoDan the reader doesn’t do Keto strips. Well mine certainly doesn’t. I rang Abbott and they said it didn’t.
I can confirm my reader (received Oct 2019) is compatible with ketone strips and has worked a few times when I've tested. Recognises I've put ketone strips in as it has a different display when they're in.
I also use an android phone with the app
I start the sensor with the reader but we were told the readers are very expensive and my phone is very old so I feel less precious about my phone I can also go back and adjust notes in the phone app if I haven't had time to add them during the day, and it syncs to the website as long as I have WiFi connection, so my readings wouldn't be lost if my phone broke. The reader needs manually syncing.
We were told the libre 1 sensors had only been tested for use on the arm, but they are testing alternative sites for the libre 2 sensors. It seems to be that they just haven't been proven to be accurate elsewhere. This doesn't mean they aren't. But Abbott doesn't have the proof to recommend it (yet). I've only tried it on my arm. Like others have said, you can always calibrate the sensor against capillary tests, just be careful if you're getting the Libre on the NHS because part of the agreement is that you reduce how many test strips you need, making the libre cost effective. You should test if the symptoms don't match the libre reading or if you're hypo or high, or if you don't have the sensor on (eg fault or travelling) but I always make a note of why I've tested in my app so they don't argue I'm doing it too much. Not had any problems so far!
I was told to try and alternate arm sites, so not just where a tshirt would end on my arms but also apply them slightly further up/down my arm each time too, ranging from roughly a hand's width up from my elbow to a hands width down from my shoulder. Always on the back/outside of my arm. I apply it on the back, sometimes slightly more towards the inside of my arm/torso. I haven't yet knocked one or had one come off (tempting fate by writing that I know!).
The needle you see when you prep the sensor is just so the filament can be inserted properly. It doesn't stay in your arm. The filament does but is only 4mm deep in you arm and is flexible. If you've got an old sensor that you've cleaned you can play and see how flexible the filament is!
I too have skinny arms and find the area a little sore when I first apply a new sensor but this goes within a day. I watched loads of YouTube videos when it came to applying my second sensor at home. I'd got myself a bit worked up but it was absolutely fine!
My first sensor bled during the training! They said it can make it more accurate, as sensors usually read the glucose values of your interstitial fluid, and it can take 10-15 mins for glucose to diffuse from your capillaries to your interstitial fluid, so your scan will tell you you blood glucose readings from 10 mins ago. If the filament has hit a capillary then your readings are more likely to show a more current glucose level. This being said mine didn't bleed much, and if you've ever applied sensors as per their instructions and there are errors then contact customer services they will send a replacement free of charge as long as you've applied it as per their instructions. They usually ask you to send the old sensor back so hold on to it in case.
Sorry that was a long post again! I hope you enjoy it. It has helped me flatten spikes especially surrounding meals and timing injections and I did initially have that 'my hidden disability is now visible' thing but as I got in in Oct I got used to it over winter months and now really wouldn't live without it! Scanning out and about is so easy and I do it when I otherwise would never have contemplated testing. I have also always been open about having type 1 with friends family etc etc so I haven't had any comments. I once had someone in an exercise class notice it and they were really excited for me that I didn't have to finger prick as often any more (so am I to be honest, my poor pin cushion fingers back in Oct are much happier now too!)
Hope some of this is useful and you're all keeping well!