• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Been put on Libre [emoji638]

K

Kevrey

Member
Messages
21
Hi all, at my last annual check up the DNS offered me a libre 2 sensor and I have to say it’s been a game changer, I didn’t realise I was having hypos at night and hypers after meals. It’s given me the confidence to go on fast acting insulin as well as the long acting I was on.
being able to adjust the insulin dose to what I am eating has enabled me to halve my long acting insulin (levemir), not have hypos at night and reduce the hypers after meals, although it is a steep learning curve and is not an exact science.
If you can I would advise anyone to push for one although I believe not all health areas will provide them as they cost £100 per month.
For anyone who is scared of starting fast acting insulin I would say just do it but start lower than the recommended (1 unit for 10 carbs)
Until you get used to it.
Unfortunately the HBA1C that they rely on does not take account of the fact you are going hypo then hyper which averages out as your doing OK, when your not.
 
My Hb1AC was high at my last review and I am going in next Thursday to discuss being given the Freestyle Libre for at least 2 weeks to monitor my levels. I am on slow release insulin once a day (Toujeo) with a fixed dose, but online (NHS) the criteria mentions using insulin multiple times a day to get a Libre, plus meeting other criteria (like frequent hypos - never had one!), none of which apply to me, so I am quite interested as to what they will have to say.
Nice to see it is working for you.
 
Kevrey said:
Hi all, at my last annual check up the DNS offered me a libre 2 sensor and I have to say it’s been a game changer, I didn’t realise I was having hypos at night and hypers after meals. It’s given me the confidence to go on fast acting insulin as well as the long acting I was on.
being able to adjust the insulin dose to what I am eating has enabled me to halve my long acting insulin (levemir), not have hypos at night and reduce the hypers after meals, although it is a steep learning curve and is not an exact science.
If you can I would advise anyone to push for one although I believe not all health areas will provide them as they cost £100 per month.
For anyone who is scared of starting fast acting insulin I would say just do it but start lower than the recommended (1 unit for 10 carbs)
Until you get used to it.
Unfortunately the HBA1C that they rely on does not take account of the fact you are going hypo then hyper which averages out as your doing OK, when your not.
Click to expand...
Hi @Kevrey
Maybe you are really having hypo's at night but I also urge caution in the way you interpret the readings because if a user lays on the sensor, the pressure pushes the interstitial cell fluid away from the sensor needle and it simply may not have anything to read.
These 'pressure lows' are fairly well documented and it may be worth cross checking with a finger prick if you can.

Regards
Urb'
 
Partha said in one of his Twitter talks to camera that Type Twos on insulin is the next push re CGMs, as the role out to Type One’s is complete. There is now complete access for all Ones.
 
Have you noticed much difference between your Libre readings and finger-prick tests? How often do you check to make sure it’s accurate?
 
Davidden said:
My Hb1AC was high at my last review and I am going in next Thursday to discuss being given the Freestyle Libre for at least 2 weeks to monitor my levels. I am on slow release insulin once a day (Toujeo) with a fixed dose, but online (NHS) the criteria mentions using insulin multiple times a day to get a Libre, plus meeting other criteria (like frequent hypos - never had one!), none of which apply to me, so I am quite interested as to what they will have to say.
Nice to see it is working for you.
Click to expand...
I was put onto the libre system 8 weeks ago ,reason was due to severe arthritis and also had kidney removed ,2 years ago ,was a total game changer as to my sugar control as one kidney could be damaged by use of high levels of metformin ,so now on metformin and insulin (type 2). My blood sugars almost became impossible to control after kidney removal, hence insulin. sorry should have said ,severe arthritis causes huge problems with my hands ,hence reason for Libre2+
 
Some posts on this thread have been moved here, as it was beginning to derail the OP @Kevrey thread
lovinglife

Thread 'Hi I’m julieclarke I’ve joined to find out more about T2 diabetes'

Hi @julieclarke & welcome to the forum

I’ve noticed you’ve posted quite a bit around the forum on different threads & asked a few questions but haven’t said much about yourself :)

I see you are have T2 diabetes. What kind of food do you eat to help you control your blood sugar? Do you have a favourite food?

If you have any questions that you think our members can help you with, or would like to tell us more about anything you do to help you with your diabetes then you can post here or even start your own thread :)

Edited by mod to remove quote
  • Like

Mods have also deleted a number of posts that were off topic. We respectfully ask you to keep the thread to comments & advice about the Libre

Thanks guys :)


Edited to add correct link
 
Last edited:
LindaWO said:
How often do you check to make sure it’s accurate?
Click to expand...
you should always check agianst both highs and lows and is suggseted you also check if feel any different that guidance is from abbots. i will check lows/highs only anything else i wont bother. exceptionally rare for values to show same libre las behind 10-15 mins alognside have found to be consistantly reading a little lower at same token some have found consistantly reads a little higher. something to bear in mind is acceptable error margin, both with libre AND fingerprick device. so the results usually if take both into consideration tend to be not as far out with occassionally showing vast differences sometiems exhabberated by dehydration/compression low. have found them in general terms to be reliable enough dispite the few quirks :)
 
urbanracer said:
Hi @Kevrey
Maybe you are really having hypo's at night but I also urge caution in the way you interpret the readings because if a user lays on the sensor, the pressure pushes the interstitial cell fluid away from the sensor needle and it simply may not have anything to read.
These 'pressure lows' are fairly well documented and it may be worth cross checking with a finger prick if you can.

Regards
Urb'
Click to expand...
This is one of the things I want to ask when I go on Thursday as I only sleep on my sides, so am concerned about pressure on the sensor, or dislodging it. On the phone she did suggest the upper thigh as an alternate location, but this would have the same problem in my case.
 
Have to admit ,I felt almost alone and some what confused as to some of my own diabetic issues and meds etc ,,even down to libre sensors ,quite a warm feeling knowing i,m not alone in my plight.
Quite possible I,ve gained more insight here that attending my GP;s , also I've been diabetic now well over twenty years.
 
Davids Roost said:
Have to admit ,I felt almost alone and some what confused as to some of my own diabetic issues and meds etc ,,even down to libre sensors ,quite a warm feeling knowing i,m not alone in my plight.
Quite possible I,ve gained more insight here that attending my GP;s , also I've been diabetic now well over twenty years.
Click to expand...
The biggest problem I find is not being seen by the same person every time, or rather seeing someone different each time. You cannot build up a rapport, and they do not know how you are progressing (or regressing!). It makes managing your condition, and your feelings, which are equally as important, nigh on impossible.
 
Back
Top