CGM first day

[Mark Rawlinson]

After my other post CGM here is the follow up
my initial Libre 2plus course
time 1 hour (was longer)
after we were all there 18 of us the course started a general welcome and we all received a sensor (I also received a reader as phone is ancient)
initial introduction and how to set up on your phone then reader (2 of us)
We were shown how to apply the sensor after wiping down the under arm area with an alcohol wipe and advised to buy some off ebay or amazon as much cheaper than pharmacy
we all put on the sensor (so much easier than I expected and were told they are very unlikely to come off during swimming exercise sleeping etc. If we are to knock one off on a door etc they are then useless and not to re apply (use another we have been prescribed or get one from the surgery (she was leaving a load there for emergencies )) (Phone Abbott and one will be sent free in 3 days post)
then we were shown how to set alarms etc
after an hour they will be usable. Then all the arrows explained and why a reading on a sensor is different to a blood finger prick
We were all told to share detail with the Surgery unless you have a reader and then to bring it to appointments
everything seemed to be shown or explained in easy to follow details
Apparently in the next few years finger prick tests will be used so much less
I was impressed with the ease and how well everything was explained

 

[EllieM]

and advised to buy some off ebay or amazon as much cheaper than pharmacy

I have a bottle of isopropyl alcohol in my bathroom which lasts me several years .... (I only use the wipes when travelling).

(When I say several years, we bought the first bottle during covid and have just bought the second.)

 

[Mark Rawlinson]

I have a bottle of isopropyl alcohol in my bathroom which lasts me several years .... (I only use the wipes when travelling).

(When I say several years, we bought the first bottle during covid and have just bought the second.)

She did say to us only use the sealed package wipes get them online though as cheaper than at pharmacy the ones she provided were not their own make either

 

[CheeseSeaker]

Glad you're getting the hang of them - been using for a long time (self funded before the NHS had them on the formularies).

Notes from the trenches:
1. When applying get the sensor applicator at 90 degrees to skin (or as close as possible). If you get too far off straight it can kink the teflon needle thing and the sensor wont work properly. Easy to get it right, just give yourself time to line it up before 'firing'
2. Sensors become more accurate with time, then less accurate again. You get 'insertion trauma' over the first couple of days (body reacting to a foreign object), as this settles - sensor is most accurate at 50% of its life. After you get half way through, your body heals round the sensor, so starts to become less accurate. You'll notice variation in the accuracy - worth being aware of but not a serious issue.
3. They can peel off in hot weather or with exercise - have a look what people do (online) to give them extra stick-ability (patches or whatever) and find a solution that works for you for when you notice the stickiness starting to give up.
4. You will now realise how many times you walk into a doorway on the way through (as you'll catch your sensor - the patches etc will help with this as its easy to catch them and pull them off.
5. At some point one will fail (generally very reliable) so keep at least one in stock, and have your returns process ready (number to phone abbot - webpage for returns or whatever)
6. Don't worry about the data going high, you can treat it or your pump will do it for you - main thing is to start learning what's going on, and how you can use it to feel better.

They are amazing gadgets - and have changed my life for the better. First part of my path to improve my T1 life, I wanted alarms for highs and lows (first step), then wanted the readings to control my pump (before NHS had solutions) now I link my CGM, phone and pump together and don't have to think about eating - it does everything for me. Without CGM, I'd never have been able to do it. Amazing gadget - hope you love it as much as I do.

 

[Mark Rawlinson]

Glad you're getting the hang of them - been using for a long time (self funded before the NHS had them on the formularies).

Notes from the trenches:
1. When applying get the sensor applicator at 90 degrees to skin (or as close as possible). If you get too far off straight it can kink the teflon needle thing and the sensor wont work properly. Easy to get it right, just give yourself time to line it up before 'firing'
2. Sensors become more accurate with time, then less accurate again. You get 'insertion trauma' over the first couple of days (body reacting to a foreign object), as this settles - sensor is most accurate at 50% of its life. After you get half way through, your body heals round the sensor, so starts to become less accurate. You'll notice variation in the accuracy - worth being aware of but not a serious issue.
3. They can peel off in hot weather or with exercise - have a look what people do (online) to give them extra stick-ability (patches or whatever) and find a solution that works for you for when you notice the stickiness starting to give up.
4. You will now realise how many times you walk into a doorway on the way through (as you'll catch your sensor - the patches etc will help with this as its easy to catch them and pull them off.
5. At some point one will fail (generally very reliable) so keep at least one in stock, and have your returns process ready (number to phone abbot - webpage for returns or whatever)
6. Don't worry about the data going high, you can treat it or your pump will do it for you - main thing is to start learning what's going on, and how you can use it to feel better.

They are amazing gadgets - and have changed my life for the better. First part of my path to improve my T1 life, I wanted alarms for highs and lows (first step), then wanted the readings to control my pump (before NHS had solutions) now I link my CGM, phone and pump together and don't have to think about eating - it does everything for me. Without CGM, I'd never have been able to do it. Amazing gadget - hope you love it as much as I do.

Thank you for that I only have the sensor and reader I don't have a pump. Styill getting used to it and half way through second sensor now (still have one spare she gave us it on the course) The readier soes seem far more sensitive t
than blood tests and gives lows when not that low compared to blood. I have noticed with time the readings are ,pre accurate never thought abpout taking time t bed in so to speak. Am due a review in another week with Nurse see what she has to say

 

[Tony337]

As @CheeseSeaker points out they take a while to bed in as it were so i place one on my opposite arm 2 days before my other one runs out.
I wear a sensor on each arm for 2 days and only activate when the original runs out.
This does improve accuracy IMHO.
I swim and place a plaster every time i'm in the water.

I'm old school and remember testing my urine as thats all we had.
Finger pricking does not and never has bothered me and i've been doing alot recently as i've been forced to change my insulin.
The libre does run lower but as i try to be in the fives mmol and don't nosedive dangerously it does not trouble me either.
Its a fabulous piece of kit but not infallible so if in doubt finger prick every time.

I wish you well

Tony

 

[Mark Rawlinson]

As @CheeseSeaker points out they take a while to bed in as it were so i place one on my opposite arm 2 days before my other one runs out.
I wear a sensor on each arm for 2 days and only activate when the original runs out.
This does improve accuracy IMHO.
I swim and place a plaster every time i'm in the water.

I'm old school and remember testing my urine as thats all we had.
Finger pricking does not and never has bothered me and i've been doing alot recently as i've been forced to change my insulin.
The libre does run lower but as i try to be in the fives mmol and don't nosedive dangerously it does not trouble me either.
Its a fabulous piece of kit but not infallible so if in doubt finger prick every time.

I wish you well

Tony

Thank you I wear mine just under arm pit so it is much loess visible to any one and on my second sensor I alos find it does not get knocked in that area
I do still however finger prick for my own conscious