1. Get the Diabetes Forum App for your phone - available on iOS and Android.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Guest, we'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the Diabetes Forum Survey 2022 »
    Dismiss Notice
  3. Diabetes Forum should not be used in an emergency and does not replace your healthcare professional relationship. Posts can be seen by the public.
    Dismiss Notice
Free Forum App Feedback Reminder
Dismiss Notice
Find support, ask questions and share your experiences. Join the community »

Free style Libre arrow

Discussion in 'Type 1 Diabetes' started by Vana, Apr 23, 2020.

  1. Vana

    Vana · Newbie

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Good afternoon to all users I am Vana from Greece, a new member here and longing to read all your answers to diabetes 1 issues (i have many questions)

    So, i have freestyle libre for approximately a year and i am really concerned about the horizontal and vertical arrow, that shows the sharp fall and sharp rise of glucose.

    For example, one day as i was walking, i checked my blood levels and i saw 100 mg/dL with sharp fall of glucose. I didn't have anything sweet with me and kept walking quickly. Luckily i found 1 euro and bought an orage juice. Glocose continued falling and at 60 mg/dL started stabilising. But i thought what if i didn't have any money....

    My question is, is it so easy for glucose to drop so quickly that if you don't have something sweet you will faint; That demn arrows get me reallyyyy anxious and i want to get over it.

    Apart from this, sometimes i have second thoughts about this reader because i have checked it too many times and i have found significant differences with the blood glucose monitor. But, that feeling of liberty it creates you, dominates.

    Thank you a lot... Waiting for your answers. Trend-arrows-in-the-FreeStyle-Libre-systems-The-FreeStyle-Libre-systems-present-trend.jpg
     
    #1 Vana, Apr 23, 2020 at 5:17 PM
  2. searley

    searley Type 1 · Moderator
    Staff Member

    Messages:
    1,747
    Likes Received:
    665
    Trophy Points:
    173
    There is always a time lag between a normal blood glucose meter and the libre as the libre is not measuring blood it’s measuring the fluid under the skin so it take longer for glucose changes to show up

    2 nd yes blood glucose can fall quickly especially when doing unexpected activity which is why many insulin treated diabetics carry glucose tablets... in the uk it’s a requirement to have something to treat hypo when driving
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
    • Like Like x 1
    #2 searley, Apr 23, 2020 at 5:34 PM
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2020
  3. EllieM

    EllieM Type 1 · Moderator
    Staff Member

    Messages:
    6,043
    Likes Received:
    2,782
    Trophy Points:
    198
    Speaking from experience here (there's nothing like trying to buy something sweet in a shopping centre when you are too low to work out how), you MUST always always always have something sweet with you when you go out. I may leave my wallet or blood testing kit behind (if for a shortish walk) but I always have my glucose, even if I'm just walking to the end of my field (I live in the country).

    As regards the libre, it isn't 100% reliable (it matches your blood sugar ten minutes ago) and works much much better for some than others (doesn't work at all for me after I developed an allergy to it), but if it works for you at all it is an awesome awesome gadget.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
    • Like Like x 1
    #3 EllieM, Apr 23, 2020 at 11:43 PM
  4. enzina

    enzina LADA · Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    282
    Likes Received:
    363
    Trophy Points:
    103
    I completely agree with @EllieM , that's the way i do it too. Some people carry a bottle of Lucozade and others gluco tabs. I am using dextro energy tablets although i would much prefer fizzy cola bottles but would eat them before i need them. :)
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Funny Funny x 2
    #4 enzina, Apr 24, 2020 at 7:43 AM
  5. EllieM

    EllieM Type 1 · Moderator
    Staff Member

    Messages:
    6,043
    Likes Received:
    2,782
    Trophy Points:
    198
    I know exactly what you mean about that. The trick is to have something that you are prepared to eat but don't particularly like :).

    And anyone in my family who touches my emergency carbohydrate that lives in the car can prepare to be tortured horribly.:):):)
     
    • Funny Funny x 4
    • Like Like x 1
    #5 EllieM, Apr 24, 2020 at 9:04 AM
  6. philly1991

    philly1991 Type 1 · Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    130
    Likes Received:
    71
    Trophy Points:
    88
    Hi @Vana hope you are well. Completely agree with @EllieM always make sure you have some fast acting glucose with you, particularly when exercising though episodes of low glucose can strike anywhere, even if you're just out shopping. Glucose tabs are a great idea as @enzina suggested because you're not likely to eat them unless you need them though top tip, try not to accidentally give them to the dog whilst out on a walk and be left with pedigrees finest hypo treatment!
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agree Agree x 1
    #6 philly1991, Apr 24, 2020 at 10:24 AM
  7. Vana

    Vana · Newbie

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Yes i know that, but what counts finally is the result In can't calculate always the time lag...Apart from this, i have checked it too many times and at some cases the difference was 50 units and that was a problem. Despite that, i try to show confidence at this machine, because otherwise it doesn't work. Have a nice day
     
    #7 Vana, Apr 27, 2020 at 3:56 PM
  8. Vana

    Vana · Newbie

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Thanks everyone for your comments I've never written before to a forum for diabetes and i am actually feeling very nice reading comments from people who know exactly what diabetes really is. I am just thinking how easier where things when i was young, when i checked 3 times a day, exercing, did what ever i liked without been so anxious and worried about the numbers. Now I am counting a million times and still can't control my HbA1c(8 % last time). I think the more you know the worse it gets Anyway that' s another topic "Living with diabetes for 26 years"....Lots of time....Good evening!
     
    • Hug Hug x 1
    #8 Vana, Apr 27, 2020 at 6:19 PM
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Style
Red
Language
English (UK)

  • Meet the Community

    Find support, connect with others, ask questions and share your experiences with people with diabetes, their carers and family.

    Did you know: 7 out of 10 people improve their understanding of diabetes within 6 months of being a Diabetes Forum member. Get the Diabetes Forum App and stay connected on iOS and Android

    Grab the app!

  • Tweet with us

  • Like us on Facebook