How much is the Libre and the sensors and whatever other stuff that goes with it? I kind of wonder why it's not available in the States. Can one purchase it online and just use it here?
It is now available in the US in most major pharmacies...65-85 for reader, 36- 45 for sensor (only 10 days in US)How much is the Libre and the sensors and whatever other stuff that goes with it? I kind of wonder why it's not available in the States. Can one purchase it online and just use it here?
I found sometimes the sensors are ok and sometimes not so good. I now sometimes use a dexcom which is very accurate. But unfortunately mine only seems to last 8 or 9 days. Yet I have read of others getting them to average much longer
This is very much like my experience with Libre. Wonder how the company can afford all the replacements. My pharmacist told me that they are constantly getting customers coming in for replacements.New to this, first sensor was an out-of-box failure and FreeStyle replaced it. This second one tells me that I have a reading of 59 when a finger stick reading shows 105. This was not the only low-end-of-the-scale reading that I question.
@EllieM @Dragonball am having the same reaction on my 3yo T1D son too...was very happy with libre for 8-9months, but now the canula just leaves a bump of hard scar tissue. No wonder the readings are out by outrageous margins, above 10mmol/L that it’s pointless to use. Am wondering is that the kind of allergy that you got?
He used to have rash on the outer skin only, solvable by using Cavilon, but now the adhesive seem easier to get loose, and once it does, seems like the water/soap/etc gets into the insertion part that it gets irritated so badly :’( tried a new sensor 3 days ago with different spot (higher up on the arm), really hoping that it might work as it used to. But now it starts to show the same outrageous error...getting desperate now, feeling out of options on FGM/CGM as I live in a country where neither Libre nor Dexcom has an official seller yet.
Perhaps I'm one of the lucky ones who's body just accepts the sensor.
Look, I'm in total agreement. While it worked for me I was in seventh heaven. It clearly works well for many (most?) people. Unfortunately Abbott will never own up to the statistics. I just wish it still worked for me but I'm really happy for those for whom it does still works (hopefully the majority).
I just wonder about the statistics given that the UK seem to have decided that this is the cgm /flash reader of choice,,,, Will they fund a dexcom for those with loss of hypo awareness who can't use a libre?
I've been using it for about 8 months. They can be quirky at times, some have been closer than others and it can sometimes take a day or two before I decide whether it's a "good" sensor or not. Despite the quirks, I think it's still well worth it once you learn how to adjust for differences.
Sometimes the differences are useful: for example, if it normally runs lower than blood, but I've taken a bolus and I'm wondering whether it's at work yet, if a blood test then shows lower than the libre, that's a clue that the insulin is now working - quite useful to avoid possible insulin stacking.
Inserting it causes a small amount of damage which can throw readings out so many insert about a day or so before activating to allow it to "settle".
Also, I try to activate a new one just before I get up in the morning on the basis that that's the time of day that blood glucose will probably be closest to interstitial fluid glucose. Don't know if there's any science to back that up but it seems to work for me: last few I've done this way have been closer than others.
Hasn't made diabetes "fun" but definitely easier and less guesswork!
it only starts the 14 day countdown after activating it not when you apply it so you wouldn't be wasting a day at alland wasting an entire day before activation also makes no sense to me as the thing is only good for 14 days, so wasting one of them? really? it already tells you you cannot use it for the first hour after insertion, seems like it would be adequate for any setting needing to be done. but what do i know, i'm still not happy with it. but i'm still testing it and uncertain about its future in my current existence.
I always start mine immediately after sticking the thing on. I used to wait 12 to 24 hours but didn't notice any improvement in accuracy.it only starts the 14 day countdown after activating it not when you apply it so you wouldn't be wasting a day at all
I've never left it 24 hours to bed in before activating either its just apply and activate for me too but what I replied to was the person stating applying it a day early would give you a day less when it wouldn'tI always start mine immediately after sticking the thing on. I used to wait 12 to 24 hours but didn't notice any improvement in accuracy.
I only got a rash on my skin under the sensor, though it was raw and inflamed. I suspect it might be possible to make it more accurate with a miaomiao transmitter and the xdrip+ accurate, which would allow you to calibrate the libre against blood glucose readings. But honestly once you're having a severe allergic reaction to something you've got to reckon it may not be safe to continue exposing yourself to that substance.
I don't know what to say to someone with a 3 year old though, that's such a hard age to cope with diabetes (I was diagnosed when I was 8 and I was fine, but I was old enough to do my own injections and detect hypos. And there was no blood testing at all in those days, so my blood sugar levels just ran higher than those of modern diabetic children ) . Some thoughts
1) go back to old fashioned finger pricking (sorry, I'm guessing that's really tough for a 3 year old)
2) use the libre less often (2 weeks on, 2 weeks off?) to see if that helps (bit of a long shot)
3) get the dexcom posted to you by a friend in another country
The libre is a pretty recent development, maybe if you post on the children and parents forum you can get advice from other parents of young T1s who managed the illness before cgms were available.....
Good luck and lots of virtual hugs, both for you and your little one.
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