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Newly diagnosed and Libre

A

alandavis77

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Hi guys. Was diagnosed with Type 1 a few weeks ago. The finger pricking has become a real nuisance. Fingers are sore from doing it so much and is difficult doing so on a flight. I travel several times a month for my job around Europe. I’ve decided to self fund the Libre Sensor. My Dad has one and it’s made a huge difference to him. Does anyone know if readings are stored on separate phones if they are logged in to my account. Reason being is that I was hoping to have it on my Wife and Daughters Phone incase my battery dies and to maintain my readings on the same account? I am hoping to push for funding moving forward. Any ideas on how it’s best to go about it other than getting on your hands and knees? Thoughts are most welcome. Many thanks

Oh and one other thing. What is a sensible reading to go to bed on? My Dad has stayed that he hasn’t ever done unless it’s around 10 but sounds high to me. He’s been diabetic for 30 years so would think he knows his onions!
 
First things first - Libre does NOT replace finger pricking, I (and others) find it is not sufficiently accurate to dose from. And this is the advice from most diabetes teams in the UK. It is a fantastic tool for spotting trends and making adjustments to insulin timings, etc.
Secondly, I fly several times per month and have never found it any more difficult to test on a plane than anywhere else.
Thirdly, if your fingers are getting sore, have you tried changing where you lance (the side of the finger is the usual recommendation) and the depth of the lancer?
Currently, if you drive, there is no way to get away from finger pricking - the DVLA do not accept any other BG readings and you should test at least every 2 hours when driving,

Finally, to your question - what do you want on your daughter and wive's phones? Access to your previous scans or the ability to scan each sensor on multiple phones? I don't know for certainty but I suspect the latter is not possible. I know if you start your scanner off on the phone, you cannot read it on the Libre Reader.
However, perhaps you could invest in a battery pack for your phone so you can charge it when you are out and about. These are relatively inexpensive, small and can store enough power to charge your phone multiple times. I am sure your wife and daughter will see the benefit of keeping their own phones for themselves :)

Regarding getting Libre on the NHS, you need to talk to your local team. As of 1st April, the criteria should be unified throughout England but at the moment there are local variations.

From my understanding, the BG you go to bed on depends on what happens to your BG overnight. Personally, I would not go to bed with a BG as high as 10mmol/l. However, if you find your BG falls and you wake at around 5mmol/l (but find your BG remains reasonably stable during the days), this is different to going to bed on a 6mmol/l and waking at 3mmol/l.
Wearing a Libre will show you what happens overnight and help you (and your diabetes team) decide what your basal insulin dose should be and what BG you should have for bedtime.

Sorry if I was a bit harsh at the start but many people do not seem to understand how to use and get the most out of a Libre ... and waste their (or the NHS) money.
 
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I have to fully agree with @helensaramay and everything she has said.
Finger pricking is essential. The Libre is a luxury item, brilliant, but definitely not a system to become totally reliant on.
Your father has been doing this stuff for 30 years and he has managed without all the technology we have nowadays.
I use CGM but I always go at least a week without it every month, I find this keeps me more in touch with my body and diabetes.
There’s no greater feeling than taking an educated shot at what a finger prick test is going to be and getting spot on or pretty **** close. ( There are greater feelings but hopefully you get my drift:)). Gives me a sense of being the master and controller of the condition.
Oh and welcome to the forum @alandavis77
 
@alandavis77 hi and welcome to the forum.

Libre is an interesting tool to use and like @helensaramay and @therower said they are great for trends, however some find them questionable in their accuracy, so do not completely remove the need for finger pricks.

I think the readings are stored on separate phones but I think that the mobile software Abotts use can upload the readings to a central point, not sure because never used it.
 
Hi @alandavis77 ,

Welcome to the forum.

Considering phones....

Some phone manufacturers, and even phones within a certain manufacturer's range are not compatable with the Libre sensor regarding the NFC set up on the phone..?

Basically there is a warning that certain phones may brake the sensor. (Though I haven't seen any mention of how the NFC on some phones do this?)
Oddly a Samsung Galaxy 2017 A3 phone model number SM-A320FL on the list is ok, but the same phone produced that year with the model number SM-A320F might.. It's worth doing your research on the type of phone/s you plan to scan with?
 
I have just been diagnosed with diabetes test my blood every day sometime meet up sometime next time how can I keep it on one level
 
Cesline331 said:
I have just been diagnosed with diabetes test my blood every day sometime meet up sometime next time how can I keep it on one level
Click to expand...

I don't get your question?

Even non diabetics have blood glucose levels that fluctuate through out the course of the day.

Do you mean between two levels like 4 - 10 mmol?

Or literally at say 6mmol all day?
 
I am going to have to self fund a Libre. I'm type 1 but don't meet the other criteria set by the CCG I'm in to have one prescribed. So where, how is the best way, place to buy one? Can anyone help please.
 
Cesline331 said:
I have just been diagnosed with diabetes test my blood every day sometime meet up sometime next time how can I keep it on one level
Click to expand...
You can't. It goes up and down all the time. That's why they do the HbA1C test - it provides the average your blood sugars have been at over the last 3 months. Flattens the ups and downs that are going on.
 
Hi Knightrider. Right now the sensors are in short supply, Annot can't keep up. Ideally but direct from their website, not I don't think they are accepting new customers.
Try ASDA pharmacy, I've found them the most helpful. Good luck
 
Abbott prefer customers to purchase through pharmacies now rather than through their website, there are supply issues but Asda and Superdrug are the best places to get the sensors from - call up your local out let first though to check their stock.
 
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