Freestyle Libre tips

[MrsHerculePoirot]

I’ve just signed up to the freestyle libre free trial so have it for four weeks. If helpful it’s possible I can have it prescribed.

I’ve put it on this morning and it says you can shower and exercise etc… just checking that is true and what I need to be careful of with it.

I play netball so wondering if I should wear a long sleeved top or something over it so it doesn’t get knocked/contacted?!?

Anything else I need to think about that I might not have?

Yes you can shower and exercise with them on. You do need to be careful about knocking them too hard though, plus worth bearing in mind that about 5-10% of the sensors are just plain faulty from the start, so don't ever let yourself go down to having only one sensor left or you can get stuck.

Exfoliate the area where you’re applying it
shave the area
use alcohol wipe
apply and keep it pressed in for a short while, putting a little pressure on the edges.
remove then press the edges down

once I started this routine it was a lot more secure. There are clear round patches that you can buy on Amazon to cover it, but they gave me a rash and were really itchy.

In the shower it’s fine, but don’t shower straight after application. I put mine on in the evening and shower in the morning.

Are you sure its 4 weeks free trial. They only last 2 weeks

My DC has worn a Libre for 6+ years and it is an excellent way to monitor blood sugars etc.
There are quite a few aids you can buy to help keep it on. Peachyscream's advice is excellent and we do a similar 'attachment' routine. You can get an arm band to protect it during exercise and an arm cuff to cover it at night. We also have a plastic disc that sits over the Libre and then we have a large oblong plaster over that. We get our supplies on Ebay from a few trusted suppliers that we know. You can even get picture stickers for the sensor to bling it up. DC's current favourite is F**k U Diabetes! and Free WiFi.

Yes you get 2. They each last two weeks?

Thanks everyone - I’ve ordered some patches to help keep in place. Will see how I go!

My DH has worn one for a few years. He initially got them for 'occasional use' intending to use it for times when glucose is harder to control- around Christmas (when eating patterns are different), holidays etc. But as soon as he got it, there was no going back! He self funded for a while, but now gets them on prescription.

He hasn't had any problems with them not staying on. He doesn't play contact sport, but goes to the gym and runs, and it's fine for that kind of exercise. He has had a couple which have been faulty- either not working after application, or jus randomly stopping before the 2 weeks are up. Whenever that's happened, he contacted Libre and they sent a replacement (and a bag to return the faulty one). So you're never out of pocket.

It made the world of difference to glucose checking. None of that "I think I feel a bit high/low, but I'm not too sure, and I can't be bothered to finger prick". Or at times when I suspect he's borderline low and reasoning with him to finger prick was a challenge...

I only got one

https://www.freestyle.abbott/ie-en/FSL-2_Getting-Started/sampling.html

I don’t do anything apart from wipe my arm with an alcohol wipe. I’ve been wearing them for 18 months now and never had one fall off.

My top libre tip is to apply a new one 24 hours before you need it. Otherwise I find it gives false readings until it has settled.

I don’t think there’s any going back for me… my levels have been so, so much better over the last three days I’ve started with it!

Hi all,

I hope you don't mind me adding to your thread. I am currently conducting some research as part of my clinical psychology training, that I feel could be of relevance to those in this thread.

The research aims to get a better understanding of what relationship people living with type 1 diabetes and disordered eating (current or previous) have with their flash/continuous glucose monitor. With the hope to improve support and services.

Please see details of the study and recruitment criteria in the poster.

If you would like to register your interest and complete steps 1 and 2 please follow the link below. Please allow a few minutes to do this.

https://herts.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Suo6pGFut4f8Bo

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at [email protected]

Thank you,
Emily Williams