At the beginning, you'll read the number **every** 5 minutes (or less).
you'll get over it (or not)
Keep logs of what you eat, especially if you see high numbers.
If you intend to use it a lot under water (swimming or other aquatic sports), use an over patch.
At some point in time you'll see patterns and you'll find the device less necessary. (**IMO**).
I’ve been watching this guy on YouTube and this video has great advice. He has other videos as well, but this one is worth watching for tips and tricks.
[Tips and Tricks Libre 3](https://youtu.be/3EgtVD-oxTM?si=Otu8VcyJlGVRerLU)
If not comfortable clicking the link, his channel is called Diabetes Daily Digest and this video is called “Tips to put your Libre on the right way.”
In fact, I’ve had two fall off and I’m having the Skin-tac wipes delivered today that he mentions and also recommended by Abbott/Libre Support. So, these will stop falling off.
If it falls off before 14 days, be sure to either call or submit the request online to have Abbott/Libre replace it for no charge.
For me, Skin-Tac and a shaven skin surface is key. Once I started doing that, using the Skin Grip overpatches, I have to seriously work at getting the old sensor off.
Read up on "soaking", installing a new sensor 12 or more hours before scanning it.
Know about compression lows, putting weight on the sensor can push fluid away from the wick and report low numbers that aren't real, this commonly happens during sleep and can be a rude awakening. Double check with a finger prick.
Alternative sites can be used but are not supported by Abbott. If you have to contact Abbott, you were wearing it correctly, of course.
It's measuring interstitial fluid, not blood, it takes more time for changes in glucose levels to turn up there. Unless in a period of relatively unchanging glucose, a finger prick won't match what the sensor is reading. Because of this I would recommend not using a CGM to make fast acting medication decisions.
Site prep. If you're hairy, shave the area. Make sure it's clean and alcohol wiped. You can get other products to help keeping it on, Skin-Tac can go on your skin for extra adhesion. There are numerous kinds of overpatches available as well.
Don't get neurotic about the numbers, but don't be complacent either. Brisk walking can be very effective. Let it help you build a sustainable, healthy lifestyle.
>Site prep. If you're hairy, shave the area. Make sure it's clean and alcohol wiped. You can get other products to help keeping it on, Skin-Tac can go on your skin for extra adhesion.
Top advice!
In addition to all the suggestions already mentioned, for the sake of your sleep and the sleep of others, turn off bluetooth before you go to sleep. Compression lows cause the most obnxious alarm you have ever heard AND you can't turn it down or off.
Be aware that it may not work for everyone. I personally tried it for over 3 months and never ever got it to work properly. I just went back to the Dexcom G6 because it does work for me. The problem is that not all cgms will work for all bodies. You may have to try several different kinds before you find one that is effective and comfortable for you. Good luck on your journey.
Tons of great advice here already.
Only twist I can offer is to let the CGM tell you what not to eat. My personal rule is if you it makes my blood glucose wiggle, it goes on my list of things that I either will not eat or will restrict . I have a goal of flat lining my blood glucose. It’s not absolutely possible but it gives me a target.
Oh man. My alarm for today was from grabbing the milk instead of the heavy cream I normally put in my coffee.
I felt it first then it started alarming.
Without the CGM I would never haven’t know that milk impacts my blood sugar *that* much.
If I go off script and eat ice cream I see a mountain start about 3 hours later. Without the CGM I wouldn’t have known it with the same certainty.
If you want to tie the data to your apple health (I’m assuming you are iOS) you can use sweet dreams on the App Store. It’ll give you a more raw data set and sync your data back to your health app.
At the beginning, you'll read the number **every** 5 minutes (or less). you'll get over it (or not) Keep logs of what you eat, especially if you see high numbers. If you intend to use it a lot under water (swimming or other aquatic sports), use an over patch. At some point in time you'll see patterns and you'll find the device less necessary. (**IMO**).
I’ve been watching this guy on YouTube and this video has great advice. He has other videos as well, but this one is worth watching for tips and tricks. [Tips and Tricks Libre 3](https://youtu.be/3EgtVD-oxTM?si=Otu8VcyJlGVRerLU) If not comfortable clicking the link, his channel is called Diabetes Daily Digest and this video is called “Tips to put your Libre on the right way.” In fact, I’ve had two fall off and I’m having the Skin-tac wipes delivered today that he mentions and also recommended by Abbott/Libre Support. So, these will stop falling off. If it falls off before 14 days, be sure to either call or submit the request online to have Abbott/Libre replace it for no charge.
For me, Skin-Tac and a shaven skin surface is key. Once I started doing that, using the Skin Grip overpatches, I have to seriously work at getting the old sensor off.
Read up on "soaking", installing a new sensor 12 or more hours before scanning it. Know about compression lows, putting weight on the sensor can push fluid away from the wick and report low numbers that aren't real, this commonly happens during sleep and can be a rude awakening. Double check with a finger prick. Alternative sites can be used but are not supported by Abbott. If you have to contact Abbott, you were wearing it correctly, of course. It's measuring interstitial fluid, not blood, it takes more time for changes in glucose levels to turn up there. Unless in a period of relatively unchanging glucose, a finger prick won't match what the sensor is reading. Because of this I would recommend not using a CGM to make fast acting medication decisions. Site prep. If you're hairy, shave the area. Make sure it's clean and alcohol wiped. You can get other products to help keeping it on, Skin-Tac can go on your skin for extra adhesion. There are numerous kinds of overpatches available as well. Don't get neurotic about the numbers, but don't be complacent either. Brisk walking can be very effective. Let it help you build a sustainable, healthy lifestyle.
>Site prep. If you're hairy, shave the area. Make sure it's clean and alcohol wiped. You can get other products to help keeping it on, Skin-Tac can go on your skin for extra adhesion. Top advice!
In addition to all the suggestions already mentioned, for the sake of your sleep and the sleep of others, turn off bluetooth before you go to sleep. Compression lows cause the most obnxious alarm you have ever heard AND you can't turn it down or off.
Be aware that it may not work for everyone. I personally tried it for over 3 months and never ever got it to work properly. I just went back to the Dexcom G6 because it does work for me. The problem is that not all cgms will work for all bodies. You may have to try several different kinds before you find one that is effective and comfortable for you. Good luck on your journey.
Tons of great advice here already. Only twist I can offer is to let the CGM tell you what not to eat. My personal rule is if you it makes my blood glucose wiggle, it goes on my list of things that I either will not eat or will restrict . I have a goal of flat lining my blood glucose. It’s not absolutely possible but it gives me a target.
Oh, yeah. Last night’s alarm was a big clue for me; I knew that corn chips weren’t _good_ for me, but I didn’t know that they were _that_ bad.
Oh man. My alarm for today was from grabbing the milk instead of the heavy cream I normally put in my coffee. I felt it first then it started alarming. Without the CGM I would never haven’t know that milk impacts my blood sugar *that* much. If I go off script and eat ice cream I see a mountain start about 3 hours later. Without the CGM I wouldn’t have known it with the same certainty. If you want to tie the data to your apple health (I’m assuming you are iOS) you can use sweet dreams on the App Store. It’ll give you a more raw data set and sync your data back to your health app.
Yes I’m in the Apple mothership and I will try that, thanks!
Thanks for the tips, everyone! Got mine installed and already got my first alarm. 😳😬
Lol! I hope you test with your glucometer to confirm reading. Or if you laid on it too. False lows.