Continuous Gluclose Moniter
 

I got one a week ago and can't recommend getting one if you have diabetes enough. I got the Freestyle Libre 3.

If you have considered it you should give one a try and see if you also like it.

Got the libre 2 about a month ago. I have an older iPhone so can't use the 3 until I buy a new one. I did have an issue with the low glucose numbers being off. I kept getting numbers in the 60s and I felt OK so I did a stick and found it to be off by 100! Did it 3 times and always off by 100. But the high numbers were dead on. I called Abbott who makes them and complained so they sent me a neww one for free but I still think the low numbers are off. My friend has the dexcom system and showed my on his phone that he can adjust it if the numbers don't jive.

If you like the Libre...you should try Dexcom...way WAY better IMO and you don't have to hold your phone to the attachment .

I had to upgrade my Samsung phone to use it. I had the cheap AO2s so I got a refurbished A32 5G. The $100 was worth it to have a phone that wasn't a piece of garbage. The numbers on the Libre 3 seem pretty good so far.

How do you like it on your abdomen? Not having it there was one of my main reasons for going with the penny sized Libre 3 on the back of my arm. With the 3 you only have to touch your phone to the device once to activate it. Then as long as you are within 33 feet it sends a reading to your phone every minute.

I read the title of this thread and thought.......great, another troll LOL

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Interesting info...i am one of those above normal people and would think i had diabetes, but the docs never told me otherwise. I tried to do the finger thingy --to just try and check my levels. Seemed normal. But no way in hell i want to do the finger thingy all the time.
Glad to have folks here sharing +++++
Now, i dont have a phone, insert old timer crap all you want. Never felt the need to have a cell phone, when i got a home phone.

You don't actually need a phone that works for calling. You could just buy a used phone cheap to use as a reader for the CGM. You will have to hook it to WiFi to download the app and then for a couple minutes every 2 weeks to activate the new CGM. Other than that you just use the Bluetooth on the phone to get your reading every minute. At least that is how the Libre 3 works.

Yes stabbing yourself repeatedly in the finger sucks.

I didn't know that...the commercials make it seem like you have to tap it every time. I prefer it on my abdomen vs my arm to be honest. I play many sports and am quite active...only once had a problem when I was moving crazy big stuff and almost peeled it off. I am sure libre is good with customer support...but Dexcom is like Amazon/Home Depot/Costco in one...any issues and no questions send a replacement ASAP. I spend about $250/3 months all in.

They have been pushing for some sort of pump as well...but unless I can control everything from my phone it just wouldn;t be convenient enough for me ....but they have some stuff that might be borderline accpetable (for me) now or soon....so we will see.

Funny how we prefer it in different places for similar reasons.

I just filled a 3 month prescription. For the Libre 3 it is 6 devices as they last 14 days each. For me the price was $224.99 tax included. Without insurance the cash price would have been $440.34 tax included.

When I was researching what one to try I believe the Dexcom 6 or the new 7 could communicate and work together with some of the pumps. None of the Libre models can do that.

I am a type II doing every thing I can to stay off any new medication because of a recent extremely horrible reaction to the Metformin I had been taking for years. Having the real time readings has been beyond helpful in figuring out what I can and can't eat now. My levels can skyrocket really easy now but it is also way easier now to get them back down.

Just had my first bloodwork done after getting my Libre 3 CGM. I am amazed at how accurate it is. My BG according to the CGM is 134 over the last 56 days that I have had it. My bloodwork came back with an average of 128 BG(6.1 A1c).

Amazingly this is drug free. When on 2000mg of Metformin the best A1c I ever hit was 6.4 once with most being in the 7s.

Having the real time data is amazing and I can't recommend getting one enough if you are diabetic.

My doc just started me on Metformin this month to lower my A1C
My bloodwork showed 9.6 and low testorerone levels too.
I am taking the liquid form tho-- 10ml a day in the mornings
and come back in a few months to re-do bloodwork.
And with the new phone i got this past week (iphone 12) ---
this may be somthing i look at in the long term perhaps

Usually the Metformin will make your testosterone levels even lower.

I can't recommend getting a CGM enough. It lets you see in real time how different food affects you. Weirdly different foods affect all of us differently. I can eat things other diabetics can't and there are some things they say are OK to eat but jack my up my BG big time.

Best wishes on getting your BG under control.:)

Heck i dont know if i can go any lower on the T-levels.
free test 13.2 pg.ml
total test 118 Ng/dl
The doc did mention about a topical cream, but didnt prescribe anything for it.
Guess looking more into the A1C thing.

Ben- not sure what BG means-- assume it the Glucose level-
then i see my glucose was 265 mg/dl (high)

I am new to all this test result and i never had to do all this since my bladder cancer 2yrs ago.

Here are some picks of the Libre3.

I dont know whats more EWWW?
the needle or your hairy arm.
Thanks for the pics. The needle looks longer i imagined tho.

The needle is 1/4 inch long.

i saw this on Facebook
its a wristwatch monitor system,, for like 60 dollars
it last 14 days on full charge and has cord to re-charge
no needles
has app to synch to phone---no fees



Anyways-
Locations??? i see you put it on the under the pit area, what other areas can this be put?? on the shoulder perhaps where you get the flu shot.
UPDATE; i see the under arm is the only place.

My Libre3 is high up on my arm because of arm position. When my arm is down by my side it is located in the middle of my upper arm.

They have those cheap watches on eBay also with even cheaper prices. When you read the fine print it clearly says DO NOT compare it to a real BG device as the watch is NOT a medical device. So after the price and after the disclosure I would bet it is a piece of worthless trash for real BG levels.

If you decide to get one please report back with how well it works.

followup- Since Ben & I pm'ed and talked already......
I got the Libre 3 and on its 2nd day. Very easy to use and setup.
So far, my average is at 200, which is high and already had some spikes above 250.
I had a Powerade drink, and it jumped up with 3 rice cakes.
Now, i tell ya, i just starting this, and have not commited to totally water.
Having a breakfast tonite for dinner, we'll see how it goes:
pancakes, bacon, eggs, grits

Well, i guess the pancake did not do well.
This morning: bowl cheerios and banana---
did not go well either.
Crap!!!

LOL, everything that tastes good is high in carbs. At least the Libre 3 will give you an idea of how different things effect you. Once you get your levels down you will be amazed at how much better you will feel mentally and physically.

Dang it Ben, i cant live on fruit pops and yogurt-LOL
Time to trash everything in the fridge & freezer.
Its weird, as i eat pizza for lunch and it didnt do much.
But i have noticed when i pee, it goes way down, i guess a exit for the sugar out the body.
Been getting dry mouth latley tho.

Guys-- i know this might be TMI, but hey its helping me and maybe others too.
and dont mind, if others chime in on their experiences or eating habits

My last 90 day average is 137 BG and Pizza would easily push me to 275-300.

Breakfast is easy for me. I have a huge omelet with 2 eggs, 1/2 cup egg whites, cheese, mushrooms, onion, bell pepper, meat, and sour cream on it. That is only 430 calories and 10 carbs. It is a huge meal that keeps me full until lunch and the low carbs has very little effect on my BG.

With the metformin make sure you get enough water so you don't get dehydrated.

Thanks ^ on the dehydrate part....LAST NIGHT was bizzare
About midnight-- i swear my crotch was in pain like i was passing kidney stone.
Never had it, but i was hurting and peeing so much......
Concidentally, by blood sugar alarm (250) was going off too.
My back (kidneys) was hurting...horrible night.
Morning...my sugar levels went back down to the 150 level after the drama.
Ate honey nut cheerios for breakfast (no banana this time)
and it hit the alarm level again. Thinking of trying that "truegrain or whatever cereal"
as for the omlete thing, that might work, what breads you eat? wheat

Chris you are not going to like to read this.:)

Absolutely zero bread/wrap of any kind, no cereal of any kind, and a big no on milk. All those would make my alarm go off also. When I do drink a small amount of milk it is Fairlife or similar without all the carbs of regular milk.

With the omelets I will cut up a few days worth of ingredients so I don't have to prep stuff every day.

Also I do not eat for at least 4 hours before bed time and drink very little during that time. The peeing is your body trying to get rid of all the extra sugar.

Google low and no carb foods. I try to do 50 carbs or less a day. It is not easy or fun but you can get used to it. The other option is next check up getting on more meds.

Sensor Failure
After 7 days- was weird getting a low reading alert. Then the sensor say wait 10 minutes, then 30 min later says to replace.
I found that i can get a replacement b/c it didnt last the 2 weeks.

Removing sensor- it really was stuck good!! But left a good mark afterwards, clean with soapy water and placed another close-by.

Was this sensor a FLUKE?? or this happens a lot?

I am on about my 8th one or so and never had a problem. Like mentioned in a PM I have got low reading alerts at night when laying on it weirdly but the reading goes back to normal as soon as I move. I have got the wait 10 minutes thing once. Can't remember if I done something to cause it or not.

I use a cotton ball and 91% isopropyl alcohol before I put a new one on and to clean the sticky stuff off my arm from the old one. Yes they are on really really good. Hopefully it is your first and last bad one.:)

GOOD NEWS!!!!!
I finally got approved for Mounjaro.

btw- the customer rep (a foreign gal) called about a replacement sensor, was hard to understand but took about 10 minutes answering queston and details on the sensor.
Keep the sensor as they want it back. They sending a new one in 1-2 days and a return envelope for the sensor paid postage.

Nice, a once a week injectable. Way better than multiple doses per day. Post how it works for you.

That is nice they are sending you another CGM.

Actually i was taking the liquid metformin- which was just 10ml in the morning
Libre3 is required by FDA to send another CFM. FDA requires them to be defective free for 2 week period. Goggle it. I read tons of reviews on sensors going bad and people constantly sending them back. Made me think more about it tho, but consider the prick finger deal- i stay despite issues.
I will give details on Mounjaro once i get it.
UPDATE: getting it likely on Tues.

I remembered how I got the sensor to stop working and give me the 10 minute break from working. I done it again today. Sometimes I like to eat stuff that would make me easily hit over 300. I only do it once or twice a month. I learned there is a supplement that will keep my BG from spiking and staying there for an extended period. If I take it too close to eating my BG will easily still hit 275 in 10 to 20 minutes from when I eat from a BG around 120. Then I will go for a brisk 20 minute walk and the supplement will kick in and my BG will plummet back to the 120 range. So the huge fast spike and the just as fast drop has made my sensor quit working twice for 10 minutes.

followup-
my 2nd sensor fell-off before after like 5-6 days. Not sure if i bumped it, but basically fell off when changing my shirt.
Never got my replacement, they said was in a few days, and still have not got it.
Basically i am done with the sensor, if i am having issues thus far.
I think i can try to manage on what i learned so far
The 2nd sensor seemed to have a lower range, basically stay in the 150-180 ranges most times until i ate something and it go around 200-220 and not touch the alarm(250)


As for the metformin-- i finally got on Mounjaro!!! It the 2nd week now.
Only 1 shot per week. Simple and easy and painfree. Barely notice the needle at all. 5 seconds and done. 2 simple clicks. Easy.
Much better than the metformin!! I go back in July for test again to see how it does.

That sucks about the sensors. I haven't had a problem with mine luckily.

Hope the Mounjaro works great for you and best of luck on your next appointment.:)

apple is in the works of making an apple watch that will monitor sugar levels ,,problably very pricey ,,

i just read up on some articles on this.....it will use a light laser.
I have seen some of these cheap watches on Ebay.
Apple already had O2 and heart rate..guess it dpends how accurate it it really?
I read that the watch usually stays around the same price range when they come out- which is 400$
;)Shi* i just learned how to set my voice mail on my iphone. Another gadget:mad:

Had my 3mo followup-
GOOD NEWS- the mounjaro is working!!
and of course what i eat/drink too.
MY A1C has dropped to 6.7 (still high but much better!!)
btw, i am on the 5mg mounjaro, but i do have the sulphur burps & gas.
and i also lost 20 lbs thus far.

Awesome. Have a friend on mounjaro and he likes it also. He has lost close to 100 lbs on it. Says he just doesn't feel hungry and food doesn't taste good anymore.

Follow up
Stepping up to 7.5mg mounjaro
Taking it slower than other folks
Due to nausea and sulfur burps
A1C is down to 6.2 which need a bit lower
But down 50lbs since Jan
See my urologist cancer doctor next week tho
For routine cystcopy

That is awesome. Congrats on losing 50 pounds and the 6.2 A1c.