Earlier this year, I got a new endocrinologist. While she wanted me to use the constantly supplied insulin box, I decided I would continue with the current injections. However, I would try the Freestyle Libre sensor.
The first time I tried it, it was a mess, so say the least. A little background on the blood glucose sensor. You have to put the sensor onto the back of your arm. The sensor has a small needle that is placed just inside the skin. It takes about 12 hours for the sensor to gather the information on your blood sugar in your system.
The sensor is worn for 10 days, then you have to remove it and apply another sensor. It also takes another 12 hours for that sensor to gather information before it actual starts working.
The cool thing about using the sensor is no longer having to poke your finger all the time to get your blood sugar readings. You do have to prick your finger for readings during that 12 hour period, but once that is done, you just have to wave the device over the sensor. By doing that, the device picks up the information and shows you what your current blood sugar is.
So, that is a nice feature.
My initial experience was not so great and left me with questions. The first sensor would act like it was activating. I went back to check how many hours left and the device would say that it needed to reactivate and it would be another 12 hours. After awhile, I got concerned, so I removed the sensor.
The needle underneath had bent. Fabulous. Would have been nice for the device to tell me that the sensor needle had been bent or was not working.
So, I got my second sensor. Just a small piece of information - my prescription only allows me 3 sensors at one time and it costs $75 via insurance. Therefore, I am really not liking how this going. I have messed up my first sensor, on my second sensor, and I only have 1 unused sensor.
The second sensor finally activated, stayed activated, and started returning results within 12 hours. Fabulous. The data is really great to have - showing me my lows and spikes. Unfortunately for me, the second sensor detached from my skin because I had sweated so much. Argh!
At that point, it has only been 2 days and 2 sensors sacrificed. Not a great start, so I went back to previous method of measuring my blood sugar.
Next visit with the endocrinologist, she is insistent that I use the sensor. She claims that she cannot pull the data off of my OneTouch device. For me, that is crap. I have the cable and such to pull the data off of my OneTouch device, so that excuse just does not float with me. I believe that is just her way to insisting on using one device with all of her patients.
I did explain my experience and she stated that I could send back any sensor that does not work properly to the company to get another sent to me overnight. This part I was not aware.
Since is it October 1st, I will try the sensor again. Hope that this time, the sensor will stay on my arm and work properly for the next 10 days. Otherwise, I am going to really be dissatisfied with this product. It is supposed to stay on while showering, so we shall see.
No comments:
Post a Comment