#freestyle libre

[needlepokes]

how to write a diabetic character: CGM edition

is your diabetic character wearing a CGM? do they have to? CGMs these are Continous Glucose Monitors that can detect how much sugar is in your bloodstream.

How are they different than tradtional fingerprick (blood) tests? they take blood sugar readings 24/7, and provide you with how your sugars are doing at all times, rather than just at that moment. This leads to tremendously better control over blood sugar.

The way they work is that they can "sample" your blood sugar by testing your subcutaneous tissue for sugar levels then adjusting that value.

However, they're less accurate than a fingerprick (blood) reading and will often "lag" behind by about 15 minutes.

SO if you have a character who is expereincing low or high blood sugar - they'd get an alarm on their CGM, and then they might take a fingerprick reading to make sure. CGM false alarms DO exist and it can cause some very annoying situations.

A less careful/depressed/struggling/burnt out character might A. not care or "sleep through" alarms B. not double check with a finger prick C. not care that they're wearing a CGM - pump into stuff or just rip it off (although they are very expensive!).

can you mute them? yes, and a character might choose to do this while they're sleeping, having an exam, or if they know they're about to fuck up their blood sugar.

how long do they last? the libre ones last 14 days. the dexcom ones last up to 10 days.

can you shower with them? yes

can you swim with them? yes

can you have sex with them on? yes, and i've read very funny anecdotes from diabetics having to pause during sex because their cgm was beeping

are they expensive? yes! sometimes, they're covered by insurance, but not completely. If a character is in poverty, or do not have insurance, they likely would have to rely solely on fingerpricks.

Who usually uses CGMs? they are very widespread between T1Ds and are increasingly being used by T2Ds as well.

can you share the readings on multiple devices? yes! your character might share their info with their SO, parents, roommates, close friends...etc. It is genuienly one of the most telling signs of a close relationship between people - because those people will see your "mistakes" and decisions.

where do you stick them? the libre ones (circular ones) officially just go on the back of your arm. The dexcom ones can go on just about anywhere that's "soft" - stomach, thighs, back of arm, chest...etc.

does putting them on hurt? sometimes! the way they are installed involves a needle going into the skin then sitting in the subcutaneous tissue. This can sometimes cause some bleeding, and soreness for a few hours.

Often times the process is completely painless, but this is not the case for everyone. A thinner character might struggle to find a place "cushy" enough for a cgm.

can you put them on your own? yes the process is made for one person to stick it on, but i've seen some couples on instagram act all romantic and sappy about applying it together, so that should give you some ideas for your diabetic characters' budding romances ;)

Some CGMs are just naturally faulty, i'd say about 4 sensors is a busted one, and in that case you'll have to replace them - which most companies just do without any hassle.

do they work with insulin pumps? some insulin pumps can work in tangent with CGMs and provide feedback for the user to automatically generate the correct doses of insulin, depending on their current blood sugar.

do they come off easily? depends on who you're asking. some people swear up and down that they never last and have to put on patches, which are admittedly very cute. Weather, clothing, and how clumsy a character is all factor in this. For me personally i just put them on raw and keep them together by sheer willpower.

CGMs can cause anxiety in diabetics. The constant flow of information can easily burnout people, and this can possibly be the case for any diabetic character you might write. Seeing arrows going down or up can be very distressing, especially knowing how painful some of the consequences are. I personally take breaks for both myself and my wallet from using CGMs to avoid burn out.

nonetheless, CGMs are WONDERFUL pieces of technology that have personally made me much happier as a diabetic, freer and a lot more independent.

does your character want their CGM to show? lots of people, including myself don't like revealing their CGMs - but your character might like showing them off!

and lastly - my favorite thing about CGMs - taking them off and having a "naked" shower once a month where i dont have to worry about it coming off. - They look like this:

#actually diabetic #diabetes #writing tips #diabetic #CGMs #dexcom #freestyle libre #T1D #T2D

[mellaithwen]

something something something today is World Diabetes Day, and what an absolutely incredibly shitty day it’s been!! :’) therapy was hard, work is its usual absurdity and to top it all off, my pharmacy’s run out of insulin (they joked that I should “try the black market instead” wtf??!!?)

anyway, here’s Dexter my (beloved) best friends dog. I like to think he knew my blood sugars were dropping because he kept nudging me on our walk until I checked 🩵

#probably wishful thinking as it’s not as if he’s had any training #but he is a wonderfully thoughtful soul so who knows #pupper #type one diabetes #t1d problems #t1d #t1dlookslikeme #world diabetes day #type one diabetic #dogs #puppers #freestyle libre #glucose monitor #glucose meter #Mellaithwen takes a photo #Dex the dog

[hi-its-meg]

I’ve become a cappuccino girly and now I’m sad when I can’t go into work and make myself one 🥺

#me #selfie #happy #snap #redhead #girls with tattoos #cute #girls #girls with glasses #girls with red hair #cappuccino #barista #filter #FreeStyle libre #food #yummy #coffee shop #hot #lips #chest tattoo #tattoo #inked girls #body positive #self love

[diabetic-aesthetic]

Jasmine Jaffar | thetypethat_

#thetypethat #actually diabetic #diabetes #cgm #diabetic #t1d #t1dlookslikeme #type 1 diabetic #type 1 diabetes #insulin pump #type one diabetes #freestyle libre #t1diabetic #type one diabetic #libre #jasmine jaffar #follow her on instagram

[jupiterfox]

Tumblr is seeing it first haha Halloween weekend. Happy spooky season witches!

Photo and photo with music ☺️

#spooky #skull #demon goat #Halloween #tumblr #spooky tumblr #witch doctor #happyhearthappysoul #happy #my time of year!! #lamb of god #love myself #type 1 diabetes #omnipod #freestyle libre

[laurrrrrrrrra]

Freestyle Libre needs to figure their shit out. This whole session I've been off at least 40 points. Before dinner today it said 133 and falling, then when I checked it with my meter I was 221. That's almost 100 points. I've had my Bluetooth off for 3 days because I'm sick of hearing that fucking low alarm.

#freestyle libre #cgm #actually diabetic #diabetes

[hazbin-a-blood-bag]

Me: Going to sleep at a socially "normal" time and about to get some healthy amount of sleep for a change.

My CGM: "Nah we're not doing that. You're going to have to take care of that slightly lower blood glucose level of yours. Or I beep you awake every 10 minutes. Lololol."

Ah I miss the times of the good old Freestyle Libre 2, where I still could pick my alarm sounds and it wasn't just this bone chillingly shrill and loud beeping.

#t1d #diabetes #cgm #freestyle libre #actually thinking about switching to dexcom anyway #dunno if they are as androidphobic ss abbott

[shxleo97]

I was doing really great the past 2 weeks, and I was extra excited, but I messed up yesterday & today. It may not be that much of a mess compared to many others, but still.. extremely disappointed in myself.

#cystic fibrosis #diabetes #cfrd #hyperglycemia #hypoglycemia #hypo #hyper #CF #cystic fibrosis related diabetes #freestyle libre

[ticslikedabee]

So I have a freestyle Libre 2 right? And they’re doing updates that gives us continuous monitoring now.

However I just updated and now my sensor won’t scan.

I’m going to an event tomorrow

I need to use my sensor. I don’t want to lug around my entire kit.

I am frustrated but I understand Abbott is doing their best considering all the bugs they have with this new update

#type 1 diabetic #freestyle libre #freestyle libre 2

[needlepokes]

does anyone know if i can use apple watch with freestyle libre 1 ???

(no they still havent made FL2 sensors available here 🫠)

#actually diabetic #diabetic #t1d #type 1 diabetes #freestyle libre #type 1 diabetic #diabetes

[ishiphardlove]

Have not been here for a while but I'm desperate...

I need help. Financial help.

To help me pay for my medication and bills.

My life has been a complete crap for the past few years since the pandemic.

Suffered from depression and anxiety, was diagnosed with diabetes, suffered a soft stroke and now, I am in between jobs.

I am almost out of my long lasting and rapid acting insulin and have not worn a libre sensor for a while now.

It sucks and I am ashamed but I am begging to anyone who can help.

I am not good with words but I hope that you can spare me a moment of your time. Any amount will be appreciated as I go through this trying time.

#Help #help me #medical bills #diabetes #medicine #freestyle libre #insulin #Signal boost #crowdfunding #crowdfund #mutual aid #mutual aid fund #financial assistance #financial help #donations #Donate #please help

[mellaithwen]

Today I learnt—during a freezing cold swim—that my continuous glucose monitor can stop working if it’s too cold…… 🥶😨 #themoreyouknow

#cold swims / cold water therapy is so good for lowering your A1C and so naturally I dropped during the swim and have been low ever since #brrr #t1dlookslikeme #t1d #freestyle Libre #a few of us were debating if the water was colder today and considering I’ve never had this message on a sensor before I’m gonna say yES #t1diabetes

[glucose-gay]

me checking my blood sugar: there better not be any fucken 🅱️ees in there 🤨

#original post #image described #image description in alt #spoonie #chronic illness #blood sugar #cgm #freestyle libre

[charzmander]

Sorry for the terrible lighting, its meant to be purple and blue

Since the Rockadex patches didnt work out so well for me, I decided to try out Type One Style over in the UK. Had this one on for about a week and a half and it hasnt pulled up at the sides at all! Its nice and stretchy so i dont have the pulling issue i had with the Rockadex one, there are a lot more sublte and lighter styles i can choose from, and theyre meant to last 20+ days.

I think i might be going with these guys from now on, even with the extra time for shipping.

#type one style #freestyle libre #type 1 diabetes #patches #much recommended

[everydayesterday]

[maybe there are some other T1Ds out there.]  

I’m trying the Freestyle Libre 3.  This is my first real try at a CGM.  So far I’m quite enjoying seeing real-time changes in my numbers (and I am very much a numbers person); I think it will be tremendously helpful in keeping things closer to 110.  

I do wonder though if it’s supposed to still hurt 6 hours after installation of the sensor—is that normal?  It doesn’t hurt tremendously, but I do notice it.  It’s a very localized burning sensation.  

#T1D #type 1 diabetes #type 1 diabetic #freestyle libre #libre 3 #cgm #continuous glucose monitor #does this count as a body mod? #diabetes #actually diabetic #freestyle libre 3

[chaoticshelby]

#personal #diabetes #diabetic #diabetic girl problems #diabeticlife #diabetic life #Libre #freestyle libre