So I have my shiny new Libre. I read the manual and see how to insert the sensor. And I hesitate.
Problem #1: What if I screw up? I mean, I screw up with bG testing strips sometimes, no big deal. But this thing cost $50 rather than $0.50! I need to think this through carefully.
Problem #2: I want to blog about this and need pictures. The thing goes in one arm and you insert it with the other, so I need a third arm to take pictures. So I need to coordinate with someone else.
So, it wound up taking a few days to get the thing in my arm.
Image credit: sensor in my arm Steve Fredette
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reviewing everything first
The little credit card doohickey had a bunch of videos. I watched these two several times:
preparing the sensor
After reviewing the videos multiple times, I got brave and prepared the sensor:
verifying the bar code - Jackie Patti
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sensor pack with lid removed - Jackie Patti
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sensor applicator with cap removed - Jackie Patti
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align lines on pack and applicator - Jackie Patti
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insert applicator into pack - Jackie Patti
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inserting the sensor
I knew I needed assistance to photograph the process, so I asked my husband, "Please take extreme close-ups of my arm."
Apparently, he heard, "Be sure to include as much fat in the images as possible, making sure not to miss the roll under my breast in each snapshot."
arm prepped and sensor in position - Steve Fredette
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sensor insertion hurts much less than a finger prick - Steve Fredette
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sensor in my arm - Steve Fredette
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wave the reader at the sensor to initialize it - Steve Fredette
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reading available in just 12 hours - Steve Fredette
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And now you wait 12 hours...
...except you cheat and try to scan the thing repeatedly before time is up and it sternly tell you no. ;)
You don't feel the sensor once it's in; indeed, I was halfway through a shower before I remembered I should be careful of that area!
The reader is tiny, less than half the size of my phone. Nevertheless, it is sort of a pain to have another thing to carry around.
The reader has to be pretty close to the sensor to get a reading. It will read through clothing just fine, as long as it's close. Hubby had asked me "What if someone could hack this?" Given they'd have to be a couple inches from me, I'd probably notice.
Just in case this post wasn't graphic enough, here's some more videos from the manufacturer: