FREESTYLE LIBRE REVIEW + DEXCOM REACTIONS

Hi Everyone!
today post I am going to talk about dexcom, and freestyle libre!

So I've been wearing dexcom for about almost 10 years, I have been on and off it. I recently started back in 2016 with my G6. Being on dexcom is quite expensive, but being able to treat off my numbers is great! I loved the Bluetooth option and the option for my family members to follow my sugar and get alerted when I go high or low, but HERES WHAT HAPPENED.

DEXCOM RASH?!

In January 2020, I started experiencing these burns on my skin after a removed a sensor. On day 5 of my sensor, it would get itchy and I would pull it off. Underneath was a bubbly rash like hives, and it was oozing. I went to the dermatologist who advised to use a cream over it. But , it turns out I am allergic to the adhesive. So after trying skin-tac, a different adhesive for two months, I called the Endo. Dexcom uses acrylic based adhesive which is what I'm allergic to. Endocrinologist  told me to try the Freestyle Libre 14 day sensor.

REVIEW ON FREESTYLE:

The application process is really quick!
It stays for 14 days.
I dislike how I can't see my sugar right away. I have to scan the sensor.

update?

Hello everyone,

I thought I would do an update since it has been four months. First of all, I wanted to say I hope everyone is okay with the COVID-19 going around and stay safe!

Updates about my life.

Work:

Work is going really good so far, I am still working during COVID. I do plan to go back to school in the fall, but unsure yet.

Diabetes:

So, I ended up with an allergic reaction to Dexcom(future post coming all about it) and I had to switch to the Freestyle Libre 14 day sensor which I will do a post about a review shortly, when I have been on it longer., but as of right now I am not having any allergic reactions to the sensor. I am still on the TSLIM x2 pump, but unfortunately I cannot use the Control IQ since I am not on dexcom at this moment. My sugars have been little bit higher since COVID started, and I think that is because I am very stressed out about the situation since diabetes is considered a high risk.

I hope everyone is staying safe through this COVID Pandemic!

Rebecca

Update

Hi all!


Boy do I forget to blog here lol, so here's an update!

Around August 2019, I started my pump back- great!
Around October 2019, I got my Tandem x2 and Dexcom G6- even better!

We had to do this due to my stomach nerves not working correctly, it is something called diabetes gastroparesis, and due to the MDI insulin shots, my stomach nerves are bad, so we switched to the pump, since I only change my sites ever 2-3 days, and dexcom every 10. My sugars were doing well, and then I got hit with infections, which eventually put me into Diabetic Ketoacidosis, which is a complication for many things, as I said before I have had this in the past and can happen for several reasons, mine were due to infections, and I thought I would talk about my hospital experience.

Arrived to Hospital on 12/29/2019

I was vomiting every 5 minutes. My sugars were elevated and would not come down with insulin. I had a feeling I was in DKA, so we called doctor who advised us to go to ER. Went to the emergency room, they did some blood labs, a urine check, chest xray and a EKG. My labs were low and abnormal, and my glucose was 600. We did get the confirmation that I was dehydrated and that I had two infections and was in severe DKA. I was admitted for 5 days and was getting blood sugar checks every two hours, and labs every four hours. On the second to last day, they let me go back on the pump since the pump was not the problem.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis basically means, you aren't getting enough insulin in the body, so the Endocrinologist originally thought my pump was the problem. I was put back on the pump, and observed for a day, and then was let home since my pump wasn't the problem.

I just had my hospital follow up's, and it was confirmed my infections put me into dka and I am prone to going DKA with the pump, and the infections..

 I had family's and friends visit me and were concerned. I'm still having the nerve pain, and will keep you guys updated. 

Has anyone else been in DKA? What's your experience?

Information on DKA: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371551

Yours still the flower blooms,

Becca 

Traveling with Diabetes/Gastroparesis

Hi everyone!

 I thought I would do an updated Traveling with Diabetes blog since I am going on vacation in about a month, which I will be doing some video blogs as I am starting my youtube up again! This post will also be about traveling with Diabetes Gastroparesis and this post is not airline dedicated, this post will be about going on a roadtrip. 

First things first, you want to plan for your meals, when I go on a roadtrip, whoever the driver is I let them know I at least need 3 meals a day and snacks in between. I do have the Calorie King app on my phone, and I also carry the book. But in case something is not on that book, I can google it or look at the menu to find out the carbohydrates for the meal I am eating. My family usually packs snack to keep in the car such as granola bars, chips, fruit, veggies and stuff inbetween in case we get in a pickle. ( aha, see what I did there?)

Second thing, you may want to carry a doctors letter( I do not, since this is a roadtrip, but if you are a plane, I advise it.) and your current prescription labels with the medicine in case you need to refill something on your vacation. 

Third, pack a carry on with your medication. These things can include: insulin, test strips, CGM supplies, prescription oral medication, lancets, ect. You wanna prepare for emergencys, so I keep a first aid kit , with my glucagon. Be also careful of drinking alochol, and let the person you are on vacation with on what to do in case something happens. 

Be sure to keep your insulin you are traveling with cold. I tend to put my insulin in a seprate cooler with a cold pack above and under it.  Also, make sure to wash your hands before a sugar check because you may have dirt, food, or stuff on your hands that may interfer with the results of your blood sugar testing. You should also take notes of local hospitals and pharmacy's around you in case you need to refill a prescription or if you run into a problem. Do not let your insulin get hot as insulin will not be effective, you can also get a medical ID bracelet , or in my case I have a medical tattoo on my wrist, saying I am a Type one diabetic. You should also if you are on a road trip, get out and stretch out your legs as if you sit too long, you can get blood clots, Diabetic's are at higher risk for this complciation. 

and Lastly.. never go barefoot, if you step on something outside, and get a cut, there is a risk you can get an infection and diabetic's take longer to heal.


I hope this helps people who are traveling!


Becca

TBD

Hello world, 

Hope everything is ok, will post when I have a free moment 

Holidays and Diabetes

So, I know the holidays are coming up and with Halloween passing, I thought I would come up with  a diabetic tips to survive the holidays and travelling for the holidays!

So on Halloween, I found this picture on Facebook of carbs in Halloween Candy which was pretty helpful!

Carb Counts in Halloween Candy!

So I found this list pretty helpful, I mean I am too old to trick or treat being 23, but I still love holidays, it is one of my favorite things to do to be honest. So I go to my local grocery store and I stock up on the huge bags of candy because I can use them for a low blood sugar. Personally my favorites are Butterfingers, the fun sized ones which are only 1 carb which is perfect for a low sugar, and Reese's Pumpkins which are only 17 carbs, so I stocked pretty high on these.

For Thanksgiving, It kind of depends on what you eat. (I will do a blog all about Thanksgiving carbs) For me, I love Turkey and Stuffing, it's my guilty pleasure. Turkey is 0 carbs because it is a protien. The problem with Holidays are the sweets. Thanksgiving I don't really do sweets but at Christmas time I do..


My favorite holiday has to be Christmas. I love the smells, setting up the house and tree and gingerbread cookies!(I will do a few blogs about Christmas) At my house we usually get Chinese food which is loaded in sugar and do cakes, cheesecake, cupcakes and all things sweet. I love the holidays because I get to see my family,

I know this post is long- I will split these holidays posts into more!😊

❤
Yours till pumpkins scream at the end of the night,

Becca