[Diabetes-Talk] The Freestyle Libre System

Mon Oct 5 21:13:13 UTC 2020

Jeanette and Ed-Thanks for sharing this! I took the liberty of combining the two instructions into one, as I have another friend who was asking this same thing. Look this over, and make any changes you feel necessary. I use the Dexcom, so I don’t know the Libre, but these instructions are pretty clear to me! Thanks again! Melanie

FREESTYLE LIBRE SET UP
SETTING UP THE LIBRE APP
1. Download the FreeStyle Libre app from the App Store of your choice, whether iOS or Android, you simply look for Libre.
2. Open the app and create an account.
3. Navigate to the app menu in the top left corner of the screen.
4. Find the settings option and open the settings.
5. Turn on the TTS option. This will allow the blood sugar and trend arrow to be read out-loud when the sensor is scanned.

APPLYING THE SENSOR

1. The sensor comes in two pieces. The first part comes in what feels like a pudding cup. There will be a tab towards the front edge on the inside of this one. The second part is what feels like a plunger, or a bubble like device. This one will have a notch or raised line towards the front of it.
2. You will peel off the plastic lid off of the pudding cup shaped piece, then twist off the cap on the plunger/bubble shaped piece. 
The line on the pudding cup piece is inside the piece and is very small but very tactile. The line on the other piece is on the outside and tactile and is longer.
3. Line up the outside line with the inside line and press the plunger firmly into the pudding cup piece. This will connect the actual sensor to the tape that holds it on to your arm. Do not touch the sticky part prior to applying it to your arm.
4. Place the entire device on your arm sticky side down and press firmly to the back of your arm.( Place your Left arm on your right shoulder, if applying to the left arm. Measure three-four finger widths up from your left elbow to find the proper placement point). Push the top of the plunger down and you will hear a very loud spring/click sound. 
5. Press firmly  on the plunger device for 8 to 10 seconds to make sure the sensor is on your arm and not loose.
6. Scan the Sensor with your phone while the Libre app is running. On most iPhones and Android phones the NFC sensor is located on the back of the phone near the camera. On the iPhones it's to the left of the back facing camera towards the top edge. The sensor is now active for 14 days. It will have a 1 hour warm up period during which you will not be able to scan to get your current blood sugar.

After the warm up period you can scan the sensor every minute for a reading.

Sent from Melanie's i phone

> On Oct 5, 2020, at 11:00 AM, Jeanette Kutash via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Danielle, a couple of more things about your censor. The line on the "pudding cup piece" is inside the piece and is very small but very tactile. The line on the other piece is on the outside and tactile and longer. If you line up the outside line with the inside line you will be able to follow step 4 of the below instructions. Know that the outside pudding cup will then be able to be taken off, and the piece that is left has the sticky side on the bottom of it. Do not touch that sticky side. Place it on your arm. Freestyle Libre people tell me that if you are putting it on your left arm if you put your left hand on your right shoulder your forearm will be in the right position and you should measure the distance of 3 to 4 finger widths from your elbow and that placement on the back of the arm will be perfect. Once you have it placed, then press down firmly and you will hear the clicks this gentleman spoke about.
> 
> Jeanette 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ed Worrell via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Monday, October 05, 2020 10:24 AM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
> Cc: Ed Worrell
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] The Freestyle Libre System
> 
> Hello Danielle,
> 
> The Libre system is pretty easy to use as a visually impaired Diabetic. Long post a head. Get a coffee, some breakfast and get comfortable. 
> 
> 
> Setting up the Libre app…
> 1. Download the Libre app from the App Store of your choice wether that’s iOS or Android you can simply look for Libre.
> 2. Open the app and create an account.
> 3. Navigate to the app menu in the top left corner of the screen.
> 4. Find the settings option, open the settings.
> 5. Turn on the TTS option. This will read the blood sugar and trend arrow out-loud when the sensor is scanned.
> 
> 
> Inserting the sensor…
> 
> 1. The sensor comes in two pieces. The first part comes in what feels like a pudding cup to me. There will be a tab towards the front edge of this one. The second part is what feels kind of like a plunger, or is a kind of bubble like device. This one will have a notch or raised line towards the from of it.
> 2. You will peel off the plastic lid off of the pudding cup shaped piece, twist off the cap on the plunger/bubble shaped piece. The raised line on the plunger will line up with the tab on the pudding cup shaped one.
> 3. Line these up and press the plunger firmly into the pudding cup piece. This will connect the actual sensor to the tape that holds it on to your arm.
> 4. Place the entire device on your arm sticky side down and press firmly to the back section of your arm. Push the top of the plunger down and you will hear a very loud spring/click sound. This made me jump the first time I used it.
> 5. Press firmly  on the plunger device for 8 to 10 seconds to make sure the sensor is on your arm and not lose.
> 6. Scan the Sensor with your phone whilst the Libre app is running. On most iPhones and Android phones the NFC sensor is located on the back of the phone near the camera. On the iPhones it's to the left of the back facing camera towards the top edge. The sensor is now active for 14 days it will have a 1 hour warm up period and you will not be able to scan to get your current blood sugar.
> 
> After the warm up period you can scan the sensor every minute for a reading.
> 
> I hope this helps.
> 
> 
> Ed 
> 
> 
>> On Oct 3, 2020, at 6:44 PM, Danielle Ledet via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> I agree and thanks Patricia.
>> 
>>> On 10/3/20, gary-melconian via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Totally agree with you but the  bean counters at the insurance providers
>>> don't think that way.
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Bridgit
>>> Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
>>> Sent: Saturday, October 3, 2020 3:06 PM
>>> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter <bkpollpeter at gmail.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] The Freestyle Libre System
>>> 
>>> Good to know. As a T1, I forget we don't all test several times a day and
>>> might not have the arbitrary proof insurance providers currently demand. A
>>> CGM should be automatic for any diabetic, T1 or T2, in my opinion.
>>> 
>>> Bridgit
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of
>>> Jeanette
>>> Kutash via Diabetes-Talk
>>> Sent: Saturday, October 3, 2020 8:00 AM
>>> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Cc: Jeanette Kutash <kutash-jm at comcast.net>
>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] The Freestyle Libre System
>>> 
>>> Not always. They have very strict qualifications and most people get
>>> disqualified.
>>> 
>>> Jeanette
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>>> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
>>> Sent: Friday, October 02, 2020 11:47 PM
>>> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
>>> Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] The Freestyle Libre System
>>> 
>>> I thought Medicare covered Libre. I could be wrong, but I thought people
>>> here on the list have Libre covered by Medicare. But it might also be an
>>> advantage plan.
>>> 
>>> Bridgit
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of
>>> Danielle
>>> Ledet via Diabetes-Talk
>>> Sent: Friday, October 2, 2020 8:14 PM
>>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Cc: Danielle Ledet <singingmywayin at gmail.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] The Freestyle Libre System
>>> 
>>> Hi guys, thanks for the warm welcome! I live in Louisiana. I love the Libre
>>> so far. I just wish it was covered by Medicaid and Medicare.
>>> 
>>> On 9/30/20, gary-melconian via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> wrote:
>>>> Exactly. Also libre 2 will do alerts and alarms like dexcom. Also
>>>> there  is a freestyle libre 3 being worked on by abbot that will be a
>>>> full cgm like dexcom in future.i don't know when we in the USA will se
>>>> the libre 3 but its being worked on in Europe and then probably go
>>>> through proper channels.
>>>> Remember Abbot is a European company .
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of
>>>> Debbie Wunder via Diabetes-Talk
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2020 4:46 PM
>>>> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Cc: debbiewunder at charter.net
>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] The Freestyle Libre System
>>>> 
>>>> Hi , welcome to the group. Sorry for your diagnosis., but this list is
>>>> full of great people and great information.
>>>> 
>>>> I use the Libre, it is extremely easy to use. You will need to get the
>>>> Libre app on your smart phone. Your phone will be able to read to you
>>>> your numbers.
>>>> 
>>>> Good Luck!
>>>> 
>>>> Debbie [on
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of
>>>> Danielle Ledet via Diabetes-Talk
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2020 10:28 AM
>>>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> Cc: Danielle Ledet <singingmywayin at gmail.com>
>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] The Freestyle Libre System
>>>> 
>>>> Hello Everyone,
>>>> I am Danielle. I live in LA and am 46 and just recently got diagnosed.
>>>> I live with my Guiding Eyes Ellie who is 2 years old. I told her I
>>>> needed a machine that talks and she prescribed the Freestyle Libre.
>>>> Anybody use this system? How easy is it to change the censors every 2
>>>> weeks?
>>>> And, most importantly, how do I get it to talk? And, lastly, what are
>>>> your experiences with it?
>>>> Thanks for any help you can give.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> --
>>>> How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young,
>>>> compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and
>>>> tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will
>>>> have been all of these.
>>>> George Washington Carver
>>>> Email: singingmywayin at gmail.com
>>>> 
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>>>> r%40ch
>>>> arter.net
>>>> 
>>>> 
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>>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> --
>>> How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young,
>>> compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of
>>> the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of
>>> these.
>>> George Washington Carver
>>> Email: singingmywayin at gmail.com
>>> 
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>>> 
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>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young,
>> compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and
>> tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will
>> have been all of these.
>> George Washington Carver
>> Email: singingmywayin at gmail.com
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Diabetes-Talk mailing list
>> Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Diabetes-Talk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/ntnmprt%40hotmail.com
> 
> 
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> 
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