How did I get on with my 14 day use of a continuous glucose monitor

My 14 days! After fitting the device (which wasn’t painful), I got used to wearing the device – you can feel you are wearing it but not in a painful way and it is amazing how you adapt to wearing one – in terms of taking care when getting dressed for example. The scanning of […]

Click here to book your complimentary 30 min health review call with Zoe!

Sep 29, 2023

My 14 days!

After fitting the device (which wasn’t painful), I got used to wearing the device – you can feel you are wearing it but not in a painful way and it is amazing how you adapt to wearing one – in terms of taking care when getting dressed for example.

The scanning of the app to the sensor was a complete novelty at first! I ridiculously scanned away for the first few days to make sure reading were available (which they were!). this soon settled down and I got used to scanning occasionally. One thing to note is to keep the reading up to date you do need to be close to your phone, which at times for me was a little challenging – I like a digital detox and I also like my sleep, so if you sleep longer than 8 hours this can affect your readings.

The scanning itself is easy, a little tap on your phone and you’re all good. The reports are realtime and you can flick between the report types so easily.

So I tried lots of different things over my 14-day trial to try affect my levels. I ate well, had days where I rested properly and exercised. I also had days where I ate junk food and slobbed about.

My every day life continued and I experienced stressful situations and time of quiet.

What did I notice, well that many many things impact your blood sugar levels. Which being a nutritional therapist did not surprise me, but it may well surprise you if you ever try one.

My son found it fascinating to see just how high my blood sugar levels went after we had a trip to good ole McDonalds and then to see how they reduced as my body fought to regain control.

My surprise at how high my levels went after I’d had a particularly challenging afternoon with my email folders vanishing was definitely one to note!

So overall what do I think……………..

The Advantages of Continuous Glucose Monitoring:

  1. Real-Time Insights: CGM provides immediate and continuous feedback on blood sugar levels, enabling quick adjustments to diet, insulin doses, and lifestyle choices.
  2. Alerts and Alarms: Some CGM devices offer customizable alerts for high and low blood sugar levels, providing early warnings to take corrective action.
  3. Patterns and Trends: Over the 14-day period, I noticed distinct patterns in my blood sugar levels, helping me identify how specific foods, activities, and stress levels affected my glucose readings.
  4. Longer duration of sensors: Most CGM systems offer sensor wear times of 7 to 14 days, depending on the specific brand and model. This extended wear time reduces the frequency of sensor changes, enhancing convenience for users.
  1. Enhanced Control: Armed with real-time data, I could make informed choices about my diet and exercise, resulting in better overall glucose control.

The Disadvantages of Continuous Glucose Monitoring:

  1. Cost: CGM systems can be expensive for those who pay for their device themselves (note if you are diabetic you may get the device for free). The initial investment and ongoing sensor costs may be a barrier for some.
  2. Skin Sensitivity: The adhesive used to secure the sensor may cause skin irritation or allergies in some individuals. I had a small bruise on my arm (which wasn’t painful) when I removed the device (this wasn’t from the device removal but was present underneath the sensor). Proper skin care and rotation of sensor sites can help mitigate this issue.
  3. Scanning: You do need to be mindful of occasionally scanning your device.
  4. Understanding the reports: The reports in the app are useful but you may find you need a little support in working out what the reports are actually telling you and how you can make changes- for this I would recommend seeking out a nutritional therapist to support you.
  5. Calibration: Some CGM devices require periodic calibration with finger-prick blood glucose measurements, which can be inconvenient for some users.

Do you actually need to have a CGM device?

Continuous glucose monitoring is undeniably beneficial for individuals with diabetes. It offers a level of control and awareness that traditional blood glucose monitoring cannot provide and the options for obtaining a device can be discussed with your GP.

For folks that are not diabetic but have a curiosity they can also be useful. For some individuals being able to see real time what is happening to their blood sugar levels really helps them in understanding just how food and lifestyle choices can potentially impact on personal symptoms.

For those who like and want a digital method to help them make dietary changes and improve blood sugar balancing these monitors may be right up their street.

But it is worth noting that you can also be aware of blood sugar fluctuations by looking closely at the foods you consume in correlation to any symptoms you may be experiencing. A monitor is not the only way of understanding your blood sugar balance.

In conclusion, my 14-day journey with a continuous glucose monitor was a valuable experience. While CGM has its disadvantages, the advantages in terms of improved glucose control and real-time insights make it a compelling option for individuals with diabetes and those with a natural curiosity about their blood sugar balance. Certainly using a device in conjunction with nutritional therapy support has the potential to significantly improve your health and well-being. Ultimately, the decision to use CGM should be based on individual needs, preferences, and the guidance of healthcare professionals.

BUT a monitor is NOT the only option. Contact me to find out more about what other options are available for you. I offer a complimentary 30 min health review – contact me to schedule your session.

More Blogs

6 easy steps to beat the Christmas party season bloat!

6 easy steps to beat the Christmas party season bloat!

We’re all prone to a little indulgence at Christmas, but rich food and overeating can play havoc with your digestion, leaving you bloated and uncomfortable. It’s not surprising – we consume on average 6,000 calories on Christmas Day alone. That’s three times the...

read more
Are YOU suffering from festive FOMO?

Are YOU suffering from festive FOMO?

Hey, would you like to come to this place, spend the evening at that place, have a mince pie, sausage roll, egg nog, mulled wine, taste my world-beating Christmas cake…? And you’ll go because you can’t resist. You’ll feast like you’ll never see another meal, and...

read more