Continuous Glucose Monitor discussion thread
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There are only three available where I live, so I thought I'd start with my thoughts after having worn all three of them.
Let me start by stating that I wore the sensors as-is, without calibrating with finger-prick readings if calibration is available. I am not diabetic and do not rely on the sensors for accurate readings, so my opinions on these sensors should not inform your decision on which sensor to wear if you do.
Freestyle Libre 1, Abbott Laboratories
The first CGM I tried. Only supports NFC scanning, 6 hour history retention on-sensor. The sensor itself is pretty large and I experienced some aches wearing it. It may be because I didn't apply it properly since I wasn't expecting the loud sound the applicator made. The sensor lasts for 14 days and cost me 8000 yen, in a batch order of 2.
No real-time data and the 6 hour-only history meant gaps in my readings overnight, but I still think that it is alright. Still better than no CGM at all if this is the only sensor available.
Freestyle Libre 2, Abbott Laboratories
I'm wearing this one right now. The sensor is smaller than the Libre 1 and it now supports per-minute live readings via BT. The history retention is longer and I no longer see gaps in overnight readings, but since it updates live that's also less of a concern. The sensor's readings also aren't very noisy compared to the G7. The sensor lasts for 14 days and cost me 7500 yen, in a batch order of 4.
I like this one the best so far, and I haven't noticed any discomfort wearing it yet.
G7, Dexcom
The sensor is an oblong shape and is smaller than the Libre 1 and about the same size as the Libre 2, but longer. The adhesive is much wider and so it feels larger when worn. This was the most uncomfortable one of the three for me. I experienced a lot of aching while wearing this sensor.
The G7 supports live readings every 5 minutes over BT, with a (I think?) 24 hour history on the sensor itself. The readings are quite noisy, and fluctuate up and down a lot. Also, they appear to read generally higher than the Libre1/2, such that my baseline is about ~10% (90) more than on the Libre.
I like the G7 better than the Libre 1, but less than the Libre 2. It is the cheapest of the three, at 6500 yen in a batch of three, but it also only lasts for 10 days.
Phone Apps
LibreLink
The official LibreLink app for the Libre sensors is usable. There is no dark mode, and the amount of detail on the charts aren't user definable. This is probably fine if only used to check immediate readings, but as someone interested in statistics and historical readings I'd use an open source alternative if possible.
Dexcom G7 App
This thing doesn't run on my phone, so I can't review it. I had to use XDrip+ with my G7 sensor.
XDrip+
Open-source app that worked seamlessly with the Dexcom sensor. It's got highly customisable display and alert settings, plus all history data and settings can be exported so it can easily be backed up. It also has a nice widget and a detailed high priority notification display on Android.
It only works on my Libre 2 with Juggluco as a Eversense source. My guess is the OOP2 companion app required does not work with the Japanese Libre 2, since it displays NFC Invalid Data errors. Thankfully, Juggluco can take its place.
This is my preferred app for CGM readings.
Juggluco
By itself I've found this app clunky and hard to use, but it is able to set-up and pair with the Libre 2 sensor easily. In the settings, there is an option to enable Eversense broadcasting so it can send data to XDrip+, turning it into a replacement for OOP2.
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There are only three available where I live, so I thought I'd start with my thoughts after having worn all three of them.
Let me start by stating that I wore the sensors as-is, without calibrating with finger-prick readings if calibration is available. I am not diabetic and do not rely on the sensors for accurate readings, so my opinions on these sensors should not inform your decision on which sensor to wear if you do.
Freestyle Libre 1, Abbott Laboratories
The first CGM I tried. Only supports NFC scanning, 6 hour history retention on-sensor. The sensor itself is pretty large and I experienced some aches wearing it. It may be because I didn't apply it properly since I wasn't expecting the loud sound the applicator made. The sensor lasts for 14 days and cost me 8000 yen, in a batch order of 2.
No real-time data and the 6 hour-only history meant gaps in my readings overnight, but I still think that it is alright. Still better than no CGM at all if this is the only sensor available.
Freestyle Libre 2, Abbott Laboratories
I'm wearing this one right now. The sensor is smaller than the Libre 1 and it now supports per-minute live readings via BT. The history retention is longer and I no longer see gaps in overnight readings, but since it updates live that's also less of a concern. The sensor's readings also aren't very noisy compared to the G7. The sensor lasts for 14 days and cost me 7500 yen, in a batch order of 4.
I like this one the best so far, and I haven't noticed any discomfort wearing it yet.
G7, Dexcom
The sensor is an oblong shape and is smaller than the Libre 1 and about the same size as the Libre 2, but longer. The adhesive is much wider and so it feels larger when worn. This was the most uncomfortable one of the three for me. I experienced a lot of aching while wearing this sensor.
The G7 supports live readings every 5 minutes over BT, with a (I think?) 24 hour history on the sensor itself. The readings are quite noisy, and fluctuate up and down a lot. Also, they appear to read generally higher than the Libre1/2, such that my baseline is about ~10% (90) more than on the Libre.
I like the G7 better than the Libre 1, but less than the Libre 2. It is the cheapest of the three, at 6500 yen in a batch of three, but it also only lasts for 10 days.
Phone Apps
LibreLink
The official LibreLink app for the Libre sensors is usable. There is no dark mode, and the amount of detail on the charts aren't user definable. This is probably fine if only used to check immediate readings, but as someone interested in statistics and historical readings I'd use an open source alternative if possible.
Dexcom G7 App
This thing doesn't run on my phone, so I can't review it. I had to use XDrip+ with my G7 sensor.
XDrip+
Open-source app that worked seamlessly with the Dexcom sensor. It's got highly customisable display and alert settings, plus all history data and settings can be exported so it can easily be backed up. It also has a nice widget and a detailed high priority notification display on Android.
It only works on my Libre 2 with Juggluco as a Eversense source. My guess is the OOP2 companion app required does not work with the Japanese Libre 2, since it displays NFC Invalid Data errors. Thankfully, Juggluco can take its place.
This is my preferred app for CGM readings.
Juggluco
By itself I've found this app clunky and hard to use, but it is able to set-up and pair with the Libre 2 sensor easily. In the settings, there is an option to enable Eversense broadcasting so it can send data to XDrip+, turning it into a replacement for OOP2.
I've only worn the G7 into the sauna and it worked fine. Going to try wearing the Libre 2 into the sauna next.
Edit: Libre 2 seems to be fine after sauna.
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There are only three available where I live, so I thought I'd start with my thoughts after having worn all three of them.
Let me start by stating that I wore the sensors as-is, without calibrating with finger-prick readings if calibration is available. I am not diabetic and do not rely on the sensors for accurate readings, so my opinions on these sensors should not inform your decision on which sensor to wear if you do.
Freestyle Libre 1, Abbott Laboratories
The first CGM I tried. Only supports NFC scanning, 6 hour history retention on-sensor. The sensor itself is pretty large and I experienced some aches wearing it. It may be because I didn't apply it properly since I wasn't expecting the loud sound the applicator made. The sensor lasts for 14 days and cost me 8000 yen, in a batch order of 2.
No real-time data and the 6 hour-only history meant gaps in my readings overnight, but I still think that it is alright. Still better than no CGM at all if this is the only sensor available.
Freestyle Libre 2, Abbott Laboratories
I'm wearing this one right now. The sensor is smaller than the Libre 1 and it now supports per-minute live readings via BT. The history retention is longer and I no longer see gaps in overnight readings, but since it updates live that's also less of a concern. The sensor's readings also aren't very noisy compared to the G7. The sensor lasts for 14 days and cost me 7500 yen, in a batch order of 4.
I like this one the best so far, and I haven't noticed any discomfort wearing it yet.
G7, Dexcom
The sensor is an oblong shape and is smaller than the Libre 1 and about the same size as the Libre 2, but longer. The adhesive is much wider and so it feels larger when worn. This was the most uncomfortable one of the three for me. I experienced a lot of aching while wearing this sensor.
The G7 supports live readings every 5 minutes over BT, with a (I think?) 24 hour history on the sensor itself. The readings are quite noisy, and fluctuate up and down a lot. Also, they appear to read generally higher than the Libre1/2, such that my baseline is about ~10% (90) more than on the Libre.
I like the G7 better than the Libre 1, but less than the Libre 2. It is the cheapest of the three, at 6500 yen in a batch of three, but it also only lasts for 10 days.
Phone Apps
LibreLink
The official LibreLink app for the Libre sensors is usable. There is no dark mode, and the amount of detail on the charts aren't user definable. This is probably fine if only used to check immediate readings, but as someone interested in statistics and historical readings I'd use an open source alternative if possible.
Dexcom G7 App
This thing doesn't run on my phone, so I can't review it. I had to use XDrip+ with my G7 sensor.
XDrip+
Open-source app that worked seamlessly with the Dexcom sensor. It's got highly customisable display and alert settings, plus all history data and settings can be exported so it can easily be backed up. It also has a nice widget and a detailed high priority notification display on Android.
It only works on my Libre 2 with Juggluco as a Eversense source. My guess is the OOP2 companion app required does not work with the Japanese Libre 2, since it displays NFC Invalid Data errors. Thankfully, Juggluco can take its place.
This is my preferred app for CGM readings.
Juggluco
By itself I've found this app clunky and hard to use, but it is able to set-up and pair with the Libre 2 sensor easily. In the settings, there is an option to enable Eversense broadcasting so it can send data to XDrip+, turning it into a replacement for OOP2.
If you can order from AliExpress you can get sensors for about $20 (3500jpy), not super reliable but good enough for non-diabetic purposes.
I noticed placement is important for pain and awkwardness, I found back of the arm (having someone else place it) and a nice water tight bandage worked best for me.
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There are only three available where I live, so I thought I'd start with my thoughts after having worn all three of them.
Let me start by stating that I wore the sensors as-is, without calibrating with finger-prick readings if calibration is available. I am not diabetic and do not rely on the sensors for accurate readings, so my opinions on these sensors should not inform your decision on which sensor to wear if you do.
Freestyle Libre 1, Abbott Laboratories
The first CGM I tried. Only supports NFC scanning, 6 hour history retention on-sensor. The sensor itself is pretty large and I experienced some aches wearing it. It may be because I didn't apply it properly since I wasn't expecting the loud sound the applicator made. The sensor lasts for 14 days and cost me 8000 yen, in a batch order of 2.
No real-time data and the 6 hour-only history meant gaps in my readings overnight, but I still think that it is alright. Still better than no CGM at all if this is the only sensor available.
Freestyle Libre 2, Abbott Laboratories
I'm wearing this one right now. The sensor is smaller than the Libre 1 and it now supports per-minute live readings via BT. The history retention is longer and I no longer see gaps in overnight readings, but since it updates live that's also less of a concern. The sensor's readings also aren't very noisy compared to the G7. The sensor lasts for 14 days and cost me 7500 yen, in a batch order of 4.
I like this one the best so far, and I haven't noticed any discomfort wearing it yet.
G7, Dexcom
The sensor is an oblong shape and is smaller than the Libre 1 and about the same size as the Libre 2, but longer. The adhesive is much wider and so it feels larger when worn. This was the most uncomfortable one of the three for me. I experienced a lot of aching while wearing this sensor.
The G7 supports live readings every 5 minutes over BT, with a (I think?) 24 hour history on the sensor itself. The readings are quite noisy, and fluctuate up and down a lot. Also, they appear to read generally higher than the Libre1/2, such that my baseline is about ~10% (90) more than on the Libre.
I like the G7 better than the Libre 1, but less than the Libre 2. It is the cheapest of the three, at 6500 yen in a batch of three, but it also only lasts for 10 days.
Phone Apps
LibreLink
The official LibreLink app for the Libre sensors is usable. There is no dark mode, and the amount of detail on the charts aren't user definable. This is probably fine if only used to check immediate readings, but as someone interested in statistics and historical readings I'd use an open source alternative if possible.
Dexcom G7 App
This thing doesn't run on my phone, so I can't review it. I had to use XDrip+ with my G7 sensor.
XDrip+
Open-source app that worked seamlessly with the Dexcom sensor. It's got highly customisable display and alert settings, plus all history data and settings can be exported so it can easily be backed up. It also has a nice widget and a detailed high priority notification display on Android.
It only works on my Libre 2 with Juggluco as a Eversense source. My guess is the OOP2 companion app required does not work with the Japanese Libre 2, since it displays NFC Invalid Data errors. Thankfully, Juggluco can take its place.
This is my preferred app for CGM readings.
Juggluco
By itself I've found this app clunky and hard to use, but it is able to set-up and pair with the Libre 2 sensor easily. In the settings, there is an option to enable Eversense broadcasting so it can send data to XDrip+, turning it into a replacement for OOP2.
Wow xdrip is really cool!
It supports wireless connections to G6, G7, Medtrum A6, Libre via NFC and Bluetooth, 630G, 640G, 670G pumps, CareSens Air and Eversense CGM via companion apps. Bluetooth Glucose Meters such as the Contour Next One, AccuChek Guide, Verio Flex & Diamond Mini as well as devices like the Pendiq 2.0 Insulin Pen.
Heart-rate and step counter data is processed from Android Wear, Garmin, Fitbit and Pebble smart-watches and watch-faces for those that show glucose values and graphs.
On some Android Wear watches, it is possible for the G6 to talk directly to the watch so it can display values even when out of range of the phone.
GitHub - NightscoutFoundation/xDrip: Nightscout version of xDrip+
Nightscout version of xDrip+. Contribute to NightscoutFoundation/xDrip development by creating an account on GitHub.
GitHub (github.com)
Is this your repo?
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I've only worn the G7 into the sauna and it worked fine. Going to try wearing the Libre 2 into the sauna next.
Edit: Libre 2 seems to be fine after sauna.
I'm curious, did the sauna have any impact on blood glucose?