5/22 Esse AMPS 252

Yesterday's thread!

Headed to the vet soon for the Libre application!

Couldn't be better timed, he was very stressed for last night's test. He actually peed himself a little in the burrito, I felt terrible for him. It actually got me wondering... I am looking at my previous notes and new non-BG data sheet (inspired by @Brianna & Xander) and noticing that our worst testing times have been when he's really high, often because we have to stick him multiple--sometimes 4 or more--times to get a decent blood drop, despite using the same ear-warming techniques. Is it possible that because he's a little higher, he could be a little dehydrated, and that's making it harder for him to bleed?

I haven't seen this mentioned in my reading anywhere so if I'm totally off base definitely correct me... not even tagging this as a question because it's more random pre-coffee musing.

Good luck with the vet visit and the Libre.
Happy Thursday

I honestly don't know, but dehydration is definitely a thing with higher numbers because they're drinking to replenish how much they're peeing. But also, cats don't generally seem to feel well in those higher numbers, so maybe he doesn't feel well and is just in a bad cat mood. That's my thought anyway.

We're back! I was very confident that the vet techs would be able to apply the sensor, less confident that they could get him into the shirt I brought. I brought the shirt, self-adhering wrap, and even a flat e-collar, just in case. But he loves to prove me wrong every time I warn the staff there about him, so of course they had no trouble.

We've got an old phone all set up for him and scanned, so now we just wait for the data to start showing up!!!

Yaaay! We love an easy Libre application and shirt tolerance! Look at that handsome boy in his new shirt. He knows he's the prettiest boy!

Okay, well, that was anticlimactic. I am getting a "Sensor Ended" message and it won't re-scan. So we need to replace it, right?

I assume this is because they actually did use glue in applying--the vet had told me they don't when I scheduled the appointment, but when the tech brought him back out today she said they used "two tiny dots" because she was having a hard time getting it to stick. She didn't use the Skin Tac or alcohol swab I sent back with her so I have no idea what their process actually is aside from shaving the spot and using they glue I was told they wouldn't use.

Tagging @Staci & Ivy too!

He is SO HANDSOME in the purple shirt!

Hope you can figure out what's going on with the device.
Paging @Staci & Ivy

I don't know anything about the cgm, but just wanted to say good luck with all of this, and I hope you get the kinks worked out quickly and easily. Esse looks adorable in his new vest!

Update: My boyfriend is a saint and went back to the pharmacy to buy a second sensor, called the vet, and made a second appointment that should be starting right about now. I have a work call in a few min so I couldn't go this time but I wrote instructions on the alcohol pad and Skin Tac packet and told him to 'remind' them not to use glue.

Lauren & Esse said:

Update: My boyfriend is a saint and went back to the pharmacy to buy a second sensor, called the vet, and made a second appointment that should be starting right about now. I have a work call in a few min so I couldn't go this time but I wrote instructions on the alcohol pad and Skin Tac packet and told him to 'remind' them not to use glue.

Click to expand...

Oh Lauren I’m so sorry for all of the trouble today! And he was such a good boy!!

Your boyfriend is a saint!

It does sound like the glue destroyed the first sensor.
Try to get several extra sensors to keep in the house. It makes things go much smoother when you want to move quickly and not have to go to the pharmacy. (I know this is all new for you, so it takes time to get it all down).

What actually makes the sensor stick is the adhesive on the back of the sensor. And it is highly advised to use a Tegaderm covering over the top of it and to poke a small hole in the center for circulation.

The skin tack is actually just a moisture barrier (not an adhesive despite its name) and the alcohol wipes are to remove oils and anything that could be a problem for the sensor.

Essentially looks just adorable in his top

Sending lots of good wishes for Libre success!!

The second one just fell off. Again, never even got through that first "ready to use in 60 minutes" phase. So we will have to go back the pharmacy tomorrow to get a third one (the last of the 3 the prescription was written for ) and do it at home. Honestly the main reason I wanted the vet to do it is because I thought they'd be able to shave him more easily and safely.

Probably you can skip most of my moaning and groaning below, but I do have one real question: Do we need to shave a THIRD patch of his fur? I know you can't use the same spot for two weeks back to back because it's too irritating--same rules for a patch-based medication I use--but if neither of them were on him for more than an hour, is it okay to clean/prep and re-use that spot?

Try to get several extra sensors to keep in the house. It makes things go much smoother when you want to move quickly and not have to go to the pharmacy. (I know this is all new for you, so it takes time to get it all down).

Click to expand...

I had thought about obtaining multiples at once but the pharmacist only had one in stock when I went the first time. I plan to take the next prescription to Costco and see about getting the 3-pack (or 6-pack?) one of y'all mentioned. The price will also be better there, I know, I just always like supporting independent pharmacists when I can.

What actually makes the sensor stick is the adhesive on the back of the sensor. And it is highly advised to use a Tegaderm covering over the top of it and to poke a small hole in the center for circulation.
The skin tack is actually just a moisture barrier (not an adhesive despite its name) and the alcohol wipes are to remove oils and anything that could be a problem for the sensor.

Click to expand...

I felt very knowledgeable and empowered after having read that guide a few days ago with all the explanation about no glue, yes Skin Tac, what everything is, etc. The guide mentioned Tegaderm as an option, not particularly emphasized, but I can overnight some if it's highly recommended. I'm actually allergic to it (on myself) so I hesitated on using it on his skin--the guides and FB posts all say his skin is so delicate! But if the majority use it, then we can too for sure.

I feel dumb and sad for having gotten my hopes up about today, thinking things were finally going to get easier. I'm so sick of crying over this dang cat, haha. And after today he's pretty sick of us, too, does not want to be touched at all right now.

Ugh! First he looks so adorable! But how frustrating! We went through the same thing when we tried the Libre. Lessons we learned, buy multiples at the same time and I wouldn't leave the vet till in activated.

That stinks since it sounds like he was so compliant and will likely be ok with it.

Lauren & Esse said:

I feel dumb and sad for having gotten my hopes up about today, thinking things were finally going to get easier. I'm so sick of crying over this dang cat, haha. And after today he's pretty sick of us, too, does not want to be touched at all right now.

Click to expand...

Oh, Lauren, I'm so sorry. I can 1000% relate and it's heartbreaking to see someone else go through it. Now I'm in the position to have to say "It gets better," even though it doesn't seem like it will. You're not dumb and I always got my hopes up too. And then I went through a horrible period of overwhelming anxiety about the damn thing failing or falling off early (until we got the hang of it and now it's almost always just fine).

Xander has always been different in every way possible from 99% of cats here - things that seemed to work for most were absolutely a no-go for us and often that made me feel like the "it gets better" from others wasn't necessarily relevant. However, our cats do sound really similar and I went through this too with losing Libre after Libre at first.

It took several rounds of applying them ourselves before we had it down and they started reliably staying on, mostly because we covered it. With Esse it seems like maybe the skin just isn't prepped enough - maybe not enough alcohol or something? I had some that the vet techs applied really badly too (or that failed because of glue, etc).

Lauren & Esse said:

Do we need to shave a THIRD patch of his fur? I know you can't use the same spot for two weeks back to back because it's too irritating--same rules for a patch-based medication I use--but if neither of them were on him for more than an hour, is it okay to clean/prep and re-use that spot?

Click to expand...

I'm not experienced enough to feel like I have a definitive answer for this, but in your case, since they used glue, I'd make sure that skin isn't irritated or anything, because the alcohol will obviously hurt and then having something stuck on it wouldn't be good. Assuming the sites look clean and healthy, I think just moving it enough to avoid literally poking a hole in the same wound would be okay.

Absolutely seconding Staci to get extras if you can (I understand the situation you're in, just for the future)!

ETA: I have some Tegaderm but I've never used it. So far (anti-jinx) we've been able to make them stay with shaving close, really going in there with 2 alcohol wipes, the Skin Tac and the elastic bandage.

Brianna & Xander said:

With Esse it seems like maybe the skin just isn't prepped enough - maybe not enough alcohol or something? I had some that the vet techs applied really badly too (or that failed because of glue, etc).

Click to expand...

I 100% think this is what it is. I completely understand why vets have some things they do "in the back," but it's frustrating for me to not know exactly what's going on back there. I don't even necessarily want to give feedback--I just want to see! So I can learn! Had this thought about other things previously as well.

ETA: I have some Tegaderm but I've never used it. So far (anti-jinx) we've been able to make them stay with shaving close, really going in there with 2 alcohol wipes, the Skin Tac and the elastic bandage.

Click to expand...

I have a feeling the Tegaderm and the self-adhesive bandage do similar jobs here! Holding it tight against the skin without being irritating or getting in the way of the sensor.

Maybe I'll ask in the FB group about shaving a third patch. I didn't want to post there about the other stuff so far because from what I could read these are pretty common problems, but this seems at least a little more unique.

Thank you both so so much for the commiseration!!

Lauren & Esse said:

below, but I do have one real question: Do we need to shave a THIRD patch of his fur? I know you can't use the same spot for two weeks back to back because it's too irritating--same rules for a patch-based medication I use--but if neither of them were on him for more than an hour, is it okay to clean/prep and re-use that spot?

Click to expand...

I would think it’s fine as long as the area is cleaned up and dry. Make sure it looks ok and not aggravated.
Just aim for slightly askew from the prior punctured spot.

You may want to get the prescription from the vet to read “as needed” instead of a finite number of Libres.
Just explain to them that you understand that the Libres can fail and you can’t assume that you only need 2 per month (and that’s the actual reality you just don’t know what you’re up against) so you can’t be limited to two per month.

Also, you can contact Abbott and explain that the Libres didn’t function properly. They will ask you for error code numbers that are listed in your phone log and they will send you out a replacement for the two failed Libres.

The serial numbers are also located in your phone From those Libres.
I always save the boxes which have the serial numbers on them as well just in case I need to refer to them, but you do have them in your phone for the last two sensors I believe.

And if you call Abbott, you never say it’s for a pet, you just say it’s for a family member or yourself. And also just tell them you don’t have the Libres anymore in case they would want you to send them back (since at least one of them may have glue on it)
Good luck tomorrow I hope it goes smoothly and keep us posted!