Stelo - experiences

[Donald]

I have been using Stelo for a few months. And Dexcom G7 before that. I am in the prediabetes range for blood glucose level.

Typically the reading on my Stelo when I wake up is around 110. So above 100 and not where you want it.

I started on a low carb and low calorie diet a few weeks ago and have dropped 6 or 7 lbs. Roughly within the recommended limit of not more that 2 lbs a week.

Recently my blood sugar is staying under 100. Last night the Stelo said it was below 70. Which is getting too low. I ate a low carb breakfast and it's now 83.

Stelo says possibly sleeping on the Stelo can cause inaccurate readings. Maybe I will get finger stick device as backup.

The net is I expected my BG to drop slowly as my weight drops. But what I am seeing is a significant drop after dropping 6 or 7 lbs. That was not expected.

 

[racer12306]

In my experience, the change is more related to the foods you're eating than the weight loss. The weight loss helped, but in the short term the food helped more.

I tried a CGM for a bit and wasn't a huge fan of it's readings. I think I had a G6 and it lagged behind significantly. Maybe the newer technology is more representative. A CGM is fundamentally different than a finger stick because of how it reads the sugar. Yes, you should have a blood monitor.

I do not monitor my sugar constantly (finger stick). When I make a change, I'll stick my finger a dozen+ times a day for a couple days to see how it trends. I'll also check it when I feel weird, which so far, I feel weird for reasons other than blood sugar.

 

[alarmguy]

I have been using Stelo for a few months. And Dexcom G7 before that. I am in the prediabetes range for blood glucose level.

Typically the reading on my Stelo when I wake up is around 110. So above 100 and not where you want it.

I started on a low carb and low calorie diet a few weeks ago and have dropped 6 or 7 lbs. Roughly within the recommended limit of not more that 2 lbs a week.

Recently my blood sugar is staying under 100. Last night the Stelo said it was below 70. Which is getting too low. I ate a low carb breakfast and it's now 83.

Stelo says possibly sleeping on the Stelo can cause inaccurate readings. Maybe I will get finger stick device as backup.

The net is I expected my BG to drop slowly as my weight drops. But what I am seeing is a significant drop after dropping 6 or 7 lbs. That was not expected.

Not a bad idea for a finger stick device or a lab or doctors office to compare.

 

[Donald]

In my experience, the change is more related to the foods you're eating than the weight loss. The weight loss helped, but in the short term the food helped more.

I tried a CGM for a bit and wasn't a huge fan of it's readings. I think I had a G6 and it lagged behind significantly. Maybe the newer technology is more representative. A CGM is fundamentally different than a finger stick because of how it reads the sugar. Yes, you should have a blood monitor.

I do not monitor my sugar constantly (finger stick). When I make a change, I'll stick my finger a dozen+ times a day for a couple days to see how it trends. I'll also check it when I feel weird, which so far, I feel weird for reasons other than blood sugar.

I agree it's the food that mostly drives the BG level but I am trying to explain the drop in BG level that seems to have happened. I eat the same yogurt (breakfast) and protein meal shake (lunch) every day. Same triple Zero Oikos yogurt, the flavor varies. Look at the two screen shots. First is last Wednesday and second is today.

The 90 on both screens is my current BG level for today. Not related the the graphs.

 

[Donald]

My wife had me try some oatmeal cookies.

 

[Donald]

Here is me testing (eating) 4 or 5 oatmeal raisin cookies.

 

[alarmguy]

@Donald
My sensor made it the full 15 days plus a 12 hour grace period.
I let it expire for about another 12 hours until the new adhesive came from Amazon.
I just installed the new Stelo CGM. I was on the fence if I should just use the aftermarket adhesive bands or use both of them meaning the Stelo first and then the aftermarket on top of it.
The aftermarket is a little larger.

I really didn’t know what to do and I ended up using both. Experimenting with different adhesive is not a cheap ordeal at $50 a sensor if they don’t work right.

So anyway, I used both and I’m not really sure if I should’ve but I just didn’t want to take a chance since the Stelo really did its job up until maybe day number 12 or 13. I want to emphasize. I really scrub my arm down with 92% rubbing alcohol. I also used my electric razor to make sure it was free of any hair.
I then had my wife put the two adhesive bands on after I injected it onto my skin both the Stelo first then the aftermarket.
Even with that said, being very careful, she washed her hands and then also wiped her hands down with rubbing alcohol. It’s really important that you make sure you do not have any oil on your skin.

Anyway, I have the old sensor here with photos and what it would look like with the original Stelo adhesive band and then under that you can see how much wider the aftermarket one is.

Here are some photos to give an idea. The green is the backing of the Stelo adhesive and the white is the aftermarket from Amazon.
(that's the old sensor below)

This is the new one with the Stelo patch and the aftermarket patch. You can see through the clear of the patches the outline of the smaller Stelo patch and the aftermarket one covering over it.

 

[Donald]

You can get over-patch with various designs like cartoon characters.

 

[alarmguy]

You can get over-patch with various designs like cartoon characters.

Yes, I saw all those too. I was looking for a well priced product with the least amount of complaints.
The patch that came with it, worked ok for me, then I got nervous the last couple days. So I am hoping putting this one on over the patch that comes with it holds well. It's only been two days but my initial impression is good. My wife, who I have put it on said it feels a little thicker.

I will say, the original one, even though the edges looked funky those last couple days, when I actually went to remove the CGM it was well stuck on my skin. As posted make sure to REALLY scrub down the area with rubbing alcohol to remove oils from your skin.

 

[Donald]

Yes, I saw all those too. I was looking for a well priced product with the least amount of complaints.
The patch that came with it, worked ok for me, then I got nervous the last couple days. So I am hoping putting this one on over the patch that comes with it holds well. It's only been two days but my initial impression is good. My wife, who I have put it on said it feels a little thicker.

I will say, the original one, even though the edges looked funky those last couple days, when I actually went to remove the CGM it was well stuck on my skin. As posted make sure to REALLY scrub down the area with rubbing alcohol to remove oils from your skin.

When I had the Dexcom G7 I got these huge over patches. They looked more like I had surgery in the area.

 

[Pablo]

I put an over patch on 3 days ago. It’s still ok but kinda crinkly

 

[alarmguy]

@Donald
The patches I bought in post #7 adhere very well. As posted I put the Stelo on, then the Stelo over patch and then the new patch in post #7 over that. When it came to take it off it was REALLY stuck to my skin. However it was only on me for 8 days, but even at the 7 days mark showed no signs of loosening.
The problem was as I posted someplace else. I screwed up and tore the device right off my arm when I was laying on the sofa, it caught on the edge of the seat cushion. So ended 7 days early. New ones arrive today but might wait to start them on the 1st of the new year.

 

[Pablo]

How much are the Stelo sensor transmitters?

Have you guys explored placing the sensor on your stomach?

 

[Donald]

@Donald
The patches I bought in post #7 adhere very well. As posted I put the Stelo on, then the Stelo over patch and then the new patch in post #7 over that. When it came to take it off it was REALLY stuck to my skin. However it was only on me for 8 days, but even at the 7 days mark showed no signs of loosening.
The problem was as I posted someplace else. I screwed up and tore the device right off my arm when I was laying on the sofa, it caught on the edge of the seat cushion. So ended 7 days early. New ones arrive today but might wait to start them on the 1st of the new year.

I don't know if it would help but maybe move the CGM more towards front or back of your arm or other arm.

I thought I read you can tape the patch back on if it comes off. But probably not going to be waterproof after that.

Does your shirt sleeve cover the patch. That may help also.

 

[alarmguy]

I don't know if it would help but maybe move the CGM more towards front or back of your arm or other arm.

I thought I read you can tape the patch back on if it comes off. But probably not going to be waterproof after that.

Does your shirt sleeve cover the patch. That may help also.

I tried to put it back on, didnt work, the app said error or something but instructed me to wait 3 hours to see if it can reconnect, the pin or needle or whatever was bent. At first I couldnt find it and thought it broke off in my arm *LOL*

Yeah, I was wearing a short sleeve shirt. It was just one of those 1 in 1000 chances that it would happen. I will make sure it never happens again *LOL*
This device has been amazing and so glad you posted about it. (I know I said that a dozen times already) Just fantastic and think I can avert full blown diabetes because of it I think I am in slightly worse shape than I thought but anyway I just love it. Cant wait to put the new one on.

 

[Donald]

I tried to put it back on, didnt work, the app said error or something but instructed me to wait 3 hours to see if it can reconnect, the pin or needle or whatever was bent. At first I couldnt find it and thought it broke off in my arm *LOL*

Yeah, I was wearing a short sleeve shirt. It was just one of those 1 in 1000 chances that it would happen. I will make sure it never happens again *LOL*
This device has been amazing and so glad you posted about it. (I know I said that a dozen times already) Just fantastic and think I can avert full blown diabetes because of it I think I am in slightly worse shape than I thought but anyway I just love it. Cant wait to put the new one on.

Are you taking Metformin or Ozempic (low dose) for diabetes or pre diabetes?

Any best to be on a no-brownies diet.

 

[alarmguy]

Are you taking Metformin or Ozempic (low dose) for diabetes or pre diabetes?

Any best to be on a no-brownies diet.

No, Im not diagnosed as either. This only came about once you mentioned Stelo. After my treatment this year my Blood Glucose went nuts for the first time in my life, for some reason the specialist didnt say anything at 123 fasting.

I then, got my own A1C and put me at 5.7 and this was after I already started my 20 hour a day fasting for two months.
SO with Stelo and continued fasting and a whole bunch of books I am now going to read I hope to reverse what is there.
Yes, of course at my next physical I will bring it up and ask why it wasnt mentioned. I have two specialist appts by April of 2026 and my annual by October. By April easily I will have lost all my weight gain from my cancer treatment this year and more. I hope I am not dreaming but I think that will do it.

So far 20 LBs I have lost and I am going to lose another 30 over the next hopefully 8 weeks or so. That will bring me right back to my BMI. Even losing the 20 lbs I just lost, I am still 15 LBs more heavy then I ever was in my life.

I think you saved a lot of people by bringing up the subject of a CGM

 

[Donald]

No, Im not diagnosed as either. This only came about once you mentioned Stelo. After my treatment this year my Blood Glucose went nuts for the first time in my life, for some reason the specialist didnt say anything at 123 fasting.

I then, got my own A1C and put me at 5.7 and this was after I already started my 20 hour a day fasting for two months.
SO with Stelo and continued fasting and a whole bunch of books I am now going to read I hope to reverse what is there.
Yes, of course at my next physical I will bring it up and ask why it wasnt mentioned. I have two specialist appts by April of 2026 and my annual by October. By April easily I will have lost all my weight gain from my cancer treatment this year and more. I hope I am not dreaming but I think that will do it.

So far 20 LBs I have lost and I am going to lose another 30 over the next hopefully 8 weeks or so. That will bring me right back to my BMI. Even losing the 20 lbs I just lost, I am still 15 LBs more heavy then I ever was in my life.

I think you saved a lot of people by bringing up the subject of a CGM

I see two problems. The doctors don't have enough time to really have good discussions and many doctors are not tuned into metabolic health.

 

[alarmguy]

Two new ones arrived today. I might wait until the 1st or 2nd to put it on.
Here are some readings, Rough week as much as I tired to watch what I ate, Christmas is big here and .... well ...

Not proud even though I maybe ate less than I used to, scary to me ... but it does not get worse and only better from here. Keep in mind this was Christmas week celebrations, the worst 12 hour snippets

Monday didnt break - 140. Tuesday peak - 187, Wed -151, Christmas Day 25th- 145, Friday the 26th- 173
Charts show terrible prolonged snacking and eating.

My average since getting the Stelo has been 114mg/dl

 

[alarmguy]

I see two problems. The doctors don't have enough time to really have good discussions and many doctors are not tuned into metabolic health.

That is for sure. Its amazing. They do not have the time or education maybe or just give up because most patients don't listen. Which leaves us in limbo.