I'm hanging it out there, going gut placement next with the FS. Only because it's a major PITA to self install back of arm.
Stelo - experiences
- Thread starter Donald
- Start date
Ha! I just saw this post. I was over on your side of town for a while watching videos and conversations.
Two sensors last 15 days each - 30 days
I pay $95 actual charge delivered to the house. On monthly auto ship.
I see you recently put it on your stomach. The current sensor I put where they instruct on the back of my arm.
The sensor before was under my arm about 6 inches from my armpit.
When the current sensor expires in 3 days I am going back to under my arm. I like it there, dont have to worry about banging it around when I lay down.
I pay $80 for 30ish days (some odd overlap 2 sensors) BUT I need to ask for and be given a scrip renew after the next 2. Very similar.
Yes all legal stuff says back of arm on the FreeStyle. I hate that!! Hard to apply and get off and it bugs me. So far no drawback to stomach other than shaving a patch. I don't lay on my tummy much and even when working out no interference yet.
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I thought I would update you on the aftermarket adhesive for the Stelo in Post #7.
LEXCAM patch is a solid secure patch. I purchased them on Amazon. I have had this Stelo on for the last 12 days and still rock solid secure.
Actually I think I have about 2.5 days before the sensor quits. Meaning not a full 3 days left.
Anyway, they come 20 in a package. I have been putting the Stelo on as normal in including the additional Stelo adhesive patch that comes with the Stelo.
Then I put the LEXCAM over all of it being the LEXCAM is a bit wider than the Stelo. Been working out great. Very Happy
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1DK4N4M
It's not an over patch, it has the hole precut in the middle. From what I am under the impression is that allows moisture to escape.
Dont forget when applying the patch to wipe the area down with rubbing alcohol. This actually goes for any adhesive's. I would carry a bottle in my Security System truck. Sometimes sensors could not be screwed in so I would wipe the surface with rubbing alcohol and then apply 3M double sided red tape they would never come off.
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I didn't like overpatches on my arm. More bother than gain.
Different story on flat girlish belly. Work perfectly so far. Will see in 14 more days or so.
Different story on flat girlish belly. Work perfectly so far. Will see in 14 more days or so.
Today is day 15 and five hours left on the patch time. It does allow another 12 hours after to replace it after the "official" expiration.
From now on it's going under my arm, not the back or side. First one I ever had I put under the arm and liked it there. Right now, when I sleep I have to be conscious of it.
I have my wife put the Stelo adhesive patch on and the after market on top of it.
@Donald
OH!!!! reason for my post for Stelo users (I dont know if this company makes them for Abbott devices but assume they do)
The aftermarket patches in post #7 are fantastic. No signs of any deterioration after 15 days. 20 come in a pack which is plenty for me. I am sure once I finish losing all my weight I will stop for the summer season, maybe, maybe not.
Dont forget to scrub your skin clean with rubbing alcohol before putting the device on.
These cover the whole works for the FreeStyle
Freestyle 50 Libre 3 Sensor... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FR9SGCPS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Freestyle 50 Libre 3 Sensor... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FR9SGCPS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Good price, I assume there is a hole in the middle? It looks like it in the photo on the link.
Only asking because on the Stelo device itself there is a hole in the top. I read on one (or more) of these sites the patches are open at the top to allow moisture to escape. I also saw on some patches they show opening up the top of the patch. Not sure if that pertains to ABBOTT devices though.
You can swim with Stelo as the company advertises. I can see a benefit to a full cover or at least most of a cover with some open area on top to prevent as I did a month ago, getting it caught on my sofa and ripping it off my arm
No holeGood price, I assume there is a hole in the middle? It looks like it in the photo on the link.
Only asking because on the Stelo device itself there is a hole in the top. I read on one (or more) of these sites the patches are open at the top to allow moisture to escape. I also saw on some patches they show opening up the top of the patch. Not sure if that pertains to ABBOTT devices though.
You can swim with Stelo as the company advertises. I can see a benefit to a full cover or at least most of a cover with some open area on top to prevent as I did a month ago, getting it caught on my sofa and ripping it off my arm
Well sealed never any issues
Only issue is the sensor itself REALLY sticks
Well, since I started with Stelo. Realizing how quickly I progressed to borderline and most likely pre-diabetes.
Last week or ten days ago my blood draw showed =
My A1c dropped from 5.7 to 5.3.
Fasting Blood Glucose came in exactly at 100 vs 123 sometime early Nov
I feel like a dodged a bullet, slightly scrapped. HOWEVER do to input in here and the other thread I also had my insulin level checked.
Clearly not good at 11.3 and puts me 1/10 away from "significant insulin resistance"
These are my numbers put into this calculator - my score is 2.8 even after this fasting diet I am on and will stay on and will never go back to munching on snack food. HOMA of 2.8. This Stelo device to me, is a lifesaver for those who take this serious. Also the book "The Diabetes Code" fantastic motivator and educational resource for me. Absolutely love the book.
Ok, with that said, after watching Stelo show me my crazy swings in blood sugar, never going back to a decent level even though I started a fasting diet end of October 2025... well all of a sudden, as my weight is now dropped 23 LBS and continues to fall. I have eliminated all snack foods from my diet, all bad carbs from my diet. (and I thought I ate MUCH more healthy than the population but it wasnt enough) I do occasionally have a very limited dessert of like a chocolate chip cookie etc, special occasions cake etc. No more snacking in the evening.
Anyway, just this week, after almost two months ... for the last two + days... I am running more normal blood sugar under 100 while sleeping (fasting) Sometimes as low as 70's ... This is the last 12 hours. Dont get me wrong, I still have a ways to go and I will get there as my weight continues to decline. Down 23 LBS now and still 30ish to go.
Fantastic device
Last week or ten days ago my blood draw showed =
My A1c dropped from 5.7 to 5.3.
Fasting Blood Glucose came in exactly at 100 vs 123 sometime early Nov
I feel like a dodged a bullet, slightly scrapped. HOWEVER do to input in here and the other thread I also had my insulin level checked.
Clearly not good at 11.3 and puts me 1/10 away from "significant insulin resistance"
These are my numbers put into this calculator - my score is 2.8 even after this fasting diet I am on and will stay on and will never go back to munching on snack food. HOMA of 2.8. This Stelo device to me, is a lifesaver for those who take this serious. Also the book "The Diabetes Code" fantastic motivator and educational resource for me. Absolutely love the book.
Ok, with that said, after watching Stelo show me my crazy swings in blood sugar, never going back to a decent level even though I started a fasting diet end of October 2025... well all of a sudden, as my weight is now dropped 23 LBS and continues to fall. I have eliminated all snack foods from my diet, all bad carbs from my diet. (and I thought I ate MUCH more healthy than the population but it wasnt enough) I do occasionally have a very limited dessert of like a chocolate chip cookie etc, special occasions cake etc. No more snacking in the evening.
Anyway, just this week, after almost two months ... for the last two + days... I am running more normal blood sugar under 100 while sleeping (fasting) Sometimes as low as 70's ... This is the last 12 hours. Dont get me wrong, I still have a ways to go and I will get there as my weight continues to decline. Down 23 LBS now and still 30ish to go.
Fantastic device
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Just for giggles I ordered the 2X Stelo pack. Cost is around $20 more, so yeah I am nuts. But no script.
I am one curious cat.
I am one curious cat.
Very cool. hey, you know, when this all first came about, the cost of these things first thought was wow. However, except for that one moment, I never much thought anymore about it or any other "health" thing I do. The cost is nothing compared to what you may prevent and also improve your health.
Once I started with the golf analogy (we live in a golf resort but I dont pay golf*LOL*) Spending $95 a month on a device to vastly improve my health outlook isnt more than a week or so of playing golf. So now I am full bore, whatever it takes in-between doctor visits including spending on some blood draws, who cares? The cost is nothing to me in order to live a better life.
I still have way more specialist Dr visits than I want this year but it will be winding down (I hope*LOL*) Good news is I can message them and since learning so much more in this thread and reading I can ask for any more blood tests that I might want.
Ok, now you have ME curious about the Abbott over the counter "Lingo" but I guess I'll stick with Stelo as pricing is the same so no reason to switch, Ive verified with my BG meter once or maybe twice and got the same reading.
Got th e-mail from Dexcon, next months order is about to be sent. I do monthly auto @$89 plus ? = $95 a month. I pay with my wife's company benefits card. The one where she has up to $2,500 or so taken out every year which is untaxed to spend on medical stuff.SO its $95 of tex free money. But honestly they benefit for the cost is freaking awesome health wise and heck, I bet much of that cost is snack food that is also cut out and over eating!!!!! *LOL*
Im really excited and so motivated... I'll be curious how you like the Stelo. Its not going to be as robust as your prescription device, the the BG metering, meaning the number will be the same. It does take some time to learn the app and you are used to a different brand. I only found out recently that I can Sweep my finger over the graph dots and the BG for that minute of the day appears.
Oh no, just remembered something ... I BELIEVE Stelo was first released for the iPhone and the app designed around that. Im not so sure the Android app (now that it is out) will have the same experience or not. I cant be sure but I THOUGHT I might have seen something about that in user reviews but honestly can not remember if I am correct.
Ok... pickleball at 1PM est. very overcast, oh no, looks like it rained while on this computer... doubt the courts will be dry.
I think it ships from Amazon even if you order it from the Dexcom site, which I did order it direct at Stelo.
The reason I did it from the company site was I was thinking that maybe I would get the freshest newest dates. No concern there last I remembered they were dated December 2026 and January 2027.
I’m going to sleep right now if I think I’ll check in the morning but I believe Amazon ships for them so it probably doesn’t matter where you order it from. However, all my communications come from Stelo.
Anyway, this is where I started,
https://www.stelo.com/buy-stelo-one-time
You know what?
I answered my own question all communications come from Stello for me and I assume because I ordered it directly from them.
They update me with email when they’re going to ship the next shipment out. They would be the ones I contact if I want to stop it and they are the ones that send me an actual tracking number once it ships.
With that said for some reason in the back of my mind, I think maybe Amazon fulfills the orders for them. Which as we know, Amazon is pretty much a fulfillment house now.
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@Pablo
Once I had time to think, what I posted above was correct.
Yeah, ordered from the start at Stelo link above (post #54) for the reasons indicated, freshness but I think Amazon handles their distribution so I am sure it does not matter.
As posted though, all communications I get are from Stelo. I dont know if that is the case of ordering through Amazon but might be?
I literally just minutes ago had a email come in from Stelo directly that they are shipping my next 30 day order shortly. Their updates are spot on perfect all the time from a Stelo company email address. This is part of the email.
Once I had time to think, what I posted above was correct.
Yeah, ordered from the start at Stelo link above (post #54) for the reasons indicated, freshness but I think Amazon handles their distribution so I am sure it does not matter.
As posted though, all communications I get are from Stelo. I dont know if that is the case of ordering through Amazon but might be?
I literally just minutes ago had a email come in from Stelo directly that they are shipping my next 30 day order shortly. Their updates are spot on perfect all the time from a Stelo company email address. This is part of the email.
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Easy enough with Amazon, coming today. I added my HSA card number to Amazon. I still have a decent amount left after 5 years of retirement.
I ate more than normal last night in the sense of what I have been eating. Protein drink, walnuts, green salad with grilled turkey chopped up, 1 choc chip cookie, later on some grapes. However after that a hour or so later I few slices of cheese.
Bottom line, no secret that the test showed high insulin level so I noticed even with what I ate last night, after fasting for 20 hours my BG is still a little elevated. I am positive I have "work" to do and see down the road if I can get my insulin levels down. As I doubt VERY much at this point I would be able to go eating care free without blowing up my BG.
Last night 12 hours ending 11:30AM next day. Keep in mind my morning coffee elevates my BG. However this isnt a prefect picture overnight as I slept as much as the one from the night before, I guess?
Bottom line, no secret that the test showed high insulin level so I noticed even with what I ate last night, after fasting for 20 hours my BG is still a little elevated. I am positive I have "work" to do and see down the road if I can get my insulin levels down. As I doubt VERY much at this point I would be able to go eating care free without blowing up my BG.
Last night 12 hours ending 11:30AM next day. Keep in mind my morning coffee elevates my BG. However this isnt a prefect picture overnight as I slept as much as the one from the night before, I guess?
Instead of the back of my arm which I tried I am back to under my arm, inside about 5 or 6 inches from my arm pit. Soft skin there, with that said my treatment last year devastated my muscles so if you are REALLY in shape it might be too firm there as you are supposed to avoid muscle and bone. That I dont know.
On the back of my arm, two times, one time I ripped it off getting it caught on the sofa and the other time I found it annoying trying to be gentle on it when I slept on my side, under my arm is perfect for me.
Well this was disappointing and it (to me) backs up the data in post #50 for me. No lying I am insulin resistant and I think signifiant as the number says.
This is what I did. I had a dinner like a normal person last night, encouraged by amazing lower BG numbers during the week, almost normal however that "normal" was on my fasting diet (the word diet is type of food I eat)
It was a perfect time to "test" my post #50 which says = "2.9 indicates significant insulin resistance." Well my calculated number came in at 2.8 so I am "there"
Anyway, I ate like a normal American last night. Dinner at Italian restaurant. Chicken Cutlet Parm, small side of pasta, Italian bread in olive oil, grapes on the way home. After dinner movie and snacks, 2 choc chip cookies, small bit of cheese and not to large portion of popcorn.
Oh well, BG ran high all night and 14 hours later was still 109. For a few days before, eating my "new" normal way of eating I was dropping down to the 80s, sometimes bouncing off 70 and others in the 90s. SO I thought I would test what would happen eating like a normal person. Not good.
I also tested the Stelo again this morning. I have in the past, I am still in disbelief how accurate the two compared are in my use.. I know of someone else having an issue.
My dinner last night and snacks during a movie, which was nice that it only topped out at 140ish but stayed constant around 110 for 14 hours now. Kind of backs up my resistance in post #50 at 2.8 puts me almost at "2.9 indicates significant insulin resistance."I would think.
I have done this in the past (and posted someplace) but checked the Stelo against my finger prick, same result.
(Time is incorrect on the Evencare)
This is what I did. I had a dinner like a normal person last night, encouraged by amazing lower BG numbers during the week, almost normal however that "normal" was on my fasting diet (the word diet is type of food I eat)
It was a perfect time to "test" my post #50 which says = "2.9 indicates significant insulin resistance." Well my calculated number came in at 2.8 so I am "there"
Anyway, I ate like a normal American last night. Dinner at Italian restaurant. Chicken Cutlet Parm, small side of pasta, Italian bread in olive oil, grapes on the way home. After dinner movie and snacks, 2 choc chip cookies, small bit of cheese and not to large portion of popcorn.
Oh well, BG ran high all night and 14 hours later was still 109. For a few days before, eating my "new" normal way of eating I was dropping down to the 80s, sometimes bouncing off 70 and others in the 90s. SO I thought I would test what would happen eating like a normal person. Not good.
I also tested the Stelo again this morning. I have in the past, I am still in disbelief how accurate the two compared are in my use.. I know of someone else having an issue.
My dinner last night and snacks during a movie, which was nice that it only topped out at 140ish but stayed constant around 110 for 14 hours now. Kind of backs up my resistance in post #50 at 2.8 puts me almost at "2.9 indicates significant insulin resistance."I would think.
I have done this in the past (and posted someplace) but checked the Stelo against my finger prick, same result.
(Time is incorrect on the Evencare)
This is crazy! 24 hours into a 48 hour water fast.
I did this last week two times and this week again, this is my second time.
Last Thursday after the fast I had a pasta dinner, holy smokes I peaked at 203!
Tonight I’m not eating anything and for the first time ever I’m at rock-bottom 70 I never got that low even fasting until now.
This is like so exciting
I guess the big question will be. Will there ever come a time that I can have a pasta dinner without my blood sugar going through the roof?
Tomorrow night (Friday)is Pizza, Saturday will be another dinner at a restaurant and Sunday Super Bowl Sunday at a siblings house.
For the most part will still be one meal a day.
I need three days in a row of eating and hopefully the blood sugar package comes on time Monday for a glucose resistance test that I will do.
I did this last week two times and this week again, this is my second time.
Last Thursday after the fast I had a pasta dinner, holy smokes I peaked at 203!
Tonight I’m not eating anything and for the first time ever I’m at rock-bottom 70 I never got that low even fasting until now.
This is like so exciting
I guess the big question will be. Will there ever come a time that I can have a pasta dinner without my blood sugar going through the roof?
Tomorrow night (Friday)is Pizza, Saturday will be another dinner at a restaurant and Sunday Super Bowl Sunday at a siblings house.
For the most part will still be one meal a day.
I need three days in a row of eating and hopefully the blood sugar package comes on time Monday for a glucose resistance test that I will do.
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