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CGMs That Actually Change Your Life
If you live with Type 1 diabetes, you’ll know one thing: CGMs that actually change your life do exist… but they’re also absolute drama queens.
In this episode of the We Are T1D Podcast, Mike and Jack dive into the gadgets that stalk your sugar 24/7, scream at you at 3am, and somehow manage to peel off mid-shower just when you’re feeling smug about your diabetes game.
Yep, welcome to the chaos and comedy of living with a continuous glucose monitor.
What Exactly Is a CGM?
For the newbies: a CGM is a tiny sensor that sits on your skin and measures glucose in the fluid between your cells (fancy name: interstitial fluid).
The magic? Trend arrows. Instead of just knowing your blood sugar number, you get to see whether you’re flat, rising, or crashing. Basically, it’s like a weather forecast for your pancreas — except with a 99% chance of chaos.
If you’re curious about the brands:
- Dexcom gives real-time readings every five minutes, with automatic alerts and shareable data.
- Freestyle Libre (the Libre 2 and 3) now send readings every minute, no more constant scanning needed.
7 Hilarious (and Honest) Truths About CGMs That Actually Change Your Life
1. They Save Lives… and Raise Anxiety
Yes, alarms at 3am are lifesavers. But they’re also chaos makers. Nothing says romance like your partner elbowing you in the ribs because your Dexcom or Libre is screaming “LOW!” at full volume.
2. They Lie (Sometimes)
CGM says 18 mmol/L. Finger prick says 6. Who do you trust? (Answer: neither — go with your gut.)
3. They Stick… Until They Don’t
Mike and Jack are lucky — theirs don’t peel off. But Reddit is full of horror stories: sensors falling off after day two, showers of doom, or even allergic rashes. Arms become battlefields.
4. Naked Showers Are Bliss
Every T1D knows the sheer joy of scrubbing your arm without a lump of plastic in the way. (Seriously — it’s the little things.)
5. Hacks Make All the Difference
- Clean your skin properly
- Let it dry naturally
- Push the sensor down for 10 seconds
- Avoid water for a few hours
Some go creative with stickers and plasters — Mike once rocked a free WiFi sticker on his arm. Iconic.
6. The Future is Sarcastic
Imagine a CGM with sarcasm mode:
- “Low alert again. Smashing your nightly hypo streak, champ.”
- “Warning: sugar rising. But hey, you did finish that cheesecake.”
Basically, it’d be the sassiest diabetes nurse ever, strapped to your arm.
7. Without Them? Diabetes Would Be 100x Harder
Love them or hate them, CGMs that actually change your life have transformed Type 1 diabetes. No more stabbing your fingers 10 times a day. No more flying blind. They’ve changed the game — even if they’re occasionally dramatic divas.
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode
💡 Key Takeaways from CGMs That Actually Change Your Life
CGMs are lifesavers — alarms and trend arrows give priceless data.
They’re not perfect — accuracy can drift, so finger prick if it feels off.
Sensor hacks matter — clean, dry skin is your best friend.
CGMs are dramatic divas — but without them, T1D would be so much harder.
External Resource
Want to dive deeper? Check out Diabetes UK’s guide to CGMs for everything from sensor options to funding.
Join the T1D Banter
That’s a wrap for Episode 4 of the We Are T1D Podcast.
👉 Got a funny CGM story? Email us at wearet1dpodcast@gmail.com.
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And of course, check out wearet1d.com for blogs, merch, and more T1D chaos.
Because while we might not have working pancreases, at least we’ve got working banter.
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