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The Eversense sensor is inserted in a
clinical environment where a 5-8mm
insertion is made in the upper arm
under a local anaesthetic). The sensor is
inserted using a special insertion tool. The
insertion is then closed with steri-strips.
The implanted sensor is powered
wirelessly by the transmitter placed on
the arm directly over the sensor. The
Eversense mobile app can send the data
wirelessly to a cloud-based application
allowing the data to be shared with the
caregiver or diabetes healthcare team.
Once implanted, the Eversense
sensor provides accurate glucose data
for up to 180 days. The transmitter placed
on the skin above the sensor is removable
and rechargeable. It sends data to a
smartphone app. The Eversense smart
transmitter is low profile, lightweight
and easy to wear under clothing, being
secured to the skin using adhesive tape.
It is water resistant too.
The smart transmitter powers the
sensor, calculates the glucose values
and direction and rate of change. It also
provides on-body vibration alerts even if the
smartphone is not nearby or switched off.
Louisa Thomson sees her
CGM is being a part of her
'support team'.
to my diabetes. They are progressive,
looking ahead and not just catching up.
Initially it was simple things that improved.
For example, I was using 8mm needles
and they suggested I switched to 4mm
needles. Then there's the bigger picture.
They run regular Insight Days, which
are great - I always attend, as I want to
stay ahead. With my diabetes control,
when I get stressed my sugars tend go
high, much more so than going high after
having food. I am a freelance writer and
travel a lot, so doing blood tests can
be a challenge. Also, I tend to keep my
diabetes to myself, so do not blood test in
meetings. It was the diabetes team's clinic
facilitator, Carol, who got in touch with me
about the Eversense implantable CGM.
She wondered if I would like to try it as
she understood my life and its challenges
and my own personal goals. I'm really
grateful that she did."
Like many people, Thomson was
initially reticent about using wearable
diabetes technology. She recalls,
"Although I had reservations about
wearables, I started by using a FreeStyle
Libre a few years ago and that helped
me to get used to the idea. I could see
the value. I just love it. Once I took it off
to charge it and did not put it back on
for a few hours, and I felt really exposed
without it. The key to looking after myself
with Eversense is that it's so easy. Now I
listen for when I'm high and low, I don't
look at the screen as much as I used to,
I trust it, and feel it's something that's
helping to look after me."
Thomson knows she is lucky to
be able to afford to go private for her
healthcare, but sees it as being one less
cost on the NHS. She says, "I just want to
help myself to deal with this diagnosis the
best way I can. I don't want to be a burden
on anyone else, or the NHS. One way or
another I am getting the knowledge and
help I need to live well with this condition.
I have recently moved over to insulin Fiasp
as I could see how slow to act my previous
insulin was by comparison. Now I can
inject as I eat and not 30 minutes before
and my control has improved with this
too. Good control should avert diabetes
complications, and keep me away from
needing additional healthcare input. Since
going on Eversense, my boyfriend can
see the data too, which gives him peace
of mind, for example when I am overseas.
I don't depend on that, but it is good to
know that he can contact me and say,
'stop what you are doing and take care
of yourself.' He, along with the Eversense
sensor and London Diabetes Centre, are
my support system."
Eversense CGM
"Everything you could possibly need is
available here at our state-of-the-art
clinic." - David Briggs, Chief Operating
Officer, London Diabetes Centre