Libre 2 Plus - odd bit of plastic hanging out!

[Gpad]

Hi folks,

Has anybody ever had this? Looks like a bit of plastic hanging out the hole in the LIbre 2 plus sensor, I'm assuming it's attached to the filament which reads my glucose? Only just put it on so awaiting the 1 hour countdown to finish before seeing if it works. Fully expecting it to throw me an error immediately.

 

[Jaylee]

Hi folks,

Has anybody ever had this? Looks like a bit of plastic hanging out the hole in the LIbre 2 plus sensor, I'm assuming it's attached to the filament which reads my glucose? Only just put it on so awaiting the 1 hour countdown to finish before seeing if it works. Fully expecting it to throw me an error immediately.

Hi,

It could be the “hole punch” that plants the filament under the skin? (Meant to retract into the applicator after doing it’s job.)

I’ve known this or similar happen to someone.
I’ll tag in @urbanracer .

 

[Gpad]

Ah that would make sense if it's supposed to retract back into the applicator, it's maybe just not done so. I gave it a good yank and it seems to have come out with no ill effects, no blood or anything coming from the sensor. Half an hour until the sensor is ready so fingers crossed all ok.

 

[jaywak]

I had that happen a few months ago and the sensor didn't work so I pulled it off and found the filament hadn't penetrated my skin , I contacted Abbot and they sent me a replacement straight away .

 

[Jaylee]

Ah that would make sense if it's supposed to retract back into the applicator, it's maybe just not done so. I gave it a good yank and it seems to have come out with no ill effects, no blood or anything coming from the sensor. Half an hour until the sensor is ready so fingers crossed all ok.

Let us know how you get on..?
I have vague memories of @urbanracer doing the same thing. It was a long time ago.. (think it was the Libre 1.)

 

[Gpad]

As expected, temporary sensor problem and just awaiting the dreaded full error message that I can send to Abbott. I think this is the 4th sensor failure out of the last 5 or 6. The 2 plus feels very very unreliable.

Edit: Just took the sensor off after getting the replace sensor message and the filament had not pierced the skin, and in fact it was much shorter than usual so didn't look long enough to get under the skin, something must've gone badly wrong with the applicator on this one.

 

[grantg]

prob a bad batch :<

 

[Jaylee]

As expected, temporary sensor problem and just awaiting the dreaded full error message that I can send to Abbott. I think this is the 4th sensor failure out of the last 5 or 6. The 2 plus feels very very unreliable.

It bizarre I’m hearing about all these errors from others..
Yet in the time I’ve used the L1,L2&L2+ (about 7 or 8 year?) I’ve only had to date one L2 fail me 8 days in.
Which Abbot promptly replaced.

You should send Abbot that photo.

 

[Gpad]

Yeah it's a bit strange, I've been using the 2 pluses since they were released and up until the past few months I've not had any issues. I often use skin tac as I find the adhesive on the sensors themselves practically useless (the sensors just fall off after a week or so), and I was under the impression that the skin tac was messing with the sensor but they've been fine up until now.

 

[Jaylee]

Yeah it's a bit strange, I've been using the 2 pluses since they were released and up until the past few months I've not had any issues. I often use skin tac as I find the adhesive on the sensors themselves practically useless (the sensors just fall off after a week or so), and I was under the impression that the skin tac was messing with the sensor but they've been fine up until now.

I just exfoliate the site during bathing. Then when dry use an alcohol wipe.
They stick like limpets for me.
In the early days I tested the L1 after it expired.
Stuck like glue for 17 or 18 days. (Including the 14 day sensor life.) Then I got bored & ripped it off.

 

[grantg]

I find the adhesive on the sensors themselves practically useless (the sensors just fall off after a week or so),

have oppossite issue of late find them harder to remove! maybe their in process of changing the adhesive or something

 

[Antje77]

I've had one do this in over 8 years, apparently the spring thing didn't do its springing thing. Can happen.

prob a bad batch :<

No reason to suspect a bad batch with a single failing sensor.

 

[grantg]

I've had one do this in over 8 years, apparently the spring thing didn't do its springing thing. Can happen.

No reason to suspect a bad batch with a single failing sensor.

yip for a single one 100% agree. was in response to quote below

I think this is the 4th sensor failure out of the last 5 or 6.

 

[Bill_St]

Too many failures can result in not enough pressure. Press the applicator firmly together for 15 sec to allow the adhesive to bond. Then when using the applicator, press firmly again to allow adhesive to bond to the skin. In cold weather, warm the skin up with a hair dryer - again helps it to bond. Also raise your hand up to your head to stretch the skin as it will stretch when using your arm, this while using the applicator. Small tips but can make a big difference for some.

The tail you see is part of the filament and shows how little the filament has penetrated. It is guided by a groove in the applicator pin but if it slips out while being pressed down then it stays near the surface. Any slight sideways movement while pressing down can dislodge it.

 

[Gpad]

Thanks all, some good tips there to apply when getting the sensor on and will certainly take that on board and see if it helps my non-stick teflon arms retain the sensors a bit longer.

 

[Jaylee]

I've worked with "3M" tape for automotive use? The best bonding was a clean surface & in winter gently playing a heat gun or hair dryer over the surfaces to bond..

I always give pressure to the sensor after removing the applicator checking the protruding edges are stuck fast, too..

 

[grantg]

gently playing a heat gun or hair dryer over the surfaces to bond..

I always give pressure to the sensor after removing the applicator checking the protruding edges are stuck fast, too..

same with pressure afterwards going to steal your first idea to see if heating up slightly with a hairdryer at the end helps it to come off cheers! last several been ouch, and adhesive patch area came off seperately from the sensor part lol

Edit: attached IMG last few came off like that

 

[Bill_St]

Medical adhesive remover, developed for stoma patients is magic. Quick spray and old sensor almost drops off. One spray can lasts years and they are available as free samples. Opus Lift Plus 360.

Free Stoma Product Samples

Stoma product samples. Order free samples of our stoma bags and stoma supplies to try at home. Opus UK.

opus-healthcare.co.uk

And Trio Elite https://trioostomycare.com/request-a-sample/

 

[grantg]

thanks very much @Bill_St going to oder found on amazon going to give that a try. spend several days trying to get residue off after manage to rip it off.

 

[Jaylee]

same with pressure afterwards going to steal your first idea to see if heating up slightly with a hairdryer at the end helps it to come off cheers! last several been ouch, and adhesive patch area came off seperately from the sensor part lol

Edit: attached IMG last few came off like that

I get the sensor lifting away from the tape before the tape lifts with the sensor too.. (when I pull it.)
I tend to get a nail under the tape edge & rip the 2 back together?
But I guess we all have our own technique..