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Omnipod 5 and Libre 2+ sensor issues

C

caroline.lewis67

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi I have recently changed my pump from a Medtrum to a omnipod 5. The reason being that the new pump links with my Libre freestyle 2+ sensor. Since starting on the new pump I have had so many issues with the pump and sensor linking to be able to give me my blood glucose readings.
I have always worn my pump on my stomach and my sensor on my arm. On first day of use both were put on the arm. As suggested by diabetes team. I did not like this as feel the pump is ugly and bigger than my previous pump which I preferred on my stomach. So when I had to change my pump on day 3 I moved the pump to my stomach. This then started the problems. The pump could not find my sensor. Kept asking me to move to another place. Not ideal when you need to check you blood glucose levels and having to go back to pricking my finger. It eventually finds the sensor but keeps dropping out. All the time the sensor cannot be found I am constantly getting bleeping alarms advising me. This carried on over night which caused very little sleep. I had checked my glucose levels with my meter so knew my blood sugar levels were fine. I eventually changed the sensor to my stomach and the two worked fine. Then I had to change sensor again after two weeks and when I tried putting another sensor on my stomach it would not link with pod. I wasted 3 sensors trying to link them and when I went back to putting sensor on my arm I was forever having issues with the two connecting and signal dropping out.
Please can anyone advise if they have had same issues. I honestly feel so stressed about this. I really do not want the pod on my arm with the sensor. Apparently sensor has to be in line of sight with the pod. I have struggled with this by moving the pod to so many places on my stomach.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated
Many thanks xx
 
caroline.lewis67 said:
Hi I have recently changed my pump from a Medtrum to a omnipod 5. The reason being that the new pump links with my Libre freestyle 2+ sensor. Since starting on the new pump I have had so many issues with the pump and sensor linking to be able to give me my blood glucose readings.
I have always worn my pump on my stomach and my sensor on my arm. On first day of use both were put on the arm. As suggested by diabetes team. I did not like this as feel the pump is ugly and bigger than my previous pump which I preferred on my stomach. So when I had to change my pump on day 3 I moved the pump to my stomach. This then started the problems. The pump could not find my sensor. Kept asking me to move to another place. Not ideal when you need to check you blood glucose levels and having to go back to pricking my finger. It eventually finds the sensor but keeps dropping out. All the time the sensor cannot be found I am constantly getting bleeping alarms advising me. This carried on over night which caused very little sleep. I had checked my glucose levels with my meter so knew my blood sugar levels were fine. I eventually changed the sensor to my stomach and the two worked fine. Then I had to change sensor again after two weeks and when I tried putting another sensor on my stomach it would not link with pod. I wasted 3 sensors trying to link them and when I went back to putting sensor on my arm I was forever having issues with the two connecting and signal dropping out.
Please can anyone advise if they have had same issues. I honestly feel so stressed about this. I really do not want the pod on my arm with the sensor. Apparently sensor has to be in line of sight with the pod. I have struggled with this by moving the pod to so many places on my stomach.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated
Many thanks xx
Click to expand...
Hi caroline.lewis67

I am Omnipod 5 & Dexcom G7 user. I did start using Libre 2+ but was changed to Dexcom as I could not hear the alarms from the pdm. I have profound hear loss.

When using Libre 2+ I got a lot of signal loss when the pod and sensor were not on my arm. It was not so bad when I put the pod on my stomach and the sensor on my arm. Best combo is both on my arm.

I can understand why you do not want the pod on your arm. It is quite big and obvious to others when you have short sleeves on. Being wakened by the alarms night after night is no joke.

Have you tried your pod on your stomach and your sensor on your arm. Not sure if that would help.

Hope things improve soon
 
I went on to the omnipod [emoji6] at the end of February. I also don’t like the pod on my arm because I prefer it on my hip or stomach as it feels safer to me there.

Just a small sensor-positioning thought. My trainer was emphatic about putting the sensor right round the back of the arm. Definitely not putting it on the side of your arm. This definitely provides a better line of sight.

Just something to think about.
 
I keep my sensor on the back of my arm, and pods on my side/thighs/stomach but on the same side as the sensor.

At sensor swap time, I try and have the pod on my front, because that's where it gets the highest chance of signal from a sensor on either arm - but it's not perfect when it's during the crossover time.
 
h884 said:
Hi caroline.lewis67

I am Omnipod 5 & Dexcom G7 user. I did start using Libre 2+ but was changed to Dexcom as I could not hear the alarms from the pdm. I have profound hear loss.

When using Libre 2+ I got a lot of signal loss when the pod and sensor were not on my arm. It was not so bad when I put the pod on my stomach and the sensor on my arm. Best combo is both on my arm.

I can understand why you do not want the pod on your arm. It is quite big and obvious to others when you have short sleeves on. Being wakened by the alarms night after night is no joke.

Have you tried your pod on your stomach and your sensor on your arm. Not sure if that would help.

Hope things improve soon
Click to expand...
Hi thank you for your reply. Maybe a different sensor might be the best option. I just feel I was happy with my Medtrum and the diabetes service advised they no longer recommend them. Due to changes I felt, that to get a better glucose level I agreed to swap to an omnipod. They are very ugly and also you have to carry another item around with you like a second phone. At least the Medtrum was an app on my phone. Sorry this does make me sound negative.
I changed my sensor this morning and guess what the sensor would not register. So that is another wasted sensor. I have gone back to pricking my finger as felt so deflated with connection issues. I was in tears. Probably more angry tears. I now only have one spare sensor and am nervous to use it. But this evening I need to change my pod.
I tried sensor on back of arm and pod on stomach. But due to signal dropping out frequently I put sensor on stomach near the pod, so when I need to change pod later it would be nearer the pod. I would normally have swapped arms, but sensor will not connect to pod. Sorry I am really not sure what to do anymore and this has not been the smooth transition I expected it to be.
Thank you for your advice
 
Paulaah said:
I went on to the omnipod [emoji6] at the end of February. I also don’t like the pod on my arm because I prefer it on my hip or stomach as it feels safer to me there.

Just a small sensor-positioning thought. My trainer was emphatic about putting the sensor right round the back of the arm. Definitely not putting it on the side of your arm. This definitely provides a better line of sight.

Just something to think about.
Click to expand...
Hi thank you for your reply. I have been putting sensor at the back of my arm for a while now so cannot work out why I am having soo many issues. This change in pod and the extra reader is very frustrating and each time I need to change I am getting frustrated, anxious and upset if it does not work. Wasting sensors is not economical or ideal as I would need to keep contacting GP to replace them. Also it is not ideal.
This morning once again my sensor which had to be changed would not register at all. I only have one sensor left and have gone back to pricking my finger.
I wish this new technology worked properly
Thank you for your response
 
I am so sorry you are having all these problems. I know how scary, frustrating and upsetting it is when the tech won’t work properly. It really takes over your life and affects your frame of mind. I really do hope you find a better solution soon.
 
evilclive said:
I keep my sensor on the back of my arm, and pods on my side/thighs/stomach but on the same side as the sensor.

At sensor swap time, I try and have the pod on my front, because that's where it gets the highest chance of signal from a sensor on either arm - but it's not perfect when it's during the crossover time.
Click to expand...
Hi thank you for your reply.
I tried to change my sensor this morning but sadly it would not connect to pod. I keep sensor at back of arm, but what do you do when you only need to change sensor and not pod. Sensor is not registering. I wasted 3 last time. It would be 2 today. But I am concerned that if I use the second one and it does not work then I am completely without sensors. Never had to use sooooo many before. It’s not economical or ideal and very upsetting. I hope they update their technology. Maybe it’s user error . Never had these issues with my Medtrum
 
caroline.lewis67 said:
Hi thank you for your reply. Maybe a different sensor might be the best option. I just feel I was happy with my Medtrum and the diabetes service advised they no longer recommend them. Due to changes I felt, that to get a better glucose level I agreed to swap to an omnipod. They are very ugly and also you have to carry another item around with you like a second phone. At least the Medtrum was an app on my phone. Sorry this does make me sound negative.
I changed my sensor this morning and guess what the sensor would not register. So that is another wasted sensor. I have gone back to pricking my finger as felt so deflated with connection issues. I was in tears. Probably more angry tears. I now only have one spare sensor and am nervous to use it. But this evening I need to change my pod.
I tried sensor on back of arm and pod on stomach. But due to signal dropping out frequently I put sensor on stomach near the pod, so when I need to change pod later it would be nearer the pod. I would normally have swapped arms, but sensor will not connect to pod. Sorry I am really not sure what to do anymore and this has not been the smooth transition I expected it to be.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Hi Caroline

So sorry you are having so many issues. It is very frustrating when technology does not work.
Have Abbott been any help when you report the faulty sensors ? Abbot also have have trainers who might be able to help.

If it possible arrange a face to face appointment a member of the pump team. That would give the opportunity to go things with the and hopefully resolve the problem

So sorry cannot be off any more help
 
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