Anyone having big reliability issues with Freestyle Libre 2 Plus sensors?

[Retiredhamster4]

Having recently found out I am T2D, I thought I would try a Libre 2+ freebie after my nurse advised me to watch a documentary on diabetes, (the glucose goddess), and also from what he had said after also trying a sensor to see the impact of eating different foods. Although only 8 days in, I am finding the results fascinating. The first 2 days were fine, but since then becoming very frustrated with the recent continual 'loss of signal' randomly during the day and night. I am not sure if this has been due to the extreme heat, poor application location, a bad batch or a combination of all? Then today after seeing a vast improvement in my levels for 2 days, my level appeared to sky-rocket after eating food previously eaten on other days (with a lesser spike) and a brisk after food walk as normal. Certainly puts me off parting with £50 for another sensor. I have thought about trying the Dexcom version, but might wait until just before my next check up before I now do so.

 

[Hobo1960]

Does anyone have a Dummies Guide to the various error codes etc in the system status Event Log Screen? The Er3,365 code appears to indicate the sensor has died prematurely. I appear to have codes appearing a couple of times a day, sometimes more. Just wondering if anyone has any information on what the codes mean?

 

[Hobo1960]

Having recently found out I am T2D, I thought I would try a Libre 2+ freebie after my nurse advised me to watch a documentary on diabetes, (the glucose goddess), and also from what he had said after also trying a sensor to see the impact of eating different foods. Although only 8 days in, I am finding the results fascinating. The first 2 days were fine, but since then becoming very frustrated with the recent continual 'loss of signal' randomly during the day and night. I am not sure if this has been due to the extreme heat, poor application location, a bad batch or a combination of all? Then today after seeing a vast improvement in my levels for 2 days, my level appeared to sky-rocket after eating food previously eaten on other days (with a lesser spike) and a brisk after food walk as normal. Certainly puts me off parting with £50 for another sensor. I have thought about trying the Dexcom version, but might wait until just before my next check up before I now do so.

With T2 I would use blood glucose finger prick testing. Probably a good idea to use a sensor now and then to supplement the finger prick tests. The sensor will, if it’s working properly, give you a full picture of how good your control is over a 2 week period. Abbott will generally replace faulty sensors for free. For me there is a certain element of anxiety with using sensors, particularly when the results aren’t the ones I’d expect. I’m T1 for 49 years and have switched the alarms off and sometimes have a break from the sensor regime and go back to lots of finger prick testing. It takes seconds and I can do it without even thinking about it. I’m satisfied that a blood glucose finger prick test has a level of accuracy that I’m happy with! No way would I put that amount of trust in a sensor, but that’s me.

 

[Rosie9876]

OK you win on the numbers but I did have a LO reading for an hour that was 6.5 in real BG. Interesting what you said about "crashing" though - was that the end for the sensor or did it pick up later? I've had sensors that "crash" but if you wait long enough they revive and work again (at least well as any Libre can work). - it's the new Libre Zombie sensor!‍

Actually, I also had a LO reading, which was what freaked me out and led me to dial 111. It was the third sensor in a row that opened with a low reading after warm-up and dipped. I replaced the first one on Abbott's advice, the second one died - read 'Apply New Sensor', and the third went south from opening 3.5 until LO appeared, then went no signal, and eventually returned to a flat 2.5. It was evening, I don't have a finger prick meter, and it seemed hugely unlikely all three malfunctioned, especially as one was a different batch. So I drank some maple syrup (yum) and when that didn't work, called a 111 doctor, who told me to go to A&E, where my reading was 9.9, but they kept me in for hours after as a precaution. I am Type 2, so a hypo didn't make sense, but nothing made sense. If I'd known about your LO experience, I would have chilled.

 

[Jasmin2000]

Actually, I also had a LO reading, which was what freaked me out and led me to dial 111. It was the third sensor in a row that opened with a low reading after warm-up and dipped. I replaced the first one on Abbott's advice, the second one died - read 'Apply New Sensor', and the third went south from opening 3.5 until LO appeared, then went no signal, and eventually returned to a flat 2.5. It was evening, I don't have a finger prick meter, and it seemed hugely unlikely all three malfunctioned, especially as one was a different batch. So I drank some maple syrup (yum) and when that didn't work, called a 111 doctor, who told me to go to A&E, where my reading was 9.9, but they kept me in for hours after as a precaution. I am Type 2, so a hypo didn't make sense, but nothing made sense. If I'd known about your LO experience, I would have chilled.

I would seriously consider getting a glucometer and test strips - they're pretty cheap these days. You'll never have to wonder what your BG really is or call the emergency doc. Although that "justified" maple syrup will go too!

 

[Rosie9876]

I would seriously consider getting a glucometer and test strips - they're pretty cheap these days. You'll never have to wonder what your BG really is or call the emergency doc. Although that "justified" maple syrup will go too!

This is true, but the reason I have the CGM is I can't draw blood successfully to get a reading on a meter. Is there an idiot-proof but accurate one?

 

[grantg]

This is true, but the reason I have the CGM is I can't draw blood successfully to get a reading on a meter. Is there an idiot-proof but accurate one?

its possible to use safety lancets which are pressure activated. I've posted advice on gauge earlier (thickness of lancet). The higher the gauge the narrower the lancet, lower numbered gauges are thicker. You should aim to use the highest numbered gauge (less nippy) that gives sufficient size of droplet of blood. Microdot is one brand which a lot of UK hospitals use. Safety lancets are designed as single use you would not require to mess about with changing lancet like would have to using a pen lancing device..

You should if UK been given a flash glucose monitor. I would try push for a dual meter which can check both blood glucose levels alongside keystones.

Ask your Dr if they can prescribe a few different gauge safety lancets. 28g/26g/23g for you try. Most blood flash glucose monitors have awesome accuracy and can be very little difference between them.

In most pharmacies you can simply buy a flash glucose monitor. Also can buy from a lot of online retailers such as Amazon same goes for safety lancets.

Running fingers under warm water or simply holding a warm mug for a few minutes can assist to get droplet alongside making less nippy.

The brand of safety lancets I use are microdot. Take cap off, then push onto side of your tip of finger when enough pressure (which isn't a lot) it will fire the lancet and recoil it) a gentle squeeze whilst rubbing towards where you lanced will help to get a small droplet of blood to use the strip on.

Regards meter I use caresens dual. If was high glucose readings for a few hours I would check keytones and follow advice given if they were high which would help prevent DKA

 

[EBe66]

OK you win on the numbers but I did have a LO reading for an hour that was 6.5 in real BG. Interesting what you said about "crashing" though - was that the end for the sensor or did it pick up later? I've had sensors that "crash" but if you wait long enough they revive and work again (at least well as any Libre can work). - it's the new Libre Zombie sensor!‍

Not for me. I use the "old" Libre 2 because in the Netherlands for some reason you can't buy the 2+ or the 3. They seem to be reserved for people with a prescription. What happens constantly, is that it works good for about a week. Than over a period of 2-3 days the readings go down and keep going down. When it is at ~2.2 for a period of time I get a replace sensor message. Last time I kept it on for about two days after that. Alas, no spontaneous revival.
To me it somewhat feels like the battery is just dying.
I still have one sensor left, maybe I will try it while I have the Bluetooth on my phone off, see if it makes any difference.

 

[Hobo1960]

Not for me. I use the "old" Libre 2 because in the Netherlands for some reason you can't buy the 2+ or the 3. They seem to be reserved for people with a prescription. What happens constantly, is that it works good for about a week. Than over a period of 2-3 days the readings go down and keep going down. When it is at ~2.2 for a period of time I get a replace sensor message. Last time I kept it on for about two days after that. Alas, no spontaneous revival.
To me it somewhat feels like the battery is just dying.
I still have one sensor left, maybe I will try it while I have the Bluetooth on my phone off, see if it makes any difference.

I’ve just sent an email to Abbott asking for a list of all the codes that appear in the event log. This could help us identify why the sensor has failed. In an earlier post I read that Er3, 365 indicates a blocked sensor filament?

If I get a positive response from Abbott I’ll list all the codes and their meanings on the forum.

 

[Steve 007]

I’ve had issues with them actually staying on - I now put clear tape over them which seems to give me the 15day time span. Abbott have been very good in replacing the fall off ones very quickly

 

[Hobo1960]

I’ve just sent an email to Abbott asking for a list of all the codes that appear in the event log. This could help us identify why the sensor has failed. In an earlier post I read that Er3, 365 indicates a blocked sensor filament?

If I get a positive response from Abbott I’ll list all the codes and their meanings on the forum.

Just done a bit more searching for info on the error codes. It would appear that the majority of them are firmware runtime codes, so will probably have zero meaning for us. I’ll see what comes back from Abbott, but I doubt it’s going to be of much use. A shame because it would be helpful to know why a sensor has stopped working. In the same way I like to know why my car or washing machine has stopped working!