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FREESTYLE LIBRE ON SALE!!!!

Hill28 said:
**** Andy, that looks pretty bad. Think I wouldn't continue using Libre if I'd get skin reaction like that.

BTW, is there a website where i can find the 'opsite' everybody is writing about?
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This is what I have been using. You can get it on Prescription.

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@Andy_P Thanks for posting that picture - looks like Cavillon hasn't really been effective for you. If you try Opsite, make sure you cut a hole in it for the insertion needle - it would be really bad to get a piece of the plaster in the point where the needle goes in. Incidentally, somebody earlier on the thread (can't remember who, sorry!) was saying the opsite didn't work very well but that people on another forum had recommended Compeed plasters - not sure which type. Whichever you use, I reckon it would be worth putting a piece on for two weeks without the Libre sensor first to make sure it sticks OK and doesn't irritate your skin. Then have a go with the Libre sensor on top.

Smidge
 
pinewood said:
Has anyone heard any update on when it will be available for new customers?
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I called Abbott on weds last week and was 'reliably' informed that they themselves are unsure as to an exact, ot rather more precise time when available for new customers, as the emails say he Q me early 2015....
 
Andy_P said:
As promised, an update on my latest sensor (no. 7)

I applied the Cavilon spray before putting the sensor on and then as with previous sensors put some Opsite on to protect it. It felt fine and then began to feel a bit itchy at the end of week one. It became very itchy but not unbearable up until yesterday morning when it fell off. As you can see from the photo there is irritation their again but not the worst. So in summary, I think the Cavilon helped for a while but is obviously not the complete solution. Does anyone else have any ideas or suggestions?

View attachment 11428
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A few people I've seen on the FB forum (and elsewhere) have tried opsite with no success at all - I think it's too thin/breathable.
If you do want to try it, though, definitely worth sticking a hole in the middle - apparently people have been having trouble shooting through it as it's super stretchy.

I tried comfeel patches under mine, which delayed the reaction a fair bit and improved it, but didn't eliminate it by any means.

I'm currently using compeed blister plasters under mine, which is something that has a fair bit of reported success. I'm on day 5 and no itchies at all yet (which is a massive improvement for me). No need to make holes, either - it shoots through fine (for me and others).

Let us know how you get on with your experiments - the more data, the better as far as I'm concerned!
 
I have been holding off using my sensors and have been watching the comments around opsite etc to see if they do work.

I still have marks on both arms from December and don't really want any more.

My control improved a lot with the Libre and I have managed to keep on top of it since so I have made a big decision... I am letting the Libre go.

I now have a reader and 4 sensors to find a home. I rang Abbott to see what their position is on returns after a longer period as it was due to a reaction. They didn't know so have taken it up the chain and will call back.

Other option is to ebay it and see if someone is happy to pay £250 for the lot.

It was a good journey while it lasted. I see other options are being developed so don't think it will be long until the pricking can really stop.
 
Still waiting for this to be available again, am i the only one that considers early Q1 to be January?
 
darrenh04 said:
I have been holding off using my sensors and have been watching the comments around opsite etc to see if they do work.

I still have marks on both arms from December and don't really want any more.

My control improved a lot with the Libre and I have managed to keep on top of it since so I have made a big decision... I am letting the Libre go.

I now have a reader and 4 sensors to find a home. I rang Abbott to see what their position is on returns after a longer period as it was due to a reaction. They didn't know so have taken it up the chain and will call back.

Other option is to ebay it and see if someone is happy to pay £250 for the lot.

It was a good journey while it lasted. I see other options are being developed so don't think it will be long until the pricking can really stop.
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Hey Darren - you're in a similar situation to me. I still have 3 sensor marks on my arms from December and January - I'm worried about permanent scarring so haven't used the Libre since early January. I still have 4 sensors and haven't finally decided yet whether to call it quits and try to return them. As it was sold as a commodity item (not under the rules of a medical device - presumably to avoid adequate testing), I would just return it as 'not fit for purpose' under UK consumer law. The skin irritation and dubious accuracy both make it 'not fit for purpose' and 'not of satisfactory quality' in my view.

Smidge
 
3 days in,
misswhiplash said:
I'm currently using compeed blister plasters under mine, which is something that has a fair bit of reported success. I'm on day 5 and no itchies at all yet!
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Great advice, thanks. Sadly I agree, Opsite isn't great at either getting the needle through or protecting from the skin reaction. Im on day 4 and I'm itching. The sensor is peeling away from it's sticky so I don't know how long I have before it falls off anyway. Perhaps I should remove it prematurely to give myself chance to heal up sooner.
 
****. Forgot to apply my new sensor this morning and the current one runs out in 25 mins. I'll have to spend the afternoon without :(
 
Started using my Libre 29/10/14. First 3 sensors worked fine, number 4 didn't work at all and was replaced FOC by Abbott. Sensors 5 and 6 also worked fine. Readings were accurate compared to blood tests with two different makes of meter and hypos became a thing of the past. Had no problems keeping the sensors attached but did have difficulty getting the things off again. No problems with skin irritation or pain (some minor discomfort but I can live with that).

Attached sensor 7 yesterday. Firstly it wouldn't start, telling me to wait 10 mins then scan again. Worked at the fourth attempt but gave another "wait 10 mins" message later, the worked again. Readings were a bit low compared to blood tests. Today all readings have been high, about 60% more than blood tests e.g Libre 15.4 blood 9.2.

Seems I have a poor sensor, as reported previously by others. I'll contact Abbott about it and report back.

Graeme
 
Like I posted before, Abbot told me starter packs will be available again in March.

Just this..want to get a new sensor but keep getting the '14 days message', while I ordered 2 weeks ago on Wednesday. That seems kinda strange. Anyway, will have to do without the Libre for a week since I'll not be home from Monday on..:(
 
Oh no no no! I have had 5 great sensors that I had to almost pry off with a crowbar but come undone with number 6. Still got 4 days to go but accidentally caught it on my t-shirt getting dressed and it fell out of my sleeve. Was very surprised considering the others were stuck like glue. The only thing I can think of was that I'd just got out of the shower and was probably still quite hot and damp. Maybe the adhesive softens when hot & wet and then hardens again when it dries out a bit.
 
Sideburnt said:
3 days in,


Great advice, thanks. Sadly I agree, Opsite isn't great at either getting the needle through or protecting from the skin reaction. Im on day 4 and I'm itching. The sensor is peeling away from it's sticky so I don't know how long I have before it falls off anyway. Perhaps I should remove it prematurely to give myself chance to heal up sooner.
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You could try Tegaderm though I don't know it's much different than Opsite.
 
Having had 18 hours without a sensor, I can only note that it gives a sense of freedom, but also frustration.

Having just come off a very good sensor, the fact that you have to finger prick is annoying. That you know roughly what your glucose is doing and you can't check to see is liberating.

It is a strange combination of emotions!
 
Here I go again on the hate side of this love/hate relationship. I stuck the new sensor in this morning and remembered why having it in for 24 hours before activating it really makes a difference. The sensor is reading some 40% away from the blood glucose level after three hours in my arm. I'll observe where it gets to over the next 24 hours, but this really doesn't fill me with a sense of confidence....

DSC_0634_zpszng160og.jpg
 
It's calming process is really odd. It started off thinking I was really low, then it suddenly had a spike as it got used to me and is now with 15% of the real level. Very odd.
 
Sadly I had to take my latest sensor off, 4 days in and the itch was there. I was worried that my crazy layering system of Skin-tac/Opsite/Rocktape wasn't helping with the skin reaction or keeping the darn thing one.

Low and behold I've got an ugly red welt to show for my experiment with a nice layer of gooey skin and oozy nastiness.

I've cleaned myself up and started straight back on the Steroid cream and I'm glad that I didn't stick it out any longer than I did. I'm going to have my last stab at using Compeed medium blister plasters, because word on the street is that this is an effective barrier.

I must say, I'm a bit devoid of enthusiasm anymore. The Freestyle is undoubtedly a good tool, but when I need it the most it lets me down and I miss some really brutal lows that don't even register on the Libre. Plus I don't know if I should keep playing games with these bad skin reactions, I'm sure they're not good for anyone let alone diabetics.

Ah well, I'll have a re-think in 4-6 weeks time when I'm healed up again.
 
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