FREESTYLE LIBRE ON SALE!!!!

I've just had a look at Cavilon on Amazon and one of the reviewers has made an interesting comment that when the adhesive from medical products comes away from our skin, it takes some of the skin cells with it, leaving the newer skin on top. I wonder if that's what's happened to some of us and the newer skin is more sensitive to the adhesive than the older skin was? I guess it would explain why we're starting to see reactions to the sensors when we've been using them all this time without problems. Not sure if that could be the cause?

Anyway, the product seems to have very good reviews and they also do packs of single-sachet, single-use wipes which are really pricey but might be more convenient. I'll see how my arm is tomorrow, but I think I'll get some of the wipes as a precaution.

Smidge

Further information everyone using the libre should be aware of:

http://type1tennis.blogspot.de/2014/12/abbott-libre-uploading-your-life-to-us.html?m=1

Every time you connect your libre to the pc, it uploads all your results to the Abbott servers in the US.

The dataset also shows future cgm capabilities.

Just an FYI really, as due to the direct sales model, the id in the package can be tracked back to a user.

NoCrbs4Me said:

Could you not put the new one on a slightly different spot than the old one you're replacing?

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This. There is quite a lot of the back of my arm and I reckon that I shouldn't hit the same spot for six weeks minimum, giving the skin a chance to recover. Others may do it differently.

NoCrbs4Me said:

Could you not put the new one on a slightly different spot than the old one you're replacing?

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I'm trying to do that, but my arms are very small - I'm only 5 feet tall and weigh 7 and a half stone, so you can imagine there isn't that much space on the back of my arms. There isn't room to get two sensors side by side without overlapping and there's barely enough room to get one below the other without overlapping, so alternating arms each time, it's only 4 sensors until I have to use the same spot - and because I was careless in placing the first two sensors I've reduced the space even more.

I've just put the 6th sensor on to acclimatise and it has overlapped a little to where I previously had a sensor so I'll have to see how it goes. The sensor on the other arm that is due to expire tomorrow is itching badly now, so I'm expecting that to not be too good when I remove the sensor.

Smidge

Hope it's ok on removal. If not, make sure you photograph it and let Abbott know. The more of us that report this it may make them investigate more carefully.

Tim2000s. I will look into this further and check my data transmissions. Also I will read the terms a little closer. Knowing US data protection I wouldn't trust it as far as I could throw it. If this is correct then it raises bigger concerns for me.

tim2000s said:

Further information everyone using the libre should be aware of:

http://type1tennis.blogspot.de/2014/12/abbott-libre-uploading-your-life-to-us.html?m=1

Every time you connect your libre to the pc, it uploads all your results to the Abbott servers in the US.

The dataset also shows future cgm capabilities.

Just an FYI really, as due to the direct sales model, the id in the package can be tracked back to a user.

Click to expand...

Wow that's very interesting. It doesn't sound as if it's compliant with French laws (although I'm no lawyer ) and it is sold from a French site.
The French have extremely strict laws about hosting confidential medical information with a complex authorisation process and an explicit opt in procedure. (big penalties for breaking the law)

http://www.reedsmith.com/Hosting-pe...h-an-accredited-medical-data-host-06-19-2013/

A quick check this morning does show the Libre making a connection to an IP address in the US. This seems to be in two parts, firstly to check for any updates they want to send out (this happens when the application is started and again when the Libre is attached), next is the data that is sent and the success message received back. Not had a chance to look at this but I suppose on one hand if it helps Abbott improve the system is it a bad thing? Then again this should be something fully disclosed with the option to opt in or out and Abbott are risking the data protection agencies coming knocking. If you connect the Libre to your PC and have switched off the internet then it won't be able to send so there is a way around it.

On BBC Breakfast this morning there was a mention about great medical advances taken place over 2014 and included a mention about the bionic pancreas The tv clip showed someone using a version of the Abbott Navigator so have a look on the bbc website or iplayer.

Anyone tried blocking the application's outbound connection at their firewall? I'm wondering if the application would still work. I can't see any need for the application to have outbound access. It needs inbound to update, but should not need outbound without permission.

I'm not sure if it actually breaks UK DP laws. Our laws are a little lax around the definition of 'personal' data - unless it's user-identifiable, the Information Officer doesn't even have to be informed of breaches and neither do the individuals whose data it is. If medical data on one system is left inappropriately accessible but someone would need access to another system to actually identify the users and the likelihood is that they wouldn't have access to both systems, it is not deemed a breach and is not reportable to the Information Commissioner.

Unless it's necessary to tell the Information Commissioner of a breach it's up to the company involved whether they inform users. A breach is only defined as a known unauthorised access of the data - if the data has been available to unauthorised access but there is no evidence of access, it is not deemed breached and nobody needs to be informed.

All I'm really saying here is that people in the UK often think they have more rights and that there are more safeguards than there actually are. What Abbott are doing is very bad, very underhand, and certainly very poor practise, but I doubt that it breaks UK law because to identify individuals from the data, I expect you would need access to multiple systems, e.g. sales and R&D, which Abbotts would probably claim their staff do not have.

Smidge

Given the operation of the software, it looks like it needs the outbound connection to ask for any updates. I don't think you can separate the payloads or process at the moment.

I'd agree with the rest of your post though.

So, I've activated sensor number 6 - it's currently reading low - in fact, the first reading I had from it was LO! Hopefully that's not the sign of things to come.

Number 5 sensor is off and has certainly made its mark! I've reported it to Abbott. The guy I spoke to claimed that I was the first to report this - I corrected him and told him that at least two others that I know of have reported the same issue! That's really disappointing as it demonstrates they are not taking the issue seriously.

I have given them all the details by phone (the only advice was to see my doctor!) I have followed up with an email containing some photos, an offer to return the sensor for them to investigate (they have not asked for it) and a request for them to contact me to discuss their investigation and what actions they will be taking. I have offered to report the matter to the MHRA and encourage others to do the same if that would help them get some focus on this issue. Let's see how they respond.

Smidge

I hope number 6 lasts for you. After a small reaction to 4 I had to take 5 off in 4 days.

When I received my replacements there was a returns bag in there even though it wasn't mentioned in our discussion.

So, there are now 4 of us just on this forum with the issue and all started using sensors back in October. I expect we will see more in the coming weeks.

I gave my number for them to contact me but haven't heard yet. Maybe they are waiting for the returns to do some testing. Mine were in the post today.

Were your 4 and 5 sensors from one batch Darren? I can't check the batch number of mine because I threw the box away and that seems to be the only place with a batch number. It was an expiry date of Feb 2014 though, which I think makes it one of the very early ones.

Smidge

I start number 5 on Thursday. Wonder what it will bring...

smidge said:

Were your 4 and 5 sensors from one batch Darren? I can't check the batch number of mine because I threw the box away and that seems to be the only place with a batch number. It was an expiry date of Feb 2014 though, which I think makes it one of the very early ones.

Smidge

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Yes, 4 and 5 were from the same batch. I ordered them back in early November. I didn't record the lot number either but will do from now on. I have noticed it is on the deliver note too so just filing them away.

Emmotha, if you get a chance, can you encourage them to report it to Abbott - they are denying all knowledge of there being an issue. The guy I spoke to was implying that I must have a pre-existing allergy.

Smidge

That's a very disappointing response from Abbott. I received my return envelope and Biohazard bag to return Sensor no. 5 to Abbott. It was sent from France in a box the same size as the one they send the sensors in. The sensor gets sent back to Witney! Surely this is a very expensive way of doing this. I am holding back on putting on Sensor no. 7 until my last sensor wounds have cleared up which they are doing thanks to the steroid cream from my GP. I have attached a picture showing the huge amounts of waste packaging Abbott are posting around the globe.