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Freestyle libre question

M

Mad76

Well-Known Member
Messages
319
Location
London
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all you helpfull people

Im hoping someone will be able to advise. Im currently abroad and although i bought enough libre scanners with me for the duration , one fell off early !! I didn't plan for this! Anyway im going to get my sister to send me another via dhl, but just began to wonder if the sensor will be ok bring sent this way. Im in Algeria so itll be sent by dhl plane i assume. Obviously insulin cant be sent this way, but what about the libre patch.
Apologies if its a silly question, but its quite costly sending it so dont want to waste the money if it wont work when it gets here !

Thanks !
 
Hi, @Mad76 , yeah, I reckon it will be ok on a plane. Abbott says the operating temperature is down to 10 centigrade but that's operating temperature ie actually using it, so I don't think that temps below that will kill it as it's basically just some electronics (although I wonder whether it might affect the glucose oxidase enzyme in the filament?). I recall a poster who works in the air industry saying that hold temperatures don't really get as cold as people think so if it's safely tucked up in an insulating jiffy bag I reckon it'll be ok.
 
A while back I read the temperature restrictions on the use of the libre, and vaguely recall reading that it should not be exposed to temperatures above 40 degrees for more than around half an hour. You may want to check on that. I imagine that summer in Algeria might expose the package to that temperature, if left in the sun, or in transit.

Also, about 2 years ago I had a sensor that fell off within 2 days of application. Never happened before or since.
When I rang the Helpline, they offered a replacement, and mentioned that high temperatures could affect the adhesive quality of the glue, and that if the courier had left it in the sun...

Obviously, i cannot say whether DHL keep their packages at below 40 degrees, or in the sun, or not. And Abbott recently changed their glue formulation, I think.

So that info probably doesn’t help you all that much...
 
Thanks guys. Its around 30 degrees here nowadays. I think I'll risk it and get one sent over. It's quite scary how used to and reliant I am on this now !! Cant even imagine a few days without it. Its not even particularly accurate on me, it's more peace of mind and reassurance I guess (and very expensive too !)
Thanks for the replies
 
Mad76, as well as the sensor detail, I'd advise, before doing anything that you check what will happen with it that end, when it arrives in country.

Undoubtedly, there will be involvement by the Algerian equivalent of our Customs and Excise. They apply their equivalent of VAT, plus import duties, if they apply, plus sometimes an Import Agents fee. Some countries, you need an agent to deal with the formalities and paperwork, and they can know how to charge.

I don't have any experience of the Algerian system, but when in other countries, it has often been inappropriate to import anything.

In Tortola, it took us two days to extricate our new boat cooker (yes, it was a bit special, and made to order in U.K.), plus BVI VAT, plus an import tax they appeared to make up, on the hoof. The Agent was something like US$150.

The cooker was magnificent and fitted the space created by our refit, but......

Please do you remember homework.

Do you have enough test strips that could act as a stop-gap, until you get home?
 
O gosh
I didn't even think of customs etc !! I'd better try to find out before I get it sent over. They are actually quite picky about sending things over I think. I'm kicking myself for not bringing an extra libre. It's not a complete disaster. I have enough test strips. And even if run out pharmacies here would definitely have meters I guess I'd just buy a new one here if I needed to.
I just really like the fact that I can check sugars so easily with the libre. O well, better do my homework properly. Thanks for the reminder !
 
@Mad76 whilst you are getting a spare sensor sent over, have you ch died the dates on your remaining sensors? Some people have had problems that their sensors have expired before they start and avoid buying in bulk.
You may also want to ask your sister to send two rather than one so you have a spare in case another fails.
 
@Mad76 One suggestion if you have problems importing.

Leave a couple of days gap (or whatever works best with the number of sensors you have) between one expiring and the next one starting.

You then get almost constant coverage instead of having a long gap right at the end.

Second suggestion:

If you have a mobile phone which will run Glimp, you could use that to read the sensor; I haven't checked or tested this but I have read that Glimp will read the sensor for longer than 2 weeks. Allegedly the 2 week cutoff is a software one in Abbott readers and phone Apps.

Combine the two and you might manage to get full coverage for your stay.
 
LittleGreyCat said:
If you have a mobile phone which will run Glimp, you could use that to read the sensor; I haven't checked or tested this but I have read that Glimp will read the sensor for longer than 2 weeks.
Click to expand...
Glimp extends the sensor life by 12 hours.
After that, you can still scan but you get the same 8 hours of data again and again and again.
This looks as if it has extended beyond that extra 12 hours but the data is wrong so definitely not recommended.
 
Another obvious thing I've failed to do !!!! I'm going to check exp date on my last one now. Hopefully it wont be an issue as only a month left here for us ...
 
Yes. If I don't get one here successfully I'll have a few day break in between.. I definatly want to be wearing one when I'm travelling as that's going to be potentially a time when levels fluctuate a lot
 
I've never heard of glimpses. Must check this out
 
I've got to say again thanks to u guys. Such a great help!
 
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