Freestyle libre sensors

[andyndee]

That’s interesting. I have had the 2 Plus sensors on prescription since February, and they are either constantly falling off, or just completely failing for no reason. As in, I replaced my sensor today, started it and managed to take 2 readings about 2 hours apart, then the error message ‘replace sensor’ appeared! In my experience, I haven’t had one yet which has lasted 15 days. I self-funded for about 4 years and the Libre 2 sensors were absolutely fine, but I now feel I can’t trust the readings on the 2 Plus anymore. I do wonder if the self-funders are given the more reliable sensors and the prescription crew get the ‘trial’ ones. I think Abbott use us as unpaid research subjects, if I’m honest. This is definitely an issue, as my Health Board ration sensors and numbers are limited over 12 months, to 24 per year. I’m sick of phoning Abbott up for replacements, because the NHS won’t replace them.

My very first plus I had it on for over 24 hrs as I put them on 24 hrs in advance I started it at 22.35 we was in gran canneria on holiday I had a shower the next morning and it fell off. I had taken another plus with me I fitted that we flew home the next day. I reported it to abbots 4 days later the replacement came then the next day the 1 I fitted said replace sensor. I think it had 9 days left to run, I reported it again and another 1 arrived since then they haven't been to bad apart from how quickly my sugars drop. I can check and let's say it's 11 and stable then 2 minutes later the alarm is going off at 5.5 then a cpl of minutes later it's under 5, in that time I've eaten lots of jelly babies or full fat coke but my blood tester says 8 ISH then the sensor comes up with an error for sometimes up to an hour so I test manually then when it comes back on its 16 ish it's bloody annoying.

 

[Zilsniggy]

My very first plus I had it on for over 24 hrs as I put them on 24 hrs in advance I started it at 22.35 we was in gran canneria on holiday I had a shower the next morning and it fell off. I had taken another plus with me I fitted that we flew home the next day. I reported it to abbots 4 days later the replacement came then the next day the 1 I fitted said replace sensor. I think it had 9 days left to run, I reported it again and another 1 arrived since then they haven't been to bad apart from how quickly my sugars drop. I can check and let's say it's 11 and stable then 2 minutes later the alarm is going off at 5.5 then a cpl of minutes later it's under 5, in that time I've eaten lots of jelly babies or full fat coke but my blood tester says 8 ISH then the sensor comes up with an error for sometimes up to an hour so I test manually then when it comes back on its 16 ish it's bloody annoying.

I’D say in that situation, work with the BG meter. I find there’s a time lag with the sensor if I’m hypo, it takes longer to sense a rise in blood sugar than the sensor. Apparently the difference between measuring with meter in that situation is because interstitial fluid, which is what the sensor measures, is slower to get glucose than the bloodstream, which a BM measures. I’ve had similar happen to me while away from home, and have so far had to buy 2 sensors, mainly because I have them on prescription and my GP won’t issue any more than 2 per month.

 

[Zilsniggy]

I know it's frustrating @Zilsniggy , but the NHS is struggling for money, and Abbott make them, so it's up to Abbott to replace them, not the NHS.

Well aware of that,and fully understand having been a nurse for over 40 years. but Abbott could make the process far easier than it actually is. There’s an issue with the email form, it doesn’t seem to be answered or dealt with for days, for a start. I had a sensor fail on me a couple of months ago on a bank holiday, and couldn’t raise anyone at Abbot for about 4 days. I’m still waiting for a reply from that one! I’ve been using these for years, first as a self-funding patient, then as a prescribed patient, and their service used to be more accessible than it is now. I don’t expect the NHS to provide replacements.

 

[grantg]

the alarm is going off at 5.5 then a cpl of minutes later it's under 5, in that time I've eaten lots of jelly babies or full fat coke but my blood tester says 8 ISH then the sensor comes up with an error for sometimes up to an hour so I test manually then when it comes back on its 16 ish it's bloody annoying.

any particular reason you've set the alarm so high? default is 3.9 i think. i'd consider reducing it which should help prevent treating as hypo when sometimes it wont be. alongside that i would most definately check against vs fingerprick. there is delay alongside possible compression lows. compression low doesnt have to be when pressure is directly on the sensor just pressure within somewhere of that area which can then have that knock on effect. staying hydrated should help somewhat too.

 

[Zilsniggy]

The other day when it dropped I didn't have a finger prick tester so I couldn't check but I felt fine but because of the 5 to drive I didn't just in case. What is the difference from 2 to 2 plus ???
I normally fit the new 1 24 plus hrs on advance as I've found using them straight away they seem unreliable ??
After a day they seem to settle down. Thanks for your reply.

As far as I can see the main difference is that 2 plus should last for 15 days before replacing. The 2s are being phased out.

 

[OrsonKartt]

As far as I can see the main difference is that 2 plus should last for 15 days before replacing. The 2s are being phased out.

As a self funder I can get the two cheaper than other versions. Should I stock up??

 

[grantg]

As a self funder I can get the two cheaper than other versions. Should I stock up??

due to your post in another threat about being taught insulin injections tomorrow.

Off for blood draw today and being taught how to use insulin tomorrow

I’m partly relieved and partly worried what a future of daily injections will bring .

if its multiple daily injections, you may find you fall into category that allows cgm on prescription. worth asking if you may fall into that category. the libre2 is isCGM whereas the libre2 plus is rtCGM. at least intermittently. don't say your happy to self fund, that should help a little with cost. no idea what intermitently is clased as.

Multiple daily injections
Two or more daily insulin injections, which could either be a basal-bolus regimen or more than one daily insulin injection.
1.6.17
Offer intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM, commonly referred to as 'flash') to adults with type 2 diabetes on multiple daily insulin injections if any of the following apply:

they have recurrent hypoglycaemia or severe hypoglycaemia

they have impaired hypoglycaemia awareness

they have a condition or disability (including a learning disability or cognitive impairment) that means they cannot self-monitor their blood glucose by capillary blood glucose monitoring but could use an isCGM device (or have it scanned for them)

they would otherwise be advised to self-measure at least 8 times a day.

i'd try argue if necessary to get on prescription. otherwise you could stock up, be aware however that they all have expirey dates after expired they maybe not as accurate. should also be aware that electronic devices have a standby time... they do still use power, so the battery may run out. there will be some inbuilt safegaurd time on this unsure of length time try ask abbots for more info so you don't accidently overstock to have a load of sensors which could end up being no use to you what so ever or less cost effective than libre2+/libre3+. I'd strongly take advantage of dexcom's 1 free trial (10 days free) if you have not yet done so to help offset cost of being a self funder. heres a link to dexcom1 free trial not applicable if had one already. https://www.dexcom.com/en-GB/one-plus-campaign-sample?

can be well worth asking for it to be prescibed to save you a ton of cash nothing to lose if not sucessful with hundreds/tousands to gain if they are agreeable to it gl

(small edit as quote didnt work so changed bb code)

 

[Zilsniggy]

As a self funder I can get the two cheaper than other versions. Should I stock up??

I don’t know how long they are likely to be supported, if they are withdrawn. That’s the issue.

 

[Rachox]

As a self funder I can get the two cheaper than other versions. Should I stock up??

I don’t know how much longer you’ll be able to get the Libre 2, this note is at the top of the Abbott home page.

 

[kenbocbr]

If Libre 2 is being phased out, stock up, but only what you’ll realistically use before they expire. Don’t hoard. Sensors last about a year. Also, start prepping for the switch now to avoid paying more or running out.

 

[Kevrey]

Hi everybody, just started on freestyle 2+, fist sensor worked fine, put an new sensor on Saturday and it’s frequently saying sensor error on not in range, spoke to abbot today and they are sending a new sensor and a reader. What did astound me was when asking what phone I was using (IPhone 12) and what version software (latest 18.5) he said that may be the problem as the sensor software has not been optimised for iOS 18.5.
Given that Apple recommends always using the latest software for security reasons I was shocked to find the sensor does not fully support it, hence why they are sending a reader.
I do find the sensor readings are not that reliable, sensor 3.9 vs 2.4 on finger prick, 17 vs 13, 5.6 vs 3.9 and so on.
Great in theory but can’t help feeling it’s still a work in process.

 

[Rachox]

Hi everybody, just started on freestyle 2+, fist sensor worked fine, put an new sensor on Saturday and it’s frequently saying sensor error on not in range, spoke to abbot today and they are sending a new sensor and a reader. What did astound me was when asking what phone I was using (IPhone 12) and what version software (latest 18.5) he said that may be the problem as the sensor software has not been optimised for iOS 18.5.
Given that Apple recommends always using the latest software for security reasons I was shocked to find the sensor does not fully support it, hence why they are sending a reader.
I do find the sensor readings are not that reliable, sensor 3.9 vs 2.4 on finger prick, 17 vs 13, 5.6 vs 3.9 and so on.
Great in theory but can’t help feeling it’s still a work in process.

I always run my iPhone 14 Pro with the latest iOS, as you say it’s wise for the security. I have had a few sensors fail over the years and it has never been suggested I shouldn’t update. I guess it depends who you speak to when you ring Abbott

 

[Fabfifty#50]

Hi all I've been having lots of issues with my recent libre2 sensors and yes I know they are being replaced my 2 plus are waiting to be picked up.
My question to you all is has anybody else have had huge drops say from 10 plus to say 6 when you notice it's falling fast, so you start saying a bottle of lucozade followed by say digestives biscuits failing that jelly babies, and there is nothing you can do from making them drop ? The other week we was out walking my sugars was fine there was a hill not massive but at the bottom I checked I was 6.6 it took say a minute to go up this hill my alarm went off at 5 even though it's set at 5.6 so I drank a 380 ml bottle of lucozade. we walked to the car another 2 minutes by then it's 4.2 I ate 3 digestive biscuits it's now 3.5 and I'm feeling fine. My wife drives me home and now it's 18 plus and showing I had a low that day and that I had 1 14 days ago yet I had photos showing the last lows was 90 days ago. 2 days later the 7 days 1 was on there the 14 days had gone and now I only have 1% on the 90 days ????
I'm hoping the new 2 plus are better for reliability I also had to replace 1 today I'd had it in 4 days and it suddenly started to hurt like hell it hadn't been knocked but the pain was immense. Thanks all sorry for the essay lol.

I was changed over 2 the libra 2+ a month before i was meant to get it but wasn't informed of this. I've now noticed that although i've customed the settings regarding high/low alerts my sensor now ignores my preferences !!!. Tyle 1 diabetics need this detrimental information as per indicated, i've bern diabetic now for 46 years & need to be kept in the loop concerning my bm's & this seems to not be the case with these sensors. If i have lucozade or milk & sugar when i'm alerted at 3.4 !!!( my setting is 4.9) even after i've had food, the nxt alert is high glucose of 15.9- 16.4( my alert setting's 13.5!!!) come on, this isn't helping me to "control"my diabetes & as told many yrs ago by a diabetes specialist don't let diabetes rule your life, you rule it. If this's technology, bring back finger pricks & glass syringes !!!.

 

[grantg]

I've now noticed that although i've customed the settings regarding high/low alerts my sensor now ignores my preferences !!!.

which version of libreview are you using? the app behaves itself for alarm purposes for me. check home (3 lines at left top of screen) then about:

software version im using 2.12.1.11476. The screen colours however don't appear to change to reflect the alarm levels.

something to bear in mind is that they run slightly behind and will try to predict glucose readings to bring that delay down, which can have the knock on effect of the graph changes as will try to auto-correct. This happens mostly with fast rises or drops when the sensor is trying to make sense of the readings. Both Highs and Lows should be checked against fingerpricks before treating.

Another thing to bear in mind is that fingerprick readings tend to be more accurate than cgms, saying this if one reads within its error or margin low eg 10% and the other is reads high 10% or whatever the difference of readings could be more. If you test via fingerprick a droplet of blood then immediately test again even with fingerprick you could get different results.

Completely agree with diabetes specialist saying not to let diabetes rule your life

Despite quirks of libre sensor I've found them to be an exceptionally valuable tool and would not go without. There are other alternative applications available if you dont like abbots own. a short search on this forum or even on google will show some alternatives that can be used where the alarms may work better for you. Staying hydrated is very important for readings, alongside realising that if any pressure of any kind near the sensor location can impact the reading (pressure low). I've found consistantly that for me they tend to read slightly lower others have found that they can tend to read a little higher. THey are msot accurate when relatively flat and within 'normal' range eg 4-10.