Freestyle Libre

I'm a relatively new user or the Libre and have used maybe 5 sensors. At the end of each 14 day period it still takes and incredible amount of effort to pull it off!

You must be sweating something serious considering you can bathe, swim and shower with these on... If your sweating episodes are a direct result of hypos then it may be worth trying to sort this first of all.

Did you follow the application instructions correctly? Did you apply the sensor to wet skin initially?

Grant

Try tubigrip over the sensor.. It doesn't affect readings and it will absorb the sweat too..

I'm another of those who have to really prize the sensor off at the end of it's life.

Is your sweating hypo/hyper related? When exercising or in extreme heat I perspire very effectively (i.e., I perspire, but it isn't distressing to my body, and switches off effectively).

Does your body temperature run higher than the norm? Is the perspiring all over, including the palms of your hands, or more locally focused to your armpit/small of the back/erm,.. groin areas? Have you discussed it with your Medics?

If they keep coming off keep phoning Abbot and they should replace all of those that came off (so long as you're following the instructions to the T) - you shouldn't be out of pocket. They have advised me and other to use Skin-Tac (you can get a sample of 5 wipes free + delivery, they can tell you where to order them from). (Although this doesn't seem to help me as I react to the adhesive and you thought you had it bad! LOL)

Yup, mine sticks like... um... glue. STRONG glue.

I did lose one once after excessive hot tub use. But that was entirely my fault. The instructions say no more than 30 mins immersed in water at a time. My bad.

I can definately see the positives in using the libre, so watching patterns, reassurance I am not having a hypo at night and the convenience of scanning, however my first one started peeling off after about 10 days, I had an allergic reaction to the adhesive and it wasn't consistent with my normal meter when running either high or low, so there are definately pros and cons. They did replace my first sensor however the guy I spoke to said they would only do this once for me, so when I knocked my second sensor off my arm after only 1 day i've been put off using it since then, it's alot of money to have the reassurance, the cost needs to come down as otherwise it's not going to be accessible to many others who would be willing to use it if it was more affordable, I think they want to get the product approved for use by the NHS but as this still isn't an approved meter by DVLA and there are quite alot of issues with sensor errors as well as the adhesive lasting for the full 14 days, I think they will struggle to get it in.

Mdorrian said:

I've not had a hypo for about year I just sweat a hell of a lot. I'm not saying

Click to expand...

Get the sweating investigated if you've not done so already, I've had type 1 for 35 years and can't say I sweat anymore than the next person.

noblehead said:

Get the sweating investigated if you've not done so already, I've had type 1 for 35 years and can't say I sweat anymore than the next person.

Click to expand...

Not to jump the gun but sweating can point to a variety of diabetes related conditions including thyroid problems, to name one.

As @noblehead says, it's in your best interest to get this investigated.

Grant

Hi all,
I tried first sensor, stayed on only 6 days and left severe chemical burn, after reading a lot of discussions thought I would try again using something like compeed patch between sensor and skin. After 6 days , I had to remove it as there seemed to be a severe reaction with glue on the patch, it had turned into a sticky solution and had removed the sticky from the sensor itself. And again a severe chemical-like burn was left on my arm that has taken 4 weeks to clear-up.
I am not allergic to any band-aids .
I want Abbott to do further product development to solve the reactions which many people have as I think there is some problems with the technology.
Has anyone had great experience with using the compeed patches, if so is compeed the only brand to use?
Help wanted as its so great to not have to blood-test so often. I did get great accuracy.

I exercise thus sweat a lot. I also swim. I found that preparation is very important to ensure the sensor sticks well.

Choose the site well so there are no stretch marks.
Wash the site well before and fully dry.
Use the wipe well over the area, this helps remove any oils as well as sterilise.
Dry thoroughly - this is critical as the alcohol can weaken the sticky. I use a hairdryer for a minute or so; this also usefully warms the skin, helping both to stop any pain from the prick and the sticky substance to adhere.
After pressing the applicator, hold it down for a minute. This gives it time to attach firmly.

I also use Tegaderm 6x7cm. This not only helps hold the sensor down but covers the edges so it is much less likely to get knocked off. I put a paper disk in the centre of the Tegaderm so if I needed to replace it, it would not pull the sensor off.

I find with this that the sticky pad adheres to my skin stronger than it does to the sensor. At the end of the 14 days it is easier to press the edge of the sticky pad away from the edge of the sensor and then remove it. The sticky pad can then be rolled up off the skin.

Libre gives fantastic understanding of my diabetes; I find it really helps in control but is does take time in the application.

@Bill_St - excellent advice, agree with every word! VITAL to remove any trace of either oil or sweat or water etc from the skin before applying the sensor. Holding the sensor for a couple of minutes down before removing the applicator was necessary for me personally to ensure that it sticks properly. Frankly, though, using DEXCOM G4 costs about the same or might be slightly cheaper if you restart the sensors.

noblehead said:

Get the sweating investigated if you've not done so already, I've had type 1 for 35 years and can't say I sweat anymore than the next person.

Click to expand...

Ditto ditto ditto - when I had undiagnosed off the scale hyperthyroidism I would go to GAP in my lunch hour every day to buy a new t shirt the same colour I had started the day in. The first would have been wet through by noon.

After a couple of weeks of this I was broke, but at least I had a couple of dozen t shirts in assorted colours so I started to take a couple of fresh ones in my bag every day!
(Yes at the time I thought this was normal behaviour.)

If I had had a doctor at the time who had been minded to listen to me, I would have both saved the price of t shirts to the power of a couple of dozen, and avoided some dramatic emergency and long-term medical treatment!

In short - sorry, I don't do short - I would have a word with your doctor about the sweating and get your thyroid checked out, @Mdorrian .

Hope its good news for me,after asking to try a CGM,I was finally put in a trial starting at the end of August, and as to funding I am going to try to say I will be using less test strips 5 aday at present and the saving can be used to fund the required sensors hopefully?

Hi ,one and all; I have just been given a freestyle libra on Tuesday completely free of charge with 1 senser,works great now the battle starts to get the senses on the NHS because I will be using a lot less test strips and then only when driving as to comply with the DVLA guide lines

videoman said:

Hi ,one and all; I have just been given a freestyle libra on Tuesday completely free of charge with 1 senser,works great now the battle starts to get the senses on the NHS because I will be using a lot less test strips and then only when driving as to comply with the DVLA guide lines

Click to expand...

You won't get funding unless your CCG has no position statement especially for CGM's.

You ought to google and see if your CCG has a position statement If it hasn't you may stand a chance.. But not just for less strip usage unless you have limited testing areas ie two fingers.

If your CCG has a position statement for usage of CGM's then the only chance would be if your nurse /consultant thinks you may come under the "exceptional/ individual funding" circumstances... You will then be able to request to be sent s copy of their "exceptional and individual funding request policy".

Depends how your CCG fund them and how much your consultant and nurses deem that you are needing one.

Good luck.



You need to be aware of what stance your CCG has for CGM issue..
1) has it a

Why are libres been given for "trials"?

Isn't this just freesyle giving a way a sensor to reap the rewards when they know CCG's don't find and patients will want one?

Since my sensors are being given to me free but not officially at the moment I haven't had a download since my first fortnight finished.

If its officially a trial, patients should be told who the data goes to....

I think its very good marketing by Freestyle...