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Libre 2 - failure at first hurdle?

Ladynijo

Well-Known Member
Messages
433
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I’m new to glucose monitoring, T2 diagnosed earlier this year. Have been stabbing fingers daily (sometimes several times) since to get an idea of blood glucose levels. Thought it would be useful to try a CGM to get more data, so got the free trial Libre 2 from Abbott. Read everything I could find about insertion of sensor, psyched myself up & fired the thing into back of arm. Signed in with the phone, which made reassuring noises and told me to wait an hour. After about 45 mins, I get some persistent bleeping, and then this message when I tried a reading.

Does this mean the sensor is faulty?

I’m thinking I must have done something wrong, but I’m glad it was the free one. Does this happen often? It’s a bit of a hassle, tbh.
 
MrsA2 said:
Probably. But even though it was free Abbott will/should replace it, free of charge. Call them tomorrow as its better to speak than email
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They’d better replace it otherwise their trial would seem to be a bit counterproductive
 
When I did the free trial I had two not work, one worked for a week or so. Some useful info in that time but not really a recommendation. Certainly would not be using my own money.
 
KennyA said:
When I did the free trial I had two not work, one worked for a week or so. Some useful info in that time but not really a recommendation. Certainly would not be using my own money.
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Yet I’ve been using about 6 years changing every 2 weeks and in all that time I’ve only had 1 non starter and 2 failures.
 
Thanks for all the info.

I would try calling Libre but the last time ( I had a mundane query about shipping) I was on hold for 30 plus minutes and even then they didn’t give me a straight answer. I’ll abandon this trial and start another once I get another sensor. It’s been useful as I now know how to apply the thing & that it’s not painful or difficult. If the next one is also duff, I’ll try Dexcom.
 
You don’t need to call them. There is an online form here. https://www.freestyle.abbott/uk-en/support/online-sensor-support.html

complete that and they should send a new sensor out. If you haven’t already thrown it away keep the new sensor as sometimes they ask for it back. Don’t worry if you’ve thrown it away though as I don’t think it will stop them replacing it.
 
I'm starting my free trial, expecting the sensor shortly. Hoping to get some clarity on what is spiking me and whats good and not good. I am also a gadget tech fanatic now so anything that gives me stats is a bonus. Just wish the price was cheaper as its quite pricey to say the least!
 
I've just finished my free trial one and overall it wasn't bad although the readings were nonsense for the first couple of days. I'm not convinced it was really accurate but did give useful insight into the peaks after meals etc.

I didn't find it useful enough to want to spend £50 a fortnight on them though.
 
Did you follow the instructions and attach the needle to the sensor before applying it to your arm? It sounds daft, but I did that once.
 
Martin_W said:
Did you follow the instructions and attach the needle to the sensor before applying it to your arm? It sounds daft, but I did that once.
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Yes followed to the letter, I’d spent a while figuring out how to do it.

I filled in the online replacement form & Abbott were fine, they’re sending me another. So I’ll have another go.
 
niblue said:
I've just finished my free trial one and overall it wasn't bad although the readings were nonsense for the first couple of days.
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This is not unusual as our body's reaction to the alien object stuck in our arm can affect the readings.
This is why it is common to apply the sensor 24 hours or so before activating it.
I don't know why Abbott don't suggest this themselves but them seem (unsurprisingly) reluctant to publicise the limitations of Libre.
 
Replacement Libre 2 now successfully applied and working. So it was just a duff sensor. Some interesting data coming through, although it’s reading a bit low compared to finger pricks.

I’ll be testing the water resistance of the adhesive next week, as I swim a lot.
‍
 
I swim a lot as well for up to an hour at a time. I cover mine with a clear tegaderm dressing and then it is fine.
 
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