Starting Libre 1 early

Yes, scan the new sensor when the old one ends. Then it will last the full 14 days.

Yes you will want to wait til you actually want to start the 14 days til you scan it, ie after you've let it bed in and the old one has run out

If you accidentally scan it instead of the old one (before you want to start it) it'll ask you if you want to start a new one, just select No and its happily just keep reading the old one.

If you accidentally scan the new one and then tell it to start using the new one then the new one will be started then and there.

You are probably confusing starting the sensor with putting on your arm. Plenty of folk put the sensor on, including me, 24 hrs or so early so that any 'trauma' subsides before you start taking readings.

I alternate arms which makes it easier than trying to find space for two on one arm.

HTH

I am using Librelink on my mobile, as well as a Libre reader to scan for my blood glucose. Irrespective of when I put the sensor on my arm, for the first 30 hours after I have activated it, I get different readings for both. The difference starts at about 0.8, but converge as I get closer to the 30 hours. There is also a divergence for the last 24 hours of a sensor's life (albeit smaller). The trends for both methods are virtually identical though.

I am not too concerned about it, as I realize there is an error factor involved. Even finger pricking has an error factor. So, one should be cognizant of the actual number (whatever method), but realize that there will always be an error involved (whatever method). Trending is far more important.

There are two components. 1) adding to the arm 2) starting the sensor.
(note I do not use the app).
I have found that the day count seems to start from the time the sensor is connected to the applicator - before it is placed upon the arm regardless of you activating the sensor with the reader. Ths is because it relies on the charge remaining in the battery. If you place it on your ARM 24 HOURS EARLY and start it in the same calendar day it will show 14 days. start it in a different calendar date and it will show 13 days. In practice, it relies on the amount of power in the battery to determine the length of operation. Insufficient charge will result in a ' replace sensor in xx hours' message.

Similarly, if you place the sensor on the arm and activate it immediately, you still have to wait sixty minutes for it to 'bed-in' and take readings. However, this will give you the longest length of operation.It is activating the sensor that strats the processors and code on the sensor, until then it is in standby. The 60 minute period is set annd cannot be changed by a user. BEDDING starts from the time the sensor is activated by the reader, Not the time it is applied to the arm.

There is no point in placing a sensor on the arm and then delaying activation as it still will need the 60 minutes before taking a reading once activated. ALSO the period of operation will start from the time the battery is connected. By connecting the sensor to the applicator, the white triangualr bit with the probe completes the electrical circult and starts the operation of the battery. ( like a tv on standby it uses the same power as whejn in operation). The sensor chip is intelligent enough to calculate the power left in the battery. THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE. It is the amount of power remaining in the battery that determines the life of the sensor. If you constantly scan the sensor -say every 30 seconds, this will also reduce the period remaining for sensor's operation. If the battery power drops to a level that triggers the ' replce sensor in xx hours' message, this is to make sure that you are prepared to replace the sensor and to ensure you have an almost continuous operation of a sensor and have access to the associated readings.

summary. wait until the sensor ends then connect the newn sensor and applicator and (after prepareing arm) attach sensor to the arm. Then scan immediately - you will then wait 60 minutes and will then be able to scan. This gives the longest sensor period of operation.
Comment:
THE REAL PROBLEM with the Libre 1 is that it does not allow you to start a sensor 60 minutes before the ending of the existing sensor and then allow the system to switch to the new sensor for readings upon expiry of the existing operating sensor. IN OTHER WORDS, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A 60 MINUTE GAP of readings where you will need to blood test using the supplied strips and lancet.
THIS MAY however been FIXED WITH LIBRE 2 ( I am still to test this).

NOTE LIBRE1 IS BEING REPLACED WITH FREESTYLE LIBRE 2 UNDER A FREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME IN THE UK.
TO GET A REPLACEMENT SENSOR, SPEAK TO YOUR DIABETES NURSES, THEY WILL write to your surgery to get your prescription amended to the freestyle ibre 2 sensor. You WILL NEED NEW freestyle libre sensor 2 sensors. Freestyle Libre1 sensors do not work with libre 2 readers. The Freestyle Libre 2 reader is BLUE. the libre1 is BLACK.
ONCE you have spoken to the nurses, contact Abbot Customer Care on 0800 170 1177 select option 1 for freestyle libre2 replacement programme ( note it should really be called Freestyle Libre 1 replacement Programme as unit 1 is being replaced NOT UNIT 2.)
Then hold to speak to an operator or member of the customer care team. State that you have been instructed to call them by your Diabetes Team and they have placed you on the Libre 2 sensor and that you will need a Libre 2 reader. You will be taken through a series of questions to prove your identity. NOTE you should ensure that you registered your freestyle libre resader on the freestylelibre website before making this call, as they will need your record on the Abbot system to be able to place an prder for the Freestyle Libre 2 reader.. Make sure you did this at the time you started using the Libre 1 reader. If not registered already you may be required to register, before a replacement may be sent out. In this instance you will be sent an email with many many questions - a very convoluted and time consuming approach. You should also have already given your clinitian access to read your uploaded freestyle libre readings. You will need the code from your diabetes nurses. It is wise to upload readings at least once a month. This can be done with either the diasend glooko uploader or with the abbot freestyle libre data upload software. any questions please email me. (apologies for typos). Note there is also the Freestyle Libre2 app. This is in place of the reader unit. Note: I have been advised only one operates for SCANNING READINGS, the reader OR the app will operate but NOT BOTH. The reader will still be operational for blood sample strip tests.( this may be uploaded - subject to confirmation.) As I am not an app user, perhaps someone can confirm this exclusion ?)

TheManWithTheHat said:

There is no point in placing a sensor on the arm and then delaying activation as it still will need the 60 minutes before taking a reading once activated.

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Many of us find the first 24 to 48 hours after inserting the Libre it is very inaccurate as our body gets used to the alien object in our arms.
Therefore, we insert the sensor a day or two before activating by which time our body is used to the sensor and the readings are more accurate from day 1 of activation.
This is the “bedding in” that others are referring to.

I find there are two days worth of points that makes this worthwhile.

What you call bedding in, I call “warming up”. This is when the app/reader connects to the sensor, starts the battery and the 14 day countdown and gathers the initial data such as serial numbers and initial readings. The warming up takes 1 hour. The bedding in takes 48 hours.

I only use one arm due to a medical problem on the other.

I don’t have a problem with the old one after I attach the new one.

my new one lasts 14 days once I activate it (not from when I apply it).

but I am a sample of 1 so maybe I’m just lucky.

I would also say any sensor I have had which has failed before 14 days (ranging from lasting 4 days to 13) has been replaced without question by Abbott. So why not try it and see if it works for you.

You can scan the old sensor with Glimp app while the new one is warming up.

I attach a new sensor about 12 hours before the old one runs out. Every sensor I've done this with in nearly 3 years of use, has worked for the full 14 days from when I've started it with the reader (not from when I've applied it).

chrisbug said:

Hi all,
I know some of you start your freestyle Libres early, I just wanted to ask a question about this.
I've searched unsuccessfully for answer.

Anyway, my current sensor is due to end on Monday at 8pm.
I wanted to warm up the replacement sensor a day earlier (first 24 hours are normally a bit erratic).
I always scan with the reader then revert to using my phone.
So if I bed in the new sensor a day earlier, do I wait till Monday 8pm before I scan the new sensor as I take the old one off?
Will the 14 days start from when I scan it?
As I always sleep on my right, I only wear Libre on my left arm.
Sorry if this has been covered before, and if it seems like a daft question.
Thanks

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Hi,

I find it interesting that new replacment Libres need bedding for for a period of 2 days?

I have banged a second Libre on anticipating a change 6 hours prior, once? But that was only due to being out all day working while the sensor was due to expire for some reason.. Possibly left it late changing on a day off a fortnight prior.)
The new sensor hour activation? I still went without a reading but always have my meter handy too.

On the whole I just leave it 2, possibly 3 hours for me? Including the 60minute "warm up" count down to use. (Mainly due to getting sidetracked with other stuff.)


From what I can gather. These Libres are programmed for "obsolescence" after 336 hours of use. (Basically a "count down from activation.) But I have pushed another 10 hours using a Bluetooth bridge & 3rd party app? Not recomended, though for me still accurate. Others claim longer using other app hacks?? (Again, not recomended.)
Though I do feel the filliment that reads the interstitial fluid may start to have the issue before the battery even expires?
Battery wise on a Libre one. All it needs to do is save & overwrite the 8 hour memory. On the L2 I'm assuming an upgrade on power managment is needed for the new Bluetooth funtion too..

There appears to be quite a bit of confusion here so I'm going to try and state the facts (as I see them).

1. You do not need to apply a new sensor in advance of the old one. I have often applied the new one coincident with the old stopping.

2. All sensors require a 60min startup from the first scan.

3. You cannot have two overlapping so you will have a 60min gap.

4. There are no clocks in the sensors - the 14 days is in the phone/reader. Hence Glimp etc can continue to access the sensor after it has 'stopped'.

5. Those of us that do apply the sensor before the old one stops, BUT DO NOT START IT, do so in the hope that your body will accept the trauma and not send glucose to the area to fight the invader! All this to try and get over the perceived inaccuracies of the first 24 hours. Abbott always use this as a reason for 'odd' readings. I personally have had sensors that have worked well immediately and others that have been less than perfect after being pre-applied so I don't really think we need dwell to long on this point, but if you can apply (but NOT start) the sensor 24 or 48 hours before the old expires you aren't losing anything and might just benefit form more accuracy in the early scans. I live in hope!

There you go. My 2p worth FWIW, based on uninterrupted use for 4 years.

HTH

chrisbug said:

Hi,
Because both the sensors will be physically so close to each other for the 24 hour period (within an inch or so), My only concern now is; will the trauma of the new sensor affect the old sensors last 24 hours of readings?

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Possibly, but I think we're over thinking it. As I mentioned, I swap arms each time to avoid any such problems and give the skin a rest.