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 ?)
