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Two newly applied Libre 2 plus sensors fail

R

Rosie9876

Well-Known Member
Messages
121
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
What are the chances? Two successive Libre sensors fail within minutes of being activated. It begins with dropping below range, further and further down, then poof! Error message. Should I 'Apply new sensor' as instructed? Or is something wrong with me or with my old (Android) phone?
 
Hi @Rosie9876 so both successfully completed the hour 'warm up' period then once activated fail. I had one fail upon activation, I've also had one that failed to come out of the warm up period, and remained yellow. I've not had back to back failures.
Iv'e always had a good response from the Libre help desk team when I have had issues. I would give them a call and ask them if your old Android phone is the issue. Hopefully they will also replace your failed sensors.
 
You haven't stated the error message which was shown. Sometimes i get a message to tell me to try again in 10 minutes. sometimes that takes 10 minutes can take longer eg 30 minutes. those error messages has usually corresponded with very sharpes rise or falls.

A fair few have found that inserting the sensor in advance can help with readings. the first day or so can be little erroneous. i now try to ensure insert the night before, someothers insert the day before. I've also found it tends to be a little more accurate if bg are relatively stable (flatish line) when activated for the first hour 'warmup period'. I've had a fair few read low for hours perhaps some form of 'insertion trauma'. Might be worth trying to insert slightly earlier to see if that helps. can just insert leave be without activating it for a while.

2 in a row failing would presume would be from same batch? imo would be more likely if both same batch, if the 2 were from different batches much less likely. havent had any issues with abbots to replace sensors have had 3 replaced. each time they've requested the sensor was sent back to them and they included a self addressed envelope to do so with clear instructions. (double bag etc) the printed address lable also included tracking info so you can see if they had it returned ok. The only issue have had with replacement sensors that they've sent is their choice of courier. I live in a pretty remote location classed as 'highlands and island' so the 48 hours deliverly well 72-96 hours also have had to wait in for deliverly. would much love since abbot track their parcel deliverly if they gave us the tracking reference so wouldnt have to waste extra few days waiting in for the delivery.
 
I have been in touch with Abbot In the last few days only to have a rant about their choice of delivery couriers which on this occasion were not very good at all and I asked if they would consider changing , like I said to them it"s not very good Abbot giving their first class service which they always have done only to be let down by their couriers , they agreed it was not good and as a gesture of good will have sent me a free sensor.
 
Just now, my third attempt at securing a new sensor. What links all three is opening with a low glucose level, the other two falling well into the two's then crashing. This one so far sticking at 3.4 mmol/L, but it's early days. Fingers crossed I get it going again. Abbott customer services were very helpful both times.

Oops, just went down to 3.3.
 
Rosie9876 said:
Just now, my third attempt at securing a new sensor. What links all three is opening with a low glucose level, the other two falling well into the two's then crashing.
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could try give it a few hours. where exactly are u placing it? i switch back upper arm each time replace the sensor. had v low reading before until inserted for a good few hours prior to activating it might be worth try? hydrated ok?
 
Like @grantg my new sensors always read lower than actual for the first 24 hours or so. I read somewhere, (sorry I'm not able to attribute that comment to a source so treat it with the weight it deserves) , that the foreign object aka the sensor filament causes an immune response like any wound. These immune cells, neutrophils and macrophages, and whatever else comes along to fight the perceived invader are glucose hungry as they need energy to grow and multiply to perform their function. Hence the lower blood sugar readings for the first 24 hours or so.

However, saying all that your readings should at least fluctuate and improve. As grant states try a different spot and see if there us a difference. As I said before I would contact Abbott.
 
I had problems with two of mine a few months ago and contacted the company by e-mail and they were not interested. There response implied that I was making it up. Not impressed
 
grantg said:
could try give it a few hours. where exactly are u placing it? i switch back upper arm each time replace the sensor. had v low reading before until inserted for a good few hours prior to activating it might be worth try? hydrated ok?
Click to expand...
I did switch arms, but with 2 failures, reverted back to last session's arm. I had 'cured' the first failure and was going to do this one, but in the end too impatient. I realise that Libre reads low to start with, but now wondering if something is wrong with me. Now down to 3.0.

Even when the sensor was working, my glucose levels were going down quickly for no reason I could see. 7- day average glucose down from 6.2 last week to 5.5 yesterday, before the dicey low glucose readings. In fact I've been relaxing a bit on carbs, so I don't get it. Hoped my insulin resistance improved suddenly, but wishful thinking?
 
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Unsure if your type1 or 2. With type1 your pancreas can enter a once off honeymoon stage where your pancreas is able to produce enough. No idea how to extend the period. I'm trying to be careful not to overwork mine in hope it's able to produce for longer.


Something to consider cgm is not designed for medical decisions it does appear target market is exactly that. should check always against fingeprick both highs and lows. Bear in mind one can read a few percent lower And the other a few percent higher which could relate to larger than expected difference.


There is some applications which allow custom calibration eg xdrip/diabox do due diligence on researching those and the added problems that come from manual calibration that can lead to further inaccuracies good luck if decide to go down that road
 
Thanks, I'm Type 2, but best of luck with your pancreas honeymoon. I realise the gcm is not accurate, still find it invaluable for assessing trends. I'm going to stop stressing about the misbehaviour as there's nothing I can do about it. I don't have a fingerprint meter, as my attempts to draw blood failed.
 
I was going to suggest you fingerprick as that is a relatively reliable blood sugar measurement in real time. Hypos are horrible and scary. I had one a couple of days ago while out on a hike. Luckily I was close to home. I Suddenly wanted to throw up, checked my libre, but it was on 'Pause' due to unstable blood sugars, figured I was going low, ate a candy and made it home. Libre still on 'Pause' when I got home, but I was able to check by blood sugars with a finger prick. It read 3.2. My Libre kicked in at 2.5. If you are unable to test with a fingerprick I would definitely see your GP. Those blood sugars figures are low @Rosie9876 .
 

Might be worth free trial dexcom to see if that perhaps fits your body better? Hopefully with issues drawing blood you maybe entitled to cgm on prescription best wishes
 

Dexcom | Dexcom One Plus Sample Programme | Dexcom

Dexcom One Plus Sample Programme
www.dexcom.com

Forgot to include URL for dexcom free trial.

Ps some people cgm can read lower for some others higher. It's usually out for by somewhere around 0.6 to 1.4mmol in Either direction (taking into account delay between BG and interestrial fluid delay)
 
My GP surgery is closed now, and not meaning to be unkind, but I'm not sure diabetes is their specialty. After almost 4 hours since activated, sensor is still working, unlike the previous two, but continues very low, now 2.8. I am relying on it being inaccurate, but I won't feel comfortable going to bed if it continues like this. I've never had readings this low on a new sensor before. That said, I've only been using one for about 5 months. Maybe I shouldn't take my Metformin and Dapagliflozin this evening. Not asking for advice, but thoughts welcome.

P.s. I've included more carbs in my supper - 2 plums and a slice of buttered sourdough toast. No sign of a spike yet.
 
Get new sensors from them. I think about 30% fail. It often starts with crashing blood sugar alert but needle prick test doesn’t confirm.
I was told on the phone that my phone wasn’t compatible because I upgraded to the latest software update. Ridiculous.
They are great when they work but don’t always count on them.
 
Something that I don’t think anyone has mentioned yet is that applying the sensor and not activating it straight away can help. I always apply my new one the night before activating it the next morning, it gives it time to settle before getting readings going.
 
very strange 30% fail rate seems awful high. personally have had 2 fail totally in around 26 that have used. another couple read very far out for the first 12-30 ish hours.


i'll leave this suggestion here which is off the original topicc: but may help with regards fingerprick difficulty that was mentioned by the OP.

differing gauge numbers may assist pens also have the ability with different depths. might be worth trying something like 21g 2.2mm rather than the standard 28gauge 1.8mm. warm fingers should help blood flow, rinse under hot tap or hold nice hot mug of coffee / tea which will also help when drank to hydrate which should also assist. should aim for the highest numbered gauge whilst still getting enough of a droplet for fingerprick to work. unsure if you've tried various gauges alongside depths? regarding question on the 2 drugs, no idea prob would be better perhaps calling nhs24 or something. if hospistal close to you could maybe ask them for some 'microdot' single use lancets of varying depths a&e should have at least 21/23/26 alongside 28gauge hopefully they maybe able to give you a couple each to try? there was another user of the forum who found fingerpricking also gave her issues with regards of lack of droplet. they found that staying very hydrated helped her alongside keep arms down for gravity assist. She was unable to check BG levels whilst laying down.
 
Whilst I sometimes grumble when sensors fail, I must say @Retepnhoj I have had nowhere near 30% failure rate. In the years I've been using them from 2022, both the Libre 1 & 2 , I have had about 10 complete fails. Some haven't gone the full 14 days.Several have fallen off or I have accidentally caught them on the door frame, but really I can't say I have had that many complete fails.

Edited as I accidentally pressed send before I had finished.
 
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