Putting on a new FreeStyle Libre 2

[JAD]

Hi everyone - this is my first post. I've recently been diagnosed as LADA Type 1. Still some way from getting over the shock (as a 56 year old I didn't see that coming!) and am slowly coming to terms with it all. Don't have much choice really... 🙂

I'd appreciate some advice on replacing a FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor. The first one is due to be replaced in 2 days, but I'd like to do it earlier as I don't think I positioned it very well and readings have been very off compared to prick tests.

I've read elsewhere on this forum that it's a good idea to put the new sensor into position and wait a couple of days before activating it. If I do this, presumably I keep the old one in place (on one arm) whilst putting the new one on the other arm? (Sorry for daft question!)

I use an A5X reader to scan as I don't have a phone that has NFC. Abbot's videos say that to activate you should select 'scan new sensor' (or similar) on your phone, but I can't find this 'new sensor' thing on the reader. If I just place the reader over the new sensor, will it know it's a new one? And if I decide to just replace the current one earlier, is this a problem?

I did try using the Abbot online chat facility but didn't find the responses that helpful I'm afraid. I'm sure the community here will be much more helpful and thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

If I just place the reader over the new sensor, will it know it's a new one?

Yes, and it'll ask you the question (giving you the chance to say no if you want to continue using the old one for a bit).

And if I decide to just replace the current one earlier, is this a problem?

Not a problem. You just lose some use of the old sensor, but if that's what you want (because it's no longer useful) then that's what you want.

(I assume that's true with the A5X. It's true for the phone apps and the Freestyle Reader/glucometer they used to sell. I confess I hadn't heard of the A5X but by the looks of it it's likely a cheap Android phone or similar with the app on it.)

 

[JAD]

Thanks so much, I had a feeling I should just scan and see what happens! Will have a go.

 

[SB2015]

I've read elsewhere on this forum that it's a good idea to put the new sensor into position and wait a couple of days before activating it. If I do this, presumably I keep the old one in place (on one arm) whilst putting the new one on the other arm? (Sorry for daft question

Welcome to the forum @JAD. This is not a silly questions at all, and we welcome any questions that arise.
Just ask.

When I was using Libre I did insert the new one a day before it would be activated, in the other arm as you suggested. I found that doing this my first day readings once activated were more reliable. I have not used Libre2so I don’t know whether this is still a useful strategy, but it can do no harm.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[JAD]

Thanks so much, will report back on how things go.

 

[nonethewiser]

Personally just replace sensor & use straight away, so don't do 24hr bedding in thing.

Find sensor is accurate from start to finish since changing to libre 2.

 

[Lucyr]

If the readings are not acceptable accuracy then you need to ring abbot and ask them to replace the sensor. They will ask for some comparison readings and might want the sensor returning. Then you can apply a new one and they’ll send a replacement in the post.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome from me too.

Have you had any training or been referred to the Libre Academy online learning facility? The reason I ask is that whilst Libre is a fantastic bit of kit, it has limitations and it doesn't read quite the same thing as a finger prick, so it can give different readings to a finger prick, especially if above or below range or if levels are changing fast or changing direction.ie they were dropping low and you took some carbs to prevent a hypo... the Libre continues to show you dropping lower when in fact your levels are likely going back up.
I do a couple of checks on a sensor in the first couple of days after I activate a new one and make sure I choose a time when my BG levels are nice and stable ie when insulin and food are not actively changing things and the Libre is showing an horizontal arrow. I usually find that the sensor shows me lower than a finger prick by about 1mmol. Sometimes it will be a bit more and more often a bit less. This discrepancy will usually remain pretty much the same over the life of the sensor for me but if I suspect it is drifting I will check again. If it is persistently more than 2mmols out then it gets reported to Abbott and they will usually replace it.

As regards applying a new sensor, I give mine about 12 hours to bed in before activating it and this works well for me. Some people's bodies are more reactive than others and take a bit longer to settle down after a foreign body is injected into it and others don't react at all and get good readings from the 60 min start up time. There is no need to scan with your reader until you are ready to activate the new sensor and then it will ask you if you want to "start a new sensor".... so if you accidentally scan the new sensor during the bedding in period, you can just select "no" when it asks that question and then scan the old sensor to get your reading. Once you select yes, the sensor is activated and I believe the old one will be stopped. Hope that makes sense.

 

[JAD]

Thanks everyone - I'm glad to report back that all went well with my first changeover. I bedded it in for a day before activating and, as mentioned in the thread, I was asked if I wanted to start a new sensor. So all good - and much more straightforward than I was imagining.

Barbara, I did the training before I was given the kit but I think I'll do it again, as it'll have more context now (i.e. I might remember more of it!) Thanks for the helpful info about the sensor and finger prick readings - I knew they wouldn't match exactly, but the first sensor readings were very often way off the prick ones. I don't think I positioned the first one in the best position, plus I suspect there was a fault (Abbot sent a replacement). So fingers crossed this new one will give me a bit more confidence to not do a prick test every time I scan (fingers getting sore now!) It already seems a bit better in that regard.

Thanks again for the support.