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FreeStyle Libre Sensors falling off!

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
mikeyB said:
I think Abbott have upgraded the sticky. It hurts to get them off now, and I get a slight skin reaction to the latest batch that I’ve never had before. Anyone else noticed a difference?
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I’ve had a couple recently that I itched a bit. they do seem harder to get off too.
 
I always found them hard to get off! But yes, the last one left a red mark which I’ve never had before,@mikeyB .
Ljc said:
I’ve had a couple recently that I itched a bit. they do seem harder to get off too.
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Hi. This is my 1st post so all a little new to me.
I’ve had the same ‘problem’ with the last 2 sensors causing a reaction with my skin but at least they stick! I’ve had a further problem with a sensor reading 3 units higher consistently since I applied it last Wednesday. I spoke to Abbott’s today and they’re replacing it hassle free. It is a great piece of kit, I’ve had 10 so far and only 2 issues ...... it provides my 7 year old nephew with much amusement to scan me too!
 
Hi Bexlee, welcome to the forum🙂

My 3 year old grandson gets his fun turning my rise and recline chair into a bed. But then, he’s not yet seen me test my BG, so the consequences of that I’ve yet to discover!

It’s interesting that my post has had this response. I thought it would be just me. I’m ringing Abbott tomorrow for a further supply, and a new reader as mine is getting a bit argumentative about being connected to a computer and refusing to work. I’ll ask them if they made them more sticky, or changed the formulation of the glue.
 
Hi, I’ve been using sensors for 6 months now, 3 fell off, 2 lasted the full fortnight but readings were constantly in hypo for the final 12 hours and 4 have melted my skin so had to come off after a few days! Anyone else having problems?
 
Natalie123 said:
Hi, I have been using my new freestyle libre on and off for a few months now and keep having issues with them falling off. This seems to happen when I have been particularly active and sweaty (sorry!!) or swimming or once because I walked into a door frame (that was entirely my own stupidity!) This is really annoying as I am struggling to afford the sensors as it is but I am determined to keep trying because the extra info is really helping. I have had ME and diabetes for 12 years and have finally started to get better from the ME so I'm starting to swim and walk regularly with the aim of getting my diabetes under control. I wondered if anyone else has had this problem and found a solution? Is there anything that can be done to protect the sensor when swimming? Thanks x
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Hi Natalie, I used to have the same problems you have described with freestyle libre sensors and my DSN Recommended cannula dressing (see image below). I was able to obtain these on prescription, maybe worth a try.
 

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The trouble with cannula dressing is that it’s not made to last a fortnight, nor could it withstand daily showers for a fortnight.

In any event, Abbott are changing the formulation of the adhesive, the new stuff arrives next month. Allegedly.
 
Natalie123 said:
Hi, I have been using my new freestyle libre on and off for a few months now and keep having issues with them falling off. This seems to happen when I have been particularly active and sweaty (sorry!!) or swimming or once because I walked into a door frame (that was entirely my own stupidity!) This is really annoying as I am struggling to afford the sensors as it is but I am determined to keep trying because the extra info is really helping. I have had ME and diabetes for 12 years and have finally started to get better from the ME so I'm starting to swim and walk regularly with the aim of getting my diabetes under control. I wondered if anyone else has had this problem and found a solution? Is there anything that can be done to protect the sensor when swimming? Thanks x
Click to expand...
Natalie123 said:
Hi, I have been using my new freestyle libre on and off for a few months now and keep having issues with them falling off. This seems to happen when I have been particularly active and sweaty (sorry!!) or swimming or once because I walked into a door frame (that was entirely my own stupidity!) This is really annoying as I am struggling to afford the sensors as it is but I am determined to keep trying because the extra info is really helping. I have had ME and diabetes for 12 years and have finally started to get better from the ME so I'm starting to swim and walk regularly with the aim of getting my diabetes under control. I wondered if anyone else has had this problem and found a solution? Is there anything that can be done to protect the sensor when swimming? Thanks x
Click to expand...

Oh YES!!! Apparently it's my skin type. However, my skin type does not seem to affect my insulin pump cannula. Hmmm. I also swim, cycle, run and generally bounce off door frames - who knew! One sensor only lasted a day. I eventually found Rock Tape from Funky Pumpers and ordered VAT free. You can get pre-cut tape but the hole is too big and the sensor can be pulled straight out through it - especially when you hit those pesky door frames. Buy the roll of tape and cut it to size. Fold it once, then fold it again and cut a tiny little piece off so that you end up with a very small hole in the centre of the strip. Align the small hole in the tape with the hole in the sensor. The sensor then cannot be pulled through the tape. I find I can carefully remove the tape after 7 days and then apply a new strip. The tape comes in different patterns. I also tried the Skin Tac but did not find this useful. I hope this helps.
 
It’s only since the Libre discussions started that I’ve discovered how many people can’t aim straight through doors. I can do it on two crutches. Is this a new unreported complication of diabetes, bruised arms?:D
 
It's a new phenomenon. We like to have something to moan about. I now go through doors sideways just to be safe. In fact I now think I have a door phobia. Seriously though, you wouldn't believe how many times you bounce off doors, walls etc. I even swam too close to the rope in the pool and had a sensor knocked off. You got to remember, nothings idiot proof. Lol
 
Actually, I don’t bounce off doors and walls, at least not since I was a student. But you’re right, nothing is idiot proof.🙂
 
Tell you what though - when they do stick to you like sshhh to a blanket and you try and bounce off a thin enough door frame (ie the one round our motorhome bathroom door) and are walking too fast (that's a personal joke to me) they still rip off exceedingly forcibly and hurts like HELL. At least if they don't adhere well it wouldn't be that painful! LOL
 
I have no difficulty in keeping the adhesive patch attached to my skin. However, the sensor itself has, twice, detached from the adhesive patch, during sleep. I am grateful for the suggestion of using Tegaderm, which I will now try.
 
Been using the sensors for about 4 weeks now, and they've seemingly decided to fall off (walking down the garden, and there it went ping minutes after I'd scanned!) Anyway, now using Funky Pumpers sensor patches. Need husband to attach the patch, but so far so good. Friend in Germany who has been using the Abbott Libre sensor for years always uses patches. They're good for added stickability and keeping the sensor in place. When I asked Abbott for help they said absolutely not to use them, but then they didn't give anymore assistance than that - so patches it is! They seem to work well so far. Favourite is Day of the Dead patch. https://www.funkypumpers.com/shop/rockadex-cgm-pump-products/libre/oval-libre-patches/
 
WeeL said:
Oh YES!!! Apparently it's my skin type. However, my skin type does not seem to affect my insulin pump cannula. Hmmm. I also swim, cycle, run and generally bounce off door frames - who knew! One sensor only lasted a day. I eventually found Rock Tape from Funky Pumpers and ordered VAT free. You can get pre-cut tape but the hole is too big and the sensor can be pulled straight out through it - especially when you hit those pesky door frames. Buy the roll of tape and cut it to size. Fold it once, then fold it again and cut a tiny little piece off so that you end up with a very small hole in the centre of the strip. Align the small hole in the tape with the hole in the sensor. The sensor then cannot be pulled through the tape. I find I can carefully remove the tape after 7 days and then apply a new strip. The tape comes in different patterns. I also tried the Skin Tac but did not find this useful. I hope this helps.
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I contacted Abbott re sensors falling off and just mentioned that I'd be using patches, and they were not amused, but interestingly didn't add anything more useful than that. So sticking to the patches.
 
Lou51 said:
I contacted Abbott re sensors falling off and just mentioned that I'd be using patches, and they were not amused, but interestingly didn't add anything more useful than that. So sticking to the patches.
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Abbott have always advised against ‘overtaping’ of any kind - but some people have always done it either for peace of mind, or because their skin doesn’t seem to suit the adhesive. Personally I always struggle to prise them off after the full 14 days, and mine have survived a doorframe or two over the years. Everyone is different - and some seem to struggle with stickability more than others.

If you do overtape, it is worthwhile making sure that the central hole remains uncovered - it serves an important function in allowing the skin beneath the sensor to breathe during the 2 week wear.

Its also very important not to overtape too tightly, as this can potentially affect sensor readings in the same way as a ‘compression low’ overnight.

Glad you have found a product that suits you 🙂
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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