A query : concern - new user to Freestyle Libre

[ClaudiaKiwi]

Hi everyone
This may have been asked before and I’m sorry if it is a repeat question.
I’ve been using the Freestyle Libre and am finding it excellent and super helpful, however I have just had a convo with someone who has said to me they are utter crud and give false readings and that my lows are not really lows (I know they are as I randomly check by finger pricking) and he also said that I should be using Dexcom and not to waste my time with F Libre.

Does anyone have any thoughts or experiences you would be happy to share with me and I’m left feeling slightly concerned. I do honestly believe for me it has been liberating as finger pricking was driving me mad and I admit I wasn’t perhaps always as compliant as I should be whereas F Libre has enabled me to see patterns in how I react to certain meals and food items and how quickly I come up from a hypo etc etc.

Really keen on anyone’s thoughts etc ?
Thanks so much in advance 🙂

 

[Bruce Stephens]

I’ve been using the Freestyle Libre and am finding it excellent and super helpful, however I have just had a convo with someone who has said to me they are utter crud and give false readings and that my lows are not really lows (I know they are as I randomly check by finger pricking) and he also said that I should be using Dexcom and not to waste my time with F Libre.

For some people (for reasons that we don't know (as far as I know)) it doesn't work reliably.

But for many of us it works just fine, and when the Libre says we're low (or going low) we really are. So keep using it and don't worry. (But of course verify now and again with test strips, and especially do so when the Libre's reading doesn't match what you feel.)

 

[Robin]

Hi everyone
This may have been asked before and I’m sorry if it is a repeat question.
I’ve been using the Freestyle Libre and am finding it excellent and super helpful, however I have just had a convo with someone who has said to me they are utter crud and give false readings and that my lows are not really lows (I know they are as I randomly check by finger pricking) and he also said that I should be using Dexcom and not to waste my time with F Libre.

Does anyone have any thoughts or experiences you would be happy to share with me and I’m left feeling slightly concerned. I do honestly believe for me it has been liberating as finger pricking was driving me mad and I admit I wasn’t perhaps always as compliant as I should be whereas F Libre has enabled me to see patterns in how I react to certain meals and food items and how quickly I come up from a hypo etc etc.

Really keen on anyone’s thoughts etc ?
Thanks so much in advance 🙂

I use the Libre and I think it’s great.The sheer amount of extra info that I get from it has been so useful, and as you say, it’s so liberating not having to finger prick in awkward situations. My readings are always spot on round about the mid-range, though I have found them to read a bit higher at the top end, and a bit lower at the bottom. (There is also a problem of compressing the sensor in your sleep and getting a dip that isn’t really a dip).
There have been people who have reported on here that they’ve had problems, though, and I have come to the conclusion that for some people, it just doesn’t seem to work. But if it works well for you, carry on!

 

[Ljc]

Hi . I’ve been using the Libre for a couple of years now and it’s been a game changer for me.
For a few days with a new sensor I do a finger prick in the morning then about 10 mins later scan until I am happy, it’s best to treat hypo’s by finger pricking as you can easily overshoot due to the time lag

Some people on here have found that they are way out from a finger prick. Others find they are within 1.0

I know nothing about the Dexcom other than it samples interstitial fluid the same as the Libre and I believe you have to do a daily calibration (don’t quote me in this though) where the Libre does a factory one .
So long as your are happy with the Libre carry on with it .
If you do get a dodgy one Abbott are very good at replacing them , they need the dodgy one back for testing

 

[ClaudiaKiwi]

Thanks guys this is both helpful and reassuring. Everything you both say I completely agree with and honestly that’s made my day. A huge thanks !
I have had one faulty sensor and Abbott were fab and a new one in the mail.
Phew ! I can stop having a panic now lol

happy Wednesday to all x

 

[ClaudiaKiwi]

Hi . I’ve been using the Libre for a couple of years now and it’s been a game changer for me.
For a few days with a new sensor I do a finger prick in the morning then about 10 mins later scan until I am happy, it’s best to treat hypo’s by finger pricking as you can easily overshoot due to the time lag

Some people on here have found that they are way out from a finger prick. Others find they are within 1.0

I know nothing about the Dexcom other than it samples interstitial fluid the same as the Libre and I believe you have to do a daily calibration (don’t quote me in this though) where the Libre does a factory one .
So long as your are happy with the Libre carry on with it .
If you do get a dodgy one Abbott are very good at replacing them , they need the dodgy one back for testing

just out of curiosity as a T2 do you self fund or are your sensors prescribed ? A friend of mine is T2 and on insulin and doctors refuse to prescribe which is a shame - any ideas ?

 

[Ljc]

We have to self fund. I think the only exception is if we’re on insulin and Dialysis.
It’s been quite a fight to get National guidelines to get the Libre prescribed for more people with T1.

 

[Robin]

just out of curiosity as a T2 do you self fund or are your sensors prescribed ? A friend of mine is T2 and on insulin and doctors refuse to prescribe which is a shame - any ideas ?

I’m Type 1 and I self fund. The current rate of prescribing is around 10% of Type 1s, with a target of 20%. This will still leave 80% of us Type 1s either self funding or relying on fingerpricks.

 

[ClaudiaKiwi]

Thanks everyone really really appreciate your help and feedback etc. I also self fund but my GP said he may be able to prescribe soon. Who knows eh ! ! !
Do you all purchase from Abbott directly ? I have purchased from Amazon via the pharmacy on there and have had no issues. Just curious.

 

[ClaudiaKiwi]

I’m Type 1 and I self fund. The current rate of prescribing is around 10% of Type 1s, with a target of 20%. This will still leave 80% of us Type 1s either self funding or relying on fingerpricks.

That’s terribly low stats isn’t it - I thought the NHS was meant to be making it more accessible ?! Crazy

 

[Robin]

That’s terribly low stats isn’t it - I thought the NHS was meant to be making it more accessible ?! Crazy

There was a statement put out the other day by the NHS about how wonderful it was that the Libre was being rolled out. You had to look right down the bottom of the page to find the bit where it said ...to 20% of Type 1s.

 

[grovesy]

Thanks everyone really really appreciate your help and feedback etc. I also self fund but my GP said he may be able to prescribe soon. Who knows eh ! ! !
Do you all purchase from Abbott directly ? I have purchased from Amazon via the pharmacy on there and have had no issues. Just curious.

I purchase through Abbott,but I have read people have had problems unable to get replacements with thoose bought from Amazon.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

That’s terribly low stats isn’t it - I thought the NHS was meant to be making it more accessible

20-25% was the figure, I think. (Intended to be a lower bound rather than an upper one.) I think a couple of years ago the figure was around 5% (in England, 44% in NI). And presumably the rates for CGMs are really low, so aiming for 20% is a big increase.

 

[Ljc]

I purchase mine from Abbott.

@ClaudiaKiwi GPs here as far as I am aware cannot initially prescribe the Libre, I think it can only be done by a consultant not sure about DSNs.

Here is a link to the National guidelines , the criteria starts on page 3
flash-glucose-monitoring-national-arrangements-funding-v1.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Libre doesn’t work well for some people. Dexcom doesn’t work well for some people. Enlites or Guardian3 sensors don’t work well for some people. Eversense and Medtrum too.

But ALL of those can work brilliantly for other people - in fact for the vast majority of users. Particularly the ‘big 3’ of Dex, Abbott and Medtronic which have pretty solid MARD data behind them.

But if people have been spending ££££ and getting useless results... or skin reactions... or poor customer service... then of course they will tell *everyone*!

If you’ve been getting reliable and useful data from the technology and it has effectively supported your diabetes management - you don’t need to worry about someone else’s experience. Your diabetes. Your toolkit. 🙂

 

[ClaudiaKiwi]

I purchase through Abbott,but I have read people have had problems unable to get replacements with thoose bought from Amazon.

My one faulty sensor was via Amazon and I called Abbott and had to give all the info over the phone and they started to say that as I had not purchased from them I wasn’t able to replace it. I advised them the sensor is sold with a label advising any issues to go to Abbott and the customer care line. I also told them I W wanted to speak with a manager and would be making a formal complaint and asked them why it was an issue. Amazingly within 2 mins I was advised a new sensor was in the mail and all arrived no problems. Happy ending. No further sensor problems at all. Yay.

 

[ClaudiaKiwi]

Libre doesn’t work well for some people. Dexcom doesn’t work well for some people. Enlites or Guardian3 sensors don’t work well for some people. Eversense and Medtrum too.

But ALL of those can work brilliantly for other people - in fact for the vast majority of users. Particularly the ‘big 3’ of Dex, Abbott and Medtronic which have pretty solid MARD data behind them.

But if people have been spending ££££ and getting useless results... or skin reactions... or poor customer service... then of course they will tell *everyone*!

If you’ve been getting reliable and useful data from the technology and it has effectively supported your diabetes management - you don’t need to worry about someone else’s experience. Your diabetes. Your toolkit. 🙂

absolutely agree and really felt a lot better since others have commented etc. I think I sometimes over analyse things but wanted to be sure if I was spending money then it was for the right product. I’m so glad I am using it !

 

[Ljc]

I find the trend arrows invaluable esp with those a slanted or straight down arrow if I am say 5 ish
Then their is the info from the graph , it makes basal testing a breeze 🙂

 

[Sally71]

We think the Libre is brilliant and would hate to be without it now! As others have said, if you think the system is working well for you then there is no reason to change it, don't listen to anyone else! No system is perfect, I think @Pumper_Sue has got a Dexcom and hasn't been overly impressed with it. Each to his own 🙂

 

[New-journey]

Thanks guys this is both helpful and reassuring. Everything you both say I completely agree with and honestly that’s made my day. A huge thanks !
I have had one faulty sensor and Abbott were fab and a new one in the mail.
Phew ! I can stop having a panic now lol

happy Wednesday to all x

I now have one on prescription and it has changed my life. I can test 40 times a day and have been known to do so whilst giving a talk, no one notices and I can keep my numbers in target, all with no sore fingers! It is so easy to panic when others give their advice and judgements. So glad you got your confidence back and hope you soon get it on prescription. Happy Thursday!