Announcement for all Libre 2 users!

[goodybags]

Had 3 with chronic signal loss after just one scan to start it off (eventually they failed completely) - biggest problem is with them reading very low with a couple of days to go (I have calibrated it manually with finger pricks, and they are miles out) - dreading my next HbA1c test as Librelink says I'm 43 but I think it'll be a lot more for this reason (although if it's 58 I can have HCL so every silver cloud and all that (Joking!)) - it is annoying though as it skews my TIR (says I'm 10% Low which is absolutely wrong - I can't remember my last even slightly bad hypo as I am generally very well controlled snd have very good hypo-awareness) - will ask about the Dexcom One+ at my next DSN appointment as it was mentioned before (not likely for another 6m though!)

I’ve also had the signal loss issue, in-fact last week had 2 fail in 3 days, to be fair to Abbott they always replace but obviously it’s frustrating and if they say it should last 15 days then the sensor should
I had a conversation with my GP yesterday when we were reviewing my meds and I asked if I wanted to switch to the DexcomOne+ he said it can be done if when I put in my prescription request I add in the notes that I want the Dexcom

 

[mashedupmatt]

I’ve also had the signal loss issue, in-fact last week had 2 fail in 3 days, to be fair to Abbott they always replace but obviously it’s frustrating and if they say it should last 15 days then the sensor should
I had a conversation with my GP yesterday when we were reviewing my meds and I asked if I wanted to switch to the DexcomOne+ he said it can be done if when I put in my prescription request I add in the notes that I want the Dexcom

Interesting - I know there is no cost implication to the NHS (or it is neglible) so that would make sense - thanks for the intel @goodybags

 

[Proud to be erratic]

@mashedupmatt, when the NICE Guidance Note NG17 was updated in mid 2022, one aspect was broadening the range of devices available overall. The other was giving a lot more leeway to GPs to prescribe different CGM options without needing to get direction from Consultants. Dexcom One and now One+ are in the same cost bracket as Libre 2, so it ought to be little more than a formality to get Dex One + instead.

 

[rebrascora]

I have found that generally speaking the false low readings happen when the filament has been disturbed usually if I have caught the sensor on something and it hasn't come off but just enough to disturb the filament or if the adhesive is coming away on one side and again it allows a little movement, even if isn't anywhere near coming off but the filament gets pulled and then pushed back in causing it to kink a bit. That said, that is what I have found with Libre 2 and Libre but I haven't tried Libre 2+ yet. I will be continuing to use my arm strap and hopefully that will continue to protect the sensor from any filament disturbance which can lead to these issues.
Just curious if the application process is different at all with Libre 2+. I have it in my head that someone said Abbott had addressed the amount of plastic waste with the applicator of either Libre 2+ or Libre 3? Just wondering if it appears more or less identical or if perhaps they have introduced a weak link in the process by trying to reduce the environmental impact?

 

[mashedupmatt]

I have found that generally speaking the false low readings happen when the filament has been disturbed usually if I have caught the sensor on something and it hasn't come off but just enough to disturb the filament or if the adhesive is coming away on one side and again it allows a little movement, even if isn't anywhere near coming off but the filament gets pulled and then pushed back in causing it to kink a bit. That said, that is what I have found with Libre 2 and Libre but I haven't tried Libre 2+ yet. I will be continuing to use my arm strap and hopefully that will continue to protect the sensor from any filament disturbance which can lead to these issues.
Just curious if the application process is different at all with Libre 2+. I have it in my head that someone said Abbott had addressed the amount of plastic waste with the applicator of either Libre 2+ or Libre 3? Just wondering if it appears more or less identical or if perhaps they have introduced a weak link in the process by trying to reduce the environmental impact?

The application is exactly the same (i.e. loads of plastic) - even comes in the same box

 

[mashedupmatt]

@mashedupmatt, when the NICE Guidance Note NG17 was updated in mid 2022, one aspect was broadening the range of devices available overall. The other was giving a lot more leeway to GPs to prescribe different CGM options without needing to get direction from Consultants. Dexcom One and now One+ are in the same cost bracket as Libre 2, so it ought to be little more than a formality to get Dex One + instead.

I was looking something up regarding NHS costings on another thread, and thought I'd look the sensors up too


Dexcom One+ is quite a bit cheaper - £24.97 per sensor as opposed to £37.50 for a Libre 2+ (I'm surprised they're not swapping everyone on to them!)

 

[Lucyr]

Dexcom One+ is quite a bit cheaper - £24.97 per sensor as opposed to £37.50 for a Libre 2+ (I'm surprised they're not swapping everyone on to them!)

Dexcom one+ is 10 days. Freestyle 2+ is 15 days. 1.5 x 24.97 is 37.46, so only 4p cheaper than libre 2+. But also, dexcom only replace 3 knocked off ones per year whereas abbot dont seem to have a limit.

 

[Lucyr]

It’s the same reason that libre 2+ costs more per sensor than libre2. £35 divided by 14 multiplied by 15 is £37.50, so the same price.

 

[mashedupmatt]

Fair enough - good to know - thanks @Lucyr 🙂

 

[liver1047]

had 3 today in the post by the company for free,

 

[crl]

I self fund so can't afford to use the Freestyle Libre 2 all the time. I buy them for holidays and when my medication changes. Or when (like now) my blood sugar is creeping up. The Libre 2 is cheaper than the Libre 2 plus so I will try to 'stock up' before the Libre 2 goes.

 

[rebrascora]

I self fund so can't afford to use the Freestyle Libre 2 all the time. I buy them for holidays and when my medication changes. Or when (like now) my blood sugar is creeping up. The Libre 2 is cheaper than the Libre 2 plus so I will try to 'stock up' before the Libre 2 goes.

The Libre 2+ is slightly more expensive because it lasts an extra day. I am not sure you can buy the Libre 2 from Abbott anymore.

 

[Leadinglights]

I self fund so can't afford to use the Freestyle Libre 2 all the time. I buy them for holidays and when my medication changes. Or when (like now) my blood sugar is creeping up. The Libre 2 is cheaper than the Libre 2 plus so I will try to 'stock up' before the Libre 2 goes.

Have you been able to make some dietary changes which has improved your blood glucose levels based on your intermittent Libre use.
If not then it seems like a lot of money for little gain.

 

[crl]

Have you been able to make some dietary changes which has improved your blood glucose levels based on your intermittent Libre use.
If not then it seems like a lot of money for little gain.

Yes I have changed diet but its more a case of finding out things which put my BS up and avoiding them. I accept that my morning oats can put my BS up but I avoid carbs later in the day to compensate. I go to the gym and can literally watch my BS go down as I work out which motivates me to go. I can see the effects of a 'lazy day' on my BS the next day.

 

[Leadinglights]

Yes I have changed diet but its more a case of finding out things which put my BS up and avoiding them. I accept that my morning oats can put my BS up but I avoid carbs later in the day to compensate. I go to the gym and can literally watch my BS go down as I work out which motivates me to go. I can see the effects of a 'lazy day' on my BS the next day.

Many find they are more sensitive to carbs in the morning so tend to find they will increase blood glucose more then than at other times of the day so will have a low carb breakfast like Greek yoghurt and berries or eggs.
You may not have seen this link with some meal plans and recipes for a low carb approach, may be worth a look to give you some ideas, https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/

 

[Ford Prefect]

I saw this in my copy of Balance and it prompted me to join this forum (been occasionally using a different forum). In many ways I wish I'd never tried Libre. The first day, set the loss-of-signal alarm, but it was repeatedly triggering. Turned out that on my right arm (phone in left front pocket or to left of bed) it continually lost contact. Otherwise ok, so turned that off, and eventually gave up with the range alarms (in bed, I want a higher low level than it allows, otherwise it often does not let me recover before it claims below range, and it was wrecking my sleep).

With libre1 it was otherwise mostly ok (but often underread if fingerprick showed below about 5.8). With libre2 I've found the results very variable. It used to be that if I'd lost signal and had to scan it might record a level which later showed as above the trend line, but those readings above (or below) the trend line no longer show. At one point in the summer the sensors seemed to work really well, even on my right arm. Now, they are back to working really poorly in terms of keeping in contact with my phone (i.e. never keep contact).

Also, trying to access the log (android 14) takes increasing amounts of time, and it turned out that any notes I make in the log are not visible to my diabetes team.

My impression is that these sensors are of very variable quality.

 

[Ford Prefect]

Too many things to go wrong when you introduce a phone and app into the equation.
Love my reader. Small and simple and very dependable.

When I went on the intro course Abbott were extremely reluctant to supply readers. Unfortunately, having to keep looking at the phone, particularly i nthe "please try again in 10 minutes" episodes (needs a bit longer than 10 minutes, sometimes) encourages me to waste time looking at other things on my phone.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

My impression is that these sensors are of very variable quality.

Variable, but I find when they fail, they generally never really start working. So once they've lasted a couple of days there's a good chance they'll be OK for the whole 15.

However, some people some to find that Dexcom sensors work much better for them so it may be worth you trying those instead?

 

[mashedupmatt]

I saw this in my copy of Balance and it prompted me to join this forum (been occasionally using a different forum). In many ways I wish I'd never tried Libre. The first day, set the loss-of-signal alarm, but it was repeatedly triggering. Turned out that on my right arm (phone in left front pocket or to left of bed) it continually lost contact. Otherwise ok, so turned that off, and eventually gave up with the range alarms (in bed, I want a higher low level than it allows, otherwise it often does not let me recover before it claims below range, and it was wrecking my sleep).

With libre1 it was otherwise mostly ok (but often underread if fingerprick showed below about 5.8). With libre2 I've found the results very variable. It used to be that if I'd lost signal and had to scan it might record a level which later showed as above the trend line, but those readings above (or below) the trend line no longer show. At one point in the summer the sensors seemed to work really well, even on my right arm. Now, they are back to working really poorly in terms of keeping in contact with my phone (i.e. never keep contact).

Also, trying to access the log (android 14) takes increasing amounts of time, and it turned out that any notes I make in the log are not visible to my diabetes team.

My impression is that these sensors are of very variable quality.

Sadly, they are of varying quality and do seem to come in waves - I can have 10 in a row which are fine then bang, 3 out of the next 5 have to be replaced - that said, Abbott are very good at replacing them, and if they fail early, you can build up a good stockpile of them, whilst still ordering a couple per month on prescription! And I wouldn't want to go back to finger-pricking 10 times a day

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Unfortunately, having to keep looking at the phone, particularly i nthe "please try again in 10 minutes" episodes (needs a bit longer than 10 minutes, sometimes) encourages me to waste time looking at other things on my phone.

I use Juggluco (a third party unsupported app) which shows the BG on the Lock Screen. At least some of the time I can also see an arrow (though some of the time I can't, maybe because there's some day/night changes). But anyway, I bought a smart watch (basically for this purpose) and can use that now so my phone can stay on my desk or in my pocket.