Announcement for all Libre 2 users!

[mashedupmatt]

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.

Same here - Juggluco does all the alarms too and also sends to my watch

 

[rebrascora]

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.

When I first started using Libre I was self funding and it was the original Libre and I am not sure if the app had been released then or if it was simply because I didn't have a compatible smart phone, but I bought the reader as part of the introductory pack and when they phased the original Libre out and replaced it with the Libre 2, they sent me a Libre 2 reader to replace the original one I bought, so I then had the alarm feature on my reader.

Personally I think it is crazy that they don't encourage more people to use the readers because they are far more reliable than all the various phones people use and the vagaries of the app itself and I am sure that there is nothing wrong with a large portion of sensors which are sent back as defective, but rather an issue with the user's phone or the app. in many cases. I appreciate that you can't get full CGM on the reader but personally that doesn't bother me at all as I am happy to scan and the reader is so small and convenient to use.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Personally I think it is crazy that they don't encourage more people to use the readers because they are far more reliable than all the various phones people use and the vagaries of the app itself

I suspect the sensors and apps are reliable enough and we're just seeing a skewed sample. I am a bit surprised they don't continue selling the Readers; they're quite nice BG (and Ketone) meters (with a bolus calculator, when you use test strips).

 

[goodybags]

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

your right they can fail kind of out the blue, today my last current sensor would’ve expired but yesterday morning it continuously lost its connection and so it was replaced
wasn’t going to report that one as I’ve had a few replaced recently, however when I spoke to Abbott regarding something else they said they would replace it so I think that one will be delivered tomorrow

 

[Martin62]

I picked up my prescription today and have been switched to the libre 2 plus. And at my request both my insulins have been switched to cartridges from pre - filled pens.

 

[Proud to be erratic]

I suspect the sensors and apps are reliable enough and we're just seeing a skewed sample. I am a bit surprised they don't continue selling the Readers; they're quite nice BG (and Ketone) meters (with a bolus calculator, when you use test strips).

I was of that view (skewed perspective), until yesterday when I had a face to face with my Endo. We were discussing the merits of Libre vs Dexcom One/G7. She said in the middle of the year the DSN helpline and mailbox was deluged after numerous patients were trying to find a solution because they had Libre app failures and consequently various requests for extra Libre packs as well as change to Dexcom. They eventually had to take the hard-nosed position of telling patients to revert to finger pricking, since the Libre problems were outside of their control. We also briefly discussed the current shift of patients getting CGM almost straightaway and thus don't have any real experience of managing by finger pricking alone; particularly interpreting their spot checks..

Barbara, @rebrascora, my Consultant was keen to discourage the use of Readers, because when new patients on CGM, with Readers only, phoned or messaged asking for DSN help - the DSNs found they couldn't see the web based LibreLink or Clarity quickly and simply straightaway. So the Hospital team's workload was increased as a result. We then talked about the advantage to Patients by having a Reader. My Endo's personal position was that she was happy to prescribe a Reader as well, for the belt and braces benefit; but the ICB was unhappy about the cost consequences and then she had extra work making a business case for Readers for each patient when necessary, as well as encouraging patients to use the apps. This sort of brings the topic around to @Docb's comments on finding a "balance" amidst the pros and cons of anything!

 

[Author23]

Libre 2+ started off working brilliantly but have sadly got worse (for me!) - sent 5 back in the last 3 months and they show very low (and incorrect) readings in the last couple of days of use - real-time reading as of now is 3.6 but finger prick is 8.2 - I'm due to change mine in 2 days time, but will change it in the morning (and get yet another replacement) - will be switchiing my phone off tonight too to stop the ridiculous low alarms (Not advised though people!)

I have just come on to ask about the discrepancy - this one is a whopping TEN points out - I had no idea. I've worked SO hard to lower my HbA1c, made myself super miserable (as it is I hate food because of the needles. I get zero pleasure from eating). I can usually tell if I have a hypo - my readings did agree last night with the fingerprick and libre reading ... but today it's been 10 points out ... that's scary. Now I'm really worried about my HbA1c. If I've done all this for nothing, and this one (on Thursday) hasn't come down, that will be too much. I will have done all this for nothing. I guess I just have to tough it out a few days longer. Thinking of changing my sensor (this one is loose anyway). Absolutely gutted - I emphatically don't want to go back to finger prick ... I have a couple of other conditions (I won't go into it as it's not relevant) that make the needles (even on the lowest one) extremely painful. Hope you get yours sorted out. I only recently discovered I should finger prick if I feel different from what the readings would indicate. Why are you not told these things?! I had a lovely DSN - I actually trust her (I have a HUGE issue with trusting anyone in the medical profession as they have let me down very badly over the years so for her to win my trust was massive!). Everything went well but the doctor I saw on New Year's Eve accidentally switched me to the hospital DSN. He started me on carb counting - now I have nobody to ask when I have questions (and I have a gazillion of them ... I have a ROUGH idea what to do but not confident).

I know that the libre measures interstitial fluid and there is a time lag (which I was told was 2.6 minutes ... but I was very surprised to see it was 10 points higher than the libre said!

 

[rebrascora]

If the sensor has come loose, then that will likely be why it is reading low. Once the filament is disturbed, there is usually a steady downward trend into the red. Contact Abbott tomorrow and explain what has happened and they will likely send you a replacement.

I use an arm strap now to protect my sensors and it has put an end to the sensors coming loose and if I catch them on anything like clothing or door frames, the arm band usually takes the hit and the elastic pings but the Libre in left intact. It also acts as a visual reminder in the shower when I am having a good scrub and forget which arm it is on/to be careful of.

 

[AA101]

For all Libre 2 users, please see the news article below:

FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors will be phased out and replaced with FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus

The FreeStyle Libr

www.diabetes.org.uk

You can't use IOS 18 on a new apple device with it because abbot prefer to risk everyone's cyber security

 

[Robin]

You can't use IOS 18 on a new apple device with it because abbot prefer to risk everyone's cyber security

I thought the problem was just that you had to make sure you hadn't inadvertently locked or hidden the App? I’m sure people on here are using IOs 18 and beyond, though there has been some discussion on 18.3, I know.

Android 15 and iOS 18 updates could impact FreeStyle Libre apps usage, Abbott advises

If you do not download the new iOS 18 or Android 15 updates, or you use the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader to monitor your glucose levels, then you will not be affected. Android 15 update The Android 15 update is not yet fully available to all Android phones. It is expected to become for Pixel...

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

[AA101]

I thought the problem was just that you had to make sure you hadn't inadvertently locked or hidden the App? I’m sure people on here are using IOs 18 and beyond, though there has been some discussion on 18.3, I know.

Android 15 and iOS 18 updates could impact FreeStyle Libre apps usage, Abbott advises

If you do not download the new iOS 18 or Android 15 updates, or you use the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader to monitor your glucose levels, then you will not be affected. Android 15 update The Android 15 update is not yet fully available to all Android phones. It is expected to become for Pixel...

www.diabetes.org.uk

I had it out with Abbott over the phone as I've returned 5 sensors that did not work then the very helpful call handler went through everything and finally said ahh you are running IOS 18:2 we are not compatible with that, that is why your sensors don't work. There are some facebook reports that IOS18 is working with libre 3. But nothing from Abbott that I can find. Latest Abbott guidance below.

 

[Lucyr]

You can't use IOS 18 on a new apple device with it because abbot prefer to risk everyone's cyber security

Working fine on latest iOS

 

[Merluza]

I'm using it successfully with iOS18.3, as are many of us. I skipped 18.2 so it's possible that that one didn't work but it seems unlikely, Apple only tweaks the OS in these subsets. Abbott really aren't on top of this and should/need to be more hands on about checking that their product works and updating their app faster so that it does. It would also be helpful if they could issue information to users quickly. We all get some info from them from time to time so they know who and where we are but they are completely useless when it comes to keeping us up to date.

The next Apple upgrade is likely to be a significant one because of the advent of AI, could be 18.4 but may be 19, so let's be careful out there.