CGM Log (how long do they last, why do they fail)

S

SimonP

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
I thought it might be interesting/useful to log some information about how long my libre2s are lasting, and why they are failing. I assume it's not just me, but without more data it's quite hard to know. It might also be useful for those who self-fund to have a better understanding of how well the devices work (not just the libre, the more the merrier!)

I've added data available from when I started simply emailing the details to Abbott rather than sitting on the phone, but this does at least record all of the failures since then. Once I have a dig through the XDrip+ database I can add more sensors and durations/failure modes to the list (though no promises quite when I'll get round to this!)

I'll keep adding new sensors to the bottom as I use them.

Start DateEnd DateWorking DurationFailure causeSerial NumberStatusDevice locationNotes
~28/05/202404/06/2024~7 daysCalibration (reading low)3MH00YMMTFHRH outer arm "Bingo wing"
04/060202418/06/2024~14 daysNoneLH outer arm "Bingo wing"
18/06/202421/06/2024~3 daysBluetooth failure3MH00ZZU6P4RW8NEF5305RH outer arm "Bingo wing"
21/06/202405/07/2024 ??14 days ??NoneLH outer arm "Bingo wing"Assumed from gap
05/07/2024 ??19/07/202414 days ??NoneRH outer arm "Bingo wing"Assumed from gap
19/07/202401/08/2024~13 daysCalibration (reading low)LH outer arm "Bingo wing"
01/08/202408/08/2024~6 daysBluetooth failure3MH012EAWMWV1W9YM3227RH outer arm "Bingo wing"
08/08/202417/08/2024~9 daysCalibration (reading low)LH outer arm "Bingo wing"
17/08/202421/08/20243 daysBluetooth failure3MH013U4E8WTN42MVV857RH outer arm "Bingo wing"
21/08/202404/09/24~14 daysNoneRH outer arm "Bingo wing"
04/09/202418/09/2024~14 daysNone3MH0114W894LH outer arm "Bingo wing"
18/09/202421/09/2024~ 2 daysBluetooth failure3MH011W5Z04Q6A7GX78X4RH outer arm "Bingo wing"
21/09/202405/10/24~14 daysNone3MH011X050HLH outer arm "Bingo wing"Ended ~12h early; worked pretty well, especially good cal over the last few days
05/10/20243MH011DTVMWRH outer arm "Bingo wing"Current sensor
 
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I had one fail recently on day 12.... details below... Otherwise it is well over a year, possibly 2 since my last problem with a Libre sensor.

Failed 18th August on day 12 and just suddenly stopped giving readings during the night. All fine at bedtime but woke at 4.04am hypo and it wouldn't scan and said it had ended using both the reader and the phone app. Still VERY securely attached, so I don't think the filament could have dislodged. I use a reader as my primary device so I rely on NFC to scan to get readings, but it didn't alarm for the hypo either which would be BT so wonder if the battery had failed.
Serial number 3MH010RZGLD and error code 3,365P
It was replaced by Abbott without any problem, even though it only had a day and a half to go.
 
I am using Medtronic Guardian4 sensors which should last 7 days. As I am using it in a HCL it needs to be reliable and if the system is in any doubt it will ask me to make checks, which is irritating as it is usually at the mos pt inconvenient moments, but not unreasonable as it is doing most of the work of managing my diabetes for me.

I have had 4 out of 39 replaced because of :
  • Big bleed (1)
  • Fell off on insertion - no glue in tape (1)
  • Ended early (2)
These are always replaced for me. You can do this online or by phoning.

I am switching to Simplera sensors at the end of this month.
 
My list would be very boring I’m afraid. 6 failures (I think) in 6 years and none for over a year now. From memory:

3 ended early
2 signal loss which couldn’t be restored
1 never got going in the first place

Also 1or 2 lost on door frames etc but they were down to my own carelessness so I don’t consider it appropriate to ask for replacement.
 
JJay said:
My list would be very boring I’m afraid. 6 failures (I think) in 6 years and none for over a year now. From memory:

3 ended early
2 signal loss which couldn’t be restored
1 never got going in the first place

Also 1or 2 lost on door frames etc but they were down to my own carelessness so I don’t consider it appropriate to ask for replacement.
Click to expand...
Are these currently libre2s and presumably they were previously libre1s? How do you scan them? Mobile phone/Libre2 reader for CGM functionality with the libre2? Thanks.
 
SimonP said:
Are these currently libre2s and presumably they were previously libre1s? How do you scan them? Mobile phone/Libre2 reader for CGM functionality with the libre2? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Yes, Libre 1s initially, then moved to 2 when available. I’ve only ever used an iPhone to scan/CGM. Found the reader clunky and non-intuitive right from the off, plus I’ve no wish to be carrying extra tech around with me.
 
SimonP said:
I thought it might be interesting/useful to log some information about how long my libre2s are lasting, and why they are failing. I assume it's not just me, but without more data it's quite hard to know. It might also be useful for those who self-fund to have a better understanding of how well the devices work (not just the libre, the more the merrier!)

I've added data available from when I started simply emailing the details to Abbott rather than sitting on the phone, but this does at least record all of the failures since then. Once I have a dig through the XDrip+ database I can add more sensors and durations/failure modes to the list (though no promises quite when I'll get round to this!)

I'll keep adding new sensors to the bottom as I use them.

Start DateEnd DateWorking DurationFailure causeSerial NumberStatusDevice locationNotes
~28/05/202404/06/2024~7 daysCalibration (reading low)3MH00YMMTFHRH outer arm "Bingo wing"
04/060202418/06/2024~14 daysNoneLH outer arm "Bingo wing"
18/06/202421/06/2024~3 daysBluetooth failure3MH00ZZU6P4RW8NEF5305RH outer arm "Bingo wing"
21/06/202405/07/2024 ??14 days ??NoneLH outer arm "Bingo wing"Assumed from gap
05/07/2024 ??19/07/202414 days ??NoneRH outer arm "Bingo wing"Assumed from gap
19/07/202401/08/2024~13 daysCalibration (reading low)LH outer arm "Bingo wing"
01/08/202408/08/2024~6 daysBluetooth failure3MH012EAWMWV1W9YM3227RH outer arm "Bingo wing"
08/08/202417/08/2024~9 daysCalibration (reading low)LH outer arm "Bingo wing"
17/08/202421/08/20243 daysBluetooth failure3MH013U4E8WTN42MVV857RH outer arm "Bingo wing"
21/08/202404/09/24~14 daysNoneRH outer arm "Bingo wing"
04/09/202418/09/2024~14 daysNone3MH0114W894LH outer arm "Bingo wing"
18/09/202421/09/2024~ 2 daysBluetooth failure3MH011W5Z04Q6A7GX78X4RH outer arm "Bingo wing"
21/09/20243MH011X050HLH outer arm "Bingo wing"Current sensor
Click to expand...
I’ve been using Libre 2 for about 6 months and have had about 4 failures. They always replace but never seem to address the issues that I raise, the worst being that I frequently loose connection when the reading is crashing. This is worrying because it always gives the wait 10 minutes and try again message. Twice it’s come back with sub 3 readings!
 
PurpleTrout said:
I’ve been using Libre 2 for about 6 months and have had about 4 failures. They always replace but never seem to address the issues that I raise, the worst being that I frequently loose connection when the reading is crashing. This is worrying because it always gives the wait 10 minutes and try again message. Twice it’s come back with sub 3 readings!
Click to expand...
But the advice is to always test with a finger prick when BG is low.
 
PurpleTrout said:
I’ve been using Libre 2 for about 6 months and have had about 4 failures. They always replace but never seem to address the issues that I raise, the worst being that I frequently loose connection when the reading is crashing. This is worrying because it always gives the wait 10 minutes and try again message. Twice it’s come back with sub 3 readings!
Click to expand...
Fast positive and negative rates of change make mine go offline (and perform a recal as it will sometimes no longer have an offset when it comes back online) - I assume they don't expect this sort of BG trend so assume there may be a failure. In an ideal world this would be the case, but not always in my world....
 
I’ve only used 4 so far
had 2 replaced by Abbot

First one
was having connection issues
although as it was the first one I’ve ever used it might’ve been me not having everything fully switched on on my phone (possibly) anyway when I phoned Abbot
for more for advice than to moan, they asked me the error codes
and explained where these were stored in the app,
then said they would send me a replacement FOC.

I then had one fail last week
(late in the evening) it simply lost connection and wouldn’t re-connect
after an hour of trying to reconnect every 10 minutes it said it needs replacement
I reported it to Abbot (via their on-line reporting) they emailed me next day and sent a replacement
 
I think I’ve only had 4-5 errors since March 2020. And apart from the most recent libre 2 plus failures they all happened as soon as I put it on, either bent, didn’t stick or errored straight away.
I’ve knocked a few off but that’s user error not device error.
Odd you’ve had so many. They just don’t like some peoples bodies.
 
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