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

@Merluza sorry to hear you're also having problems - no, not yet, I do wonder if the calibration issues are due to sensor/placement and the sensor becoming damaged almost immediately.

While many of the sensors appear to have lasted a reasonable time before failing with a calibration error in the table above, I usually give them an extra day even if they are massively faulty (partly because I don't always remember to do a calibration blood test so am probably running high without realising it, and partly to see if it sorts itself out) and if they are not massively off (e.g. perhaps "only" 3mmol/l) and especially if they are reading higher rather than lower, then XDrip+ can still calibrate them and make them useful.

I'm not sure about the comms failures, but I'm now avoiding scanning the sensor at all if it goes offline to see if that improves matters (perhaps there's some issue with the non-official app, or perhaps it's an issue with my phone cooking the sensor, dunno, but will continue updating the table above 🙂)
 
There’s nothing beats having your phone shouting at you that your BS is tanking and then finding that a finger prick says 5.6. I usually end up turning the sound off when this gets too much.

There are so many variables that it’s impossible to know if it’s the sensor that is duff or something that happened when it was applied, I wonder how much of the problem is user error but you can take the utmost care and it still seems a bit of a lottery as to how well it works or if it fails. It’s a pity that Abbott don’t share whatever findings they get from returns but I expect this is commercially sensitive.

I think your keeping a record is very good and it will be interesting to see how it goes. If I can get myself organised I’ll have a shot at doing it.
 
The annoyance/danger is that if you don't keep up with doing calibration blood tests you might end up running 5mmol/l higher than expected for a week or more before realising.

As you say it would be useful to know more about their post-returns analysis (even if that is simply to say they don't know). I do wonder if the calibration issue is to do with insufficient body fat. I can't think where else to place the sensor on my arm though where there might be any more (for my very first sensor I placed it directly on the back of my tricep as per the instructions and goodness me did it hurt!)

Perhaps I need to eat more (or move the sensor somewhere else). See paper linked here: https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/board...an-inaccurate-cgm-sensor.114150/#post-1381204
 
On the other hand, I've been using Libre since it first came out, self funding until I could get them on prescription and they have been extraordinarily spot on (within 0.5mmol) for me. A couple have got knocked off - or I have been over-enthusiastic with suntan cream. But on the whole they are accurate and stick well. I am one of the lucky ones I think.
 
SimonP said:
The annoyance/danger is that if you don't keep up with doing calibration blood tests you might end up running 5mmol/l higher than expected for a week or more before realising.

As you say it would be useful to know more about their post-returns analysis (even if that is simply to say they don't know). I do wonder if the calibration issue is to do with insufficient body fat. I can't think where else to place the sensor on my arm though where there might be any more (for my very first sensor I placed it directly on the back of my tricep as per the instructions and goodness me did it hurt!)

Perhaps I need to eat more (or move the sensor somewhere else). See paper linked here: https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/board...an-inaccurate-cgm-sensor.114150/#post-1381204
Click to expand...
I've heard about people putting the sensors on their tummy, same area used to inject. I've pondered about trying that myself as I have the same issue as you with not much subcutaneous fat in my arms. For the time being sensors seem to behave OK, so haven't felt sufficiently curious.
 
Carlos said:
I've heard about people putting the sensors on their tummy, same area used to inject. I've pondered about trying that myself as I have the same issue as you with not much subcutaneous fat in my arms.
Click to expand...
Remember to fingerprick for driving if using a sensor in an unapproved location
 
I think you are being too kind to libre! I'm not sure how it could be user error is you are applying in an approved site.
Try a dexcom! (other cgms are available)
Theres enough annoyances with diabetes without your cgm adding to them!
 
Tdm said:
I think you are being too kind to libre! I'm not sure how it could be user error is you are applying in an approved site.
Click to expand...
I have had issues with insufficient fat in an approved site. You need at least 5mm.
I had to move my site away from my muscles.
 
Where do you put your sensors now @helli ? It's a shame they don't make this a bit clearer on their instructions (I never had anyone comment on the requirement when I went for my trial, for example, which is a bit rubbish.) I did once upon a time see a picture/diagram showing potential locations to place sensors (not just the official ones, but ones that people had used that worked reasonably well - i.e. without ripping them off, etc.), does anyone know if that was on this forum? I will do some searching.

@Tdm while I read that there are some potential advantages to the Dexcom, I assume the same issue of bodyfat in the right location will still hold true so that might be a case jumping out of the proverbial pan! I'll bear it in mind though - I assume I'll have to move onto the libre2+ shortly, so will see how that goes first.
 
SimonP said:
Where do you put your sensors now @helli ? It's a shame they don't make this a bit clearer on their instructions (I never had anyone comment on the requirement when I went for my trial, for example, which is a bit rubbish.) I did once upon a time see a picture/diagram showing potential locations to place sensors (not just the official ones, but ones that people had used that worked reasonably well - i.e. without ripping them off, etc.), does anyone know if that was on this forum? I will do some searching.

@Tdm while I read that there are some potential advantages to the Dexcom, I assume the same issue of bodyfat in the right location will still hold true so that might be a case jumping out of the proverbial pan! I'll bear it in mind though - I assume I'll have to move onto the libre2+ shortly, so will see how that goes first.
Click to expand...
I'm on my second 2+, and other than it lasting a day longer I haven't noticed any difference with the 2.
 
Carlos said:
I'm on my second 2+, and other than it lasting a day longer I haven't noticed any difference with the 2.
Click to expand...
Yes the only real difference is the extra day, although I think I did read someone saying the Libra2Plus will be more accurate than the Libra2 was
 
Interesting that they reference the user manual as proof of improved accuracy, but don't provide a link to it, nor could I easily find any way to download a user manual for the libre2+ (I could find odds and sods for the libre3). Not the end of the world and I could look harder, but why not make it easy I wonder by making the reference a hyperlink....?

Anyway, I think I'll cross the first bridge, which is moving across to the libre2+ in the near future (one assumes at least, I've heard nothing from my GP/pharmacy about the libre2 being EOL) and ensure it all still works with Juggluco and in the meantime not NFC scan the sensor more than once.

I'll continue updating the table above with my progress.
 
SimonP said:
Anyway, I think I'll cross the first bridge, which is moving across to the libre2+ in the near future (one assumes at least, I've heard nothing from my GP/pharmacy about the libre2 being EOL) and ensure it all still works with Juggluco and in the meantime not NFC scan the sensor more than once.
Click to expand...
If you want to switch just ask GP to change your prescription. I’m changing on my next sensor, just using my last libre 2 first. I just wrote a note and stuck in the prescription request box asking for the change and explaining that 2+ lasts 15 days so is same cost per day.
 
SimonP said:
Where do you put your sensors now @helli
Click to expand...
I put my sensor on my upper arm. I try to put it as high as possible so it is not visible in short sleeves and as far back as I can so I don't lie on it. But this was too close to my shoulder where I am muscley and lean.
If I place it slightly lower down but not in my bicep it works fine.
 
'while I read that there are some potential advantages to the Dexcom, I assume the same issue of bodyfat in the right location will still hold true so that might be a case jumping out of the proverbial pan! I'll bear it in mind though - I assume I'll have to move onto the libre2+ shortly, so will see how that goes first.'

The dexcom goes in at an angle (about 45 degrees), whereas libre goes in at 90 degrees, so its possible dexcom needs less fat.
Also you can use the tummy (authorised site) for dexcom, whilst libre is only autborised for back of the arm.
 
@SimonP thank you for taking the time to provide this detailed analysis of your sensor performance. I’ve only been on Libre 2+ for a little less than 3 months, so am on sensor #6, and have had Bluetooth failures with 2 of those 6 (signal loss alarm/rescan/signal loss 3 minutes later). I’m type 2 so haven’t bothered calibrating vs fingerprick but the quality control on these devices seems to be .

Abbot had the cheek to tell me after my last complaint that I was using an incomplete OS (iOS 18.5, they’ve only certified up to iOS 18.3!).

I think I’ll be looking for GP to prescribe a different brand.
 
You're very welcome, I'm glad it's useful.

It also allows me to log the data somewhere to avoid making (somewhat) derogatory comments based on gut feel - this way I can base them on actual results (which are perhaps not quite as bad as I remember, but not great!)
 
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