Faulty Libre Sensor

[TotallyAverage]

Hi all, I put a Libre sensor on this morning that appears to be broken, it is just reading LO continuously, with the odd jump up to 9 and back down. I know that readings tend to be off within the first 24hrs but this seems completely broken. I want to put a new one on but since I get them on prescription the amount I can get is strictly rationed meaning I will run out and be left sensor-less for 2 weeks. Should I put a new one on and contact Abbott and see if they will replace it?

 

[Sally71]

I would contact Abbott first, they are pretty good at replacing faulty ones though. Then if they say they will replace it put a new one on.

 

[Kaylz]

I'd give it the 24 hours Abbott like you to give a new sensor, you'll have to wait until Monday now though if you do need to report it but the fact it is actually spiking means it isn't totally inactive and there may be hope for it yet

Have you leant on it a lot? Are you well hydrated?
xx

 

[TotallyAverage]

I put it on the same as I have done all the others, the only difference this time was it bled a whole lot through the bit in the middle. I haven't leant on it or knocked it or anything that I know of. The problem is like you say, I won't be able to get it replaced until Monday, and also I have run out of test strips and won't be able to get those until Monday either, potentially leaving me totally blind for over 24 hours which is extremely stressful for me.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Should I put a new one on and contact Abbott and see if they will replace it?

I would. Some people used to say the first 24 hours weren't reliable, but I found that (apart from one, which read LO overnight) they all worked fine, and they've since changed the algorithm a bit so it should be more accurate early on.

 

[TotallyAverage]

I would. Some people used to say the first 24 hours weren't reliable, but I found that (apart from one, which read LO overnight) they all worked fine, and they've since changed the algorithm a bit so it should be more accurate early on.

Exactly, I've had them be a bit off for the first day before but this is totally different. It was spiking up and down ridiculously when I put it on but for the last 3 hours it has read LO.

 

[Kaylz]

If push came to shove you'd just have to replace it and hope Abbott replaced it, I cant stress enough though that you really shouldn't allow yourself to run out of strips at anytime even with having the Libre and also at this time when we're being told to make sure we have plenty of supplies, you could ring 111 and have an emergency prescription done for test strips if you can get to any chemists that would be open, they would advise where this would be xx

 

[MrDaibetes]

I'd follow up with what Kaylz said. You should be able to get an emergency prescription I would ring out of hours doctors though and they will send it to a chemist that is open on Sunday.

Bleeders tend to also be more accurate but I'd wait it out for 24 hours and see what happens in the next 12/24 hours.
How do you know you're not low if you are not fingerpricking?

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Exactly, I've had them be a bit off for the first day before but this is totally different. It was spiking up and down ridiculously when I put it on but for the last 3 hours it has read LO.

I suspect that sometimes there's physical problem and the sensor probe bit doesn't get inserted correctly or gets dislodged as the applicator is removed or something.

 

[TotallyAverage]

I know it was super dumb to run out of testing strips, I thought I would have enough to last until Monday (when my prescription will be ready) but my GP takes 7 days to process prescriptions plus I'm only allowed one box at a time and its strictly controlled when I'm allowed to order them, so if I mess up or am a day late or something I end up not having enough. I should clarify I was able to fingerprick over the course of today which is how I know the sensor is wrong, but due to the increased amount I've had to test I ran out of strips this afternoon. It's just unfortunate all of this has happened on a weekend or I would be able to go get them.

 

[rebrascora]

An emergency prescription might flag up with the GP surgery that their policy in restricting test strips is not cost effective!
That said I am the woman who self funds more test strips because my surgery don't provide enough and now self funding Libre even though my consultant has sanctioned it's prescription, so it is a case of do as I say, not as I do!

 

[SB2015]

I put it on the same as I have done all the others, the only difference this time was it bled a whole lot through the bit in the middle. I haven't leant on it or knocked it or anything that I know of. The problem is like you say, I won't be able to get it replaced until Monday, and also I have run out of test strips and won't be able to get those until Monday either, potentially leaving me totally blind for over 24 hours which is extremely stressful for me.

Abbott will replace a gulag sensor. Take three comparative readings as they will ask for these.

I have found that bleeders are usually some of the more accurate sensors, so I don’t think it will be the fact that it bled. Just a faulty one.

 

[trophywench]

Where in the NICE Guidelines for prescribing a Libre are the words but if doing so you MUST ALSO SEVERELY RESTRiCT ACCESS TO TEST STRIPS. If they don't say that then the GPs are not authorised to do it!

 

[TotallyAverage]

Where in the NICE Guidelines for prescribing a Libre are the words but if doing so you MUST ALSO SEVERELY RESTRiCT ACCESS TO TEST STRIPS. If they don't say that then the GPs are not authorised to do it!

I wish @trophywench, seems GPs missed the memo that says you still need to fingerprick with the Libre for calibration, to double-check hypos/hypers etc. I think they see it as a complete replacement for fingerpricking.

 

[trophywench]

So - do either of you also receive treatment/advice from a hospital D clinic? If so, request them to write to GP to NOT restrict them.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

I think they see it as a complete replacement for fingerpricking.

Obviously it isn't. The instructions on use of it definitely say that there are some circumstances where you must use test strips. With any luck a discussion with the GP should clear it up (I'm sure a lot just don't fully understand about this).

It is true that (at least usually) they can reasonably assume you'll need to use fewer test strips. Not none, though.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I suspect that sometimes there's physical problem and the sensor probe bit doesn't get inserted correctly or gets dislodged as the applicator is removed or something.

That’s just what I was going to say Bruce.

I’ve called Medtronic before about their sensors, and have had them replaced where the filament didn’t insert as expected.

Abbott are generally very good at replacing dodgy sensors.

I know that there is an expectation that strip use will be reduced where Libre is prescribed (as part of the cost-effectiveness calculation) but also that some BG strips will still be needed - not least because Abbott and Libre’s instructions tell you when you should check with a BG strip!