Freestyle libre….. falling off!

[Bluedido]

Hi All
i am a woman of a certain age and lately due to night sweats, my sensor is falling off….. although Abbott diabetes replace the sensor they cannot help with it staying in place….. does anyone have any tips? I also spoke to my pharmacy about any products they may have but they couldn’t suggest anything either.
cheers

 

[helli]

The tips I have read are
- make sure you place the sensor on a flat part of your arm. Somewhere that doesn't bend like close to muscle definition.
- ensure your skin is not greasy before applying it. Abbott used to include alcohol wipes in the box to wipe of any moisturiser or anything left from your shower gel/soap but they don't any more. These are inexpensive to purchase from eBay/Amazon.
- have you tried SkinTac? This comes as a wipe which makes you skin tacky and the sensor is more likely to stay in place.
- some people place a Tegaderm "plaster" over the top of their sensors to hold it in place.
- you can purchase 3D printed arm bands to hold the sensors in place. If you search eBay for "Freestyle Libre" quite a few come up for around £5.
- although not officially approved, you could place your sensor somewhere else other than your arm. I know some people place them on their legs or chest.

I hope your night sweats, etc. are not too bad. Because the other way of approaching this is to discuss that with your GP to see if that can be reduced.

Good luck with finding a solution.

 

[rebrascora]

I use an arm strap to keep my sensor in place (see link below) and I love it for the increased security/support it provides, but HRT has made an enormous difference to quality of life/sleep and a whole raft of other benefits, so maybe consider asking about that to deal with the issue. I struggled/battled with menopause symptoms for 5 years before asking about HRT and almost overnight it revolutionized my life. I just use the patches and I can manage on just half a patch every 3-4 days with no side effects but all the benefits.... OK maybe an occasional itch at the patch site, but that is it. It blows my mind how a tiny patch of clear plastic, which is obviously impregnated with hormone, can have such a massive positive impact on my life and I am so grateful to those who developed it and my GP for prescribing it. Even if it shortened my life by 5 years although there is nothing to suggest it will, it would be worth it for the improved quality of life for me.

Freestyle Libre Sensor Armband Holder Guardian Keeps your sensor on many colours | eBay UK

Created using professional 3D printing techniques, this new Libre holder boasts a truly ergonomic design and great aesthetics. It provides unrivalled protection for your sensor, allowing you to undertake all of your daily tasks without worrying about the safety of your device.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[helli]

@Bluedido, you seem to have posted this thread twice.
The other thread has some answers.
Maybe @everydayupsanddowns you could merge the threads?

 

[nonethewiser]

Despite what anyone might say clean skin with alcohol wipe & allow to dry before applying, box of 100 wipes on Amazon is around £3 with p&p.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

You can also use skintac

 

[MarkGeordie]

Despite what anyone might say clean skin with alcohol wipe & allow to dry before applying, box of 100 wipes on Amazon is around £3 with p&p.

I do that but still have trouble with them staying on and have to use something to go over it to hold it in place.

 

[helli]

This is what I posted on the other thread

The tips I have read are
- make sure you place the sensor on a flat part of your arm. Somewhere that doesn't bend like close to muscle definition.
- ensure your skin is not greasy before applying it. Abbott used to include alcohol wipes in the box to wipe of any moisturiser or anything left from your shower gel/soap but they don't any more. These are inexpensive to purchase from eBay/Amazon.
- have you tried SkinTac? This comes as a wipe which makes you skin tacky and the sensor is more likely to stay in place.
- some people place a Tegaderm "plaster" over the top of their sensors to hold it in place.
- you can purchase 3D printed arm bands to hold the sensors in place. If you search eBay for "Freestyle Libre" quite a few come up for around £5.
- although not officially approved, you could place your sensor somewhere else other than your arm. I know some people place them on their legs or chest.

I hope your night sweats, etc. are not too bad. Because the other way of approaching this is to discuss that with your GP to see if that can be reduced.

Good luck with finding a solution.

 

[Bluedido]

I use an arm strap to keep my sensor in place (see link below) and I love it for the increased security/support it provides, but HRT has made an enormous difference to quality of life/sleep and a whole raft of other benefits, so maybe consider asking about that to deal with the issue. I struggled/battled with menopause symptoms for 5 years before asking about HRT and almost overnight it revolutionized my life. I just use the patches and I can manage on just half a patch every 3-4 days with no side effects but all the benefits.... OK maybe an occasional itch at the patch site, but that is it. It blows my mind how a tiny patch of clear plastic, which is obviously impregnated with hormone, can have such a massive positive impact on my life and I am so grateful to those who developed it and my GP for prescribing it. Even if it shortened my life by 5 years although there is nothing to suggest it will, it would be worth it for the improved quality of life for me.

Freestyle Libre Sensor Armband Holder Guardian Keeps your sensor on many colours | eBay UK

Created using professional 3D printing techniques, this new Libre holder boasts a truly ergonomic design and great aesthetics. It provides unrivalled protection for your sensor, allowing you to undertake all of your daily tasks without worrying about the safety of your device.

www.ebay.co.uk

Omg….. that’s amazing! I have used libre for 3 years and didn’t know you could buy arm straps….. thank you so much.

 

[Bluedido]

T

This is what I posted on the other thread

The tips I have read are
- make sure you place the sensor on a flat part of your arm. Somewhere that doesn't bend like close to muscle definition.
- ensure your skin is not greasy before applying it. Abbott used to include alcohol wipes in the box to wipe of any moisturiser or anything left from your shower gel/soap but they don't any more. These are inexpensive to purchase from eBay/Amazon.
- have you tried SkinTac? This comes as a wipe which makes you skin tacky and the sensor is more likely to stay in place.
- some people place a Tegaderm "plaster" over the top of their sensors to hold it in place.
- you can purchase 3D printed arm bands to hold the sensors in place. If you search eBay for "Freestyle Libre" quite a few come up for around £5.
- although not officially approved, you could place your sensor somewhere else other than your arm. I know some people place them on their legs or chest.

I hope your night sweats, etc. are not too bad. Because the other way of approaching this is to discuss that with your GP to see if that can be reduced.

Good luck with finding a solution.

Thank you!
I am going to buy an arm strap plus the skintac you have recommended….. My night sweats are pretty bad, due to my age and also a side effect some medication I take. All advice very much appreciate.

 

[Bluedido]

@Bluedido, you seem to have posted this thread twice.
The other thread has some answers.
Maybe @everydayupsanddowns you could merge the threads?

Oops! I posted it again as couldn’t see my first post..… I’m new to this, thanks for letting me know.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Oops! I posted it again as couldn’t see my first post..… I’m new to this, thanks for letting me know.

I’ve merged the threads for you 🙂