• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Freestyle Libre 2+ - Recently diagnosed with type 2

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
H

Hanne

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Pronouns
She/Her
Hello,

I was diagnosed not long ago with type 2 and I am taking metformin once a day (with atorvastatin).

My cousin (type 1 most of her life) recommended trying the Freestyle Libre 2+, and I have just started my free trial today with the sensor on my arm. I am not entitled to it free on the NHS and would be self-funding.

I just have a question about disposal - I understand that the remainder of the applicator and the sensor (once used) both need to go into the sharps bin. How do I go about that? Can I go to a pharmacy and give it to them to dispose of? Can the remainder of the sensor once removed go into the normal bin?

Many thanks in advance!
 
Hi @Hanne, how are you getting on with the Libre? What are your thoughts on using the Libre long-term?

Re. disposal, the applicator which contains a needle, and the lid generally need to go into a sharps box. The used sensor should be disposed of as electrical waste (same batteries). See this link for info:
https://www.freestyle.abbott/uk-en/search.html?q=disposal

If you're thinking of using the Libre long-term, it might be worth investing in a sharps box - these can be bought relatively cheaply but once full, it's usually the local authorities responsibility to collect.
 
If you're just thinking of using the Libre just for the trial, perhaps you could use your cousin's sharps box to dispose of the applicator?
 
Hanne said:
Can I go to a pharmacy and give it to them to dispose of?
Click to expand...
No you can’t. You need to get a sharps bin or use someone else’s. Do you still have the applicator? It’s just the bit you pressed against your arm to insert the sensor that goes in a sharps bin, the rest goes in normal bin.
Hanne said:
Can the remainder of the sensor once removed go into the normal bin?
Click to expand...
No, the sensor (part stuck up to your arm) can’t go in the sharps bin or the normal bin because it contains a battery. You need to clean it eg with an alcohol wipe to remove any of your germs and can remove the adhesive, then dispose of it in battery disposal
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top