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Freestyle libre 2+
- Thread starter Samr68
- Start date
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Hi. I think skin prep (degreased either by washing or alcohol wipe and thoroughly drying) is probably the single most important aspect of keeping them on and placement on the arm in a location that doesn't flex too much.
After that I find an adjustable arm strap is really helpful particularly straight after application when the adhesive is probably at it's most vulnerable. Applying at night before bed is also probably helpful so it has all night to adhere before it is exposed to any knocks or pulls from clothing.... unless you toss and turn a lot at night.
I got my arm strap off ebay but they are available from other platforms and it consists of what looks like a plastic watch face surround which fits perfectly around the circumference of the sensor and an adjustable elastic strap to keep it snugly in place. They come in a wide range of colours from skin tone through pastels to loud and proud neons. I have been using one for 4 years and the only time I lost a sensor during that time was when it broke and I didn't get a replacement straight away, so I wasn't using one. Well worth the £8.95 investment in my opinion and no nasty sticky marks from them, plus they are of course reusable, so probably better for the environment than stickers.
One of the benefits I found was the visual prompt especially in she shower because I have been known to be having a vigorous scrub in a hot shower and forget which arm the sensor is on and scrub it half off whereas the strap acts as an obvious reminder.
After that I find an adjustable arm strap is really helpful particularly straight after application when the adhesive is probably at it's most vulnerable. Applying at night before bed is also probably helpful so it has all night to adhere before it is exposed to any knocks or pulls from clothing.... unless you toss and turn a lot at night.
I got my arm strap off ebay but they are available from other platforms and it consists of what looks like a plastic watch face surround which fits perfectly around the circumference of the sensor and an adjustable elastic strap to keep it snugly in place. They come in a wide range of colours from skin tone through pastels to loud and proud neons. I have been using one for 4 years and the only time I lost a sensor during that time was when it broke and I didn't get a replacement straight away, so I wasn't using one. Well worth the £8.95 investment in my opinion and no nasty sticky marks from them, plus they are of course reusable, so probably better for the environment than stickers.
One of the benefits I found was the visual prompt especially in she shower because I have been known to be having a vigorous scrub in a hot shower and forget which arm the sensor is on and scrub it half off whereas the strap acts as an obvious reminder.
John Gray
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
After using an isopropyl alcohol wipe, I find that the Libre 2+ sensors stick like glue (err...!) to my arm, and have to be (almost literally) ripped off my upper arm requiring considerable force after the statutory 15 days of affixing.
I also use the Kovoq white plastic cover, covered in turn by its circular 'waterproof' elastoplast-like fabric cover, which helps prevent inadvertent sensor detachment by careless T-shirt removal.
Abbott say not to put anything on top of the Libre 2+ sensor, but a cynical view is that, with that advice, they will end up selling more sensors!
I also use the Kovoq white plastic cover, covered in turn by its circular 'waterproof' elastoplast-like fabric cover, which helps prevent inadvertent sensor detachment by careless T-shirt removal.
Abbott say not to put anything on top of the Libre 2+ sensor, but a cynical view is that, with that advice, they will end up selling more sensors!
As they appear to replace sensors that are removed early, I think "careless t-shirt removal" is likely to result in more being given away rather than more being sold.
I do not use any covering nor do I use alcohol wipe. For me, the important thing is placement - somewhere that does not bend or flex and someone out of the temptation of careless t-shirts. Since working this out, I haven't lost a sensor for years even when it is hot and sticky.