FreeStyle Libre Sensors falling off!

[SB2015]

Since having had the two fall out I now always put tape over. I have a Tegaderm ready for a forthcoming holiday where there is a pool at the hotel, so will be in and out of water, and certainly don't want the sensor falling out. At the price we are staying I can't afford for it to fall out.

I shall be going through doors very carefully now that I have a sensor on. Factually I have two in as I want an overlap of two days before activating the new one. When the warning of the sensor finishes in two days I put the new one in so that I can allow the 48 hour settling in before activation.

 

[HOBIE]

Is that what the cheeky monkey use ? DL

 

[Diabeticliberty]

Is that what the cheeky monkey use ? DL

Gimme a banana and I'll tell you

 

[85mel]

I don't find Micropore tape sticks very well at all. We use Tegaderm, you can buy it at the chemist. They are like patches, you just peel the backing off and stick it over the top of the sensor. That sticks it pretty firmly and usually lasts the whole two weeks. It gives it some extra waterproof protection when swimming too, my daughter was in the pool for a whole hour last night (the sensors are only supposed to be waterproof for 30 mins max) and we had no problems and no gaps in the graph. It didn't stop her dislodging one when she walked into a door though

Would you be willing to sell me a couple of tegaderm - they seem very expensive and I am reluctant to shell out even more money til I know I can get 2 weeks out of a senser!

 

[SB2015]

I know the Tegaderm is expensive, but compared to wasting a sensor I think it is worth the extra cost. I manage with Micropore, with extra bits over the top as necessary, unless I have plans for swimming. It survives and keeps the sensor in. Tegaderm comes into play when there is a pool available where we are staying and I shall be in and out of a pool on a daily basis.

 

[HOBIE]

I can't remember the last time I walked into a door, but it seems to affect a lot of people wearing Libre sensors - is this something we should be concerned about and highlight to Abbott? 😱 😉

They might be putting them in the wrong place (covering eyes ?) Sorry !

 

[85mel]

I know the Tegaderm is expensive, but compared to wasting a sensor I think it is worth the extra cost. I manage with Micropore, with extra bits over the top as necessary, unless I have plans for swimming. It survives and keeps the sensor in. Tegaderm comes into play when there is a pool available where we are staying and I shall be in and out of a pool on a daily basis.

I understand that - but if possible I would like to try with a couple of tegaderm before committing to £50 packet of it! I swim a lot, and i've only had the libra 11 days - my first senser fell off after 9!

 

[SB2015]

I hope that you can find a source or equivalent that is cheaper

 

[AndBreathe]

I understand that - but if possible I would like to try with a couple of tegaderm before committing to £50 packet of it! I swim a lot, and i've only had the libra 11 days - my first senser fell off after 9!

I've only ever had one fall off, and it just dropped off my arm, down the sleeve of my dressing gown one morning. Utterly bizarre, since all of the others have felt like they'd take the skin with them, when taking them off.

However, to my point: Have you had a look on eBay? It seems they can be bought in small numbers, as well as in bulk: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/3914...=1006800&device=c&campaignid=661151662&crdt=0

Just a thought.

 

[SB2015]

Ps. I had two fall off in quick succession. It may have been a bad batch with a faulty adhesive on them. I hope that you got back to Abbott, as I have always found their service good. You do have to send back the faulty sensor. I now keep the box with the batch code until I am on the next sensor, just in case.

 

[AndBreathe]

Ps. I had two fall off in quick succession. It may have been a bad batch with a faulty adhesive on them. I hope that you got back to Abbott, as I have always found their service good. You do have to send back the faulty sensor. I now keep the box with the batch code until I am on the next sensor, just in case.

Allegedly, all the sensor details are embedded in the sensor itself, and the sensor serial number (which in turn identifies its batch) is printed on the edge of the sensor. I've never looked, but was told this by an Abbott service agent.

 

[Sally71]

I buy the Tegaderm from my local chemist at 52p each, they would sell me them singly but I buy 10 at a time so I don't have to go back too often. I could send a couple if you like but have you asked your chemist whether you can buy small amounts? I also know someone who had it put on their prescription so they don't pay at all, I've never got round to asking about this though as I think we cost the nhs enough already and less than a pound a fortnight isn't very much

 

[mikeyB]

If ever NICE want confirmation of their view that CGM is not for everybody, this thread is the proof. If you can't get the things to stick on, it's hardly Abbots fault, which they are now belatedly coming to realise. There are some people for whom it just won't work. Or who are incapable of avoiding door lintels whilst walking backwards. The adhesive is not water soluble, similar to Tegaderm, so it's not sweat or swimming. I use a power shower for 10 minutes each morning without any problem.

Solution? Simple. Stop using the system, and look on with envy and awe at the masters of the universe who can actually make the sensors stick on for a fortnight. We are superior beings, obviously. We can miraculously avoid the obviously endemic production problems. We can walk on water, or at least immerse ourselves in it with equanimity. We can walk through doors without even touching the sides. We are the future. You might as well give in.

 

[SB2015]

I have just looked at the tape I am using on my sensors and compared it to some Micropore hat I found. It is Fixmull Beiersdorf. A lot stronger and stickier than Micropore and comes in strips wide enough to cover the sensor and beyond all around, and is Very much cheaper than Tegaderm. I got it online. It survives swims as well although it is not waterproof so I tend to stop after 20 min and give the sensor a dry off before carrying on( or is that just that I need a rest after 20 min!!)

 

[mikeyB]

I don't doubt you could use carpet fitters tape if you wanted a really good fix, and it's dirt cheap compared to Tegaderm. Doesn't have to be sterile if you've applied the sensor properly. Less cosmetically attractive, perhaps.

Abbot, of course, would regard this as unnecessary, and they are right. After all, they did test the system on hundreds of volunteers before issuing the system. Wrong sort of volunteer, clearly.

 

[mark-posh]

Mike, I don't agree with you about making out Abbotts thoroughly testing, I have 50% of them falling off for NO reason (been using since April). I apply exactly as stated and under arm (so don't get caught on door frames etc), but there is an issue with them as far as I'm concerned. The 50% that don't fall off I find hard to actually remove post 14 days, but the others just come off for no apparent reason. For example I was walking round town yesterday and got in the car to test prior to driving home and it was gone (again). Unfortunately I was wearing a T-shirt so lost it and I had 10 days to go before it expired. For me Abbott MUST get this sorted. However, I will try the tape mentioned above, but this issue should be addressed by Abbott and not the customer. Mike, just because you appear to be okay and never have any problems, doesn't mean there isn't a problem with the product.

 

[mark-posh]

Just rang Abbott about yet another sensor falling off and alongside this mentioned about placing Tagaderm over the sensor to help keep it in place, as suggested above (I ordered last night). The operator said Tagaderm is a good product but also said make sure I punch a hole where the sensor hole is else I will have more serious problems, he said the skin would not be able to breath under the sensor. Not sure that was mentioned above so thought I'd share.

 

[Justmai]

Just applied a sensor half hour after bath, no moisturiser held it firmly in place for a few minutes “less than 10 minutes later it fell off. Not a happy bunny can’t afford th throw money away like this and really need it today as having op on left wrist and won’t be able to finger prick for a few weeks which is not an option for me especially as my blood sugars are all over the place at mo, felt the adhesive around the sensor hardly anything there

 

[Ljc]

Just applied a sensor half hour after bath, no moisturiser held it firmly in place for a few minutes “less than 10 minutes later it fell off. Not a happy bunny can’t afford th throw money away like this and really need it today as having op on left wrist and won’t be able to finger prick for a few weeks which is not an option for me especially as my blood sugars are all over the place at mo, felt the adhesive around the sensor hardly anything there

@Justmai. I would phone Abbott if I were you. Don’t throw the sensor away as they will want it back for checking, they will send you a replacement along with a pack to return the faulty one.

 

[mikeyB]

I think Abbott have upgraded the sticky. It hurts to get them off now, and I get a slight skin reaction to the latest batch that I’ve never had before. Anyone else noticed a difference?