Libre User Gang, Input Please If You May

[Kaylz]

I wonder if it’s the same thing as happened to me once... the needle withdrew and as it did it sort of dragged the flexible filament back into the sensor itself concertina style. So my arm had the puncture mark of the applicator needle, but the filament hadn’t been left there, it was scrumpled up back inside the sensor sensor didn’t work... obviously! It just wouldn’t start.

Exactly what I've just commented lol, as I say I've seen it poking out the sensor side on Facebook groups xx

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Exactly what I've just commented lol, as I say I've seen it poking out the sensor side on Facebook groups xx

Hehe! Yes I think we were typing at the same time, but you beat me to it!

 

[Kaylz]

Hehe! Yes I think we were typing at the same time, but you beat me to it!

😛 xx

 

[bonnytiz]

Thank you for the replies. To clarify, the sensor was stuck to my arm while still attached to the applicator, I hadn’t thought of the filament being dragged back, i can’t see it, all there is is a little white bit of plastic where the filament would be. Mike, could you see the filament, I can’t see anything just this bit of white plastic. Sorry I’m going on and on but I don’t know what to do.

 

[Kaylz]

Thank you for the replies. To clarify, the sensor was stuck to my arm while still attached to the applicator, I hadn’t thought of the filament being dragged back, i can’t see it, all there is is a little white bit of plastic where the filament would be. Mike, could you see the filament, I can’t see anything just this bit of white plastic. Sorry I’m going on and on but I don’t know what to do.

you wouldn't see it, if it's been dragged up then part of the filament will be hanging out the side still in the applicator, by the sounds of it Mike's was actually stuck to his arm and just wouldn't work because the filament wasn't bedded in and had been pulled back out xx

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thank you for the replies. To clarify, the sensor was stuck to my arm while still attached to the applicator, I hadn’t thought of the filament being dragged back, i can’t see it, all there is is a little white bit of plastic where the filament would be. Mike, could you see the filament, I can’t see anything just this bit of white plastic. Sorry I’m going on and on but I don’t know what to do.

All there was for me was the smooth bottom of the sensor (it was an Enlite not a Libre). The filament was completely drawn back inside the sensor body as the needle retracted. It just looked like the sensor hand had a filament at all. But the applicator wasn’t stuck to the sensor in my case. Not sure if that helps?

 

[1oldgal]

scaring comments is part of what brought it on, I was unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with diabetic macular oedema less than a month after I was diagnosed Type 1 and a fellow Type 1 who was a very keen low carber said it was my own fault as I'd been eating carbs thanks xx

How thoughtless, I sometimes despair when people think that they have the right to foist their own opinion and diagnosis on someone else. That kind of thing is not very helpful and can even be harmful. Offering advice when reqested is a totally different thing, and I thank you for good advice you have given me in the past 🙂 xx

 

[bonnytiz]

Thank you both, you have been very helpful. I will ring libra in the morning and let you know what they say. I feel better now thinking that maybe the filament has maybe retracted into the sensor.

 

[bonnytiz]

Thought I would update, Libra were very uncooperative, I asked to speak to someone who would know more but couldn’t. Said to go to GP. I felt a bit silly but thought I ought to go. They just said to go to A and E if it started to look infected. I’m just hoping it dissolves and doesn’t cause any problems. I just can’t believe it’s happened, I was so careful taking off the sensor.

 

[Kaylz]

Thought I would update, Libra were very uncooperative, I asked to speak to someone who would know more but couldn’t. Said to go to GP. I felt a bit silly but thought I ought to go. They just said to go to A and E if it started to look infected. I’m just hoping it dissolves and doesn’t cause any problems. I just can’t believe it’s happened, I was so careful taking off the sensor.

The chances of it being in your arm are slim, it wouldn't dissolve if it was though as they dont, you wouldn't be able to wear them for 2 weeks if the filament dissolved, as me and mike have said it's more than likely retracted into the sensor

 

[bonnytiz]

Thank you but when I rang they said it wouldn’t retract, they weren’t very cooperative though, wouldn’t put me through to someone who might know more. I suppose I will have to just wait and see but having anxiety problems and a hubby with dementia it’s not easy. Am I over reacting?

 

[Kaylz]

it can retract, these are 3 pictures from the UK users Facebook group so I apologise if any are members here for taking a screenshot but I am trying to put your mind at rest and show you that they can retract xx

 

[bonnytiz]

Thank you, mine looks like the bottom left one. I had an old one and I tried to take the filament out and it won’t budge so I don’t think they can detach themselves. I’ve got a bruised arm though. Maybe it happens on a frequent basis.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

It only happens very rarely (which is why the helpline said what they said, I guess). But it has happened to others. The applicator needle has a little groove in it and the flexible filament sits in that. Very rarely either the filament is somehow pinched or snagged on the needle, or the point catches it after it has punctured the skin and rather than the needle smoothly sliding back out with its spring-loading, it kinda snags and goes wrong.

At least that’s what I have always imagined happens.

As precisely as these things are made, there’s always a small chance of something mechanical and disposable like this not quite working right every few thousand products.