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New sensor lasting less than one day

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Fiona#42

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That's it really. First sensor lasted 12 days, not 14, replaced yesterday morning. It was reading low. At about 5am this morning it sent an alert, I was low. When I tried to scan itIgot a message saying 'replace sensor'. Anyone else had this? I will talk to the pharmacist tomorrow (they're closed today). I haven't replaced it yet, just doing more finger prick tests. I only get 2 at a time and can't order more until 30th June, when I will be on holiday. I'm not planning to take my laptop with me. Not sure what the best thing to do is.
 
Fiona#42 said:
That's it really. First sensor lasted 12 days, not 14, replaced yesterday morning. It was reading low. At about 5am this morning it sent an alert, I was low. When I tried to scan itIgot a message saying 'replace sensor'. Anyone else had this? I will talk to the pharmacist tomorrow (they're closed today). I haven't replaced it yet, just doing more finger prick tests. I only get 2 at a time and can't order more until 30th June, when I will be on holiday. I'm not planning to take my laptop with me. Not sure what the best thing to do is.
Click to expand...
If it’s a Libre, here is a link to the online support form, which isn’t easy to find on their website.
www.freestyle.abbott

Sensor Support Form | United Kingdom | FreeStyle Libre | Abbott

Need help? Fill in our online sensor support form for Patients from United Kingdom for your FreeStyle Libre 2 or 3 sensor today.
www.freestyle.abbott www.freestyle.abbott
Or you can phone them, tomorrow. I had one fail after the one hour warm up recently, I filled the form in, got an automated response that they were replacing it, and a new one arrived the day after that.
I also needed a replacement Dexcom, when I was trialling their free Dexcom one +, and phoned them, and the procedure was similar. in both cases, you need the serial number of the sensor, which is written on the box, if you still have it, or you can find it on your phone app or reader. Then they will send packaging for you to return the duff sensor to them, so don’t throw it away!
You should always contact the manufacturer about a failed sensor, it isn’t right that the NHS pays for a new one when the manufacturer should replace it free of charge.
 
Fiona#42 said:
I only get 2 at a time and can't order more until 30th June, when I will be on holiday.
Click to expand...
I think the recommendation is always to report sensor failures to Abbott (even when the sensor lasts 14 days rather than 15). That lets us request the expected (and budgeted) number of sensors and still (gradually) build up a supply of spares.
 
Tried to phone, guy at the other end couldn't hear me, and asked me to ring back. I had been on hold for ages, so I gave up. Will try another way.
 
I will report the duff sensor but not today. I have a question: both times there has been a problem with the sensor (stopping working early, stopping after 1 day) my glucose has been very low. Is this significant? Both sensors under read, last night the sensor said I was 3.1, a finger prick test said I was 4.9. I have done more finger prick test this
 
Fiona#42 said:
I will report the duff sensor but not today. I have a question: both times there has been a problem with the sensor (stopping working early, stopping after 1 day) my glucose has been very low. Is this significant? Both sensors under read, last night the sensor said I was 3.1, a finger prick test said I was 4.9. I have done more finger prick test this
Click to expand...
 
I get packs of 4x Libre2+ at a time from my GP and for every set of four, one or two failed after 1-10 days. Never had this with Libre2. The Abbott call desk does arrange replacements, but not before a very long and unnecessary Q&A.

I guess the hope is that folk will not call if they can just get the NHS to prescribe new ones. Unfortunately, the GP practice doesn't care either, and when I asked what to do about failed sensors, they sent me a sharps box :(
 
Fiona#42 said:
I will report the duff sensor but not today. I have a question: both times there has been a problem with the sensor (stopping working early, stopping after 1 day) my glucose has been very low. Is this significant? Both sensors under read, last night the sensor said I was 3.1, a finger prick test said I was 4.9. I have done more finger prick test this
Click to expand...
The sensor reading low and then stopping working usually indicates that the filament which samples your interstitial fluid, got bent somehow. This can happen at application occasionally or if the sensor starts to come loose later and you tape it back down. Once the filament has been disturbed the sensor is usually goosed. It is always worth a try to tape it back down if you notice it lifting on one side but be aware that it may still fail or give unreliable readings. I personally find using an arm strap is well worth the small investment to provide my sensors with more support so that they are less likely to get pulled or knocked and particularly in the first 24 hours holds it secure whilst the adhesive forms a really good bond. I bought mine off ebay but they are available on other platforms. It looks a bit like a watch strap with a plastic bit that fits perfectly around the circumference of the sensor and an elastic strap which is adjustable and they come in a wide range of colours.
 
Jasmin2000 said:
I get packs of 4x Libre2+ at a time from my GP and for every set of four, one or two failed after 1-10 days. Never had this with Libre2. The Abbott call desk does arrange replacements, but not before a very long and unnecessary Q&A.

I guess the hope is that folk will not call if they can just get the NHS to prescribe new ones. Unfortunately, the GP practice doesn't care either, and when I asked what to do about failed sensors, they sent me a sharps box :(
Click to expand...
Not true many self fund.
 
Fiona#42 said:
I have a question: both times there has been a problem with the sensor (stopping working early, stopping after 1 day) my glucose has been very low. Is this significant?
Click to expand...
I suspect so, yes. When you say "my glucose has been very low" presumably you mean that the sensor is saying that rather than that your BG actually is low? I think when sensors fail that's probably what they're going to be reporting, either because they can't get at the interstitial fluid (the little tube is bent or something) or something else has gone wrong.
 
The sensor has been saying I am low, sometimes I actually have been low. I don't think the hot weather has helped, but just at the moment I don't feel I can rely on it. It has caused a lot of stress, which I could do without.
 
Sorry to hear you’ve had a run of dodgy sensors @Fiona#42

You are right it can be really stressful when the sensors don’t run their course as they should - especially if you don’t have any ‘slack’ in your delivery and use schedule.

But you must always report any sensors which fail early to Abbott - either on the phone or using the online form. It’s Abbott who are responsible for replacing any sensors that don’t perform as expected, and if you phone them they may be able to talk through best practice on sensor insertion etc, and offer some general troubleshooting advice.

Hope you can get some replacements before your holiday - though that doesn’t given them long. So you may want to stress the urgency when asking for a replacement?
 
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