New to Freestyle Libre 2 - Questions

[Caterham Driver]

Hi, I took advantage of the Freestyle Libre 2 free trial back in July. What a life changer! So currently I am self funding this and in discussion with my Consultant/GP to get the funding. Currently diagnosed as Type 2 (over 40 years ago), but effectively treated as as Type 1 with multiple injections (5+) and tests per day.

However, I do have a couple of questions about the use of this system.

1. How on earth do you get the adhesive remnants off your skin? I have tried everything I can think of including lighter fuel, alcohol and nail polish remover. Freestyle suggested baby oil, but this had no effect. I still have marks left on my arm from September and I am running out of spaces to put the new sensors!
2. The time when the old sensor is about to expire is always in the middle of when I am trying to do something, a meeting or similar. it is always an inconvenient time. Does anybody know if you can apply a sensor, say first thing in the morning, but not activate it until the old one expires?

Any help would be appreciated.

Currently Type 2 (although may be a Type1)
Current HbA1c - 6.9%/52mmol/ml

 

[helli]

Hi @Caterham Driver
I have been using Libre for a few years and, whilst it is not perfect, I find the insight it gives me is fantastic.
Regarding your questions
1. I use a gentle pumice stone equivalent (it is actually for removing dry skin from feet) and shower gel to remove the remains of the adhesive as soon as I remove my sensor. I always remove them in the shower which allows me to slowly peel it back, allowing the hot water to get into the glue and release it from my skin. Then wash with pumice and shower gel.
2. It is definitely possible to apply sensors before activating them. I find it takes a few days for my body to get used to an alien object in my arm which can affect the readings. Therefore, I always insert my sensor 48 hours before activating which means I have a sensor in each arm - one active and one in waiting.

Regarding your type diagnosis, you may find it beneficial to get an official Type 1 classification. Unfairly, NICE guidelines regarding access to technology such as Libre/CGMs and insulin pumps are more favorable for people with Type 1 than people with type 2 treated with insulin.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi

Pleased you are finding the Libre helpful.

As regards Q1. I have never had a problem other than either knocking the sensor and it coming off or removing it when it is stuck like a limpet and insists that it wants to take my skin with it. Do you know if the double sided adhesive pad is coming off with the sensor and just leaving a sticky residue on your skin or is the adhesive parch staying stuck to your skin and the sensor coming away clean? Are you just talking about a minor ring of adhesive which particles of fabric stick to and discolour or a whole solid circle of adhesive which is having the same effect. I tend to use those exfoliating gloves in the shower and give it a good scrub, but most people have success with baby oil or I think there is a special product you can buy, hopefully someone else will have the name for it. I think they use it on young children to make removal less of an ordeal. Perhaps @Thebearcametoo of @Sally71 would know.
Can you perhaps post a photo of your arm so that we can see the problem.

Q2. Yes you can apply it early and not activate it until you are ready and in fact some people apply it as much as 48 hours before they are due to need it to allow the tissue to settle down after an apparent foreign body has suddenly appeared in it's midst. They find they get more accurate results from day one of activation doing this and it doesn't affect the lifespan of the sensor which only starts counting down the days once it is activated.

 

[Sally71]

You might be thinking of Lift Plus, which was great to help peel cannulas off but won’t get rid of the grey marks which are sometimes left afterwards, I found nail polish remover did the job for that so don’t know what else to suggest if that didn’t work!

 

[DaveB]

Hi. You might find Iso-propanol wipes work? These are the ones Abbot say to use to clean the skin before applying the sensor. I got a box of 100 on ebay.

 

[Kaylz]

I've used baby oil on a cotton wool pad numerous times with great success, if I've run out of baby oil then an antiseptic wipe with aloe vera in it has been fine to get it off too xx

 

[grovesy]

I use baby oil too, I believe that is what Abbott recommend.

 

[Thebearcametoo]

Tak away is the best thing we’ve found for really stubborn adhesive remnants if oil based things don’t work.

 

[trophywench]

Tiny bit of Vaseline on a finger gets instantly rid of any grey residue - but I never get that these days and haven't since childhood and stretchy elastoplast.

 

[Caterham Driver]

Thanks for all the replies, that gives me something to think about. I will try to upload a photo of my arm, it will be 6 days since I removed the sensor.

 

[Robin]

Thanks for all the replies, that gives me something to think about. I will try to upload a photo of my arm, it will be 6 days since I removed the sensor.

Do you remember when Theresa May was Prime Minister, and she met Donald Trump at Blenheim Palace? She was waiting for his helicopter to land, and the cameras showed her back view. There on one arm was her Libre sensor, and there on the other was a huge black ring from her previous one!

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks for all the replies, that gives me something to think about. I will try to upload a photo of my arm, it will be 6 days since I removed the sensor.

Have you tried a spectacles lens tissue, usually they are isopropyl alcohol.

 

[Caterham Driver]

Here is what is left after removal 6 days ago. It is like this every time

 

[Kaylz]

Don't know if its just me but to me it doesn't look as if there's anything left there bar the red marks which look like a reaction xx

 

[PattiEvans]

Hiya. I thought the same as Kaylz - a skin reaction. The residue is usually a black ring. I use miracle oil on cotton wool pads or Lift Plus spray to get the black sticky stuff off.

 

[rebrascora]

I agree. That looks like either a reaction to the adhesive used on the sensor or possibly something you are using to remove it although I would have expected the latter to be less localized. The other alternative is that you are tearing off the top layer of skin with the sensor. Do you ease up one side and gently peel it back or are you grabbing it and just pulling? Definitely doesn't look like residue from the adhesive.
I believe you may be able to apply the sensor over/through a dressing like Tegaderm. Not sure that Abbott would aprove, but if it is the adhesive which is irritating your skin it might be worth patch testing a Tegaderm or similar for a week or so without a sensor over it to see if you are OK with that and it stays adhered well enough. Then if all OK, use a new Tegaderm and apply the sensor on top of it so that it protects your skin from the sensor adhesive.

 

[Kaylz]

Although it would probably be better to use a barrier spray as not to risk getting any fragments of a film patch under the skin on applying xx

 

[helli]

I agree with the others - this is not glue residue but a slight skin reaction.
As mentioned above, I always remove my sensor in the shower where I get it very wet and start to peel off the backing then let the water permeate the glue before gradually peeling it off.
This is the approach advised by a physio when I taped up my shoulder. Ripping off tape, plasters, etc. risk taking off the top layer of skin.

As @Kaylz said, barrier spray (such as cavilon) is recommended in preference to using something under the sensor.

If it is not sore, I would not be completely avoiding the area for the next sensor (or the one after that).

 

[nonethewiser]

Question 1 answer) Blow torch works well.

Consultant suggested baby oil, being man not fussed about residue left behind but found surgical spirit gets it off when needed, just apply to sheet of kitchen roll then rub away.