Newbie

[m.p.stapleton-green]

Hi I’m Phil iv benn type two for around twenty years been on insulin for about the last six years and iv been prescribed the Libra two sensor for the last four months but I’m having so many problems with it falling off iv had to report over 15 sensors in the four months iv had two fall off in the last two days I find if I don’t use a cover it falls off if I catch it on a door frame it’s off
Anyone else have any problems with them
Abbots are great they replace every one

 

[rebrascora]

Skin prep is really important in enabling the adhesive to form a good bond with your skin and placement to help avoid contact with door frames etc by placing more towards the back than the side.
I wash and exfoliate (important if you have dry, flakey skin). Some people with hairy arms shave too. The skin needs to be very dry and grease free. Washing works well for me in removing grease but others use alcohol wipes. After washing and towel drying, I give my arm a blast with my hair drier to ensure it is totally dry. If you are actively sweating when you apply the sensor, the sweat, being moisture, will prevent adhesion, so ensure that you are not perspiring when you apply it.
I also use an arm strap which I bought online (ebay in my case but other shopping sites have them). It consists of what I describe as a 3D printed plastic watch face surround, which fits exactly around the circumference of the sensor and an adjustable elastic strap which applies gentle pressure to hold it securely in place.
I tend to apply mine on an evening after a shower and before bed so that it has all night to bond with my skin before it is exposed to any hazards like clothing (sports bra straps can be their nemesis) as well as door frames). Since I changed the placement to more towards the back of my arm and started using the arm strap I haven't lost a single one in 3 years. The arm strap also acts as a visual reminder of which arm the sensor is on so that I do't try to scrub it off in the shower because I forgot or towel it too hard when getting dried afterwards.

Hopefully that will give you a few ideas as to how you can improve your success rate with them.

 

[m.p.stapleton-green]

Hi thank you I’ll move where I put it I do use alcohol wipes every time and also a strap for a couple of days I think it may be down to my sweating at work it’s a very physical job and I do get hot the last one came off after 7 days and I put a new one on and it lasted 1 hour I feel embarrassed to keep reporting them as I know how expensive they are

 

[stephenS50]

Hello there @m.p.stapleton-green and welcome to the forum.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @m.p.stapleton-green

You mention that you use a strap for a couple of day on your sensor. Might it be worth using the strap throughout the life of the sensor. Others have used a wide tubi grip. This is easy to peel off and on for showers and may be more comfortable than a narrower strap.

I hope that some of the suggestions work for you.

 

[m.p.stapleton-green]

Hi
Yes the strap get itchy after a couple of days iv just got some large plasters with a plastic cup to cover the sensor I’ll try that and see how this work
Thanks for your advise

 

[Proud to be erratic]

Hello @m.p.stapleton-green, welcome to the forum.

....... and I put a new one on and it lasted 1 hour I feel embarrassed to keep reporting them as I know how expensive they are

Don't feel too embarrassed. Abbott certainly weren't embarrassed when they stopped providing an alcohol wipe with each Libre - to save cost to them. That was while they were receiving £10m per month from UK for PPE during Covid for the NHS; Abbott had a contract with someone in China and UK didn't!

If you are claiming a replacement from Abbott for each sensor that falls off that is NOT causing extra cost to the NHS. It is solely a cost to Abbott for providing a medication that is not fully fit for purpose. Meanwhile you have to bear the inconvenience and stress of having to worry about "has your sensor stayed on your arm" while taking Multiple Daily Injections (MDI) of insulin.