Weird problems with libre after many years of using.

[Flutterby]

I have used libre for many years ever since it became available on prescription but over the last 2 weeks I'm having weird problems!

Last week 3 sensors failed to start and I constantly got a message saying "check sensor is properly attached"

In the end I surmised that the problem was the reader. I contacted Abbott and have just received a new reader and sensors.

Guess what, the same thing has happened. My DSN is planning on swopping me to a Dexcom because Libre has never been terribly accurate for me but now I'm worried. Why on earth is this suddenly happening? This new sensor is still in my arm and the only thing I can think is that this has nothing to do with the previous issue and maybe the filament has bent as its gone in? But it's a big coincidence if that's the case.

Any ideas?

 

[Tdm]

Go dexcom...i never looked back

 

[mde]

Go dexcom...i never looked back

In terms of accuracy, I do like Dexcoms. Although, if you're using your phone for readings, beware that the dexcom app (on an iPhone at least) will not override your phone if it is on silent or 'do not disturb', so you won't receive any hypo/hyper alerts, unlike libres

 

[Flutterby]

Thank you, I am hoping to gt a reader rather than use my phone, I like to keep things separate if I can. My phone (a samsung) is on most of the time as my dad might need me at any time but thanks for that.

I just can't understand why Libre has suddenly started playing up in this way.

 

[helli]

In terms of accuracy, I do like Dexcoms. Although, if you're using your phone for readings, beware that the dexcom app (on an iPhone at least) will not override your phone if it is on silent or 'do not disturb', so you won't receive any hypo/hyper alerts, unlike libres

And the Dexcom app is supported on less phones than Libre.
Unlike LibreLink, if your phone is not on the Dexcom approved list, the app cannot be installed.

Go dexcom...i never looked back

While it may be worthwhile trialling Dexcom if you can, it is not more accurate for everyone.
I tried out a number of different CGMs and found the Dexcom to be the most inaccurate for me.
And I didn't like the app.

It is another of those cases where we are all different because I know many prefer Dexcom.

 

[Bazarama]

I’m still new to the fun of T1D, in 6 months have already had 2 Libre sensors replaced by Abbott due to disconnections, and my current one needing rescanned around 30x in the first 24 hours.

2 weeks ago at my 6 month check in with the Dr I asked for Dexcom to be added to my prescription (still waiting) but thought I’d do the free trial of Dexcom from their website.

So currently wearing both to compare. For me I’m finding the Dexcom is throwing numbers all over the place. First night of wear and I was getting alarms of lows - down to 2.3mmol whereas the Libre was sitting comfortably in the 6’s. I calibrated it yesterday (it was reading much higher than the Libre and blood test) and it’s closer to Libre but still quite erratic for me.

 

[helli]

First night of wear and I was getting alarms of lows - down to 2.3mmol whereas the Libre was sitting comfortably in the 6’s.

Is it possible that the Dexcom was affected by compression lows during the night?
These are false low readings when pressure is applied to a CGM sensor. This is most common at night when you lie on your arm with the sensor

 

[Bazarama]

Yes I agree think it was compression lows, doesn’t happen with the Libre as much

 

[djdave]

Late in the chat, but I had something similar with one of my sensors. I ended up shutting down my Samsung for a few minutes and starting it up again. Meant waiting a while before it was all up and running again, but that seemed to do the trick. A simple restart before that did not change the outcome... Maybe one of the recent upgrades did something to the Bluetooth module which needed a hard reset rather than a restart???

 

[Flutterby]

I’m still new to the fun of T1D, in 6 months have already had 2 Libre sensors replaced by Abbott due to disconnections, and my current one needing rescanned around 30x in the first 24 hours.

2 weeks ago at my 6 month check in with the Dr I asked for Dexcom to be added to my prescription (still waiting) but thought I’d do the free trial of Dexcom from their website.

So currently wearing both to compare. For me I’m finding the Dexcom is throwing numbers all over the place. First night of wear and I was getting alarms of lows - down to 2.3mmol whereas the Libre was sitting comfortably in the 6’s. I calibrated it yesterday (it was reading much higher than the Libre and blood test) and it’s closer to Libre but still quite erratic for me.

I'm sorry to hear of the problems you are having. I suppose we are all different and sometimes technology fails! It does sound like you have had issues with libre like I did. I am now trying dexcom one plus and so far so good. All the best with your comparisons and issues.

I’m still new to the fun of T1D, in 6 months have already had 2 Libre sensors replaced by Abbott due to disconnections, and my current one needing rescanned around 30x in the first 24 hours.

2 weeks ago at my 6 month check in with the Dr I asked for Dexcom to be added to my prescription (still waiting) but thought I’d do the free trial of Dexcom from their website.

So currently wearing both to compare. For me I’m finding the Dexcom is throwing numbers all over the place. First night of wear and I was getting alarms of lows - down to 2.3mmol whereas the Libre was sitting comfortably in the 6’s. I calibrated it yesterday (it was reading much higher than the Libre and blood test) and it’s closer to Libre but still quite erratic for me.

I empathise! Good luck with the trial. So far dexcom one plus is working better for me than libre.

 

[Flutterby]

Sorry folks for the duplicate replies! Brain gone awol.

Just to say that so far (2 days) dexcome one plus is performing well for me.

Quick question- can I cover the whole sensor with a tegaderm to keep it on for the whole 10 days? I don't think the sticky things they provide will be easy to apply but husband is used to applying tegaderm for me.
And do I have to cut a tiny hole like libre or will the breathable nature of tegaderm be ok? Thanks in advance.

 

[Inka]

I’m not sure what sticky things are provided with the One @Flutterby but I have the Dexcom G7 and the overpatches provided with that are brilliant. My sensor stays as firmly fixed by Day 10 as it is on Day 1. I apply my own. I never use a sensor without one and have never had a sensor come off or even come loose or lift at the edges. Much better than the Libre.

 

[Flutterby]

Go dexcom...i never looked back

Thank you, now using Dexcom. 10 days today. So far its been great.

 

[Flutterby]

I’m not sure what sticky things are provided with the One @Flutterby but I have the Dexcom G7 and the overpatches provided with that are brilliant. My sensor stays as firmly fixed by Day 10 as it is on Day 1. I apply my own. I never use a sensor without one and have never had a sensor come off or even come loose or lift at the edges. Much better than the Libre.

Thank you, you are absolutely right!

 

[NickE]

I also moved from Libre to Dexcom. First One, now the G7. I particularly like the Dexcom apps, including Clarity. Unfortunately this switch had to be self-funded, although I’m hoping the NHS will step in. I’ve asked. I no longer get any physical “danger” signals. One of the advantages of The G7 is it communicates directly with an app on my Apple Watch rather than via my iPhone. So I’m not tied.

Nick

 

[Loobyloo]

I have had this happen this week with Dexcom One+ sensors. 3 failures in a row, all from the same batch. Spoke to Dexcom who said sometimes this happens and have replaced. Just a bad batch.

 

[Amity Island]

I have used libre for many years ever since it became available on prescription but over the last 2 weeks I'm having weird problems!

Last week 3 sensors failed to start and I constantly got a message saying "check sensor is properly attached"

In the end I surmised that the problem was the reader. I contacted Abbott and have just received a new reader and sensors.

Guess what, the same thing has happened. My DSN is planning on swopping me to a Dexcom because Libre has never been terribly accurate for me but now I'm worried. Why on earth is this suddenly happening? This new sensor is still in my arm and the only thing I can think is that this has nothing to do with the previous issue and maybe the filament has bent as its gone in? But it's a big coincidence if that's the case.

Any ideas?

I think that a lot of the issues with the libre not working for some people is to do with the alkalinity or acidity in the individual. The filament in the libre doesn't actually read blood sugar but instead relies on the degradation of the coating of the filament to calculate a blood sugar reading. I think that this degradation is affected by the alkalinity or acidity (ph) in the body. That's my theory anyway.