Thanks, Steve, I'll do that.
Alternative locations for Libre sensor?
I'm having great frustrations with the Libre sensor. The recommended location is difficult, to say the least. The first sensor got caught in a sleeve and flipped out onto the floor with 4 days to go. The second, I knocked out of place (after 24 hours) on the car as I was getting in, and that made it useless, the last I knocked out of place on a doorway (after 5 days) because I lost my balance as I was leaving a room...
I want to know if anyone is using a less exposed location for their sensors, and how much of a difference it makes to readings. I'm not buying another one until I find out. They are too damned expensive to be having to replace sooner than recommended. That said, I think they are just wonderful, in how they keep track of your BGL 24/7.
I want to know if anyone is using a less exposed location for their sensors, and how much of a difference it makes to readings. I'm not buying another one until I find out. They are too damned expensive to be having to replace sooner than recommended. That said, I think they are just wonderful, in how they keep track of your BGL 24/7.
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Well, finally reached the end of my tether. The last two (so its now 3 of 6 sensors) were duds. I've had two replaced but sent the last one back today, and said, basically, dont bother me again. I want nothing more to do with Libre until they work out the bugs. The last two failed immediately. Back to finger stabs.
I will likely continue to use the reader with the compatible strips (Optium strips). The reader has a rechargable battery.. no more searching out CR2032s when you run one flat at the wrong time of day.
I will likely continue to use the reader with the compatible strips (Optium strips). The reader has a rechargable battery.. no more searching out CR2032s when you run one flat at the wrong time of day.
Issues is not a word I would use when 3 of the sensors failed so quickly (24 hours, one hour and one hour) If I cant use them, I'm not pioneering anything. And its wasting my time, hanging about waiting for yet another delivery of a sensor when I have no clue what time it will arrive. I have spent this week in a state of wait. From the time of contact to tell them the sensor is a dud, to the emails or phonecalls, to the receipt of the new sensor, is 2-3 days. And then, it doesnt work.Sounds like the Libre was not useful enough for you to overcome its issues. I'm sure future Libre users, though, will appreciate your pioneering efforts.
It might just be a bad batch. One can hope. Maybe I will buy another sensor sometime down the track but right noiw I am not risking more duds.
I found in a couple of groups that people have gone from Libre to Dexcom... but over here at least, Dexcom is even more expensive.
Its not the expense that bothers me, because really, if you get a dud, they *will* replace it free of charge (they even replaced my reader the first time because it turned out that it had some faults too). Its the fact that you have to use test strips whilst waiting. Its also about knowing how good it is when it works, that when it doesnt, you get so annoyed that you have to wait.
What I loved about it... the 24 hour visual representation of what was happening.
Accuracy is an issue... I found that I was showing lower than actual with the reader. It was only accurate when high. So, when at first I was getting readings under 4, I was randomly checking with test strips as well. I found that the difference could be up to 1.5 mmol.
Re falling off: I had not have that happen, but the first one which I flipped out via a caught sleeve at 10 days... I guess the adhesive is beginning to let go by then, but when I had to remove both the recent ones, it was hanging on like grim death. It was not easy to remove.
Anyway, its all over for now. I'll be keeping an eye on reports of faults or dropoffs, and see how it goes. I must say that they have been very willing to replace stuff free of charge, its just the awful inconvenience of it all which got right up my nose. Maybe when I'm old and grey (oh whoops, too late) you'll be able to walk into the local pharmacy and buy.
Its not the expense that bothers me, because really, if you get a dud, they *will* replace it free of charge (they even replaced my reader the first time because it turned out that it had some faults too). Its the fact that you have to use test strips whilst waiting. Its also about knowing how good it is when it works, that when it doesnt, you get so annoyed that you have to wait.
What I loved about it... the 24 hour visual representation of what was happening.
Accuracy is an issue... I found that I was showing lower than actual with the reader. It was only accurate when high. So, when at first I was getting readings under 4, I was randomly checking with test strips as well. I found that the difference could be up to 1.5 mmol.
Re falling off: I had not have that happen, but the first one which I flipped out via a caught sleeve at 10 days... I guess the adhesive is beginning to let go by then, but when I had to remove both the recent ones, it was hanging on like grim death. It was not easy to remove.
Anyway, its all over for now. I'll be keeping an eye on reports of faults or dropoffs, and see how it goes. I must say that they have been very willing to replace stuff free of charge, its just the awful inconvenience of it all which got right up my nose. Maybe when I'm old and grey (oh whoops, too late) you'll be able to walk into the local pharmacy and buy.
So I changed my mind about getting a free replacement for the last dud and I'm pleased to say its all go. I'm on Day 7 and have had no issues with the current sensor. I've knocked it a couple of times on doorways but not hard enough to affect the function. Pretty happy now, and I will be buying the next on Monday, ready to go when this one ends. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that the good persists.
Seriously, its worth the trouble, for those considering it but not yet trying it out.
I find it reads a little lower than the strips do, with the same meter, or with other meters, but it gives a great overall picture of whats going on. Some people find it reads the same as their other meters, or higher. each person is individual and has a variety of responses. Don't let me put you off, at all.
Its wonderful to be able to scan whenever you want or need to, if you are feeling a bit "off" then it gives a clue, and followup with a fingerprick test is then confirmation (or not). Love it.
I find it reads a little lower than the strips do, with the same meter, or with other meters, but it gives a great overall picture of whats going on. Some people find it reads the same as their other meters, or higher. each person is individual and has a variety of responses. Don't let me put you off, at all.
Its wonderful to be able to scan whenever you want or need to, if you are feeling a bit "off" then it gives a clue, and followup with a fingerprick test is then confirmation (or not). Love it.
Further to my last post on the matter, things have changed somewhat. I am finding that the current sensor actually reads higher than it does when measured against a finger prick test. Its starting to seem like even from sensor to sensor, and location to location, the accuracy is compromised. I was particularly naughty a few days ago, and when I measured with the Sensor + phone app, it was reading 15.1. Because I was relying on the app and sensor almost completely, I dosed accordingly. Then, I remembered that when you get off the wall readings, you should check blood. Blood test was 10.2. So then I checked with the /Freestyle reader... 12.8. I have been checking every reading since then, and am finding almost all readings are out by 2mmol ... so what that means is that you are overdosing. I had to stay up all night because I had propelled myself into hypo territory. Turns out the sensor is wildly inaccurate.
Solved the other issues, nowhere else on my body is OK for application so I have just been rocking between one arm and the other. I'm careful when undressing so as not to catch it on clothing but find that around 10-11 days is when the adhesive starts losing its efficacy and thats when its most likely to just fall off. Which is as well, in a sense, because I found with the duds I have had, that it is nearly impossible to remove in the first day or two. One of the locations has still got the after effects... top layer of skin: gone. I apply a strip of micropore at Day 10 and that has seen it through to the full 14 days.
This last time I bought 4 sensors, 2 were duds, and have been replaced. I'll be applying the last one in a few days and will continue to check blood as well, and report back.
What I have learned is that the inaccuracy actually makes it very dangerous. its all good as long as you are staying in range (but then, you really dont need it) and if you go out of range, then you are treating for inaccurate readings, whether high or low. And so, finger stabbing becomes essential. The way I figure it is this: they say why prick when you can scan... but that is really false advertising, because you still have to prick anyway. And since thats the case... meh. $92.50 every two weeks is insane, for something you just can't depend on.
[edit] The benefit of the reader, though, thats something... its rechargeable. so no looking for cr2032 size batteries when the shops are closed. It uses the same strips as the Optium Neo and also will read the ketone strips for the same gadget. Handy. So I'll keep using that once I transition to 100% strips vs sensor + strips...
Solved the other issues, nowhere else on my body is OK for application so I have just been rocking between one arm and the other. I'm careful when undressing so as not to catch it on clothing but find that around 10-11 days is when the adhesive starts losing its efficacy and thats when its most likely to just fall off. Which is as well, in a sense, because I found with the duds I have had, that it is nearly impossible to remove in the first day or two. One of the locations has still got the after effects... top layer of skin: gone. I apply a strip of micropore at Day 10 and that has seen it through to the full 14 days.
This last time I bought 4 sensors, 2 were duds, and have been replaced. I'll be applying the last one in a few days and will continue to check blood as well, and report back.
What I have learned is that the inaccuracy actually makes it very dangerous. its all good as long as you are staying in range (but then, you really dont need it) and if you go out of range, then you are treating for inaccurate readings, whether high or low. And so, finger stabbing becomes essential. The way I figure it is this: they say why prick when you can scan... but that is really false advertising, because you still have to prick anyway. And since thats the case... meh. $92.50 every two weeks is insane, for something you just can't depend on.
[edit] The benefit of the reader, though, thats something... its rechargeable. so no looking for cr2032 size batteries when the shops are closed. It uses the same strips as the Optium Neo and also will read the ketone strips for the same gadget. Handy. So I'll keep using that once I transition to 100% strips vs sensor + strips...
I think the tech will improve dramatically over time. When we have duds, we get a prepaid return pack so they can be sent back and looked at for the reasons for failure. I'm planning to email support with my findings after I have used the next (last) sensor and hope that they will take the information and do something useful with it. In the meantime my fingers are looking like pincushions again. Sighhhh. It was great while it lasted.
I'm currently on Day 11 and the adhesive seems to be stuck as fast as it was when first applied. I really think there is a lot of variability between sensors, adhesive and readers. I had mostly been using the iPhone LibreLink app... it was convenient, didnt have to carry extra devices... but since discovering the differences in reads between readers and blood, I will likely not bother persisting with the phone app at all (and yes, after doing finger prick tests every time I scanned, I have decided its not doable. a) fingers hurt and b) half a box of strips in a week. erk.)
I have discovered also that the reads from different devices and methods are much closer in terms of accuracy, once you get your levels in range. Only a small variability. So... although I declaimed loudly (well, here, anyway) that I was not going to do this anymore... I will. Just not as much because ours arent subsidised in any way. I'm aware that many EU countries are... our TGA and PBS is well behind the 8Ball and the less they have to spend on health the better they like it.
I have discovered also that the reads from different devices and methods are much closer in terms of accuracy, once you get your levels in range. Only a small variability. So... although I declaimed loudly (well, here, anyway) that I was not going to do this anymore... I will. Just not as much because ours arent subsidised in any way. I'm aware that many EU countries are... our TGA and PBS is well behind the 8Ball and the less they have to spend on health the better they like it.
More info on my sensor experience. It seems to me that there may even be variability not just between devices and methods of testing BGL, but also between the sensors themselves. My BG has ranged widely in the last 48 hours, and I am on my last available sensor. Readings have been pretty much accurate no matter which method I am using to test, so for the rest of the month I'll probably just stick to the sensor unless there are anomalies in the reads (eg super high or super low). No wonder the government wont subsidise it. Abbott has to do more about safety... because such inaccuracies are not safe, especially for T1s.
Well, there we go. Last sensor fell out last night with 6 days to go. I had tried strapping it down with some micropore but it didn't help. Back to finger pricking ... oh joy.
And, a few months later, I have decided to give the Libre sensors another shot. I have seriously lost control of my BGLs and am heading into organ damage territory. Also going to get back to the endo when the pandemic is over (well died down enough to get an appointment) and have her chek again to be certain I am not really a Type 1. I *look* like a 2 but I am recalling now being flagged during my teens for possible diabetes. I was excreting lots of glucose n urine but they didnt name it diabetes... now thinking... maybe. I was on a reasonable diet back then and was very active.
But.. I ramble. I have 3 months worth of sensors coming soonish. Last year when I was using them, in spite of the frustrations of some failing, I was able to control much better than I currently do.
But.. I ramble. I have 3 months worth of sensors coming soonish. Last year when I was using them, in spite of the frustrations of some failing, I was able to control much better than I currently do.
So.. the first sensor in this batch... worked well until it fell off at 11 days (of 14). Second sensor worked beautifully until it fell off in the bed yesterday morning also at 11 days of 14. I’ve decided I just cant afford to slap a new sensor on as soon as one falls out so I’m finger sticking until that 14 days is up (2 to go). Overall, though, its been more successful (so far) than it was last year, and I have managed to keep about 85% of readings inside the range 3.9-8.5. I’ve had a few lows overnight initially but have sorted that by not necessarily dosing with RA at dinner. A few highs were self inflicted 
I still love hot chips.
I still love hot chips.
I ordered an arm band which is designed to fit round the sensor, but its coming from the UK and is taking forever to get here. In the meantime... never heard of skin tac! Must look into that.Rats on losing the sensors. I use Dexcom and having pulled one out yet, but ironically this time switched to arm placement. They say to use on abdomen, like Libre says to use on arm, but so many Dexcom users like the arm that I thought I'd try. Have it on my forearm and so far (1 day!) so good.
Are there tapes that can secure it, or maybe using Skin Tac would help?
Glad to hear it's working well this time around and that you're getting great info!
I’ll be applying the next sensor this morning. I looked into Dexcom but in Australia, its exponentially more expensive than Libre, and because I am not a T1, I really don’t need the immediacy of its reporting. Also, because I am still considered T2, no subsidy for me.
I must admit I LOVE not needing to stick my fingers many times a day. I only do it to check on what might seem to be very low or very high. ie, rarely!
So so happy!! MY armband arrived and its perfect. I barely notice its there. Next time I will only using it toward the end of the sensor period, when the adhesive starts to get a bit dodgy. I’ve even knocked it on a doorway a couple of times, and it has remained in place (hmm, maybe I should have it on all the time)
ON another note, I need to change the range for my BG levels. Its currently between 3.9 and 8.5 (was 9.5) and I am staying within, with only one or two spikes to the top of the range, a day... (mostly hovering between 6 and 7.5 and I know thats a bit high... working on it) but what is the real recommended? I’m staying inside that with reducing my insulin to half what it was, and rarely dosing with RA.
ON another note, I need to change the range for my BG levels. Its currently between 3.9 and 8.5 (was 9.5) and I am staying within, with only one or two spikes to the top of the range, a day... (mostly hovering between 6 and 7.5 and I know thats a bit high... working on it) but what is the real recommended? I’m staying inside that with reducing my insulin to half what it was, and rarely dosing with RA.
I have my dexcom range set at 3.9/70 low and 7.8/140 high but that's fluid. I've fiddled with it based on how much (or little) I wish to be annoyed, I mean alerted, with an alarm. Not sure how the Libre works, but I can change those settings at any time and see in the software how much I was in/out of range, so they really are only for my info/benefit.
Glad your armband has worked out so well! Woot!
Me too! The Libre doesnt alarm and it doesnt care what level you are at, it just reports it when you scan, and you just need to scan at least once in every 8 hours to get a continuous graph. I’m kinda glad, really because it would have been setting off something shocking. My last reading was 2 just a short time ago. That is insane. So I checked with a finger prick and its actually 4.5 which is fine. I’m having a couple of spoons of sugar in a cup of tea (and ewww I do not like it!), just to be sure. I’m really struggling with it at the moment, staying above 3.9, because if I have insulin, it drops like a rock. I have NO idea whats going on, really. Maybe my pancreas is repairing itself (I know... unlikely)
[edit] As an aside, I’m a scanning monster. Its a rare thing that I dont scan at least 8 times a day.
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I’m really struggling with it at the moment, staying above 3.9, because if I have insulin, it drops like a rock. I have NO idea whats going on, really. Maybe my pancreas is repairing itself (I know... unlikely)
[edit] As an aside, I’m a scanning monster. Its a rare thing that I dont scan at least 8 times a day.
Problem solved. MY BG was NOT going as low as the sensor said... clearly that sensor was just inaccurate for most of its life. Checked a few times when I was awake and “low” and found that a test with a strip on the same reader gave a different read. 3.2 was 4.1, and so forth. New sensor today, firs read was 7. On the strip, 8.6. I feel normal again.
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