Freestyle Libre 2 sensor and iPhone app - iDEAL Diabetes

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Freestyle Libre 2 sensor and iPhone app

Handel profile image
6 Replies

I've been a Type 1 diabetic for almost 40 years and have been given Freestyle Libre 2 sensors on prescription since September last year. Does anyone have trouble with the sensor connecting to the app? I have 'signal loss', 'reading unavailable - try again in 10 minutes' and other failures throughout the day. Has anyone else experienced this (and found a solution). I'm afraid Abbot have been little help.

Many thanks for your help. Jan

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Handel profile image
Handel
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6 Replies
MaggieSylvie profile image
MaggieSylvie

Hi Handel, My partner goes through this; I think it's probably a vagary of the Libre2 system and it's a work in progress. Be prepared for the sensor to malfunction now and again and need to be changed before you are expecting it. When that happens you have to contact the manufacturers and send the sensor back to them. Then they will send you another. I'm sure you'll agree it's a good system.

Handel profile image
Handel in reply to MaggieSylvie

Thanks Maggie. I've gone back to blood sticks for the moment! The sensor alarms are failing all the time. I phoned and emailed Abbot and so far sent back at least 12 sensors but no replacements were sent. They seem now to be blaming Apple phones which is a bit daft! I get these on prescription so will persevere with the Libre. Just annoyed that blood readings are 3 units or more 'out' from the interstitial fluid readings but Abbot said that was normal?

It's really nice to have someone to reply to. My initial query was sent over 3 months ago!!

Lots of love and many thanks. Jan xxx

MaggieSylvie profile image
MaggieSylvie in reply to Handel

I've only just got the message and been allowed into the ideal diabetes site! That is a real pain for you. I have the app on my Android but my partner has a reader and he uses that. However, he's been in hospital for four weeks and they've put him on Novomix insulin. So it would seem there's an end to him dialing up how many units he thinks he should give himself and go back to carb counting at the food preparation stage. Blood readings are 3 units or more 'out' from the interstitial fluid readings but Abbot said that was Normal. Apparently so. But so long as it doesn't go below 4, it doesn't matter much. The sticks are more accurate, so if you need to double check, that's fine, and you will always find those 3 degrees difference.

Glad I could help, though it's not me that has the rotten condition. 😊😊😊

Handel profile image
Handel in reply to MaggieSylvie

I wouldn't wish diabetes on my worst enemy 😂. I've been Type 1 for 38 years and am on Novomix. It's the alarm failures that annoy me with the Libre. For the first time in 38 years I had a hypo during the night (would have been good if the flipping alarm went off!!!).

I hope your partner gets well soon.

Love and hugs. Jan xxx

MaggieSylvie profile image
MaggieSylvie in reply to Handel

Hi Handel, Thanks for your message; it's full of information. I had never heard of Novomix before, and didn't realise it was tied up with the alarm. The nurse set the alarm on his existing reader and it actually went off while I was there. My partner has been Type 1 from the start, some years before we met, so that would be nearly 50 years, I suppose; he can't remember. But he would have night time hypos quite often and he wouldn't notice until I woke him up to stuff his face with Dextrose and then get up and make tea and toast or something. So I was his alarm for years.

I couldn't find out how he was last night but will phone soon to see if there is some improvement. It does sound as though you should be using a reader rather than your phone; it would be a better solution than changing to Android. Are you restricted with your meal times? Presumably you have to be very dedicated to the carb-counter.

Thanks for your good wishes.

Handel profile image
Handel

Hi Maggie. I can't say I've ever let diabetes rule my life and I eat pretty much what I want to but always lots of veg and low fat stuff!! I'll have to look into a reader (where do you get those from?).

I love the image of stuffing his face with dextrose, tea and toast!!

I inject around 10 units of Novomix morning before breakfast, 10 units. before lunch and 10 units before tea (or dinner?)! I make sure I have a little bowl of porridge before bedtime which keeps sugars on an even keel. Although some mornings I have weird readings of 15 or more!

I've also got Novorapid which is the quick acting one I can inject if sugars are too high. We're both retired and in our 70's so meal planning doesn't enter the equation!

I hope your partner is getting better and is home with you soon.

Lots of love to you both. Jan xxxx

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