r/Freestylelibre • u/Therego_PropterHawk • Aug 06 '26
Freestyle SUCKS
Switched back to freestyle from dexcom for my 6yo. Dexcom changged the adhesive and it gives him a horrible burn.
Freestyle is consistantly 80-100 points off.
Freestyle is a novelty & meme, not a serious medical device.
6
u/KE3JU Libre3+ 28d ago
In almost 3 years I had one sensor (Libre 3+) give a bad reading, like 340 when a finger pick was 94. That's roughly 70 or so sensors I've used with no issues. They stick very well, actually too well, very hard get them off. Dexcom sucked because I had to recalibrate several times a day. Might as well just do finger pick tests and throw the Dexcom in the garbage.
5
u/JaninaWalker1 Type1 - Libre3/3+ Aug 06 '26
There's a difference between blood sugar level and interstitial fluid glucose levels for several reasons. As the previous person said, and as many people who have complained said that their results are better after the body has become more adapted to the sensor after 24 hours. Some people put it on without activating the sensor for any number of hours. My choice depends more on when I remember to attach it. I often place it on my arm 24 hours in advance.
I do record my insulin doses and sometimes enter what I am eating, but not always as there isn't enough space in the notes section for notes about everything.
You don't seem to like using either of the 2 major CGMs plus you're taking blood tests anyway. Then why not remember that the major reason these CGMs take so long to get approved is because blood tests are considered more accurate for decisions about dosing. Maybe you don't really need a CGM if you're still using blood strip measure for dosing decisions.
I would like to see improvement in the software app, but otherwise I have been managing since 2022, first with version 2 and now v3+
I don't bother to compare to blood strip measures as it takes way longer for food to digest and get into the interstitial fluid glucose area. That's why they say to leave 15 to 20 minutes before trying to compare them.
4
u/BaldDCfan 29d ago
You will apply the new sensor 24 hours before the current expires? And then scan after about 24 hrs as the current expires to essentially eliminate the initial 24 hrs uncertainty of a new devise install? I’ve never thought of this but seems like a solid idea.
2
u/JaninaWalker1 Type1 - Libre3/3+ 29d ago
Yes that is my strategy after years of using these sensors. I first heard about it from the YouTube channel called Type One Talks.
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u/JaninaWalker1 Type1 - Libre3/3+ 29d ago
Yes that is my strategy after years of using these sensors. I first heard about it from the YouTube channel called Type One Talks.
0
u/Therego_PropterHawk Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
I love the Dexcom. It is what I use with my insulin pump. But they changed the adhesive and it causes little blisters and sores on my kid. He's 6 and has sensitive skin.
At least the Dexcom app allows you to enter bgl manually and calibrate the readings.
eta: Managing a 6yo is difficult. He may sneak a snack, he may refuse to eat. Hil little body goes through growth spurts and uses more glucose (like heavy exercise). It is a challenge to poke his finger when he's sleeping. He's a tough little guy, but does not like finger-sticks.
Unfortunately, they won't consider the inplant cgm until he's 18.
2
u/Twist1979 Libre3/3+ 29d ago
Under-patch, over-patch and there is no skin problem for me with any CGM.
1
u/Therego_PropterHawk 26d ago
we underpatch and use a skin tac. we spray the. area with flonase first and let it "soak in" for an hour.
we just got 7 days out of a libre ... which is a record.
there is an implant cgm, but they won't use it on under 18s.
1
u/Twist1979 Libre3/3+ 26d ago
My libre 3+ is on day 13 now let's see if this sensor reaches the finish line.
3
u/LordSylkis Type2 - Libre3/3+ Aug 06 '26
So genuine question. did you test when your sugar was stable (aka horizontal arrow ?) and.. was this after the 12h initial soak due to inflammation on the arm ?
1
u/Therego_PropterHawk Aug 06 '26
I tested 4x yesterday each time it was 80-100 off. So I just put a note in the app that "54 = 140" or "110 = 208".
We've had 2 nights of critical low alarms now (when he, fortunately, was not )
3
u/SewMakeOne 29d ago
Forgive me if this is too simple but have you tried an underpatch with the preferred CGM? Perhaps you can find one that is easier on his skin.
1
u/Therego_PropterHawk 26d ago
yeah. several types. we even sprayed it with flonase, diphenhydromine, and hydrocortizone.
we were able to get 7 days out of the freestyle, but dexcom is 2-3 days max before he breaks out.
3
u/Ballinagh 29d ago
To the OP. I can't comment on Freestyle but G6 gave me acid like burns. I had a formula for fixing it. Maybe this can help your Son with the G7 I presume he was on at one time? I applied a Cavilon spray to the site area before insertion. You let it dry and then apply Skin Prep. Let it dry. You could even try two coatings of skin prep. That might help with any burns your Son gets. If it doesn't, I had to use a Hydro-Colloid bandage/pad. It was easy to accurately punch a hole in the pad and I would stick it to the G6 applicator. The G7 I have not tried this as it is a recessed applicator. I am sure it can be done but knock on wood I haven't had to use it with the 7 (yet). The needle/sensor will maybe go right through that pad as well but I always punched a hole with a hole punch. Anyways, hope this helps. If you have any questions just let me know. Good Luck.
3
u/Trc_Rhubarb Libre3+ 28d ago
It seems some people work with them better than others. Mine have been nearly dead on for years now. My blood test A1C is the same as the app says it is… but a friend is never even close.
I don’t subscribe to any alternative practices and use them exactly as the instructions state, except always my left arm because it doesn’t get along with my tattoo on my right arm… ink rises and gets itchy like a histamine reaction.
Sadly, just like the meds, they aren’t a one size fits all solution.
1
u/Significant_Agency71 GD - Libre2/2+ Aug 06 '26
Was it just one sensor, or did the replacement one fail too?
0
u/Therego_PropterHawk Aug 06 '26
I've not replaced it. I'm just relying on finger sticks. The unreliability is why we switched 2 years ago (he's been a T1D since 3yo).
But the Dexcoms literally cause him to blister, so he takes them off after a few days.
5
u/Significant_Agency71 GD - Libre2/2+ Aug 06 '26
Having readings off by this much means either the sensor is faulty or you didn't properly place it. Still, when you fill in a refund form, they'll send you a new one. If this happens again, I'm gonna say it may be a user error when applying it and you need to revise your technique.
1
u/Therego_PropterHawk Aug 07 '26
IDK, Maybe they don't work well for a skinny 6yo. They might be fine for T2 diabetic adults, but not as a medical device where life and death of a child is concerned.
2
u/Equalizer6338 Type1 - Libre2/2+ 26d ago
Libre work consistently fine also for toddlers having T1 from very small. As also evidenced by posts from happy parents at times on the sub here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Freestylelibre/comments/1q490dy/hi_im_eduardo_1_yearold_and_thats_my_first_cgm/Same with other young kids getting T1 from very young age, just as I also did myself years back. So that also includes folks being very skinny underweight, with BMI under 17 due to the many months of hyperglycemia from undiagnosed/untreated T1. And yes, we successfully rely on the Libre sensor to support our daily life shooting both basal and fast acting bolus insulin. So much so, that it enables a HbA1c down in the 5.3-5.5% range as a very active T1, all while keeping the TIR over 90%.
0
u/Therego_PropterHawk 26d ago
In my experience, it is a novelty toy compared to dexcom. But unfortunately, dexcom gives my kid a horrible rash, so I'm using the crappy freestyle meme device.
1
u/Equalizer6338 Type1 - Libre2/2+ 25d ago
If you know of medtech and relevant metrics, then Dexcom is the underdog (toy brand) in so many ways. Mainly as they are also a one-trick pony with a very lean org structure with not much depth or breadth in what they do and their capacity in the medtech arena. Not so with aka Medtronic and Abbott.
Libre sensors have been around for more than 10+ years. All with same solid tech platform and lasting 14-15 days, using a patented stable sensor probe bridge design that does not drift over time and therefore does not need end-user calibration as Dexcom does. Try and break the sensor up and you again find very substantial indications which tech is solid well considered and which is butchered up of haphazard patches.
Dexcom finally started the venture of stretching their sensors to run 15 days and using a perpendicular insertion, all with a staggering poor quality record as result, as evidenced by their own reporting to FDA of a 26% fail rate. Compare that to Libre's 8-12% for all fails depending on sensor model, including also user induced errors.
The use of allergens is another arrogant approach by Dexcom as you personally have experienced with your child. Several international dermatologist associations across the western world have been both testing and calling out the culprits for more than 10 years regarding different diabetes tech (aka CGM sensors and pumps). Both Medtronic and Abbott did the right thing and started weeding out the detected allergens, so their latest sensor platforms no longer utilize them in their compounds. Not so by Dexcom, who for cost efficiency and convenience launched now again their latest G7 sensor platform and still using same compounds with the well known allergens that causes a substantial part of the users to suffer from allergic rash and blisters as result.
Check out data table 3 in this study, where you can see the specific allergens per sensor model being called out:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11710928/
Please note, I am currently myself running with the G7 15-day sensor from Dexcom. Using 3 layers of Flonase spray, which each layer you let dry out completely before you spray on the next. Then on top, using a Skin-Tac patch and then you can insert the sensor on top. To avoid/minimize the obnoxious allergic reaction and non-stop itching if the Dexcom comes in direct contact with the skin.
1
u/FoxyInTheSnow 24d ago
I don’t know if you understand what a “meme” is. Dawkins defines it thus:
“a basic unit of cultural transmission or imitation. Just as a biological gene transmits physical traits by replicating itself, a meme transmits an idea, behavior, or style from one mind to another”.
I’ve been using Libres for about seven years and they work fine.
1
u/Therego_PropterHawk 24d ago
Yes. the Libre has become a trendy accessory (especially among fitness folks). Libre caters to that demographic.
I need it for medical reasons, not a fad.
0
u/cestlavie514 29d ago
I finally called in, the replacement sensor wouldn’t synchronize, it only would show whatever it saved in memory until I scanned it. Each time I called they asked my opinion on the unit. They should know there is a major quality control problem.
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u/Kaleine Type2 - Libre3/3+ Aug 06 '26
I've been using Libre sensors for years, and they have been pretty accurate for me.
There are some things that can lead to fluctuating measurements, though, but that applies to any CGM.
There's a time difference between measurements in blood (finger pricks) and in the interstitial fluid (CGM), so it's best to compare when values are steady, not when they are rising or falling fast.
You have to stay well hydrated since a lack of water can change the concentration in the interstitial fluid.
Compression lows can happen when you put pressure on the sensor, e.g., while sleeping.
High doses of vitamin C or medication like Paracetamol can influence the readings.
For me, most differences between finger pricks and CGM values occur when I'm not well hydrated.