I’ve just started the Libre 3 sensor. About a week into the first sensor (left arm) I started having a weird shoulder pain. I ignored it. Now I’m in my 2nd sensor (right arm) and I’ve developed the same shoulder pain in the right shoulder.
Has anyone experienced any shoulder pain with the sensor? I enjoy the convenience of the sensor, but am now wondering about side effects. I’ve never used a sensor of any type so maybe I just need to get used to it?
Experiences/knowledge appreciated.
When you say shoulder pain do you mean pain in the joint, or a pain in the general area?
Pain in the shoulder area. My arm and shoulder have the same mobility and there’s no pain when doing activities.
Hello @TiJoy I took a look at side effects on the NIH website and the most prevalent are itching redness and pain at the sensor site with nothing mentioned for joint pain.
In my experience, and I have 2 frozen shoulders, is I have no pain at the joints as a result of over almost 2 years of continuous CGM use.
Joint pain could possibly be the CGM or something else so I urge you to talk to a doctor or a specialist such as an orthopedic surgeon.
Thank you for replying. I will mention at my next visit.
Did you work with a trainer before starting in the device? If so give them a call - they may have some suggestions. Tech support might have some as well. People who are lean might feel pain because they’re inserting into muscle rather than fatty tissue, As I understand it the only approved insertion place for the Libre is on the arm, but many CGM users use other sites if the recommended one is problematic. If your next visit is a while off call your doctor to discuss.
Hi Joy @TiJoy, I haven’t yet used any of the Libre sensors, so my response is based on my experience with placement of Dexcom G6 [not recommended] and the recommended placement of Dexcom G7.
How close to your shoulder are you placing your Libre 3? The information I see in literature is to insert the Libre on the back of the upper arm - not on the shoulder. Dexcom stresses that the G7 us placed into a “soft” area on the arm. I’m slim and don’t have “much extra” any place, especially not near my shoulder.
Yes the nurse inserted my first one and then I had an appointment last week and she demonstrated again and watched me insert it.
I was taught to use the back of my arm the fatty part. It’s not near my shoulder at all.
I’ve looked on a couple other forums and a few people have experienced shoulder pain as I’ve described. It’s so convenient, but I’m not liking the unexplained shoulder pain. I will give it some time to see if it resolves. I’ll use the left arm next time.
It’s possible you may have hit a nerve during application—this has happened to me before and caused some discomfort. From my experience, careful placement can help avoid sensitive areas. If it doesn’t improve, checking with your healthcare provider might be a good idea. Hope you feel better soon!
Ive experienced a slight pain in shoulder with libre 3 when i used it in the back of my arm right at insertion. once it lingered for a few days, just a slight annoyance. That is one of the reasons i switched to wearing it on my thighs - other reasons being, more muscular real estate and lesser compression lows
Thank you for sharing that! I think I’ll try the thighs next.