I started a trial of Dexcom 7+ last week, which was halted on day 3 due to error. Now I'm restarting the trial, and have a few questions.
1. I read, from the old post, that people put some kind of dressing over the existing sensor dressing. Do you do it as soon as the new sensor is inserted, or after the existing dressing has become worn and non-sticky?
2. I also read that people insert the sensor at night, and start the sensor the next morning. What's the purpose of delaying starting sensor?
3. I learn that, if I want the sensor to last beyond 7 days, all I need to do is pressing "start the sensor" on day 7. If I do that, will I lose all the last 7-day data stored in the receiver?
4. Is it ok to use expired sensors?
5. My sensor is right above the belly button. I have the habit of crossing my arms, which sit on that area. This means I occasionally push the sensor downwards toward the ground. Would it be safer if I put a dressing over this thing so that it stays put?
6. I experience an infrequent pain in the insertion site. Is this normal?
1. We use extra tape from day 1. We've never lost a sensor.
2. With the 7+ we also inserted at night, then started sensor early the next morning. It isn't necessary, but it helps with accuracy (or did for us).
3. Restarting the sensor at any time does not wipe the data.
4. We used a few expired sensors & it was hit & miss. We had 2 or 3 that were horribly inaccurate. The rest worked fine. The ones we used were 3-4 months past expiration.
5. I can't even imagine having a sensor that close to the belly button! My teen daughter only uses her arms.
6. Intermittent pain can be from the sensor wire getting too close to the muscle, or a bent wire. If it's a recent insertion, it could also be the tissue settling down. If it continues to be painful, I would remove it.
This is my procedure but I don't claim to be the expert here but this works for me. ...I insert vertically on the front, towards inner part of my upper arm. This way it is not affected by my sleeping on my side.
...I put two pieces of Tegaderm film across the whole thing horizontally. I put the bottom one on first, going to the middle of the sensor and then overlap from the top with the 2nd film. I usually have to add another one across the top in the 2nd week.
...My sensor stops like clockwork on day 7. the first time, I hit "stop sensor" and wait a few minutes and then hit "restart."
...It stops again on day 14 and I put a new one on the other arm then. I don't try to get a third week. I have tried other tapes but the Tegaderm peels right off and leaves no stickies. And does well in the shower. Not perfect, but adequate.
Works for me. Others have their own technique. You will find what works best for you over time and trial and error.
1. I've never put another dressing/tape/bandage over the Dex adhesive fabric. I do paint a coating of Skin-Tac liquid adhesive over the top of the existing Dex fabric when I first install. That usually lasts me at least 14 days.
2. I don't usually insert any more than the requisite 2 hour wait period. People do this to give the enzyme on the sensor time to settle into the site and hopefully get even, consistent readings right from the start. The first 24 hours can be more inaccurate.
3. Once the first 7-day sensor session ends, the receiver will alarm to let you know. Then just use the receiver to select "start sensor." You'll then have to wait for the two-hour blackout period to expire before seeing any readings.
4. Is it ok to use expired sensors? Today is June 26 and I just started the second week of a sensor that expired on May 22. It seems to be performing quite well. I've used sensors for the Dex 7+ that were up to 6 months past their expiration date. If the sensors were stored for any length of time below or above their temperature comfort range, I would be more leery to use them. If the sensor compare favorably to fingerstick numbers, they are probably OK.
5. If you're worried about dislodging the sensor, extra tape would help.
6. I sometimes have a little bit of pain in the first day or so but it usually goes away. If the pain persists, I remove the sensor. For me, pain means inflammation with the possibility of infection. I've never had an infection from a sensor site but I don't put up with much pain there either.
Good luck with your CGM use. I wouldn't want to live without it.
I wanted the sensor in a different site other than belly, but the nutritionist wouldn't let me do it. When I own the system, I can experiment.
I have a few pieces of Tagederm. I read people cut a hole in the middle so that it won't touch the transmitter. Is it because it will make the laying of Tagederm easier or more smooth? If I want to prevent myself from pushing the sensor away, I suppose the Tagederm needs to cover the sensor to make it more secure, right?
We use Hypafix tape, which is very similar to the Dex adhesive pad. We've never covered the transmitter. We fold the tape in half & cut out a small hole so the transmitter is exposed. I know a few others who have always covered the transmitter & had no problems, but we were told it could cause shorter battery life so we've never tried covering. Tegaderm & Opsite Flexifix are also popular. Tegaderm is too expensive for us (insurance doesn't cover any dressings/tapes), & Flexifix caused skin irritation.
