Hi,
Quite new here.. and also on using Dexcom (and sensor).
I've read in other forums that upper arm seems to be the best place for the sensor when it comes to accuracy and also, it lasts for a longer period. Since I'm paying for it myself, I'm quite happy to be able to use the sensor as long as possible...
Where do you wear the sensor and do you have noticed any differences to wear it somewhere else?
(Moreover, I'm from Sweden, so I might not always write correct in english... -;))
I am very thin male, 5 foot 9 and 145 lb.'s. I have very little cushioning to place the sensors.
I have also heard the upper arm works well, but I chose to use the upper thigh, most comfortable for me.
I have had great success at this location and can get two-three weeks from a sensor.
I also use a barrier(because of an allergic reaction with the Dex adhesive) like Opsite Flexfix and Skin-Tac to keep the sensor in place longer.
Good luck,
Michael
I'm still on my first sensor after starting Dexcom. I'm in my 2nd week, wearing it on my belly, like they recommend. How do you tell when the sensor is on it's last leg and should be replaced? I've not seen better accuracy the second week like many talk about here. I feel it's accuracy has gone down slightly, though not enough for me to be worried yet.
As far as where to wear it, I plan on testing both arms and legs. I like my Omnipod on my arms though, so I'm feeling that if it works well on my legs I might be a leg guy eventually.
Welcome Kian, I have been using a Dexcom for a little over a year. I now use it exclusively on my upper thighs. It gives accurate readings and I have worn sensors for up to 3 weeks without any loss of accuracy. When I first got it I tried my arms and abdomen and it was fine there as well but I got an omnipod pump 6 months ago and I prefer to wear that on my arms and I don't want too many things stuck in the same place.
And your English is probably better than mine on a good day :)I also use Opsite Flexifix to secure the sensor. It is the only stuff I have tried, the 4" wide roll I bought a year ago still has plenty on it so a little goes a long way.
Hello Kian! I have used my upper arms but find that it just doesn't seem to stick as well. I end up adding more and more tape, but can get two weeks out of one sensor. My best location is my outer thigh. If I hold my hands down at my sides, my sensor is right at my palm. I use Opsite Flexfix around the sensor to help hold it on, and have gotten up to three weeks on one sensor.
Good Luck!
Jenn
Hey Kian and welcome to the group.
I have been using the Dexcom for about 8 months. The best location for me so far is the upper thigh as several others have observed. Also, I am a technology person and push everything as far as I can, including they are expensive so maximum time is a good thing. It has been my experience to get to almost 6 weeks on one sensor, but I have settle on 4, which seems to work best for me.
I have a site I am using occasionally until I get some readers where I wrote a little about the process I use to keep them on for a longer time. Please read and post as I would like to get readers. (Yes, self promotion but at least I'm being honest.)
Thanks a lot to you all!!
That was great to hear, that many of you use thighs! I will need to try that one.
I have also decided to settle it to 3-4 weeks. Looking by the reports I can see that my sensor was starting to loose connection more often the last week (4). But on the other hand I got more in the "mood of roller-coaster" when it comes to my BG:s that week and was thinking if that might have affected the loss of connection as well...?
I ended my first one last week, it fell off...
Ron Doyle, will check out your site!
Hopefully I can find something similar to Opsite Flexifix here.. :)
Kian:
One thought to consider when using the thighs ---
If you are wearing slacks/pants, you may find that some sensor locations on the thighs are likely to be dislodged by friction from the fabric of the clothing, especially when raising/lowering the pants.
I put a layer of Opsite Flexfix over the sensor as well, this keeps the clothing from dislodging the sensor. It is a good idea o cut a small square of the sensor packaging to put on top of the transmitter so you can remove the flex-fix from the transmitter easily at sensor changes.
I apply Skin-Tac, then a square of Flexfix, then place the sensor on top the Flex Fix then set the transmitter, then place a little square of plastic directly over the transmitter then cover the whole thing with more flex-fix.
Much easier than it sounds:).
Kian,
Welcome. I like the sensor on the side of my chest, near my arm. It's out of the way ans usually lasts 3 weeks there with good readings - even when I'm exercising (which affected it most everywhere else I've tried). I usually consider the sensor at it's end-of-life when I lose connection or get ??? 3-4 times in a day, even when the receiver is nearby. Haven't made it to 4 weeks yet...
I haven't tried using my thigh because I'm concerned that since I wear jeans most of the time, and do a lot of walking, it would be uncomfortable and/or would lose it's adhesiveness. Not a problem for you thigh users?
The only problem I have using the thigh is I sometimes snag it when pulling my pants up/down. I wear skinny jeans quite often and as long as I have the Opsite on it sticks beautifully. In fact, it sticks longer than it stays accurate.
I'm with Jenn so long as it is surrounded by Opsite I have no issues with the sensor adhering on my thigh and the longest was 26 days. I wear skinny jeans and I swim 3-4 times a week and walk every morning with my dog.
Did I understand correctly that:
you put the flexfix first on your skin and then you "shoot" the sensor through the flexfix and after everything is in place (the transmitter), you also cover it once again by flexfix?
Side of your chest - same as under your armpit?
I'd like to know that too, shooting it through the flexfix. I've used Tegaderm with my Omnipod, putting on my skin first, and allowing the canula to go through the Tegaderm patch with no problem.
I vary the sites rotating from one to the other. Since I am an Omnipod user also and it requires that it should not be with in 3 inches of the other sensor. Also I have some scar tissue issues. I like the stomach first, then the leg. I cannot put the Dexcom on my Arm without help however, I do put my Omnipod insulin pump on my arm. It has a automatic self-insertion that I wish the Dexcom had. I have had an issue with infection on my thighs from the insertion site. You will find that moving it to different sites is a good option as eventually you may develop soreness at one site or the other. I give the sites a rest by moving them.
I am semi-new to this, too. I am happily surprised that so many people put the sensor on the arm or thigh! I thought the abdomen was the only place it could go. My educator recommended I put my pump in my back (hip area or butt) and my sensor in the front, around my belly. I felt like this was very limiting. I play roller derby, lift weights and jog, I have always feared putting my pump (or sensor) near muscle, and thought it was best in a fatty area (my waist area).
Do other athletic folks use the arm and thigh? Do you not ever sweat it off? Another question I had.
thanks for your help!
I don't use hypafix tape, and if the transmitter is covered, it doesn't snag on stuff.
I wear mine on my thighs pretty regularly. Exercise does not affect it negatively. The sweat (IMHO) is like a bath or shower and will just loosen it up over time.