I very weird thing happened to me yesterday when I inserted a new sensor. I was trying my right hip since I ran out of places on my stomach I only have two so its not that hard. Anyway so I insert everything is fine and input my BG when it ask. About an hour later I get a high alarm it is saying my BG Is above 250 with double arrows up and I am thinking my site must have gone bad. But I check on my meter and it was not even close I was 135. SO I just think ok new sensor it is just settling in because usually I have awesome readings with my sensor.
So a couple hours later I look and I have 2 arrows down and it says 155 I think cool it is just catching up to where my BG was and I meter 119. However it does not stop those arrows stay and it goes all the way to 51 but I know my BG is not low still at 119. I calibrate for a second time in 4 hours.
To make a long story short all day yesterday my sensor went from double arrow up to double arrow down all on it’s own with numbers I never even got close to. For 10 hours and a few calibrations the sensor was never without it’s arrow buddies. It lost it’s mind. I finally took it out before I went to bed cause the alarms back and forth were driving me mad. I just wonder if it was the place I put it. I never have much issue’s with my sensors and I have to say this was almost funny it was so ridiculous. If I have dropped 350 points in 20 minutes I am sure I would feel it
Gonna see if I have a tummy place today or wait a few days anyone have a sensor that went nuts?
That’s something I experience quite often with my MM 522 /w CGMS, especially in the first day or so after sensor insertion (regardless of site or angle of sensor insertion). Have attributed this to the sensor needing to be fully bathe (“wet”) in interstititual fluid to work properly. For this reason don’t start a new sensor until 24 hours post-insertion.
I just found it a bit amusing maybe next time I try my hip ill let it sit for as long as you do. Usually I don’t start the sensor for 3-5 hours but that is in the one of two places I can use and it works pretty close to perfect. I guess the issue for me is sensors start getting pretty sore around 3 days so I would lose a day that way. I know others can use them longer but I just don’t have the ability to do that. I have also found when I bleed the first 24 hours are pretty off the mark. I used a deeper angle on my hip and am wondering if that played into it. My angle on my tummy is very slight at 20 degrees and as I said the numbers almost match perfect. I did 45 degrees on my lower hip thinking it would be more fatty I might have been wrong about that, lots of bleeding. I will try again another time and wait the 24 hours. Thanks for your impute
Be loved
It’s helpful to put a piece of paper tape over the flat part of the sensor to secure it if you put the sensor in awhile before connecting it to the transmitter.
A deeper angle (if you can “pinch an inch” in the area) of 60 degrees or so might help. Have also found less accuracy in sites that bled even if I can stop the bleeding with pressure after insertion.
One thing I’ve tried to reduce bleeding (when it occurs) is leaving the needle in for a few minutes after inserting the sensor.
You might want to try other areas on your sides and back area where you can reach above the hip, and also fatty areas (if you have) on the sides of the upper thigh.
I’ve found my sensor works well in the front of my thigh, along with a Tegaderm bandage. I’m going to see how well it works in my arm and the top of my buttocks when I feel confident about my other half’s ability to inject it .
Hi Steve I don’t have an inch anywhere maybe just a dash on either side of my belly button. Cystic Fibrosis prevents me from putting on fat so I have to be creative. I am going a lesser angle on my other hip and see if that works the 45 left a huge bruise so I am going to try 30. I am assuming there is more fat tissue even if I can not pinch it because it is right above the buttocks. So my tummy is 20 maybe 30 will work on the hip without the bleeding and bruising.
My endo told me never to leave the needle in because of the lack of fat it can do damage
I asked medtronic to consider a 5mm sensor like Abbott’s hopefully they will.
Be loved
Hi Maureen, I don’t use the front of my thighs because they’re pretty muscular. I also don’t use my front stomach area because of bleeding there, most likely the result of long-term pump infusion set insertion. I started pumping 22+ years ago during the “bent needle” days (where the infusion set needle stayed in) which I’m sure has wreaked havoc with subq tissue damage there! :-((
I put the sensor in at about 40 degrees or so, and it works just fine. I also wear infusion sets in my legs and my upper arms as well as my abdomen and upper buttock area.
That is my concern about infusion sets - I’m always rotating to unusual areas to avoid scar tissue. It makes for the odd stare from folks when they see it on my arm or leg with summer wear. Unfortunately, I don’t have muscular thighs, lol! But if I can get moving with my exercise goals…!!!
well just letting you all know I did the left hip at the same 20 degree I use on my tummy and it is working great
I waited about 12 hours before turning it on. Thanks for all your advice.
Be loved
Great, congratulations Laura! I like using the left hip area (area on sides above the bone) also, and like you put the sensor in 12-24 hours before to let it get “happy” (e.g. bathe in instititual fluid).
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