First off, since I’m the guy who started this thread, I just want to say thanks to all of you who I provoked to chime in. I’ve always said that given the choice, I’d rather be provocative than right! Any dialogue is helpful and if any of you have found this thread helpful, I’m glad. Keep it comin’ folks.
Now for my next reply. I’ve seen some comments from folks who have trouble bleeding around sensors, etc. I don’t, usually, but I did once. About one time in ten when I insert the infusion set I’ll hit a capillary. You can feel it, and I’m sure you all know. It hurts just a tiny bit more than if you miss it. I’ve never had a problem if that’s all I hit.
But one time (and you never know this till you take it out a few days later!) I had hit an artery. What a mess! Blood squirting onto the bathroom mirror the instant I took the cannula out of me! Splat, splat, splat! I yelled to my wife to bring me an ice pack! It took nearly 15 minutes to stop the bleeding! Cripes!
I was never able to get dexcom or Medtronic sensors to work on my abdomen. My abdomen moves too much. Sitting up or stretching was what I think was the issue.
Marilyn you can still use the backs of your arms if you are a side sleeper. That’s where I put mine. The sensor doesn’t touch the mattress but it would if I slept on my back.
Have you considered putting the Dexcom on the front of your thigh? I’ve seen some people do that and for them it is their preferred site for accuracy and comfort.
I personally don’t have many issues with accuracy or erratic readings but I might just be the type of person the Dexcom was designed for.
The Dexcon didn’t work well on the front of my thigh. My thighs were the best site for Medtronics sensor, but Medtronics Guardian sensors didn’t give actionable results.
I don’t think that I get as good of performance off G6 as I did with G4. Try manual calibration mode. I think that helps ward off some of the really outlandish readings (differences of 50%).
I have great results using inner thigh. If I place hand on thigh/lap, where my thumb lands is approximately where I insert my G6. I rotate between legs and occasionally back of each arm, with 10-17 days per sensor.
Staying hydrated is also a factor for good cgm readings.
Just this last two weeks, I went through 3 bad sensors before I got a good one. In speaking with their rep, I learned I should not take over 5000mg of acetaminophen per day. I never take more than 3000, and that I was on it the past week due to back pain.
BUT I did something different than I’ve been doing. You may know that most Dex users get a skin rash from the sticky substance on their sensors, and that the use of an allergy spray was recommended to be applied to the skin before applying the sensor. Well, I instinctively left it off this last time and my unit has been nailing the glucose readings. So I’m no longer using the allergy med and will just live with the skin rash.
I only use the sensor on my belly to keep a close distance from my pump. The pump MUST face outward, too. I found if there is too much body mass between the line of sight of the transmitter and the pump, there will be occasional interruptions in the readings.
I have had a batch of bad sensors lately. The Dexcom tech told me that extremes of temperatures during shipping can damage the sensors. The last 3 I have used came from the same box. I am waiting to see if the one I attached yesterday works since it has the same lot number.
I have never had a rash from the sensor so apply nothing to my skin but the sensor itself.
I have recently had a situation and just wondering if anyone else has had this problem. Less than a month ago, I was put on a baby aspirin, after I had a head MRI. Now the last two times I’ve put on a new CGM sensor, it has bled and I get a huge bruise. I’ve been told it could be because of the blood thinner. I do take a Trulicity shot every week and haven’t noticed any difference there. But I really need my CGM! Anyone else experienced this and what do I do? Help.
I can only give you my experience with baby aspirin. My cardiologist prescribes Lovaza, an Omega 3 drug to lower triglycerides. It is a fish oil derived drug. Later the cardio wanted me to take baby aspirin daily. I did for a couple of weeks but started having nose bleeds. The Lovaza also acts as a blood thinner.
If you are taking any fish oil product, over the counter or prescribed, adding aspirin my be too much.
Whenever I am going to have surgery or even a colonoscopy I quit the Lovaza for 2 weeks prior, except once. I had a suspicious growth on my face that was excised. It had to be repeatedly cauterized to stop the bleeding.
Best I can do, Les.
BTW I no longer take Lovaza, but Vascepa, does the same thing.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Luis. I never thought of fish oil having an impact on blood thickness. I do take an Omega 3 fish oil caplet daily, and have for years. Actually, I put in a new sensor last night and so far no sign of bleeding or bruising. I will keep an eye on it and I guess I will have to discuss this with my dr at my appt on the 7th.
I wondered if other people had experiences like this.
Thanks again.
I take 4 grams of prescription fish oil for LDL, plus a baby aspirin and a supplement which thins blood. If I raise the supplement I run into problems, but otherwise not. I very rarely bruise at all. My skin shows no reaction to the CGM or all of the decades of needles. I almost never bleed.
I also have severe asthma and have taken tons of puffers and steroids, both oral and in my nebulizer, for many years. My skin feels like it is sunburned all the time, if it is touched. Also, if I barely bump up against something my skin tears like tissue paper or I get a huge bruise, within minutes. I tore my skin a few days ago just taking off my sweatshirt. So, maybe that has something to do with my CGM sensor bleeding.
This is the first time I’ve noticed this, Laddie points out that one of the execs from Dexcom was explaining that they found some individuals may have a reactions to the sensor wire. I wish Dexcom Support might had suggested this when we call to ask for a replacement after only 5, 6 or 7 days of sensor use almost every month.
My biggest concern is that if the CGM reading is high by 50 or more mg/dl then our X:2 Control IQ could administer a bolus that would send us too far down. (our CGM has been off as much as 100% or more on occasion)
Thanks Laddie, appreciate this kind of info in the forums.
Been on Dexcom for about 6 years and I personally think the quality of the sensors have declined big time in the past few years. Used to be I could get 15-20 days out of a sensor, now I’m lucky to get a full 10 days with a lot more failing on the first day or two. I’m at the point where I’m starting to think Dexcom is going to cut me off because I’m having multiple sensors a month replaced.
I yelled to my wife to bring me an ice pack! 
It took nearly 15 minutes to stop the bleeding! Cripes!