Hi all! I am new to the group but have posted our issues with Dexcom somewhere else on this site. My son, age 11, started using the Dexcom in Jan. Since then we have only had 1 sensor last a full week (and that one we milked for a good 10 days.) However, every other sensor for the last 2 months has either fallen off, or just failed.
This week we had one sensor last less than a day. The next one lasted four days. Neither fell off, but they still failed.
Anyway, I am wondering if maybe the Dexcom is just not going to work for him? He is a VERY active 11 year old, plays soccer 4 times per week and does sports performance 2 days per week. In other words, maybe there is too much sweat/ movement going on to keep the sensor working? Today he went swimming and we thought for sure that would be the end of the sensor, but much to our surprise it failed before he ever got in the pool.
We are soooo frustrated b/c when it works it is spot on. We have had ZERO (literally zero) issues with accuracy. For him, it gives him nearly identical readings to his finger stick. So we hate to give up on it, but we are going through sensors at a rate of 2-3 per week.
We have spoken to Dexcom a half a dozen times and they really don't have any advice other than to ask our MD at our next appt what else we can try. Right now we have the sensor tega-dermed on, skin tacked on, etc. so keeping it on has become less of an issue than the sensor just failing for no reason.
Anyway, just wondering if any other kids out there are having the same sort of issues?
I have a very active 7 year old and we had issues in te beginning with the sensor staying on. Now we use Opsite Flexifix. We cut a hole in it for the grey sensor and then we completely cover te rest of the CGM. It helps to keep CGM in. We get at least 10 days out of a sensor before the Opsite Flexifix starts to come loose. I hope this helps.
One think that I have done and I feel that it has helped me...is to clean the area where you are gluing the sensor to first.. our skins have a lot of oil, and glue doesn't like this..so I use the 91% Alcohol instead of the normal 70% ...both are available at Walgreens for the same price, but since I have been cleaning with the 91%, I have found the sensor sticking better.. after the glue has dried then I use a small amount of skin-tac, let that dry in about 60-90 seconds..and then I place the dexcom sensor and I usually get about 18-20 days before the sensor starts to come off..i swim, bike and run.. I have heard of some of the other tricks about putting a patch over it but this seems to work for me, any questions let me know
Hi Tracy - I don't have any solutions for you. I just wanted to say that this sounds extremely frustrating. I am having some issues with the Dexcom sticking as well, but as I have a desk job, it seems to be working out okay. Is there an area rep that you could meet with and discuss this with? My omnipod reps are awesome and always have good troubleshooting solutions. Perhaps that could be an option for you all.
I will second the SkinTac and Flexfix. I’m not an active 11 year old, but I just had a sensor last through a week long cruise with lots of swimming, snorkeling and hot tubs.
We have a 14 year old girl that plays sports and we had the very same thing from the beginning. We also use Opsite Flex just like LUKES MOM. Order it on the internet. One roll will last forever. The roll we got was about 2" wide. We cut it so that the transmitter has a hole in the tape. The Opsite Flex will only touch the tape on the Dexcom and about one inch of skin aournd the Dexcom tape. I make several at a time. They are about 2" X 3" and have a hole in the middle. Its very thin tape and does not peal off early, but is still easily removed when needed. Just use an alcohol wipe to prep the area. We get at least 7 days from all sensors and accurate.
Back when I used the medtronic cgms, I had to tape them on to keep in place. The only tape I found to work for me was the opsite flexifix. I could cut it to the size I wanted, and the roll lasted almost forever. I have not had to use additional tape with the Dex, and am successful keeping mine stuck for up to 3 weeks with skin tac and mastisol if needed. Also I find that if I have slipped with my control, i.e. I have more high and/or low swings I do not get as long of a run out of the sensor. I also notice location will tend to make a difference in the length I can get accurate results - as I try to rotate placement of the sensor when I move to a area of my abdomen that has less fatty tissue I usually get between 12 to 14 days instead of 18 to 20 days in a more "plump" area. Finally, when I am working outside, in the heat, sweating, etc I find that even with what I perceive as ongoing and adequate fluid intake I notice a tendency for the Dex to respond slower to changes in my blood sugar. Also, you are making sure when you insert that both sides of the transmitter clip in. I always check to make sure it is properly secured after I insert. And when it fails, what is it doing? I have stopped a sensor a couple of times because of the continued ??? and inaccurate readings, restarted, and had excellent results. Even when it's the first week and I call Dexcom and talk to them - I never pull without trying a restart since they are so expensive!
so strange, my daughter has also been on dex since january, she is 12, a competitive dancer, so about 14 hours of rigorous dance a week, moving her body into every position imaginable, with tumbling( aerials, and back bends, etc) 5 to 7 hours a week, with random trampoline sessions when we are home mixed in there, I am amazed at how well this dang thing works on her!! we use skin tac before and that seems to keep it adhesed the first week , then we restart and do another 3 to 5 days, ( with a tegaderm added on) before it craps out and we start another one. In general they do not fail until day 11 or 12. We have had one fail in the first week, but I think it was on day 6 and it was replaced. I have noticed it soesn't seem to work in the pool as well, but I'm guessing the many feet of concrete between her sensor and the reciever might have something to do with that.
He's not taking any tylenol is he?
Work with your doc and I hope you can work it out!! We have the same experience with accuracy, often it's exactly the freaking same as fingerstick!! WOW!
so more plump = longer sensor life for you? My daughter has little fat on her belly, occasionally if she twists she can feel the cannula on her muscle, and we get 12 to 14 days out of it.
so sorry to hear what your son is going thru. Seems odd that he's had so many failures. totally frustrating I'm sure. While keeping the sensor taped on seems to be resolved (btw- thumbs up for opsite flexifix, I do what LukesMom does, plus I work out almost everyday and shower 2x/day and this stuff is awesome) I would reach out to your local Dexcom clinical education specialist or patient care specialist. It might be good to have someone observe all the steps you're/he's taking to place the sensor, etc. just a thought. good luck!
wow we are going to try the 90% alcohol next time. we had been putting the skin tac on the sensor cloth, but you are putting it directly on the site? 20 days would be pretty sweet!!
