I absolutely love the Dexcom - it has completely changed the way I manage my diabetes, and I’m so very happy with it. However, I really would like to get more time out of my sensors and I just can’t. I don’t know why - I’m not abnormally thin, or any more active than a lot of quite active people I see on the forums using G4 with a lot of success. So I don’t really know what my problem is. The absolute longest I’ve gone is 10 days before there are so many dropouts, ??? and inaccurate readings that I just have to change it.
Does anyone have any advice for making it last a bit longer? I don’t use anything really to help secure the adhesive, except sometimes some Skin-Tac if I’m going to be extra active. Would putting some tape over it maybe help? Even when I used Skin-Tac around day 5 or 6 cause I could tell the adhesive was going to start lifting up I didn’t have any luck. I just can’t figure out why I can’t replicate the results I always hear about on here.
Do your blood sugars fluctuate a lot? Or does it go high and stay high? I find both these things can effect how long my sensor lasts. Also are you only wearing it on you abdomen? I get longer times when wearing it in a non-approved spot.
I agree with Seth, I wear mine on my tricep and I get at least 2 weeks most of the time 3. Also the high sugars a very high culprit for throwing your cgm off.
I use opsite flexifix every single time and like Seth, I am upset if I don't get at least 3 weeks out of a sensor. I wear it exclusively on my upper thighs because that is where I get the best readings and the longest wear. I am very physically active walking every day and playing racquetball or tennis 3 times a week, so my legs get plenty or work. My blood sugars do not fluctuate dramatically any more so that may also contribute to sensor life.
Hmm, I didn't know that about blood sugars fluctuating. Mind you, mine don't fluctuate a lot but occasionally it'll happen. However, it's been this way since I started the Dexcom back in July.
I haven't tried any sites besides the abdomen, mainly because it's very comfortable for me and seems to give good readings, but I'll try my upper arm and leg and see what happens. And I'll buy some Flexifix, seeing as I don't even have any yet.
3 weeks!!! What is your secret! Mine last 5 or so days then I use medical tape to holo it down until I get to about 7 days! I find using alcohol wipes to clean the skin and then letting it dry keeps the sensor on a lot longer.
I'm not in the 3-week club, but I do generally get 2.5 weeks or so from a sensor. I've started wearing them on my chest, just in front of my armpit. Seems to give me the best results, especially when I'm exercising and sweating. I always put the Flexfix tape on right away, and occasionally do 'repairs' after a week-to-ten days.
Upper arm is definitely the best spot for me. I do an application of Skin Prep, let it dry, and then do another application before inserting the sensor. I then put Opsite Flexifix on all four sides. I have a very hard time keeping it on my body for more than two weeks, which I attribute to doing hot yoga three days a week. If I wasn't sweating three days a week, I suspect I could keep it alive longer, no sweat. (Pun intended.)
I usually get two weeks, but occasionally I’ll get a sensor that only lasts about 10 days. The longest I’ve made it is 3 weeks, but usually I just change it out at 2 weeks.
My favorite sites are the back of my upper arms. I have never been able to coordinate using Flexifix one-handed on those sites and have stopped using it completely. I apply SkinTac to the sensor adhesive before applying the sensor and this gives me a week to 10 days of adhesion. Then I use a Q-top to apply more SkinTac under the edges of the sensor. I learned this technique from someone on TuDiabetes and it has worked great for me. I don’t even bother with Flexifix anymore on the sites where I have two-handed access to apply it. I also use upper thighs for Dexcom. I save my abdomen for pump sites and only rarely put the Dex there.
The only thing I try to avoid is sleeping on the sensor. Some people say it is no problem for them, but for me it seems to mess up my readings and shorten my sensor life. So for the two weeks I have a sensor on my right arm, I’ll also put my pump sites on that side and try to sleep on my left side.
When the Dexcom G4 says it is time for a new sensor, it is always about 7 days for me. In reading these comments, I am guessing that I am just not getting as long lasting sensors as you folks.
I am fairly new to the Dexcom, only about a month now. Love the small size and small needle.
I had previously used a minimed's pumps & cgms but had a lot of issues with pain, bruising and infections. The needle was longer and thicker and the injector mechanism was miserable. I gave it up 3 years ago. Too many issues and the Glucose movements were farther from the real blood sugar. I had to change that sensor every three days.... Yuck
The G4 is programmed to be replaced every 7 days, that is why you get the "replace sensor soon" warning. It doesn't mean you actually have to replace the sensors. All it means is you have to restart and recalibrate the sensor. I leave them in place for at least a couple of weeks.
I am disappointed if I get less than 3 weeks per sensor. Usually the adhesive starts to lose its stickiness after a week, but that can be fixed by taping around the edges.
As for making it last longer, I've noticed that when I run higher, the triple question marks come quicker. On vacation this summer, I ate carbs like they were going out of style and would routinely wake up >150 mg/dl. That one only lasted me a couple weeks before I had to replace it. My last sensor was attached for 4 weeks and was still giving me results with no question marks. My average was around 113 mg/dl during that span.
I know what you mean, I cannot get more than 10 days on PLUS sensors. I assume it is my body chemistry compared to some people who can routinely get 14-21 days. Very unfortunate because the cost works out much higher.
It'a rare G4 sensor session that lasts three weeks for me. I don't have any problem with keeping the sensor bandage adhering. I apply a coat of Skin-Tac on top of the bandage after I insert a new sensor. The Skin_tac soaks through the bandage and sticks to the skin. I also prepare the site using a rag with hot water and soap to enhance adhesion.
The thing that limits my sensor session are the ??? warnings/data dropouts. Once that occurs more than a few times, then I lose confidence that the system will dependably wake me up at night.
I almost always get two weeks and sometimes a bit more than two weeks. My decision to pull is usually guided by data dropouts and good correlation with my fingersticks. My insurance buys me one sensor/week so I never hesistate to pull a sensor if I doubt its reliability, even if its only been a week or less.
I usually get 2 weeks and have occasionally gotten 3 weeks. I am not sure but it sounds like you may not be trying to restart. When I get the replace message I use STOP Sensor then wait 5 minutes and restart sensor, it takes a couple hours like the first time, after a week more next replace message I repeat the process if the sensor tape is not loose or excessively dirty. However I have had some sores after using for three weeks. I always use an antibiotic ointment and bandaid on the area where its punctured the skin after I remove it. I think 2 weeks is a better goal because the puncture area can seems to be irritated after 3 weeks. I only have had it come loose a couple times. Maybe my skin is drier or something but they stick pretty good. I use my stomach but think I will try some other sites. Don't know how you can do that by yourself on the back of the arm though?
