I was wondering what sites are best for wearing the Dexcom sensors? My first one was on my abdomen and lasted 12 days before I started getting ???. I managed to stop/ start again a few times for next day or so and then got wonky readings. Yesterday afternoon, I decided to insert new sensor in my thigh as I’d read that someone got good readings here and sensor lasted well too. Not so for me, it felt tender from the beginning, readings were very up and down and didn’t match my meter at all. Also, I found the sensor hooked on my pants every time I pulled them up/down to change, go to loo, etc. I had a sleepless night last night as alarm kept going for too high, too low, out of range, etc, etc. got warning that BG was 17 mmol/l but when I checked with my meter it was only 7.5 mmol/l. Anyway, I eventually admitted defeat and placed new sensor in my abdominal area today and so far all good. I was pretty upset about the wasted sensor, but have decided to just accept it as one of those things. Am keen to hear what sites work well for other users though.
Cheryl
Hey Cherylou, I'm sorry the thigh didn't work for you. For me it is the site that has provided the longest sensor at 25 days and the most accurate readings over that time. In fact because I am now using an omnipod pump system I have decided to reserve my thighs strictly for the dexcom and everywhere else for the pod. The current sensor is on day 11 in my left thigh.
I have used arms, butt, "love" handles, some men I have read use their chests but it isn't something I am going to try.
The only time I have placed a sensor and had to take it off because I just couldn't stand it anymore was on the back side of my left arm. I couldn't sleep and it was painful so I too pulled it off the next day.
I got a courtesy call from dexcom the other day asking me if I needed sensors because their last shipment to me was in February and they had shipped me 12 sensors for my 90 day supply. I said no thanks, I still have 7 left. The guy didn't really know how to respond so he just said, well call us when you need them.
I always try to start a new sensor as early in the day as possible. And I also set the alerts as high as they can go and as low as they can go because the first day can be so rocky. Some people find it is accurate immediately, I find it takes a day or 2 to marinate. Good luck
Hi Clare, where on your thigh do you usually place the sensor? Also, I’m thinking maybe I could place it horizontally or even rotate thru 180 degrees as I think that maybe the fact that I kept hooking it with my clothing dislodged the sensor wire? I’m worried about overusing the stomach area as I already have some damage there from so many years of injections.
Hi Cherylou, if I reach in to my jeans pocket I can just feel the top of the transmitter. I put it vertically and it is toward the outside of the thigh and I am really careful with my clothes. It only takes a second to rip a sensor out, it takes 2 or 3 seconds to carefully remove underwear or pants and avoid it. If you had dislodged the sensor you would not have gotten any readings at all.
But since you had such erratic numbers to begin with and they did not match your meter, I would call Dexcom and get a replacement sensor. Since this is only your second sensor, they will probably be very nice about getting you a new one. Especially if you mention how disappointed you were with the readings. Can't hurt to try.
Thanks, Clare. I’ll give them a call and see how it goes. I think I’ll try my thigh again in the future. I just need to get into the habit of remembering it’s there when I’m getting undressed. Silly me 
My son uses his upper arms for his Dexcom sensors. Occasionally his stomach or lower back, but mostly his arms. Stomach and back sensors are horizontal and arms are vertical.
Hi Cheryl,
I was placing the sensors in my abdomen as well. They lasted for 2 weeks sometimes, but my skin got very irritated. I am wearing one for the third week now in my upper arm and it's a great site. No irritation and looks like it's still going strong.
I've only worn them in my upper abdomen up till now, but I'm trying one on my hip this time. I've had it in for several days, and the readings have been accurate, and not really a problem with clothes. My biggest problem is that the adhesive doesn't work very well, and starts to come up before even the first 7 days are over. So I'm trying things like SkinTac and IV3000 tape and whatever else I can think of. I even tried duct tape once (don't laugh -- I'm creative!) but it was very irritating to my skin. You don't learn if you don't try, LOL!I'm going to try arms and lower abdomen, and legs and near armpit eventually, but one thing at a time! :-)
I primarily use the backs of my arms, they're not always the easiest to get inserted (there's some youtube videos on how to do it that I found helpful), but I find they are much more out of the way and much less prone to problems (for me at least) than a leg site. Otherwise I use my upper-belly, right under my ribs because its high enough it'll never ever ever get stuck on my waistband (did that once, ouch!).
Thanks, Skye. I think I'll give my arm a try with the next sensor change. As I said in my original post, I didn't have much luck with the thigh area. It works well in tummy but I know that I'll need to find some other sites too. I usually use hip area for my infusion sets. Many years ago when I was still on MDI's, I injected into my arm and it really hurt. I've never been brave enough to try my arms again :-(
I know a lot of people use the arm, but I can’t bring myself to have it on display. My favorite spot is my upper butt area, like where the top of my jeans pocket comes to. It’s out of the way, not visible, and I’ve gotten my longest sensor life there compared to my abdomen.
And you don't have problems getting pants on and off gracefully? Can you get it stabbed there one handed? I guess I don't know why it would be any harder than a back of arm site...?
I have had a couple awkward conversations about the "thing" on my arm, but for the most part if people notice it, they don't ask. I do live in Alaska though, and our short sleeve weather does not make up a large portion of our year!
Eh, it’s probably a personal thing… I’m not shy about talking about my diabetes, but I just don’t like having it on display. I totally respect people who do, though.
It’s not so far behind me to be a one-handed operation. I use two hands, just turn sideways to insert it. And yeah, I just pull my pants and underwear over it, no worries.