Ok ive been using Alcohol wipes pretty much for prepping for my dexcom it does ok i tend to get usually about 7-8 days though i feel i can get more where is the cheapest and best place where i can get a decent sized quantity of things like skin prep or iv prep wipes or something close to that that is stronger then regular alcohol wipes
also i just put one on monday and i can see some of the adhesive trying to come off i think these just arent supposed to work with this atleast for the length of time i need
I like the Opsite Flexifix tape - if my sensor had not just crapped out, tomorrow would be 3 weeks and the tape was just starting to come loose. I buy the 2 inch because it is cheaper but most people seem to prefer the 4 inch. I get mine from Amercian Diabetes Wholesale. The first time I bought it from a local supply place but even with shipping, ADW was cheaper.
ive used tape before but its been known to catch some sticky part on my clothes while working and slowly pull out my sensor has that happened to you with this tape?
No, the Flexifix stays stuck really good. I was also using it for pump sites and had a really hard time getting it off the pump sites.
ok i just ordered it kinda expensive hopefully its worth the money!
Someone told me about an adhesive that looks like an alcohol swab. You rub the skin around the area before putting in the sensor. Anyone know what that is? I can’t seem to find it, but I’d prefer something like this over tape!
In my experience, alcohol wipes dry my skin and really makes it uncomfortable. Instead, I scrub the area really well, dry it well, and then spray a little “Skin Prep” on a disposable pad and wipe it onto the contact area. Let it dry totally and then do another coating the same way and then install the sensor. I have heard that Skin Prep also comes as a pre-moistened pad.
Victoria, that might be what you had heard about.
Re: buying things cheaply, I've heard that American Diabetes Wholesale gives a discount if you use the code TUDIAB7.
Andrew
I too have a big problem with the sensor adhesive staying adhered. I also use the Flexifix tape. It works really well but I then had to purchase barrier wipes because it was causing my skin to break out! Anyway should be a good answer to your problem. I know it works for me. I still can’t believe that after just a few days the adhesive gives out like that! Dexcom needs some adhesive advice from Insulet if you ask me.
I’m also a fan of the flexifix tape. It is expensive, but it is good stuff.
There are a few different types. Skin Prep and IV Prep are a couple names. There’s also another called SkinTac.
Skin Tac probably better than skin prep, individual wipes, you can wipe the area though I try to avoid where the sensor needle will insert, but you can take the wipe and “soak” the tape of the sensor AFTER you have inserted it and pressed everything down. It does make fingers and all sticky, so look out.
Mastisol also, is a liquid. This one you do not want to insert through, so I again use it AFTER I have inserted the Dex on the tape. I use a Q-tip, soak it, and “paint” the tape. This one needs to dry totally in order for stuff to stick well. And stick well it does. I paint the peeling edges all the time, paint - wait a bit, then use a q-tip to press the edge down to get it to stick.
Hint - a hair dryer, on low helps to dry the adhesives, and I have found, works well to dry after a shower too. Doesn’t take to long, a minute or two maybe.
Hint - use Goo-gone (get at wal-mart) to remove the adhesive residue. Way cheaper than what they sell you from Medical Supply places for adhesive removal.
Finally, take a 3X3 or a 4X4 thin gauze dressing and tape the entire thing OVER the entire Dex site. Just use paper tape, or whatever roll tape is good for you from any drug store to secure all 4 sides. It is amazing how much better my Dex stays stuck to me with all my sweating, moving, clothing, etc since I have begun to cover it with a piece of gauze. Of course, I have to remove it before each and every shower, but it sure helps!
Good luck. Trial and error, something will work for you!
so i tried the tape just got it today though it didnt like to stay on it kept peeling off with no stickiness left on it and im thinking its because of the humidity was really hot and i was sweating like crazy today??? any ideas to fix this??
i got it to work i figured it out when you apply it the green part comes off and the clear tape stays on and your right it works very well… THANKS!!!
Awesome!
I am glad that it worked. I was sick when I read your message & meant to respond and ask you if you took the green layer off but then forgot. I did the same thing when I first used it. I was using the Navigator when I first bought it & the sensor was on my arm - all I could think of was this stuff is ugly!
LOL, at least you don’t feel alone now Kelly. I guess we should always tell people that when we recommend the Flexifix! I was so used to the Tegaderm type tapes that it didn’t even occur to me that someone would think that it was supposed to be ugly!
I couldn’t figure out why anyone would make such ugly tape!
And I’m sure you wondered why I recommended it too?
its not ugly to me but its kinda starting to itch now i think im on day 9-10 