Retethering the Untethered

Diabetes Technology Glucose Monitoring
1

When I used the Minimed pump and the Guardian, the tethered nature of the apparatus sometimes annoyed me. It affected what I wore and sometimes had to make sure that I had a pocket on the same side as the side where the Guardian was implanted. Then I used the Navigator. Aside from the Navigator's major flaws, I had the problem of leaving the CGM places or dropping it. The receiver finally broke when it came off during a snowstorm and the dampness of the snow made it stop working.

Now I have the Dexcom. Overall, I like it better than the Navigator and the Guardian. However I have encountered the same problem with the untethered receiver. The problem is ME. Basically I am absent-minded and something of a klutz. I also live an active lifestyle. I brush against things and the receiver falls off. I take it out of my pocket at breakfast and leave it on the breakfast table. And again, as with the Navigator, my biggest problem was poultry-related. I was cleaning up after my latest batch of baby ducklings and the Dexcom receiver fell off. I could not find it for several days and was almost about to give it up for lost. Finally it resurfaced in the tarp with the duck droppings. It seems more durable than the Navigator receiver. Once it was dried off and recharged, it continued working. Its belt clip seems better than the Navigator's clip but even that clip is not a match for my absent-mindedness and klutziness.

I just needed to retether it. My husband has some key chain retractors. the keychain retractor is a clip attached to a metal retractible chain. I clip it and also loop it around my belt. The keychain end is atached to an elastic loop on the vinyl Dexcom receiver case. Tthe receiver cannot come off unless I remove my belt. It does mean that I have to wear a belt and it does not loop around anything on my pajamas. I can loop it around the belt of my bathrobe.

2

I came up with a solution that works very well for me. I removed the metal clip on the DexCom case and installed a loop made from a nylon shoelace. The loop on the case is a very adaptable fastening system. I wear the receiver around my neck for most of the day while at home. I can also loop the receiver in my belt or other places on my clothing. See my plans for the conversion.

https://forum.tudiabetes.org/attachment/download?id=583967%3AUpl…

I also noticed that the DexCom Store carries a case with a loop.
AaronM

3

nice job…

4

Thank you. I have lived with this modification to my DexCom case for a few months. I have not had any accidents with the receiver. As I said the system is very simple and versitile.

5

That’s a great idea!

6

sweetlady1,

To help you find the Dex when you lost it, could you set the “out of range” alert? I don’t use it, but I think it causes the Dex to beep every 5 minutes until you are back in range or the battery dies.

This should prevent the “looking for it for several days”.

7

Great illustration and directions, Aaron.

I wish that the out of range beep could be set louder. I would like something that screams at me, even if it uses up the battery faster.

Much as the insulin pump tether annoyed me, I not appreciate it. If something is implanted subcutaneously, you are less likely to misplace it.

I will look into the loop/lanyard idea. Clips only work if you are wearing clothes which have a place to clip. This can be more problematic with some women’s outfits.

I am

8

As long as the receiver is in the same room with me I have not had out of range events. I try not to put the receiver down except when I am sleeping and then it hangs by my bed. I had to force myself to get into that habit.