What do most of yu do when swimming? Do you remove the transmitter or leave it on? I know it has a water seal but I am afraid if the whole unit falls out , I will loose the transmitter. Thankyou.
I have the MM transmitter, and I do not remove it while swimming. I use an IV3000 or Tegaderm to cover the sensor/transmitter as normal and this keeps it secured to my skin. Have been swimming in the ocean with very active aves and have not had any issues. I do not believe that nost people with the Dex remove their transmitters while swimming.
I went surfing once and swimming a couple of times but only w/ the pump. When I surfed, it was on the last day of the xmitter so I just waited to put the new one in until afterwards. I am no longer an avid swimmer.
I was completely covering the transmitter with a patch (iv3000) but then I started having problems with my sensor ie, bad signal, weak signal, etc. MM told me not to completely cover the transmitter but to let it “bob”, not lie flat and only cover the the clear plastic part. They said that trying to flatten the trnsmitter against your skin can actually cause the transmitter to seperate a bit from the sensor and cause tansmission issues. Since I have chnaged my method of covering it as they suggested and I no longer have any more problems. Yesterday I went swimming and removed the transmitter since I was in a public pool…Later when I re attached the transmitter I had problems . The sensor kept flat lining way below (62) my actual BG by meter(144) and would not come up. I had to change it again. I find the sensor very handy when it works as I am an old “brittle” diabetic. But I have used it for 4 years now and I feel it needs a lot more work by MM. They are coming out with a smaller one soon, hopefully one that is less sensitive to the problems I have been having and hurts less and leaves a smaller scar…thanks for your help
Did you cover the sensor as to make it waterproof? If the sensor connection got wet, this could explain it. I never had issue with covering the whole thing. I do put a small gauze pad under the transmitter to support the transmitter and prevent abrasions from the transmitter I was getting.
The guaze pad is a good idea, I might try that. It would elevate the transmitter enough to make it more even with the sensor. Thanks
Did you ever “shoot” the sensor through an iv prep attached to the area? I have cut a hole in the prep first but never shot it through. Just wondering if anyone has ever tried that with success.
Hi, I wear a Dexcom sensor and swim about 4 times a week, 1 1/2 hours each time. I have never lost a sensor in the pool, but I do find that the stickiness lasts for a much shorter time. I use a combination of SkinTac, Tegaderm and some other clear tape (Opti something), and add on more material as the week goes on. Make sure that all of the tape is sticking flat on to your body. A couple times part of the patch flopped around a little. That made me nervous during practice, but I still did not lose the sensor.
Good luck!