I've had my G4 Platinum for a couple weeks and I love it. My only problem has been getting them to stick longer than a couple of days. I play sports frequently and swim every other day or so. Even without the sports, they seem to start coming up around the edges after only a day or so. Does anyone have suggestions on a prepping agent (only tried an IV prep) or something else that might help them stick a little longer? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Try putting strips of Opsite Flexifix tape around the perimeter of the G4 tape. You can buy it on Amazon. That's what I do, and it stays on for as long as I wear it, 2+ weeks. I just found a youtube demonstation of someone who made a cardboard template of the G4 for use with the Opsite tape.
Have you tried using tegaderm under and inserting through it? I get much better adhesion to the tegaderm than to my skin and for me the tegaderm does not peel over the three weeks I use my sensor. Have not needed to add extra tape over top.
Before I tried the tegaderm, I was using opsite flexfix over the dex tape using an old sensor bed as a template to cut a hole in the tape. It would still lift around the edges and need trimmed and replace by the end of the three weeks I could run a sensor.
What type or size of tegaderm do you use? Individual size or in a roll? I currently get about 14 days with an opsite flexifix patch cut from a roll with a cutout for the sensor. But then I have to trim it and apply some new thin strips over the patch to make it last for a couple more weeks.
Do you think the dex tape and tegaderm would stick for longer than 3 weeks?
It does for me. I tried to order a pack of individuals that was about the same size as the G4 adhesive. But was sent a pack of a larger size - thinks it close to 4x6 instead. I've been cutting it in half since it is very hard to trim to size with out getting it wrinkled.
By the end of three weeks the tegaderm is just starting to lift and the dex has not budged. I have much better luck with multiple week runs on the same sensor since its not moving around as much as it did with placement directly on skin and opsit flex fix over top.
Have not used skin prep before the tegaderm just soap and water, but that would be an extra option as well if the tedaderm lifts earlier than you want.
Skin-Tac.
Also, tegaderm applied first, then the sensor pad on top of that. Just puncture the inserter right through the tegaderm.
Thanks for the info. I'll give these a try. Also, how long do most of you leave a single sensor in place? It seems that most go beyond the suggested 7 days. Is there a noticeable drop in accuracy? Thanks again and have a great week!
I keep reupping mine until it craps out. It will give more frequent ??? or begin to do the hourglass thing or become wildly inaccurate and will not calibrate.
Just be aware that the algorithm is designed to compensate for a sensitivity drop off on the first day or two. on a restart that will not happen. I find for me I need to add 10-20 points to the calibrations on the first two days on a restart to get it to track to my meter. Once its good then I go back to using the real number.
The trends will be good but the absolute number may be off until it syncs back up.
I average 14-18 days with constant (excellent) accuracy. I've had a few make it 3 weeks.
Just be aware that the algorithm is designed to compensate for a sensitivity drop off on the first day or twoDo you have some sort of reference for this?
I'm not saying your lying or making this up or anything. I'm just really curious and would like deeper technical details.
This was in the dexcom group and matches my personal experience over the last year.
As always YDMV! Have some interesting tidbits show up.
Have you seen this yet? There is a Facebook group as well.
That web link explained it. The first couple days after restarting an old sensor the accuracy is off. The weblink suggested a possible work around. I may try the more frequent calibration before abandoning the reuse. But accuracy is my goal.
We use liquid SkinTac from Amazon and use the sponge applicator to soak the tape on the insertion set after the set is on the skin. We repeat the soaking before every time in the pool. It works well. We also use hypoallergic paper tape along the edges if the set tape starts to rise. We sometimes use one long piece directly over the Omnipod or Dex receiver to keep it on.
The best thing I’ve found to cover sties and sensors is Hypaflex. It comes in 4" tape rolls and is on Amazon for cheap price for 100 ft roll. It’s the same material as used on the sensor and site sets from the manufacture.