CGM advice please

[tim2000s]

@CarbsRok How much do you spend on the consumables to keep the sensor in place? tagaderm, tapes, etc?

 

[CarbsRok]

@CarbsRok How much do you spend on the consumables to keep the sensor in place? tagaderm, tapes, etc?

8 pence once a week for the skin tac. and about 52pence on the Hydrofilm. I don't use any tapes as no need to

 

[Spiker]

I have just done my first year, average sensor 12 days, transmitter lasted 12 months and receiver still going so the cost has been £3000

Did they fall off or just fail? Generally falling off is the main cause of needing a new sensor. Lots of tape and lots of sticky, that's the secret. And clean the site well first so it doesn't end up itching like crazy and make you rip it off! .

 

[alexs]

Did they fall off or just fail? Generally falling off is the main cause of needing a new sensor. Lots of tape and lots of sticky, that's the secret. And clean the site well first so it doesn't end up itching like crazy and make you rip it off! .

I have been pretty diligent about taping up and have just started using Opsite Flexifix which is excellent, so actually 90% of new sensors have been because of failure

 

[CarbsRok]

I have been pretty diligent about taping up and have just started using Opsite Flexifix which is excellent, so actually 90% of new sensors have been because of failure

Are you actually sticking the sensor tape down with skin tac as well? Once the sensor starts to move you are on to a losser. After loads of experimenting I have found the arm is best place for the sensor as can not be rubbed or moved. (Hence why Dexcom say only use tummy)

 

[iHs]

Which is the easiest to use......Opsite Flexifix or Hydrofilm? I've already got Opsite and have used it over some of my sets in backside but there is a bit of wastage with it because of how the backing sheet is with its seperation cut. So, is Hydrofilm the same?

i will most likely be Dexing by end of April. Have saved the end cap to an Inset 30 set so just wondering if I can use that to be thevtemplate
to draw around the transmitter? @CarbsRok......any idea?

 

[alexs]

No I haven't used skin tac and haven't tried the arm either as I am not sure there is enough flesh and I wear short sleeve shirts to work. Where about on the arm do you place it and how easy is it

 

[CarbsRok]

Which is the easiest to use......Opsite Flexifix or Hydrofilm? I've already got Opsite and have used it over some of my sets in backside but there is a bit of wastage with it because of how the backing sheet is with its seperation cut. So, is Hydrofilm the same?

i will most likely be Dexing by end of April. Have saved the end cap to an Inset 30 set so just wondering if I can use that to be thevtemplate
to draw around the transmitter? @CarbsRok......any idea?

I have never used opsite so can't comment on it's ease of use. Not much difference between Hydrofilm and Tegaderm . I personally prefer tegaderm though.
templates I found a fiddle to do so just use 2 bits of Hydrofim 6 x 7 cm and use a pair of nail scissors to cut the shape needed and place a bit each end of the transmitter. Fits like a glove. The cap is almost a perfect size though as have just sat it on my sensor

 

[CarbsRok]

No I haven't used skin tac and haven't tried the arm either as I am not sure there is enough flesh and I wear short sleeve shirts to work. Where about on the arm do you place it and how easy is it

My sensor is placed just over a hand width up from my elbow join , so it's facing up rather than stuck on the back of my arm. Fitting it is easy, door frames are very handy

 

[PaulinaB]

I prefer Opsite - it's very easy, and if you get the roll (not pre-cut squares), you can get any size/shape you want. I used Tegaderm once and I got an annoying rash and redness under it (nothing under the sensor tape, only the parts where Tegaderm was glued to the skin). So I'm sticking with Opsite (haha, pun not intended, but still funny )

 

[Casper60]

I use the Dexcom and get between 4 and 5 weeks normally. Rarely do I get the Dex failing on me but replace due to length of time its fitted to avoid infections etc.

I use Skintac to keep it on, paste it on first, let it dry then insert the sensor through the skintac - been doing this for over a year.

Do you paste it on the sensor white tape or the skin first? How do you remove it when the sensor has finally finished and needs removing?

 

[CarbsRok]

Do you paste it on the sensor white tape or the skin first? How do you remove it when the sensor has finally finished and needs removing?

@Casper60
You must not put the skin tac in contact with the actual sensor, so simple solution is coat the sticky side of the sensor tape first wait until it goes tacky then place the sensor on your skin. Then coat the top of the tape with more skin tac and the surrounding area and place the opisite on the tape and surrounding area.

 

[Casper60]

Sorry, but at the chance of sounding thick what is opisite and where can I purchase it. I know I sound like a dummy but all this is new to me and I don't want to ruin a sensor by doing something that could shorten its life. I'm only getting 1-2 weeks out of the sensor before its giving me the ???.
Any advice is very much appreciated.
Cheers

 

[CarbsRok]

Sorry, but at the chance of sounding thick what is opisite and where can I purchase it. I know I sound like a dummy but all this is new to me and I don't want to ruin a sensor by doing something that could shorten its life. I'm only getting 1-2 weeks out of the sensor before its giving me the ???.
Any advice is very much appreciated.
Cheers

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Opsite-Flexifix-Transparent-Film-10cmx1m/dp/B0047W6NO4 I have just tried the opsite and find it better than other tapes I just cut 4 stripes off of the roll and place them over the tape.
No idea where you place your sensor but the idea is that you make sure it doesn't rub on clothing or have excessive movement. The more the sensor moves the less chance of getting a longer life out of it. Do remember though that the sensors are only meant to be used for a week so anything extra is a bonus

 

[iHs]

@Casper60

On youtube is a posting all about using a cardboard template about 10cm x 8cm with a rectangular shape cut out of it so that the template can be put over the sensor and adhesive and keep secured a lot longer than 14 days. The tape Opsite is called Flexifix and its what is being used to demonstrate how it goes on the skin with the sensor. Opsite flexlifix is available in 10cm x 1 metre rolls but it is expensive. An alternative is Tegaderm but an even cheaper option is ClearFilm which comes in 10cm x 12cm patches of 10 in a pack. A patch cut in half would be ok being 10cm x 6cm and then the shape cut out of it to go over the sensor. Ive found something at home that can be used for the shape and that is from the oval cap on a small bottle of shower creme (S'Burys own brand). The oval shape goes over the G4 nicely .

This is what I do with good success..........wipe the skin first really well with alcohol swab first to remove any shower soap residue and debris. Go about 10cmx6cm. Using the cardboard template, mark the skin with the point of Biro pen in the 4 corners. Then wipe the skin with the swab, let the area dry and then insert the sensor. Let the sensor adhesive dry out on the skin for about 10-15mins and then get a SkinTac swab (MG, UK) and carefully wearing a pair of disposable gloves, hold the wipe by its edges and wipe over the sensor adhesive and within the 4 Biro marks on the skin. Let the tac go sticky and then peel off the backing paper to the Opsite, Tegaderm, etc and place over the sensor and the skin. Its best to take off the disposable glove before handling the tape and keep a small bowl of water to dip your fingers in so that no tac is on the fingers. After using the SkinTac fold it over and add a drop of surgical spirit to it and place back in the sachet and seal it up with some sellotape and store in the fridge to prevent it drying out.
Ive found that I dont have to apply more Opsite unless its edges start to peel away as most of the time, the SkinTac keeps it held in place but if it does, then its easy to cut off a bit more Opsite and lay on top. The tapes can be bought on eBay or Amazon but there are loads more that can probably be used but Opsite, Tegaderm or ClearFilm is going to be the right size.

I havent long been using the G4 sensor but the past 2 have worked all ok for about 3 weeks and even when the symbols ??? or ANT show, it doesnt necessarily mean that the sensor has finished. Often the sensor will start to transmit again within about 30min but might not be as accurate but most of the time the G4 is fairly good (Look at all the msgs left by @Spiker) Be resourceful, try not to get the sensor wet too often (tape a piece of plastic sandwich bag over the 10x6cm area and use something like Transpore waterproof tape to keep the bag in place when having a shower (I think I saw waterproof medical tape sold in one of the £ shops)

To remove the transmitter from the sensor, a 5p coin if used carefully can enable the 2 transmitter grips to pull away so that it can be lifted off with the sensor still on the skin. The elephant shape can also be used but the 5p coin is good as are the thumb nails.

Hope this helps you a bit.......

 

[Casper60]

Good advice as usual from everyone, thanks for going to the trouble. I'll let you know how I get on with this new procedure.
Cheers

 

[Spiker]

My GP provides me Tegaderm on free prescription. Worth a try.

 

[Chas C]

Do you paste it on the sensor white tape or the skin first? How do you remove it when the sensor has finally finished and needs removing?

I paste it on my skin (not the sensor tape), sometimes if the edges lift then I paste on bit more to secure it.

I use Lift Plus (adhesive remover sachets) to take it off.