Dexcom woes

[JJ2026]

So, today I go to the diabetic nurse and am given a Dexcom G7 sensor, which she put on for me. I prick-tested my fingers and the sensor was out by 0.4. I was well pleased. She was happy with me split-dosing my Lantus and the issues with Novorapid ceased when I did that.

An hour later back at home, it stopped working altogether. The sensor had peeled away, even though it was held in place with another adhesive circle that goes over it. I went back and was given another but warned it could happen again and she gave me a spare. It's a known issue in warm weather apparently!

I arrived home half an hour later and the top adhesive layer was already starting to peel away from the sensor itself. If that happens during the night, it doesn't bear thinking about, so I will have to wake up and prick myself as before which rather defeats the object of having the sensor.

This morning I was confident with my treatment plan. This afternoon, not at all. How am I going to keep my arm cool for 10 days?

As I type this, the adhesive is peeling and it's only been on just over an hour. I may have to prick test through the warm weather and use the Dexcom, in the colder months.

 

[Antje77]

There are tricks to help the sensor stay attatched.
For some of us, the sensor sticks like a limpet without additional help, others need a little extra.
My sensors (I use Libre which is very similar) so well if I use a 10x10 cm overpatch of Tegaderm, which comes on a roll of 10 meter.

Others found that applying Skin Tac before the sensor works well for them.

Either may be worth a try.

 

[EllieM]

When you put on the overpatch, it has a clear green plastic overlay which is meant to come off immediately or after a few hours... It's just there to make it easier to apply the actual patch.

What can I do to keep the G7 adhesive patch from peeling off my body? | Dexcom

Learn how to apply the Dexcom G7 adhesive overpatch by following these CGM sensor insertion and patch use instructions to keep your sensor from falling off.

www.dexcom.com

In the video above they pull off this overlay after applying the patch but I wonder if you left it on? (I just leave it on till it falls off.)

If you google "dexcom g7 overpatch" you can also buy dedicated overpatches, as @Antje77 said.

Please don't panic.

 

[JJ2026]

Either may be worth a try.

Great ideas. Thank you.

but I wonder if you left it on?

The diabetic nurse did it for me both times and I didn't see any overlay at all, just the patch.

So, tonight was very scary. I dropped from 14.4 to 5.7 in 8 minutes. My prick testing reflected this. I am now back up. However, Dexcom is saying I am at 13.7 whereas the prick test says 9.3! I think I am going to have to have another go with Freestyle Libre or just go back to pricking my fingers.

As it is, I will not be sleeping tonight due to that massive and very scary drop.