Tandem T:Slim X2 – Do you switch sides every three days or not?

[RobertJ]

I have had the T:Slim for the best part of two years.

So far, I have swapped sides every three days when I change my set. I alternate between one side of the tummy area and the other.

This is annoying at bed time, though, because if the pump is on the opposite side to my Dexcom it loses connection.

This made me think about a new strategy: What if for the ten days each Dexcom lasts, I keep the set on that same side and just use different sites within that area?

I hope this makes sense. Has anyone tried this?

 

[Hopeful34]

That's what I do @RobertJ

 

[RobertJ]

Thanks, @Hopeful34 . I have just changed sites but kept it on the same side as the Dexcom. It seems to be fine so far, so I will continue doing this.

 

[Chas C]

I work across my stomach, takes just over a month each side, middle to side then working down for each. Dexcom is always on an arm, sometimes the same side sometimes not. Pump is loose in bed, I put the loss of signal alarm to vibrate at night. Does not really cause me any issues.

 

[searley]

I have had the T:Slim for the best part of two years.

So far, I have swapped sides every three days when I change my set. I alternate between one side of the tummy area and the other.

This is annoying at bed time, though, because if the pump is on the opposite side to my Dexcom it loses connection.

This made me think about a new strategy: What if for the ten days each Dexcom lasts, I keep the set on that same side and just use different sites within that area?

I hope this makes sense. Has anyone tried this?

Just use different spots so no one spot is over used

I switched sides every 3 days but the hose is long enough that the pump can always be on the same side as sensor, the side of the canula is irrelevant

 

[steveo4]

That's exactly what I do keep my sites on the same side as my dexcom.

 

[emmaLC]

I, for one is clumsy as and the amount I’d times I’ve caught the tubing in a door handle and ripped the cannula out of my
Stomach is unreal still I’ve had the best control ever with the t slim

 

[Hopeful34]

Have you tried either using Skin tac underneath the cannula so it's harder to rip off, or taping the tubing near the cannula @emmaLC

 

[searley]

Have you tried either using Skin tac underneath the cannula so it's harder to rip off, or taping the tubing near the cannula @emmaLC

Doesnt matter how much adhesive, if you are going normal walking pace and catch the hose, there’s no way its staying attached

But if its something you do regularly then more discipline is needed in relation to tucking the tube away

 

[Hopeful34]

Doesnt matter how much adhesive, if you are going normal walking pace and catch the hose, there’s no way its staying attached

Actually it does with Skin tac.

 

[megan]

I find for me it doesn't really matter because my pump is placed on the same side as my Dexcom as the cannula tubing is long enough to do that and I have it lose in bed so I just either clip it on my pj's or move it over when I turn over.
I was told not to put actual cannula the same side as Dexcom so those parts aren't too close together

 

[megan]

I also use rock tape the first 24 hours of a new cannula or if it's in an area I think I might be more likely to catch it on something and pull it off