Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gary on April 6, 2012 at 8:13am

Simply do a "Stop Sensor" and then "Start Sensor" on the receiver. You'll have to wait 2 hours for it to start up again and enter the start up BGs, but that's it.

Permalink Reply by jeffojeda on April 16, 2012 at 12:02pm

Thanks Gary. As simple as what you'[ve escribed sounds, I wasn't sure what to do.

Permalink Reply by jeffojeda on April 6, 2012 at 8:17am

Thanks Gary,
But it wouldn't allow me to do that. Do i have to do that before the time is up on the countdown? or wait til afterwards and then just start it again? At the end of the countdown the oppnly option I had was to start it again, but it didnt work.

Permalink Reply by mhynes on April 6, 2012 at 8:21am

If you hit start sensor should will display a gray box in the corner. It is counting down the time to calibrate.

Permalink Reply by jeffojeda on April 6, 2012 at 8:25am

Thanks mhynes...

So nice to have a group to ask questions to. I don't personally know any T1D's so I appreciate your feedback. :)

Permalink Reply by jeffojeda on April 16, 2012 at 12:03pm

thanks mhymes. so appreciate your taking the time to give me that info. Was simple, but helpful.

Permalink Reply by Helmut on April 6, 2012 at 8:34am

The Dexcom receiver cannot tell whether or not you put in a new sensor. Do exactly what you would do if you had put in a new sensor.

Permalink Reply by TrueTheory on April 6, 2012 at 10:06am

Welcome Jeff,

This is a great group to find a lot of useful information. I had gone through about 20 sensors before I knew I could just restart them (can't believe I didn't think of it). Before I learned to restart them, I only had about 2 of the 20 that didn't make it to the 7 days. If that ever happens just call Dexcom and they will replace it. Make sure to keep the wrapper it comes in because they will need the lot number and everything.

As far as going past the 7 days, I've tried it on three sensors now. The longest I have gotten is 14, most recently 9. There is a conspiracy that Dexcom has gotten better about manufacturing them so they don't last for 20+ days like they used to...and from what I've gathered, it is likely true.

The best advice I could get you is in how to make the adhesive last longer than the sensor. This is my routine:

1)Shave the site (I prefer belly but that's a whole other discussion) the night before you are going to insert it (I give it 12 hours prior because shaving leaves moisturizer oil on your skin).
2)Shower the next morning, scrubing the site with soap, and then an oil-free fragrance free face wash (I use that orange Liquid Neutrogena stuff).
3)Dry completely, then scrub with alcohol swab (or clorocept prep stick), and I mean scrub the area, not just wipe.
4)Carefully adhere to skin avoiding any "wrinkling" of the adhesive.
5)Insert...I've found the faster and more fluid I get the plunger in, the more accurate the sensor is. I get intimidated by it every time even though I've done it plenty of times now, so there have been times I kind of got it in 80% of the way then had finish it off. It could have just been variation in sensor quality, but I still think it's more accurate with one swift plunge.

So after this, the edge will start to show slight peeling at day 6-8 (usually at the top). At this point, I add some Flexifix around the edge, not over the sensor (~$20, roll will last you ~1year), and this thing isn't coming off before sensor goes crazy and dies.

Once you get the ??? on day 9-15, I try to recalibrate after an hour or so, but if it still gives you more ??? or really jerky readings, I know it's time for a new one.

It is definitely different for everyone, but this is what I've learned in the last year, so hopefully it helps.

Cheers,
TT

Permalink Reply by Michael McClure on April 6, 2012 at 11:06am

Wow, TT -- That's a crazy bunch of stuff you gotta do...

I've been getting 12-15 days off my sensors lately, and have no need to do all the shaving (eek!) and other stuff you do -- on it goes, and it just stays put for the duration... unless I happen to rip it off by accident! Yeah, that happened to me just the other day -- was wearing the sensor on the outside of my left arm and was getting ready to head out on my bike. I was shirtless for a moment as I fetched my jersey from our washer/dryer, and as I entered my house, I slipped a little and -- BAM! -- hit my left arm on the door jamb, ripping the dang thing out (it was just hanging there by the adhesive...). That was day seven and I had just restarted it earlier in the day. Dang it.

/\/\

Permalink Reply by TrueTheory on April 6, 2012 at 2:03pm

I hear you man. I think I go through my ritual to get the longer time because I spend a lot of time in my wetsuit in the water. I know you are an active cyclist, and you haven't had adhesive issues from sweating during work-out? And due you always wear it on your arm? I have yet to try that because I sleep on my side with by arm behind my pillow at night so I feel like it would come off earlier, but I've heard good things about that site.

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers,
Connor McCue (thoght I'd put up my real name when I saw your last name).

Permalink Reply by Michael McClure on April 6, 2012 at 4:22pm

Hey Connor --

We almost have the same last name, but you dropped the l and the r!! :)

I sweat... A LOT. No issues with the sensors coming loose from my stomach or my legs or my arms. None. I'm fairly sensitive to sticky adhesives, too. No probs at all from the Dex stuff at all. No issues from sleeping on them (woke me up twice with low alerts last night...). I'm trying to use my arms now -- my tummy is kinda sensitive -- hurts to inject and hurts to leave it there for long periods of time.

/\/\

Permalink Reply by TrueTheory on April 10, 2012 at 3:08pm

Nice,

I'll definitely try the arm (stomach is starting to get a little beat up from the sensors and injections). I know there used to be a link to a video on how to do it, but I can't find it any more. Do you happen to have the link?

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