how do you pick a "non bleedable" site?

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Permalink Reply by Angi on October 28, 2009 at 8:55am

I haven't yet had a site that didn't bleed a little, and every sensor I remove is covered with blood. I'm having ongoing problems with my numbers being way off, perhaps that's my problem.

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca on October 28, 2009 at 9:46am

I tried one minimed sensor and had minimal bleeding near my hip. Since starting on the Dexcom in September (I've used 4 or 5 sensors now) I've never had anything that came close to bleeding. If this is a major issue you might want to look into switching CGM brands.

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Permalink Reply by Anthony DiPalma on October 28, 2009 at 10:24am

Hi Sophie, I use the Minimed Guardian cgm. I have been using it for the last 2 months and have had a couple of bleeders. What I do if I have a bleeder is put the corner of a tissue under the plastic part and apply some pressure, not much. I find that if you have a bleeder it might take a while longer to calibrate your cgm but it does settle down and starts giving good readings. I usually can get 6 to 7 day out of a sensor (even the bleeders) if I calibrate before each meal. As far as a non-bleedable site I usually use my belly 2.5 to 3 inches from my navel and up slightly. That is where I get less bleeding.

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Permalink Reply by David on October 29, 2009 at 5:03am

I use two sites, 2 inches right or left of my naval, just below the rib cage. I don't get any blood there, the sensors don't interfere with my clothes, and because I sleep on my side, I don't bury the sensor at night so it can't talk to the receiver. My Dexcom sensors are lasting at least 14 days, so i only need the two sites. I calibrate on a level BG and I'm almost always within 10-15 points of my meter. I love having one.

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Permalink Reply by bob maloney on November 3, 2009 at 3:06pm

Ive used minimed cgm for over two years. I have had most success using my thighs. Most of the sensors bleed a little, and when they do I use a tissue to soak in some of the blood until it stops. This usually takes 2 or 3 minutes. Out of all the sensors I've used only two have failed because of bleeding. Its a bit of a hassle but overall hasn't had a negative effect on the performance of the sensors.

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth S. on November 9, 2009 at 2:56pm

I don't understand how some people barely ever bleed! I bleed every time. Sometimes it won't bleed for a few minutes and I'll think I'm fine, then 20 minutes later it's turned into a bleeder.....And lately days later I'll notice it's all bloody AGAIN.....

I haven't found a spot yet that is less prone to bleeding. But I have noticed that the harder the needle is to pull out the more the site bleeds. And lately I have had A LOT of trouble getting the needles out. So I'm hoping it was just this box, which thankfully I just finished.

Anyone else have trouble pulling the needles out?

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Permalink Reply by Rickst29 on November 19, 2009 at 4:35pm

Upper butt cheek works very well for many Minimed-using women; have you tried there? A "cheeky" spot, not a "bony" spot. (I know that this location might be unacceptable for fashion reasons....)

Anthony's pressure idea might help, too. And Dexcom's wire is a lot thinner than Minimed's, so if you're in a situation where you can switch without going bankrupt, Rebecca's idea is really good.

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