Need solution for 12-year-old girl. How to Wear/carry a Dexcom Without Using Waistpacks?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Angi on April 20, 2009 at 8:18am

Well, we all have to make fashion compromises when wearing these things. Tight clothing is not our friend. She might just have to give a little on that one...maybe she can strap it to her ankle or something. Not sure if I have any solution for you, because the Dexcom has to be within 5 feet of the pump. As for the big needle, if she's using the inserter device, she shouldn't feel it after the initial injection. It has to be that big because there are 3 tiny sensors on the filament that is inserted under the skin. She can turn the alarms off so they don't alert her unless there's something wrong with the sensor, and both brands do that. Have her put Tegaderm over the sensor to keep it in place...it won't go anywhere provided her skin is clean and treated with alcohol beforehand. The Minimed sensor lasts 6-7 days, you just have to restart it 3 days in. Help her work through these issues and find solutions rather than giving up...these devices are still in their infancy and won't be improved much for several years. We are the guinea pigs!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jan on April 20, 2009 at 9:56am

We have tried the current MM sensors. The introducer needle (which is huge and causes pain after the EMLA numbing cream wears off) was supposed to be reduced in size. Still waiting for that. That is not my only gripe. Alarm is useless at night under the covers and we have to hook her up to a Radio Shack wireless mike in order to hear it; MM sensor is way off when she is going high, and a good 30 points higher than her lows sometimes. With the Dexcom 7 Plus, I am reading rave reviews as far as accuracy goes. You can calibrate at any blood sugar from 40 to 400! Not so with Minimed. With MM cgms, high alarms are WAY off. Sensor will say 180; fingerstick 289. Since she is a child, and not an adult I see no reason to have her wear something that causes discomfort. I think she could comfortably wear the Dexcom sensor; but carrying the receiver a pain. Strapping to her ankle is a great idea for when she wears jeans. As a preteen, she does not want to feel different and will only wear what the other kids wear.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Meghan on April 22, 2009 at 8:22am

Can she keep the receiver in a backpack or purse while at school? I have found that mine still reads fine in my purse. I have also carried it in a cell phone pouch hooked on a belt loop. (I use the Vera Bradley ones, and loop the strap around twice so it doesn't hang as much)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jan on April 22, 2009 at 4:56pm

Thanks for this. I had thought of her putting it in her purse, just was not sure if it would read. I know it says five feet, so if it works in a purse, that is a very good solution. Likewise the cellphone case. I'll ask her if she'll wear it that way. Great idea. Question re; range, going in and out of range. If receiver is in purse and she walks away, does the sensor beep or make a noise when you go out of range? When you then come closer to the purse and back in range, does the sensor just pick up where it left off without any problems? From reading Dexcom and other responses here, I believe she could wear the Dexcom, without too many problems. If she wore it two weeks out of the month, I would be thrilled.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Meghan on April 23, 2009 at 4:53am

No, the receiver does not make any noise when you go out of range, it will just read ??? because it's too far away. I have found that the receiver will start reading again within five minutes of coming back in range. You will have a gap in your results from the time spent out of range.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Meghan on April 23, 2009 at 1:33pm

I had another thought, I just received a pump pouch that I bought on eBay. The Dexcom fits quite nicely in it, and lays relatively flat. It is barely noticeable under my shirt, although my clothes are not as tight as a 12 year old's. You can check them out at http://stores.ebay.com/PUMPN-IN-STYLE.

Also, just had training today on the Seven+ (was using the Seven previously), and you can set an alarm on the receiver to go off if you're out of range. It is a customizable alarm though, you can set it to go off anywhere from 20-200 minutes, or turn it off completely.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jan on April 23, 2009 at 4:39pm

Thanks for the info! She does not want it to alarm when she goes out of range, and wants it to just pick up the signal again when she comes back into range. I, of course, would like the alarm for her, but at school, no alarm. I hope, hope, hope insurance will switch. I am reading great things about Dexcom 7 Plus.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jan on April 23, 2009 at 4:30pm

Thanks for the info. I'm now sure she can carry the receiver in her purse, which is usually in range near her desk at school. I was concerned Dex would beep if you went out of range and not automatically go back into range when she comes back near her purse. Since Dex would just quietly lose contact and resume contact, that is ideal. Right now she is 24/7 without coverage, so a half hour or so here and there is okay. I did not want her embarrassed by alarms. And for dance or acting class, she will just have to wear one of her waistits or a cell phone holder. Worse case scenario: she doesn't wear for dance and leaves in her purse; she is not covered by cgms now, so she will still be covered most of the time. Great idea re the cell phone holder. As long as she is not attached to two receivers all the time. We just got our prescription for Dexcom 7 today. I'm hoping it will be comfortable enough to insert/wear that she will use it. Now have to see if insurance will switch her from MM to Dexcom. Our receiver is definitely 9 months old by now so hoping they will cover the new one..... As it is, she refuses to wear MM and her Mom does not even want to insert it. I will be miffed if we switch and MM immediately comes out with a new small introducer needle and louder alarm, but we have been waiting a while, I am not psychic and not sure when or if they will do it. I am curious as to how accurate the Dexcom 7 Plus is. I am reading it is mega-accurate, and that is the most important feature of all.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kristin on April 23, 2009 at 1:42pm

I wear my pump in a Case Logic MP3 player case, which I think is "cool-looking" (but I am not 12).

People without diabetes would wear these with MP3 players in them.

Here is a blog post with photos.

And here are some suggestions of where to order, if you are interested.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Judith on June 2, 2009 at 1:36pm

If you can get her one of those cute little coach bags she might be okay with carrying it around. Otherwise just pockets. the EMLA creame really makes a difference for insertion and afterwards I don't feel it.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jan on June 2, 2009 at 6:08pm

Judith, you hit the jackpot! She did get one of those tiny Coach purses, which she puts in her backpack at school and carries everywhere. She never leaves the house without it now. They are the new fad. So problem solved, especially since Dex has a wider range than Minimed. Minimed sensor has to be fairly close to the pump. We go for Dexcom training next week. I know she'll use Dexcom; might be too much to hope for her opting to wear it full time, LOL.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mike Adelman on June 2, 2009 at 3:21pm

I just started with the DEX 2 weeks ago. When looking for something to keep it in, I turned to Nutshell Cases. I had purchased cell phone cases fo my wife and myself from them in the past. I contacted Ian and he worked with me to design a case just for the Dex. You can add several options to these cases. I had mine made with a belt clip and a full flap secured with Velcro. These things are not cheap, but from the ones I and my wife have, I think they will out last me. Here is the link to the cases they make for medical devices. I wear an Omnipod and working with Ian they were even able to help me find on that fits perfectly.

http://tuff-as-nuts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=6

▶ Reply to This

• First
• Previous
• Next
• Last