Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rebecca on August 12, 2011 at 7:25am

I don't wear it on my arms (I wear my pump there) but when I place the Dex sensor on my legs I wear it vertically and it works just fine. You want to wear it in whatever way will minimize the motion of the muscles / skin / fat that may be under the adhesive area.

Permalink Reply by daricel on August 12, 2011 at 7:39am

I wear it on my arms - vertically - without a problem. I place it on the back of the arm.

Permalink Reply by Timsma on August 12, 2011 at 8:25am

Tim always wears his dex on his arms. Vertically. Never a problem.

Permalink Reply by StaceyD on August 12, 2011 at 1:36pm

I wear both my Omnipod and my Dexcom on my arms. The Omnipod goes on the back of the arm and I put the dexcom on the front/inner part of my arm. That way when they happen to end up on the same arm (every three days) they are still three inches apart. I wear both vertically. I cannot insert a new Dexcom sensor by myself on the back of my arm. I am just not that coordinated. Depending on your son's age, that may not be an issue for you if you are always doing the insertions for him. The only problem with Dexcom insertion on the arms is trying to do it one handed. Good luck

Stacey

Permalink Reply by Jake on August 12, 2011 at 5:55pm

Even though its not approved for arm use.. I only tend to wear it vertically not horizontally.. Think horizontally would be painful.
YMMV

Permalink Reply by MeganJ on August 12, 2011 at 7:59pm

This may be a dumb question, but just how do you insert a dexcom sensor on your arms? Do you have help? I live by myself, and that's not really an option...

Permalink Reply by MaryMary on August 13, 2011 at 7:19am

He is an adult and lives alone, so no help available to put it on his arm. He has always done the Navigator insertion on his arms by looking into a mirror, but doesn't try to put it on the back of the arm, more in the middle. Now that I really think about it, he may have a hard time doing it with one hand. He doesn't think that he would like it on his stomach, but he might have to try it. Since it is so much smaller than the Navigator I would think it would be okay.

Permalink Reply by jims on August 13, 2011 at 10:26pm

I wear mine on upper arm vertically and that seems to work best.

The most accurate reading place is fingertips and arms next.

Why somebody would pick gut is totally unclear to me.

Permalink Reply by MaryMary on August 14, 2011 at 7:54am

Probably because it is the only approved site? If arms truly are best, then why would they not be approved for use there?
I am still wanting to know if any of you are able to place the sites without help on the upper arm though.

Permalink Reply by MeganJ on August 14, 2011 at 11:15am

And instructions on how to do so. :)

Permalink Reply by DianaS on August 14, 2011 at 1:16pm

I always wear arm or thigh sensors vertically, abdomen, hip, trunk horizontal.

I put mine on my upper arm without help. It was a little awkward at first but what I do is to remove the safety guard piece first and carefully place the dex on my arm vertically with the inserter pointing up towards my shoulder. After I firmly push down all the adhesive I'll turn sidewise into my chair and rest my arm on the back of my chair which kind of helps to pinch up a little bit and insert the sensor and pull back the collar. Then I just let my arm hang and I pinch the little tabs that release the inserter and the inserter usually just falls to the floor. Sometimes it gets caught on the latch though and that's when I'll need help or will have trouble getting the inserter to release. If I can I do my arm sensors when someone else is around just in case I get stuck. It's not difficult just a little awkward at times trying to get around the latch but once you know how the inserter removes from the sensor you can figure it out and do it with one hand. What amazes me is when people can put it in their backsides by themselves. I don't think I could do that one.

Next time you change a sensor pay close attention to each step and try to do it with one hand particularly removing the inserter. That may be difficult to do with a horizontal site but give it a whirl and see how it goes.

Permalink Reply by daricel on August 15, 2011 at 7:27am

Diana's instructions are right on... I've been using my arms for months now and pretty much insert the same as she does. It is a little awkward the first couple of times, but I haven't needed any help at all. Worst time I had I just needed to take a deep breath and start again (sensor didn't want to snap in). If I insert in my stomach, it peels off within 3 days. Inserting in my arm stays put for over 2 weeks. One note - I'm allergic to adhesive tape so try to minimize the extra taping.

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