I started using a Dexcom sensor about 2 months ago and have been struggling to keep the adhesive attached. I use SkinTac when I first apply the sensor but that only seems to help for a few days. My skin is super sensitive and I haven’t been able to find a tape that doesn’t make me break out.
I’ve had a lot of trouble the past few weeks as it’s started to get hotter out and I’m sweating the adhesive off. I live in Arizona so it’s only going to get worse as the summer comes and I’m worried I’ll be changing my sensor every few days.
Anyone have any suggestions on places to put the sensor and ways to keep it attached?
I do not use skin tac, but I use the Dexcom adhesive on my skin and then I put tape around the edges. It stay on a good 2-3 weeks. I use the opsite flexifix tape around the edges, but others use other tape.
As you do seem to tolerate SkinTac, you might try the following, which works well for me – and is a lot simpler than taping: after inserting the sensor and attaching the transmitter, swab SkinTac over the exposed portion of the perforated adhesive patch, being careful not to get it onto the sensor/transmitter, and dry it gently but well using a hair dryer on low setting held a foot or more away from you.
Hey! I’m having the same problems with my Dexcom. Instead of Skin Tac, I use Mastisol, which I bought on Amazon. It’s a liquid adhesive that you apply right before you put in a new sensor. Still, though, I end up struggling to keep it on for longer than 4 days. I do ab workouts 5 times a week and work out a lot, so it’s a constant struggle.
One thing about Tegaderm and related adhesive patches: make sure the transmitter isn’t covered by the tape. I talked to Dexcom about it, and apparently the concern is that water/sweat will get trapped, which could damage the system. They told me that if I wanted to use extra tape or adhesives, make sure it doesn’t cover transmitter.
We have the same problem w my 11 year old T1D son. We use GrifGrips and Rock-a-Dex over the adhesive.
If it’s too childish for you, you can purchase the rocktape separately. This has been the only thing that works for us. We’ve tried the IV 3000 adhesive patches as well but they didn’t work that well for us.
Several of you have mentioned being able to wear your Dexcom CGM for more than a week. How do you fool the system? Or do you simply restart the clock on the same site? Is it still accurate after a week?
To run it more than a week, I just hit “Stop Sensor,” then go back in and select “Start Sensor.” It goes through the 2 hour calibration just as before, and doesn’t seem to realize you didn’t insert a new sensor.
For me, the accuracy is still good when I do this. I know it is time to change if I start getting errors (such as question marks, or the CGM asking for a new calibration reading when it shouldn’t need one yet). This has been a lifesaver…or at least a big money saver!
Let me start off by saying I regularly compete in triathlons, and train in pool and/or lake multiple times a week. Finding a way to keep my Dexcom on through all that was a challenge, but here’s what I do:
When attaching the sensor I add Skin Tac to my skin AND the Dexcom adhesive. 4-6 days later I add a GrifGrip (the kind with the center cut out). 4-6 days after that I remove the GrifGrip (leaving the sensor) and add a 4x4.75 oval tegaderm. I easily get 2+ weeks doing this.
Restarting the clock (stop and start) will work. Dexcom complains that the accuracy is adversely affected, but that has not been my experience. It has worked for me temporarily to build a small reserve of sensors.Don’t hold your breath waiting for Dexcon to agree with this protocol. Good luck.
