Well, first of all, I hope everyone is staying healthy in safe in this pandemic, but I have been seeing people put their cgms in their forearm? I have places where I can put them comfortably but I’m looking for some newer places and was wondering if this is a good place for accurate readings and if it has good absorption for insulin maybe? I don’t know but just very curious and trying to find new places so I don’t overuse spots! Any and all comments are welcome!
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Just to make sure we’re on the same page, the forearm is the area between the wrist and the elbow and there’s very little fat there - I’ve read posts from people who are very lean and so have issues or are unable to use it. Some people do use the bicep or tricep, or upper thigh. Last I heard only the abdomen was the approved insertion site so there could be issues getting replacements if you insert elsewhere - unless your physician is okay with it.
Yes, That’s where I was talking about. And I thought that would be the case, I thought it was odd hearing that it’s possible there, but I was wanting to try a different insertion place because of soreness/bruising in all the places I use now. I think I’ll call my doctor before trying it, just so I’m on the safe side.
Finding good real estate gets challenging after a while. Here’s a link to Dexcom where they tell you about their approved sites in the first paragraph - upper buttock is another option. I’ve never tried it there due to logistics and because the way I sit I don’t think it would be comfortable - but that’s just me. Happy hunting!
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Thank you! Have a great rest of your day!
Gio @TypeOne04, insulin absorption ability, and ability for a CGM sensor to be able to find interstitial fluid sufficient for accurate readings are not the same thing. I’m assuming you’ve read the Dexcom literature identifying recommended placement - these placement are where the sensors have been tested and proven to have accurate readings for a high percentage of, but not all, users.
Now to answer your question: The only way for you to know if placement on your forearm will provide accurate reading FOR YOU, is to try that area and see what happens. Every body is different to some extent. For instance, both my forearms are made up almost entirely of bone, sinew, muscle, and skin - no padding; as I’m looking now, I don’t see any area sufficient to accommodate a 12 mm sensor wire.
@wadawabbit, Dorie’s post above tells you were Dexcom has tested and has FDA approval to share insertion sites with us. You may read on various web pages other locations, even approved by Dexcom for use outside the USA.
@TypeOne04, Gio, if you are in the USA & loose a wire under your skin, I have read people in this situation have problems with the wire, getting help from Dexcom, and largest of all, financial help covering the medical costs for removal of the wire (surgery). For this reason, I would urge you in the strongest words possible, PLEASE, don’t use body locations not approved for insertion by regulators in your country of residence.
Let us know what you decide and how it works for you. It is how we all learn here in T1N.
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Not to go off topic but I got my first tattoo on my breast - it hurt some but a heck of a lot less than the ones I subsequently got on my shoulder blades and ankle. By comparison I would imagine leanness of the forearm would make insertion and daily wear painful. Plus you might hit something you don’t intend during insertion.
@wadawabbit, Another forum had participants batting around placing CGM and insertion points where they would be protected and concealed by the user’s bra. One even reported a ‘compression low’ from this choice of location.
I think it all boils down to the real estate slogan, LOCATION, Location, location…
Cheers.