If you’re a daily reader of Diabetes Sturdy, you most likely observed that I typically put on my Dexcom CGM on my higher arm.
It’s one in every of my favourite locations to put on the CGM however it may be slightly tough to insert it with out assist till you study the approach.
Since a variety of you’ve been asking how I do it, let me present you on this brief video:
As you possibly can see, it actually isn’t that troublesome, however I nonetheless suggest havening somebody round to assist the primary time you attempt it.
Why I put on my Dexcom CGM on the higher arm
My higher arm is one in every of my favourite CGM placements for a number of causes.
- It’s a meatier a part of my physique, so there’s completely no ache when inserting the sensor
- I’ve discovered that this placement, for me, is the place I’ve the least threat of ripping off the sensor accidentally
- I get very correct readings.
The one draw back to sporting it on the arm is that wrestling off a sweaty sports activities bra with out getting it snagged on the sensor is usually a little tough and getting the grasp of inserting it by your self would possibly take slightly observe.
I often put on the CGM for 7-9 days. After that, it would begin irritating my pores and skin or give inaccurate readings.
Why doesn’t Dexcom suggest sporting it in your arm?
The Dexcom G5 sensor is barely FDA and EMA (The European Medicines Company) permitted for 7-day put on (I do know individuals who’ll make it final 30-days or extra) and just for insertion on the stomach.
The location approval is especially attributable to Dexcom solely submitting medical information for stomach put on to the FDA and EMA reasonably than them discovering different placements to be worse. Nonetheless, sporting it like I do is off-label utilization and doing so is “at personal threat”.
For extra CGM ideas and methods, try my publish “5 CGM Ideas for the Energetic Diabetic“
