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Anywhere other than back of the arm for libre 2 sensor ?

N

NicF

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi guys
I have obviously put my new sensor in the wrong place on my arm as getting at least 1 compression low during the night, I'm going to have to live with it for next 2 weeks but for the next one is there anywhere else I can use ? X
 
Only arms are authorised
 
As Lucy says, arms are the only approved place for a Libre (Dexcom One+ can be used elsewhere, abdomen, for example). I find I get compression dips in certain places, but as high up on the back of my arm as possible seems to work for me, having practised lying in bed and trying to work out which bit of my arm was squished the most. Experimentation is probably your best bet.
 
If you drive, the DVLA allows us to lean on our CGM sensors, with certain conditions, but the sensor has to be in the manufacturer's recommended places. Libre 2 has its medical licensing approval only on arms. Dexcom G7 is licensed for abdomen as well; I don't know where the newish Dexcom One+ approved places are.

However, if you don't drive (or are happy to use the DVLA finger prick test requirements if you do drive) then you can wear it wherever it works well FOR YOU. I found on my chest above a nipple was a very good place for a sensor when I had Libre. In practice I had a full year pre CGM and yet driving regularly - without finding the DVLA remit particularly inconvenient. The main thing was needing to test every 2 hrs once on the road and that seldom created a real problem. Remembering to fp test before setting off for a short trip was my greatest challenge; but that never became a legal problem.
 
I don't drive and find that the Libre 2+ works just fine on the front of my thighs and I do not get compression lows there. However, if you are ringing Abbott to get a replacement for any reason you do not mention wearing it anywhere other than the back of your arm.
 
Like @Robin I put my CGM high and as far towards the back of my arm as I can whilst ensuring I still have enough fat. Unless I learn to do shoulder stands in my sleep, my CGM is free from compression lows.

The front of my thigh would not work for me as I would be inserting it into the most muscular part of my body and I would nudge the sensor too much during exercise, etc.

I have worn mine on my abdomen as an experiment and, while the readings were fine, I was too limited for insulin pump placement unless I put the sensor higher. Then I had the problem of insufficient fat.

So, I settled on the upper arm as high and towards the back as possible.
I use a different CGM to Libre which is approved elsewhere so during my experiments I have not have to lie.
 
I seem to avoid compression lows by putting on the back underside of my arm (Bingo wing area) so when i am asleep on that arm the sensor is tucked between my body and arm and not being directly laid on. In the last month i have only had one compression low that way.
 
I’ve used back of arm exclusively for sensor sites for years now. I used to use abdomen, but when I switched to back of arm I had far more stable results, and almost no sensor fails, so I’ve stuck with it.

A few of us on the forum seem to have developed compression-low avoidance sleeping positions, such as resting the other arm under the elbow of the sensor arm if sleeping on that side.

One thing that really helps me is that I clip my pump on the waistband of whatever I’m wearing on my ‘sensor side’, which means there’s a lump to encourage me to turn over if I roll over that way while sleeping. I guess it wouldn’t matter what it was (some clothes pegs… a head torch… anything with a clip on it… as long as it made it uncomfy to roll over onto that side?
 
Someone a while back used a one of those foam curlers to make a protective ring around their sensor and I think they used an arm band to keep it in place overnight to help prevent compression lows or you could just tape it in place with Micropore type tape.
 
Proud to be erratic said:
Dexcom G7 is licensed for abdomen as well;
Click to expand...
Looks like that's the G6, the G7 is apparently only licenced for the back of the arm (unless you're between 2 and 6, but then unlikely to be driving one hopes!) - I only know as I plan to pop my next libre2 somewhere on my tummy as my arms are getting tired so did a quick Google to see what the recommendations were for those devices.

 
The G7 CAN be worn on the abdomen within approved and licenced places. It's the buttocks that are additionally approved for ages 2-6.
 
Proud to be erratic said:
The G7 CAN be worn on the abdomen within approved and licenced places. It's the buttocks that are additionally approved for ages 2-6.
Click to expand...
Fair enough, I was just going by what the Dexcom site says.

Having just looked at the guidance for the G6 (https://www.dexcom.com/en-GB/faqs/where-can-i-insert-my-g6-sensor) I see it should be at least 8cm away from injection sites. Does anyone know if there's an known interaction between insulin injections and the sensors or is this just Dexcom being cautious? This would pretty much rule out one entire side of my tummy if I popped a libre there. Decisions, decisions!
 
NicF said:
Hi guys
I have obviously put my new sensor in the wrong place on my arm as getting at least 1 compression low during the night, I'm going to have to live with it for next 2 weeks but for the next one is there anywhere else I can use ? X
Click to expand...
I put mine on the inside of my upper arms and they're fine
 
SimonP said:
Does anyone know if there's an known interaction between insulin injections and the sensors or is this just Dexcom being cautious?
Click to expand...
I think there is some interaction.
I have had two pumps and both say not to position the cannula too close to a CGM although I think it is 5cm rather than 8cm.
I tend to have my pump below my waist and used to inject there. I was able to put a CGM above my belly button - sort of between my ribs. It wasn't ideal because I don't have much fat there.
 
I once met another T1 who was wearing the libre on her boob.

Personally I only wear on approved sites, as others have said replacements or if some thing went wrong this can be an issue, driving etc.

However I will add the dexcom 6 and omnipod 5 are supposed to be worn on the same side of the body, but I have worn one on my stomach and the other on my buttock and they still interacted / connected fine with each other.
 
Been using alternative sites for years with both Libe & Dexcom sensors, readings from both are comparable with bg readings, more so with Dexcom.

A bit like injection/infusion sites, if you overuse arms long term then problems could develop.
 
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