Does anyone's Guardian 4 senor stay in for 7 days advice request

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Type 1 Teddy

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Type 1
Hello, I've been on the 780g Medtronic with the CGM and Guardian 4 sensors since 22 August this year. I got some excellent advice here about extra adhesive stickers to use to hold the sensor in place and have used these since my first sensor came out 6 days, That was in addition to the oval tapes Medtronic provide with sensors, and I am attaching my sensor while watching the Medtronic video on how to do this every time. I put it in my abdomen. however 2 weeks in a row it's come out. The first time after 4 days, the second after 5 days (some progress 🙂 here). I've just inserted it a bit higher - the only coincidence with these two was possibly leaning against the kitchen unit while trying to open a window. But I was just wondering, people do also sort of activities and sports etc. and must keep this in, I haven't really been very active. i was using a freestyle libre before this so I'm aware these things do come out accidentally and this seems substantially less robust than the libre.
So are there any secrets to keeping it in, and can you cover the senor with tapes or just the transmitter ( I've followed the video instruction). I daren't even let anyone hug me at the moment, in case the sensor comes out, so any ideas greatly appreciated. Changing them just seems to take up all my time.
 
Hi Teddy

Like you I self fund my sensors and I am keen to get the full week of use out of each one. I have had the odd problem, now and then over the last 2 1/2 years. These have always been replaced, and that continues.

If the issue for you is the tapes coming off and the sensor coming out, it would be worth using additional tape over the top. This is not a problem that I have in general but I do use the additional adhesives IV3000 that Medtronic provided for me when I am concerned about one curling up at the edges. with other sensors I know that people use a variety of strategies, such as tubigrip over it. I haven’t needed to do that.

My issue has been another of yours, where a sensor has finished a day early. These have always been replaced. The most recent issue has been the sensor updating message. I was advised to try putting a BG whilst it is updating and that will sometimes help. The messages get confusing if your BG is likely to be changing rapidly, so to avoid putting a new sensor in just before or straight after a meal. That is the first time I have been told that. ( I normally change on a Sunday morning when we always have a bigger breakfast, and I have looked at the charging/warmup time as a time to ‘cheat’.)

Another thing they have asked me to do on my next changeover is to check the transmitter.
Before inserting the sensor, Turn sensor off, put the transmitter into green tester, turn on sensor on pump and check that the pump finds the transmitter. If it does that means the transmitter is okay.

I am not sure what else to suggest. I have found that my failures have come from the same box so will try a different box for the next one.

Out of interest as a self funder, do you replace your transmitter as soon as it is out of warranty (1 year)
 
Hello SB2015

Thanks very much for the reply, that's all very useful info, the first time I used it was an adhesive issue, not sure what caused the 2nd problem, and yesterday it was the sensor warming up message for an hour, and then the change sensor. I tried to put in a BG while the sensor warm up alert was on but got another alert saying BGs wouldn't be accepted during this period. My transmitter has been working so maybe I will put all of this down to experience, but your experiences are very useful for me to hear.

Also, I'm sorry for any confusion. but I'm actually funded by the NHS. Not sure how many people are aware but the government announced, i think near the end of last year, that anyone with Type 1 would now be able to obtain this on the NHS. So I was asking Guys and St Thomas about this since January last year and the only delay was that they had to work out a strategy on how and when to do this. I think I'm one of the first to get this and I assume that's only because my last pump was out of warranty in around April. When I went for the assessment for this I was told I had to wait for months and actually it was just weeks. I hope that's useful info for you as I'd assume your NHS Trust will eventually fund you. One of my nurses said switching patients onto this was a substantial piece of work for them due to the huge number of patients. I also have a couple of friends, one in Surrey and another in a north London Borough and my friend in Surrey has heard nothing, but the one in north London is waiting, however, they won't even fund her Libre. So it's all a bit complex. I hope this info is of use.
 
I am fairly active - gym etc - and my Gardian4 sensors seem to stay in place reliably.
I use TacAway adhesive remover wipes to remove adhesive and moisturiser.
I experimented with oneTouchStyle plasters with limited success, but more recently have used 3MTegaderm Film 1624W and this really delivers for me.
The film is very thin so it moulds nicely into shape. I simply insert the sensor, apply the transmitter and then put the film over the top, not bothering with the Medtronic tapes. I like the film because it is presented in a way that is easy to handle/apply.
I hope this helps
Reg
 
Hi Reg

Thanks for your reply, this is very useful info. I've started using the Tegaderm as well and it works for me and have just tried Skin Tac which sticks you to everything, whether or not you want to be stuck to it, :rofl:. I suspect I also had faulty sensors as they all ended after 4 days which seemed a bit coincidental. I was thinking about not using the medtronic tapes, as they're fiddly, so thanks for that tip too.
 
The IV300 that Medtronic provided me for free worked like tegaderm. It may be worth asking.
 
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