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    • 5 hours, 32 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      If your insulin pump stopped working, how prepared do you feel to manage injections, including having supplies on hand and understanding dosing?
      Since I started this journey long long ago when there were no pumps, CGMs, I have always kept long acting insulin and test strips on hand so I can use those when needed. Sometimes I have to go old school because of medical tests, so my feeling is to always be prepared.
    • 6 hours, 21 minutes ago
      atr likes your comment at
      If your insulin pump stopped working, how prepared do you feel to manage injections, including having supplies on hand and understanding dosing?
      I answered not at all perpared! I have novolog and syringes on hand but no lantus. However, I use Omnipod 5 pods, which come in boxes of 5 pods, so I always have some on hand. They must be replace every 3 days anyway so if one fails I simply replace it. That has happened twice and when I contacted Insulet they provided a replacement pod both times.
    • 6 hours, 42 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      If your insulin pump stopped working, how prepared do you feel to manage injections, including having supplies on hand and understanding dosing?
      Was on injections for yrs before a pump so no problem for me
    • 2 days, 3 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How often do you intentionally run your glucose slightly higher during certain activities (e.g., driving, public speaking, exercise)?
      The question is poorly worded. If I am doing those things I run my blood sugar higher if not I don’t. A better question might be how often do I do those things. Since I do them often I run high often on purpose. I cannot be sub 100 and do them.
    • 2 days, 3 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How often do you intentionally run your glucose slightly higher during certain activities (e.g., driving, public speaking, exercise)?
      Exercise affects me profoundly at an older age (and has the physics of momentum and driving at ANY age!). Answer: often/
    • 2 days, 4 hours ago
      Richard likes your comment at
      How often do you exercise? Share more in the comments about your exercise routine.
      I have to try my best to move my Leg's for at least 30 minutes a day. If not something around that.
    • 2 days, 4 hours ago
      Richard likes your comment at
      How often do you exercise? Share more in the comments about your exercise routine.
      I exercise daily! I ski, bicycle, walk/jog, and workout at the gym. I currently have a rotator cuff injury so I limit my trips to the gym.
    • 2 days, 5 hours ago
      atr likes your comment at
      How often do you intentionally run your glucose slightly higher during certain activities (e.g., driving, public speaking, exercise)?
      During Ramadhan I keep it slightly elevated so that I don’t have to break the 12 hour fast.
    • 2 days, 5 hours ago
      atr likes your comment at
      How often do you intentionally run your glucose slightly higher during certain activities (e.g., driving, public speaking, exercise)?
      when I am traveling, I will let it run a little higher because I don't know what I'll be doing at any given moment.
    • 2 days, 5 hours ago
      atr likes your comment at
      How often do you intentionally run your glucose slightly higher during certain activities (e.g., driving, public speaking, exercise)?
      The question is poorly worded. If I am doing those things I run my blood sugar higher if not I don’t. A better question might be how often do I do those things. Since I do them often I run high often on purpose. I cannot be sub 100 and do them.
    • 2 days, 5 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      Been doing it for so long it's mostly estimation at this point. Every once in a while at home I'll measure out exact portions of rice, pasta, etc to remind myself just how SMALL portions should be as I tend to let them get a little bigger over time. (wishful thinking) Very helpful to have that image in mind at restaurants where portions tend to be way larger than a single serving.
    • 2 days, 6 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How often do you intentionally run your glucose slightly higher during certain activities (e.g., driving, public speaking, exercise)?
      Exercise affects me profoundly at an older age (and has the physics of momentum and driving at ANY age!). Answer: often/
    • 3 days, 1 hour ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      Moderately. My doctor and pharmacy are awesome, my insurance and durable medical equipment supplier, not so much. The excessive red tape of paper to get DME supplies shipped is almost always a nightmare!
    • 3 days, 1 hour ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      Run, don’t walk from Edgepark! Read my response to Nevin Bowman above! (Hint: the company I was referring to in that post was Edgepark)
    • 3 days, 1 hour ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I once had a supplier withhold old pump supplies while refusing to ship the order for a new pump and I was on a 3-way call with insurance and got to listen to DME lie directly to Insurance about it and then I had the pleasure of interjecting and getting to call them a liar! I would have been more vindicated if it actually accomplished anything, but after I finally got my shipment I fired that DME and never looked back. The red tape that insurance insists on for DME is excessive for chronically ill patients!
    • 3 days, 2 hours ago
      kristina blake likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      After doing this weighing and measurements you get pretty good at estimating
    • 3 days, 3 hours ago
      Patricia Dalrymple likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      I chose "Often". If I eat something packaged with a nutrition label, I'll use the carbs listed on the label. If I eat a plate of food, at home or at a restaurant, I estimate.
    • 3 days, 4 hours ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      Been doing it for so long it's mostly estimation at this point. Every once in a while at home I'll measure out exact portions of rice, pasta, etc to remind myself just how SMALL portions should be as I tend to let them get a little bigger over time. (wishful thinking) Very helpful to have that image in mind at restaurants where portions tend to be way larger than a single serving.
    • 3 days, 4 hours ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      Yes, for me never weighing or measuring but actively using the Calorie King book and app for several years I have most things memorized or I can make a decent assessment.
    • 3 days, 4 hours ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      After doing this weighing and measurements you get pretty good at estimating
    • 3 days, 4 hours ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      I chose "Often". If I eat something packaged with a nutrition label, I'll use the carbs listed on the label. If I eat a plate of food, at home or at a restaurant, I estimate.
    • 3 days, 5 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How often do you guess or estimate carbohydrate amounts rather than calculating precisely?
      I chose "Often". If I eat something packaged with a nutrition label, I'll use the carbs listed on the label. If I eat a plate of food, at home or at a restaurant, I estimate.
    • 3 days, 6 hours ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      Well, since I'm waiting on pump supplies for 2 months now, my confidence is slipping.
    • 3 days, 6 hours ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I am confident about access to my medical needs in the immediate future. I am not a fortune teller and have no idea what my access to medical supplies will be like in a year or longer. I don't take my spoiled lifestyle for granted.
    • 3 days, 6 hours ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      How confident are you about having consistent access to the diabetes supplies and medication you need?
      I've often said that "hoarding": is a character asset for T1D people. I try to purchase (paying out of pocket) a 60-90 day supply - just in case). I have a new health plan,. effective 1/1/26. AS we know, getting an appt with an HCP isn't easy. They have to be accepting new patients, they have to be in network etc. Once I knew what my new policy would be (nov 2025) I made an appt. The earliest appt I could get was in Sept 2026. Thank goodness for my stash of device supplies. I had to go to Urgent care to get an Rx for insulin (my old HMO plan "doesn't do bridge refills"). So yeah, I worry, and plan for hiccups in the supplies process.
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    If you use a CGM, how often do you use adhesive wipes to help your sensors stick?

    Home > LC Polls > If you use a CGM, how often do you use adhesive wipes to help your sensors stick?
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    If you use the time-in-range metric, how often would you estimate you typically look at your time-in-range reports?

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    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has worked in the diabetes research field ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

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    42 Comments

    1. AnitaS

      Technically I don’t use wipes, but I use the liquid form of Skin-Tac. I actually use it for two reasons 1) It helps my CGM stay on for the 10-day wear, and 2) It acts as a barrier between the CGM adhesive tape and my skin as the CGM adhesive tape can make me itch.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. George Lovelace

        I checked “Rarely” but like you I never use “Wipes”, much cheaper buying the Bottle with the Swab, been doing this since 2009

        1
        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Mick Martin

      I don’t use adhesive wipes any longer. I did for about the first 15 years but they dry my skin out too much. i.e. my skin becomes ‘scaly’.

      I now use a barrier spray called Cavilon. (It’s made by 3M, which a fellow diabetic on here informs me is an American company.)

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. KCR

      I don’t use adhesive wipes but sometimes I will use an overpatch to make sure it sticks (e.g., during yardwork or playing with my grandkids).

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Janice Bohn

      I use a skin barrier wipe and then skin tack wipe

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. cynthia jaworski

      As long as I don’t bump into door frames, everything stays in place.

      3
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Marie Foster

      I use skin tac on my daughter. But I do have to clean and scrub to get it off and then lotion the heck out of it when the sensor is removed.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Annie Wall

        Believe it or not, I use Neutrogena oil-free eye makeup remover to easily get rid of the residue when I remove my sensor.

        1
        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Gary Taylor

      When I started wearing a sensor in 2008, I was told that the adhesive in the wipes affects the sensor. I use an overlay patch, Smith & Nephew’s IV 3000, to hold everything in place.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. TomH

      I do use a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol to remove the “ring” on removal and preparation, but no particular product to assist the adhesive otherwise.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Carolann Hunt

      They changed the adhesive a few years ago and they stick better now.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Nicholas Argento

      I always do, G6 with Skin Tac. I rarely have them not stick that way.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Jane Cerullo

      I always use SkinTac. Ran out and Dexcom stayed on just fine. Will continue to use as makes me feel confident won’t come off.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Lawrence S.

      Since your question is directed toward CGM’s only, I answered “Never.” I clean the area with alcohol wipes, and use the Overpatch, supplied by Dexcom.

      However, I do use adhesive wipes for my insulin pump cannula insertion.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Lee Johnson

      Do you mean an “overpatch”?

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. AnitaS

        No, there are wipes (like an alcohol pad) that have adhesive them to apply to your skin so that the sensors will stick better.

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. kristina blake

      I answered never. But…I use alcohol to prepare my site – make sure the skin is really dry. I “paint” SkinTac on the adhesive patch prior to inserting. I only use SkinTac wipes when traveling (heaven forbid the bottle should break while traveling). I like the bottle form of SkinTac, it has an applicator wand in the cap and I don’t get sticky fingers (all day). I use the overpatches from Dexcom. They are better than others I’ve tried.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Annie Wall

      Like others, I don’t use an adhesive wipe, but paint the sensor patch with Skintac because it adheres so well.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Marty

      I used Skin-Tac wipes for years, after cleaning the area with alcohol and marking a spot to keep clean for the sensor insertion with an eyeliner pencil. These days I skip the Skin-Tac and eyeliner and use an overpatch. The overpatch seems like less hassle and works well to keep my sensor on in the water.

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. William Bennett

      I use SkinTac in liquid form not wipes, but yes, every time. Hate it when sensors come off before their time.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Janis Senungetuk

      Never needed to use anything other than an overpatch to keep the sensor/transmitter on for 10 days. The only times I’ve had problems it was because I accidentally ripped it off removing clothing or with a towel after a shower.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Derek West

      I never used to with Medtronic but when I moved to Dexcom it was recommended, so I do. Not sure if it helps but I have requested over-patches.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Bob Durstenfeld

      I use adhesive wipes for my pump site, but I have had issues when I used them for CGM AND switched back to go old isopropyl alcohol.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. Ginger Vieira

      Nope, but I do use a patch over my Libre. Without a patch, I will accidentally rip my Libre sensor off within hours by walking against a doorway too fast, putting on a sweatshirt, or dragging a bag down my arm…it just happens! Clearly, I’m not very graceful!

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. Hieromonk Alexis

      The Dexcom G5 sensor sticks very firmly, so I never have to use anything for that. However, I do use adhesive tape for for the Medtronic SureT infusion set.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. Joan Plog

      I use a barrier wipe to protect my skin..not really to help it stick.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. Steven Gill

      I don’t use a wipe as described, I utilize “skin tak” and apply it before setting the tape. I have the curse of sweating at work, this helps keeping the devices on (pump infusion set too), and if I notice any loosening later can reapply as needed.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. Catherine Thompson

      I always use them, not only to help the sensors stick, but to help protect my skin from the adhesive from the sensor.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    26. Linda Pease

      I use an overlay patch it works for me

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    27. Vivian Moon

      I use IV Prep wipes as I am very sensitive to the adhesives some tapes have. I also use an overlay for both pump infusion sites and CGM sensors.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    28. Missy Kirchem

      I use Skintac liquid

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    29. Joan Benedetto

      We use IVPrep wipes for our son.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Joan Benedetto

        With IV3000 over

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    30. mojoseje

      Never, but I should because they always come unstuck in the last day or two.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    31. Bea Anderson

      I understood adhesive wipes affected the sensor. So I rely on over tape.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    32. KSannie

      I only need it for my Dexcom sensors, not my infusion sets. And I just leave an empty spot where the sensor is going to be inserted. I must add an overpatch as well, or they fall off. The overpatch alone does not hold well enough. It peels off from the edges.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    33. Kristine Warmecke

      Never, adhesive allergy. Felt like it took forever for my endocrinologist & I to figure out I wasn’t only allergic to MedTronic’s adhesive but also the actual sensor that is inserted into you.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    34. Ms Cris

      Always, plus the Dexcom overpatch…and still has a difficult time making it 10 days. I swear the overpatch makes things worse.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    35. PamK

      I use SkinTac wipes and then clean a small spot with an alcohol wipe to insert the sensor in. Works great, no over-patches needed!

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    36. sweet charlie

      I never use wipes or patchs… But I clean [ scrub ] the area with large alcahol wipes… I often get bleeding into the transmittter contacts area .. Do you think the scrubing is causing the bleeding?? My sensor really stays on and I feel like the skin is going to tear when I remove it.. I have been using G6 for less than 2 years, and nothing else that is taped on.. I only use my tummy area..

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    37. Kristen Clifford

      I’m pretty sure this question has been asked before. T1DExchange might want to do some research for new questions!

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    38. Jeff Balbirnie

      When I used one I ALWAYSused adhesive prep… always

      3 years ago Log in to Reply

    If you use a CGM, how often do you use adhesive wipes to help your sensors stick? Cancel reply

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