I’m looking for advice from members who have had an Eversense sensor implanted in their upper arm in the FDA-approved location. I’m scheduled to have a sensor implanted next month.
Here’s my question: I’m a side-sleeper and wonder if the transmitter is comfortable to sleep on.
I’ve worn Dexcom CGMs more in the vicinity of the tricep (the back of the arm) and it was never uncomfortable for sleeping. From what I’m hearing from the Senseonics rep as well as the inserter, the FDA-approved location is very specific, over the outer arm muscle - deltoid.
If you live with an Eversense implanted sensor, what is your experience with the sleeping comfort of the transmitter when the sensor is implanted over the deltoid muscle?
I’ve been wearing it on that FDA approved zone of upper arm for a week with no issues. (I am not locked in as a side sleeper though). The sensor is a little higher up and back towards my armpit than the pressure point when laying on my side. I wonder if adding some bulk to a Dexcom sensor to approximate the size of the Eversense would be a worthwhile test of that location? Given that the Eversense has been around for 5+ years, there must be some alternate locations that have been used off label by long time users.
Thanks for the reply, @John58. I checked over on Facebook (Eversense 365 CGM Users Group) and found an overwhelming number of positive reports. The ES 365 transmitter does not appear to interfere with side sleeping.
I talked with the provider who is scheduled to do the insertion next month and she seems somewhat inflexible as to the location of the sensor placement. I may be overly concerned about this issue but due diligence seems appropriate here.
How is the accuracy and consistency of your new sensor? What brand of finger-stick meter are you using to compare and calibrate with?
@Terry If you don’t get many responses here, you may want to look up Joanne Milo’s web page Blog | The Savvy Diabetic or https://t1dto100.com. She’s had two Eversenses installed and isn’t shy about providing info! Her last one went into a non-approved alternate location (no I don’t know, the mind wanders!).
Thanks for reminder, @TomH, about Joanne’s web sites. I have been aware of her diabetes writing and activism. I regularly consult with Loop and Learn to sort out software updates and compatibility with my Loop software. I need to keep my Mac OS, iOS, and Xcode versions in sync with Loop. There’s a real danger of getting your OS software a step ahead of Loop. I have all automatic updates turn off!
I’ve traded some messages with Joanne about the Eversense 365 and her enthusiasm for it made it an attractive option for me. I’m scheduled for a July 15 insertion. My biggest risk at this point is expecting too much!
I’ve been on the ever since 365 for a few months now. I’ve noticed that while the transmitter is bigger, it doesn’t tend to give compression though hardly at all so it’s so long as you roll under your side gently so not to knock it off it reads just fine with pressure and is not all that uncomfortable. I tend to toss and turn all night long from my back which is my preferred position to my sides.
The Eversense itself is a game changer. It is way more accurate than the G7 and even though you have to charge it every day and change the tape every day. It’s so refreshing to use the charge. Takes 5 to 15 minutes so I do it while I’m in the shower. It uses a special micro USB cable that is medical grade and not like the cheap old ones that we used to use the double-sided tape that they give you works perfectly for 24 hours then even if it does come off, you can reattach it. You just need to be in front of a mirror so that you can watch both your phone and where you’re placing it to get the best placement. Some people even use a sharpie to designate one of the corners, but I was fortunate enough to have a freckle right nearby so I just aim for the freckle.
I think most doctors are reticent to put it other places because it’s not approved just like the Dexcom is officially only approved for the stomach and certain other places but other people tend to place it it’s not approved and it worked just fine so the main question they’re gonna ask you is which are because you have your choice of the left arm or the right arm
Sorry for the typos I’m typing this at work through dictation and didn’t have a chance to prove it. Hope this helps.
And if you’d ever like to get a hold of me, send me a private message and we can either text talk if you’d like or email, but I don’t wanna put it on the public side of this site.
I never thought I’d leave loop but the twist pump is extremely close to loop and FDA approved and so much easier to use the hardest part that I’m still having to get used to is the tubing itself. I found patches that you can still wear it on your stomach, but the tubing tends to still get away sometimes.
I’ve also heard rumors that they will be updating the West pump with a more recent version of loop that gives more features but that is down the road.
@bpollina, Brad -Thanks so much for the first-hand remarks regarding the Eversense. I appreciate your effort to respond. No worries about the typos - I can decipher them quite well!
Your conclusion that ES is a “game changer” means a lot to me. Especially since you are using the Twiist pump as an automated insulin device. If Twiist had not decided to be a pharmacy only “benefit,” I would likely be using it as well. I need a pump that qualifies for Medicare DME. Loop continues its stellar performance and its main defect is the sometimes inaccurate readings of the Dexcom CGM - especially the first 24 hours and days 8-10.
I’m thinking the ES 365 could be the missing piece of the “perfect” system. I put perfect in quotes since I’m all too aware of how any man-made pancreas simulator pales in comparison to the elegant and insanely accurate system orchestrated by Mother Nature!
1.5 years using 365. No problem side sleeping. Doesn’t have compression failures likely skin mounted CGMs. It is possible to loose connection if transmitter is not fully aligned with sensor when turning. If it happens, just use app to reposition will eliminate the disconnect.
365 is by far the best CGM we have available. I have an app that directly uploads insulin shots and finger sticks via Bluetooth making super easy to manage my care.