LYD1A KERR

As a type 1 diabetic, I monitor and control my blood sugar levels with both a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), the Dexcom G7, and an insulin pump, the Tandem T-Slim X2.

My Dexcom CGM sensor is replaced every ten days, and my insulin pump infusion site is changed every three days.

Because it’s important to rotate the sites on your body where you attach these devices, I have a plan I follow pretty much every time I change my sites.

For example, if I insert a new CGM on Day 1, I’ll put it on the back of my left arm. I’ll then put a new insulin pump infusion set on the front of my left arm. After three days, I’ll put a new site on the left side of my belly. After another three days, I’ll put a new insulin pump site on front of my left thigh.

So 9 out of the 10 days I have my CGM on my left arm, the sites move down the left side of my body.

In preparation for my CGM being on the back of my right arm, I’ll put a new insulin pump site on the front of my right arm, ready for the fresh CGM the next day!

On the 10th day, I’ll insert a new CGM on the back of my right arm, and repeat the same sites on the right side of my body the next time I have an insulin pump site change.

This ensures I have at least six insulin pump sites on constant rotation, giving enough time for the area to recover before it’s used again.

To mix up the insulin pump sites, I’ll incorporate my lower back/love handles as sometimes I don’t like the sites on my arm or legs, but it really just depends on the mood I’m in!

I also discovered that my insulin pump physically prefers to be on the same side as my CGM, or else it can lose connection with it.

I know you’re probably thinking – CGM and insulin pump changes only line up once every 30 days!

This is only a generic guide, and it’s more of a mental plan to think about before randomly putting your new insulin pump on your belly for the 54th time in a row! (Aka me for the first two months of having an insulin pump because it was the only place I was comfortable with)

If you’re on insulin pen injections (multiple daily injections = MDI), maybe use this as your plan throughout the day. For example, use arm sites in the morning, belly sites in the afternoon, and leg sites in the evening. Although that’s easier said than done as when I was on MDI, I done a lot of injections in my belly and would randomly incorporate arms/legs..!

Are there any sites I’ve missed out? Let me know on insta (@lydiabetic)!

Thank you for reading, I hope this simple guide helps you rotate those sites!

Love, Lydia x