The maximum number of days I have been able to use a single sensor is 7 days.  This very last one, on the seventh day, I was getting erratic readings.  I figured I would leave it in and just watch it, thinking that it was something just a calibration or two could fix.  But that was not the case.  This is the second time that on the seventh day, I had unpredictable results which led to me removing the sensor.

So I removed the sensor and decided to wait until the next day (today) to insert a new one.  I inserted the sensor using the sen-serter.  But this time, the amount of blood at the site was the greatest I had ever experienced.  We are not talking a big amount but it was more than I was used to.  The blood however quickly stopped and I was instructed that if it indeed stopped, to go ahead and connect the sensor 5 minutes later.  Which I did.  By the way, the site location is about 5 inches to the right of my naval.

Well I am about 6 hours into this new sensor( 2 hours wait time plus 4 hours active sensing) and the site is not comfortable.  It is not painful but simply uncomfortable.  Now if sensors where $5 or even $10 perhaps, I would remove the sensor now and simply start fresh.  But at $35, I am too darn parsimonious to do so.  Previously, when a sensor has been slightly uncomfortable, the feeling usually passed and the sensor has gone on to last a good 6 days.  But I am not sure I am going to see the same results with this one.

So I am trying to think, what I did differently.  Perhaps nothing.  But perhaps I increased the angle above 45 just a bit too much.  Who knows.  But I am strongly considering trying my thigh next time.  My only hesitation is that when I use my thigh for insulin delivery, the lag time in which the insulin works is even longer than my abdomen.  If anything, I want the blood glucose determined by the sensor to be as close to my current blood glucose as possible.

So as with insulin delivery, the same is true with the sensor. It is really just a big experiment, each time fine tuning the technique.  I think the next time, I will try to hold my skin more taut and aim closer for the 45 degree angle recommended.  I will hold my skin more taut so as to not experiencing the bouncing needle I spoke about in my previous entry.

So if I have to remove this sensor before the six days I have been achieving with other sensors, I will simply chalk it up to experience and move on to the next one.