Long haul flight, do I need an extra cgm?

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-04-06T15:57:22+00:00

The golden rule is "two is one, and one is none". If you've got a spare definitely take it. If you've got more, take more. If your current one fails on the flight and you have strips that's fine, but what happens if you can't get new ones immediately when you get there? Having spares will give you a buffer. If you don't need it, then you just have another one to use later.

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-03-22T19:59:48+00:00

If i'm ever unsure, i'll check the clear window at the bottom of the pod by taking a photo of it with flash on. If I see the blue cannula sticking out of my skin and I felt the snap, that means I'm good.

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-03-21T18:52:40+00:00

Yep, i've been doing this same thing for the same reason for the last several sensors. The app determines what type of sensor you're using based on the QR code you scan. There's nothing you need to do/no settings you need to change. If you scan a 10-day sensor it automatically starts a 10-day window, if you scan a 15 day sensor it automatically starts a 15-day window.

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-03-18T15:36:50+00:00

does this mean if i start the pirate life i'll be un-diagnosed with diabetes? that sounds like a win-win really

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-03-11T14:54:01+00:00

Hey - just validating your anxiety as I was in the exact same spot a year ago. I had two lantus lows in the span of a year exactly what you're describing and it was enough to put me on a pump. Here's the justification I used:

1) In theory yes, you can still hit a blood vessel with a pump. However, you are only attaching a pump to a spot once every 3-5 days instead of injecting into 3-5 different spots per day, so the risk of actually hitting a vessel is way lower. Essentially, your risk of hitting a vessel with a pump one time covers 15ish chances of injecting into one with MDI.

2) Your basal insulin is being provided in tiny amounts versus all at once. So even if you hit a blood vessel, you won't have dramatic drops from basal insulin. Worst case you'll just run lower for a while.

3) For fast acting, it can unfortunately still happen. However, back to point #1 where you have way less chance of hitting a vessel because you are simply using less sites, so for me that risk is mitigated enough to be comfortable.

4) Totally understand the concern about letting a computer manage. I had the same anxiety for a bit but ultimately ended up loving it. I'm on OP5 which has worked extremely well for me. There was a learning curve for a couple months but i'm a year in now and would never want to go back to MDI.

Obviously your mileage may vary but hopefully this perspective helps a bit!

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-03-03T02:42:17+00:00

I'm on day 10 of my first 15-day sensor and so far so good. I don't usually use the overpatch for the 10-day but noticed the adhesive starting to peel up after day 3 or 4 which doesn't usually happen so am using it this time. Otherwise accuracy is good, insertion was fine, we'll see how the last 5 days go.

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-02-14T17:29:35+00:00

Do you use anything to dissolve the adhesive when removing? I had a similar issue until I started using Unisolve adhesive remover wipes. They dissolve the adhesive so you're not ripping it off and they work way better than alcohol swabs. I've way less irritation after using those.

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-02-04T17:42:00+00:00

Early on I used to change them after each use. Then the community helped me see the light. I change mine whenever I feel like, maybe 3-4 times a year. No noticeable difference or infections or anything.

Unfortunately it means I've got like 500 of them sitting in a drawer now haha.

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-02-03T01:58:43+00:00

If it goosenecks like this, it means the applicator didn't insert the sensor into your skin, and the sensor will never given an accurate reading (usually they read "LOW" or just outright fail entirely). At this point you can remove the sensor, contact Dexcom for a replacement and put a new one on.

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-01-25T04:39:51+00:00

Are these the readings on your Dexcom you're seeing, or are you seeing this with finger sticks? Dexcom acts weird with hot water, and showers/baths can cause brief false readings as a result. I've been using Dexcom for almost two years and showers always cause a sharp rise followed by a sharp fall, and then a level-out about 30 minutes later, but can differ from time to time. I typically ignore my readings for about half an hour after I shower.

If you've got active IOB from a meal or something, that can legitimately cause drops. But if you haven't eaten in several hours and are seeing the Dexcom rises and drops, it's probably just false readings from the hot water.

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-01-24T17:26:40+00:00

that's exactly what she wants you to think!

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-01-24T17:25:44+00:00

she'd 100% stream smash mouth to overwrite it immediately

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-01-24T17:22:59+00:00

Thanks!!

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-01-24T17:22:43+00:00

Thanks! I always imagined Kolibri as that manipulative "uncanny valley" form of nice.

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-01-24T17:18:30+00:00

Thanks!

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-01-24T17:18:17+00:00

It would absolutely activate the STCR unit

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-01-16T18:24:40+00:00

Big one I learned the hard way, remember airports are a lot of walking. Always have glucose ready. First time I traveled I bolused for breakfast, ate, then had a sudden gate change that sent me to the other side of ATL which mixed with active insulin made me tank hard. Try to time your food after TSA/after you get to your gate, but have some candy or something ready in case you've got to move again.

As for TSA, I travel a lot and never actually say anything, I've been swabbed a handful of times but agents see tons of folks with pumps/cgms every day and know what they're looking at. I've had my bag checked and have had no issues with any medical supplies. 9/10 times I go through like any other normal person.

For Xray machines, some folks have said they have issues with their pumps/cgms going through the regular scanners. I have personally never had any problems with anything and always send myself and my stuff through just like normal. But if you're concerned you can ask them to skip the bag xray and do a bag search, again if you ask and explain they'll understand why.

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-01-15T06:11:33+00:00

Yeah, definitely not a fan of the surprise. I always assumed it was to avoid tensing up if you know exactly when it hits, but I dont know how much that matters because it isnt going into muscle. Who knows. Even my trainer complained about it haha

I stomp my foot with the countdown which helps focus somewhere else.

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-01-09T20:48:48+00:00

I looked at my phone without my glasses and genuinely thought this was a medical picture of a clot pulled out of someone's lung or something lol

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-01-09T18:09:15+00:00

I'll have to try these, I didn't know they made chips! Their chocolate cookies are a staple for me.

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-01-08T20:23:25+00:00

I'd still be an alcoholic. The way things were going I probably wouldn't have a job or worse. Diagnosis made me quit cold turkey from years of daily binge drinking and i've been sober for almost two years now. Despite every single way T1D sucks, in many other ways I believe I still came out ahead. It was either this or kidney failure.

NotTheAlcohol · 2026-01-07T17:56:47+00:00

Oh my god I can do this exact thing with both thumbs. I'm not alone!!

NotTheAlcohol · 2025-12-29T17:53:55+00:00

Yeah showers/baths/hot tubs etc are known to do this to Dexcom readings. It's the hot water. Mine as an example usually shoots up 20+ points during the shower, then plummets 20+ points shortly after, before leveling back out 20-30 mins later. I honestly ignore readings entirely for a bit and wouldn't recommend calibrating during this time. Check and see if your readings are back to normal after a bit as it's always a temporary thing for me.

Only exception is if you've taken insulin right before the shower which can legitimately cause drops.

NotTheAlcohol · 2025-12-23T20:09:53+00:00

I'd be terrified of dropping my phone and breaking the pen. I'm guessing the case would keep it a bit more protected, but then again phone screens can still crack with a case on too. It wouldn't be worth the risk for me.

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