Tape Tip – Diabetes Style

Today is the fifth day of Diabetes Blog week.  Each day we have a prompt and are called to post a response.  You can read all responses at my friend Karen’s site Bitter~Sweet.  Also, please remember RABlog week will occur in September.  I hope you join the fun then as well. This is my tape tip for living better with diabetes

Prompt

Let’s round out the week by sharing our best diabetes tips and diabetes tricks. From how you organize supplies to how you manage gear on the go/vacation (beach, or skiing, or whatever). From how you keep track of prescription numbers to how you remember to get your orders refilled. How about any “unconventional” diabetes practices, or ways to make diabetes work for YOU (not necessarily how the doctors say to do it!). There’s always something we can learn from each other. (Remember though, please no medical advice or dangerous suggestions.)

A Secret I Have Been Harboring

I have been saving this tip for a few months; and while not a state secret, it is tricky to execute.  But we are all adults here, ok maybe I am not an adult, but I have the secret, so it is safe for me to share.

This secret was given to me by my good friend Clare on TUDiabetes, which is the best place to get great tips in my opinion. But let’s start at the beginning.  One day Clare was at Walmart, and she ventured into the discount sale section.  There on the bottom shelf, on the closeout rack, was an answer to how to over-tape a Dexcom transmitter without too much fuss.

EK Success Punch

The device is the Rectangle 2 1/4″ Large Tag Slim Punch by EK Success.  It is a paper punch used mostly by those who scrapbook.  Clare saw the utility of the device for the Dexcom transmitter and the rest is history.  Here is a picture of the device taken from Hobby Lobby which is the only place I found it online.  The cost for this amazing piece of hardware is $10.19; it is also on closeout at Hobby Lobby.

To use it, place the tape in upside down or back side up (this is important) and punch.  What one ends up with is an almost perfect cut of a Dexcom transmitter.  Simply place the tape over the transmitter and presto we have overtaped the Dexcom transmitter.

Not Perfect

It can be tricky to get this done several times and frankly I had to work the punch several times to get it just right.  The issue is the tape gets stuck in the punch itself.  But even with expensive tape, it seems worth it to blow a few to get the hang of it. I have recently been able to align almost 100% of the punches on my tape.  I usually use Smith&Nephew Opsite Flexifix tape and it is a little tricky to get it cut completely, so patience is required.  I am using the 2″ version but Amazon sells a 4″ version and in I might try it.  The main difficulty is that the tape gets stuck on the punch and getting it out can be difficult.  I also notice that EK Success has round punches that might (I have never tried one) work for a Medtronic QuickSet (or others?).  The key I have found as I say to put the tape in the punch with the backing turned up. I have no idea why this works or doesn’t, it just seems to be better.

The result when you get it punched correctly is a nearly 100% cut out of the Dexcom transmitter; it is a gem of a tool for over taping. If you get a good punch, the tape will provide a trim, neat way to secure that Dexcom transmitter that we do not want to give up before its time.

May the tape be with you!  Again thank you to Clare, who saw the potential and gave this to the world.  Also, it looks like it is on close out at Hobby Lobby.  So now might be a good time to order, remember Clare found these on closeout at Walmart, so it must not be a scrapbooking favorite?

-30-

rick

Take away for May 21, 2016

• The EK rectangle punch works for a Dexcom sensor
• It is not a perfect solution
• They can be purchased online from Hobby Lobby
• Thanks to Clare form TUDiabetes for the tip