Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Manager of Marketing at T1D Exchange.
I sometimes bleed a lot. Enough that I wait to see if there’s blood before adding the transmitter. If there is I dab it up with alcohol wipes until it stops, then add transmitter. Except for one time, the sensors still worked fine. Once I had to change it after a couple of days.
I selected Twice, but that was with the FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors. I’ve now been back on the Medtronic Guardian Sensor 3 sensors and that has lasted a full 7 days. (I’m due to get an upgrade to the Medtronic 780G on Wednesday, and that requires an upgrade, too, to the Guardian Sensor 4 sensors.)
Same here. I wonder if some people experience difficulties due to placement. I always place mine somewhere it doesn’t get compressed when I sleep or during normal activities.
My Dexcom G6 almost always starts giving wonky numbers on day 8 of 10. Ironically, today is day 8 and it’s currently giving me a number without an arrow after displaying “sensor error” for the past half hour…sigh…but it works so well the rest of it the time that I continue to use it.
Never for me, but it is interesting to see postings on FB T1D and Dexcom related groups how many have repeated issues. If the training and understanding of the device and technology was provided, I wonder how many more “never” experiences tgere would be.
I use FreeStyle Libre 2 and there has been a time or two when I’ve had to change it twice in less than 24 hrs. It could have been how I inserted the sensor. IDK.
On the last day with G6, I sometimes get brief periods of “sensor error”. Not enough to make me change it early, don’t have a spare one with me at work anyway. I do keep finger stick supplies at work, so I have back up.
when my G6 seems quirkey, I finger stick.. Sometimes they are close and some they are a little off or a LOT !!! I dont see how you can link the CGM with a Pump and feel safe !!!
My sensors nearly always last for 10 days. Last month, it turned out to be my Tandem pump that had stopped receiving the signal. After some trouble-shooting with replacement sensors, I ended up with a replacement pump (1 month before the end of my 5-year pump warranty.)
However, recently I’ve noticed diminishing connectivity on days eight, nine and ten. Relatively new phenomenon. Interested in others’ experience with DEXCOM 6 specifically.
I bleed a lot and can’t get a fresh sensor to calibrate. My PA suggested putting ice at the sensor site and that seams to help. Only once this month for this reason.
The latest libre, libre 2, has occasionally given me issues within a few hours of deploying a new one. Once it is on, it lasts the full 14 days ubless I manually interfere with it. In my experience, there are never problems with bleeding or discomfort.
Things continue to work pretty well. I find that the main complaint I have is how much anxiety there seems to be concerning getting supplies on time, and not getting the full ten days with a sensor. Worry wart, yes, but I think it’s the price we pay to be relying on technology instead of pancreases!
Glad to be alive!
The majority of the time there are no issues, but during this month, after replacing the transmitter I had two sensors needing replacement after the first twenty minutes. After the first sensor failure notice I called Dexcom and requested a replacement. I had already put in another sensor. While speaking with the Dexcom tech the second sensor failed. I was very upset and definitely let the tech know how much! He asked me what ID number I had used for the new transmitter. I told him the number that was stamped on the bottom of the transmitter. Then I learned that the transmitter I thought was new was “reconditioned”. I needed to use the number that was stamped on the transmitter box, which was a different number. When I used that number in the pump for the transmitter, the sensor suddenly worked. I had one sensor left, so was very glad to have the inserted sensor working, BUT why was I charged full price for a reconditioned transmitter? No answer from the Dexcom tech. My last question to him was how long would this reconditioned transmitter last. He said it was guaranteed for 90 days from insertion. So beware! Dexcom is sending reconditioned as new.
With my Medtronic sensor I have had to recharge the transmitter before the 7 days was up, but now have a new transmitter which is lasting 7 days. As to the sensor, I have used one for 14 days by recharging the transmitter at day 7.
When you are on Medicare Part “B”, you get your supplies on a fixed schedule. Medicare will allow you to get your prescription filled 5 days early. If the DEX sensor fails once/twice a month you lose time and may not be able to get your sensors early. Everything depends on your supplier.
I rarely get the full 10 days. I said 3 because I changed every sensor this month early. But, technically, it was 4 but the 4th one was due to a transmitter issue and likely “user error”.
I think it’s because I bleed a lot… sometimes get massive bruises under the sensor. I’ve tried everything under the sun to get them to last longer, but nothing seems to work for me so that’s why I think it’s a bleeding issue.
I frequently get less than 10 days from a sensor. Dexcom said to use an overpatch to secure it now. I now put on an overpatch when I put on a new sensor and that has helped a lot.
I haven’t had any problems in the last month with my Dexcom.
This happens maybe twice a year with a nice replacement from the company, but usually less than 24 hours before expiration.
I think I have made more of an effort to stay hydrated in the past year which helps.
Dexcom G6. This was a good month in accuracy and duration. I rely on it pretty heavily. But when something does occur, trust crumbles until a new stretch of dependability develops!
In the 11 years I used MEDTRONIC cgm (generation 1,2 &3) I rarely got all 7 days. In the past 2 years on dexcom I have reliably gone all 10 days every time.
Not only do I rarely change my G6 sensor before the 10 days, I usually wear them 15 days thanks to my Anubis transmitter.
??? I will google this??
Maybe a couple of hours early . . . just because of location convenience.
Once, but typically it is zero.
The only time I’ve had to change a sensor early was on initial application and I bled.
I sometimes bleed a lot. Enough that I wait to see if there’s blood before adding the transmitter. If there is I dab it up with alcohol wipes until it stops, then add transmitter. Except for one time, the sensors still worked fine. Once I had to change it after a couple of days.
Same for me and I usualy can blot it until it stops before it gets on the 2 contact points and then insert the transmitter..
I’ve been having trouble with the Libre 2 sensors. Lately they run low. Often 30-40 lower than fingersticks.
I selected Twice, but that was with the FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors. I’ve now been back on the Medtronic Guardian Sensor 3 sensors and that has lasted a full 7 days. (I’m due to get an upgrade to the Medtronic 780G on Wednesday, and that requires an upgrade, too, to the Guardian Sensor 4 sensors.)
Zero, Dexcom G6
Same here. I wonder if some people experience difficulties due to placement. I always place mine somewhere it doesn’t get compressed when I sleep or during normal activities.
My Dexcom G6 almost always starts giving wonky numbers on day 8 of 10. Ironically, today is day 8 and it’s currently giving me a number without an arrow after displaying “sensor error” for the past half hour…sigh…but it works so well the rest of it the time that I continue to use it.
Little plastic piece on sensor broke off. Transmitter was not sitting flat. Never happened before.
Never for me, but it is interesting to see postings on FB T1D and Dexcom related groups how many have repeated issues. If the training and understanding of the device and technology was provided, I wonder how many more “never” experiences tgere would be.
I use FreeStyle Libre 2 and there has been a time or two when I’ve had to change it twice in less than 24 hrs. It could have been how I inserted the sensor. IDK.
On the last day with G6, I sometimes get brief periods of “sensor error”. Not enough to make me change it early, don’t have a spare one with me at work anyway. I do keep finger stick supplies at work, so I have back up.
when my G6 seems quirkey, I finger stick.. Sometimes they are close and some they are a little off or a LOT !!! I dont see how you can link the CGM with a Pump and feel safe !!!
My sensors nearly always last for 10 days. Last month, it turned out to be my Tandem pump that had stopped receiving the signal. After some trouble-shooting with replacement sensors, I ended up with a replacement pump (1 month before the end of my 5-year pump warranty.)
However, recently I’ve noticed diminishing connectivity on days eight, nine and ten. Relatively new phenomenon. Interested in others’ experience with DEXCOM 6 specifically.
I bleed a lot and can’t get a fresh sensor to calibrate. My PA suggested putting ice at the sensor site and that seams to help. Only once this month for this reason.
The latest libre, libre 2, has occasionally given me issues within a few hours of deploying a new one. Once it is on, it lasts the full 14 days ubless I manually interfere with it. In my experience, there are never problems with bleeding or discomfort.
Things continue to work pretty well. I find that the main complaint I have is how much anxiety there seems to be concerning getting supplies on time, and not getting the full ten days with a sensor. Worry wart, yes, but I think it’s the price we pay to be relying on technology instead of pancreases!
Glad to be alive!
The majority of the time there are no issues, but during this month, after replacing the transmitter I had two sensors needing replacement after the first twenty minutes. After the first sensor failure notice I called Dexcom and requested a replacement. I had already put in another sensor. While speaking with the Dexcom tech the second sensor failed. I was very upset and definitely let the tech know how much! He asked me what ID number I had used for the new transmitter. I told him the number that was stamped on the bottom of the transmitter. Then I learned that the transmitter I thought was new was “reconditioned”. I needed to use the number that was stamped on the transmitter box, which was a different number. When I used that number in the pump for the transmitter, the sensor suddenly worked. I had one sensor left, so was very glad to have the inserted sensor working, BUT why was I charged full price for a reconditioned transmitter? No answer from the Dexcom tech. My last question to him was how long would this reconditioned transmitter last. He said it was guaranteed for 90 days from insertion. So beware! Dexcom is sending reconditioned as new.
What the HELL???? How do they get a transmitter from peoples trash ???
With my Medtronic sensor I have had to recharge the transmitter before the 7 days was up, but now have a new transmitter which is lasting 7 days. As to the sensor, I have used one for 14 days by recharging the transmitter at day 7.
When you are on Medicare Part “B”, you get your supplies on a fixed schedule. Medicare will allow you to get your prescription filled 5 days early. If the DEX sensor fails once/twice a month you lose time and may not be able to get your sensors early. Everything depends on your supplier.
I rarely get the full 10 days. I said 3 because I changed every sensor this month early. But, technically, it was 4 but the 4th one was due to a transmitter issue and likely “user error”.
I think it’s because I bleed a lot… sometimes get massive bruises under the sensor. I’ve tried everything under the sun to get them to last longer, but nothing seems to work for me so that’s why I think it’s a bleeding issue.
I frequently get less than 10 days from a sensor. Dexcom said to use an overpatch to secure it now. I now put on an overpatch when I put on a new sensor and that has helped a lot.
I haven’t had any problems in the last month with my Dexcom.
This happens maybe twice a year with a nice replacement from the company, but usually less than 24 hours before expiration.
I think I have made more of an effort to stay hydrated in the past year which helps.
My Medtronic Guardian sensors always last the full week.
I use a Libre 2 and it has been extremely reliable.
Dexcom G6. This was a good month in accuracy and duration. I rely on it pretty heavily. But when something does occur, trust crumbles until a new stretch of dependability develops!
In the 11 years I used MEDTRONIC cgm (generation 1,2 &3) I rarely got all 7 days. In the past 2 years on dexcom I have reliably gone all 10 days every time.
This past month I’ve not had any sensor need replaced prior to Day 9 out of 10. I ripped one of my arm on Day 9 so it didn’t count for this question.