38 Comments
If you use a CGM, do you ever experience “compression lows”? These are inaccurate CGM readings that occur when there is pressure placed on the CGM transmitter and sensor. They typically look like a sudden and drastic drop on a CGM graph, and often occur when a person is lying on their sensor.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I didn’t know that I was having compression lows till I read about them months ago on this valuable website! Since then, I avoid them by not placing my Dexcom too far to left or to far to right of umbilicus. (Each night I alternate sleeping on my sides several times.) Alarms from compression lows used to drive me nuts!
Yes, but rarely. Most frequent errors are those of communication between pump & sensor. ☔
I never used to get them, with Libre or Libre 2, the systems were fantastic. Something seems to have changed in the product recently though, and I am getting false low alarms 2-3 times a night. I’m switching to Dexcom this week to see if it is any better. fingers crossed!
Only remember 1-2x as usually where I wear it doesn’t cause a problem.
Maybe? I have probably experienced it from time to time but didn’t realize that is what was happening
Compression lows are extremely frustrating and are the #1 reason we have regular sleepless nights! Wish something could be done about this, especially with little kids and their terrible sleeping positions. This is a big issue in our household…
Not that I’m aware of. But, now that I know this is a thing, I’ll be watching out for them.
I get these basically every night. I can see my habits of rolling on either side in my sleep in the dips on my sensor data graph. Nothing alleviates the issue.
Like others, I mostly experience these overnight. I wear my Dexcom on my low back, so as long as I keep it more midline (I’m a side sleeper) I don’t have issues. Every now and then I will have them while I drive/sit for a long time if I have my sensor too low.
Wear Dexcom on upper arm. Very rarely get a compression low. Got more with FSL
Yes, I get them sometimes when I have my sensor between me and my mattress. I’m wondering if the new G7 sensors will alleviate the problem because of their lower profile.
i do get sudden cgm drops, yet usually on applying any pressure on cgm or pump. mostly g6
Only with the Libre 2 and it’s usually at night when I roll over on it. Then ina sleepy panic you eat something to correct it, only to launch you into a high…annoying.
Just had one early this morning because I was sleeping on the arm that has the Dexcom G-6 sensor. It does not happen all the time. Since I can surmise it’s a “compression low,” I don’t get up to do any corrections. My alarm will go off again if I really am going low. So, back to sleep!
I chose other. In the beginning I had them often. I figured out where to place them on my body to prevent them.
No sure
Good to know
I think this is something new CGM wearers experience more regularly, longer-term users learn fairly quickly what sites work well and avoid the issue. I found out on my own; surprising that training videos don’t cover it better! It’s different for how you sleep, sit, rest, and if you have pets (yes, my cats like to be on my lap and effectively block or impact the signal). I use Dexcom G6 and am a side sleeper (mostly right side). For me the top/front of the left thigh works well, so does the belly as long as it’s fairly central (yes, outside the navel zone), the inside and backside of the left bicep, and back of the leftside “love handle.”
Had more when I first started placing the Dexcom G6 sensor/transmitter on my upper arm. Didn’t have that problem with the G5. I’m a side sleeper so I try to place the transmitter/sensor facing my torso to lessen the possibility.
It was a serious problem when I did as Dexcom recommended and put the sensors on my belly. There is simply no belly location that doesn’t get compressed at some point at night because I turn around quite a bit. Lately I’ve switched to the inner part of my upper arm as a sensor location and have had no problem — even though that is not a recommended site (I suspect their recommendations are based solely on where they placed the sensors during their clinical trials, rather than on any more thoughtful consideration). Curiously, I seemed to have more trouble with compression early on in a session. The biggest problem I have with Dexcom is when a sensor site bleeds, something that seems to cause most problem early and late in a sensor session, but so far my inner upper arm location seems better than my belly in that respect as well.
Yes, and it’s why I also rarely use my arms anymore, since I need to sleep!
I see them for the reason mentioned in the question, but also see what looks like a compression low with no pressure in the sensor. Also see spikes that return to normal for apparent reason. Not sure why I see these….
I had a spike recently about 2 hours before getting up in the morning. It jumped to about 150 and then came right down within 1/2 hour. Have no idea why that occurred. Sort of like a reverse compression low.
More trouble with no readings if I lay on my transmitter
I have worn my sensors on my torso for a long time. If you wear sensors on your upper arms and sleep on that side, then you probably could get compression lows. I rotate between sites above and below my waistline and I love it.
I don’t know f. Have or not.
I’ve seen fast rising and falling at different times not related to any reclining of my body on CGM or pump.
Not lows but sensor offline occurs when I am laying on my sensor or my pump
I had to learn not to insert the cgm on a place where I regularly sleep (on the outside of my arms or legs)
You know, I’ve seen people mention “compression lows” on this site, but never knew what they were talking about. But, come to think of it, I seem to get them in bed. I wear the sensor on my buttocks. I Never realized what was happening.
I have been on a CGM system for eleven (11) years, Medtronic ,Enlite and now Dexcom, G6. I have always taken precautions when I drive, sleep and relax to not be on the Sensor!
I try to put the transmitter in a location where I don’t lay on top of it and that usually works to alleviate this which can otherwise be annoying
I chose other as I don’t know.
I wear my sensor on my lower inner arms and my inner abdomen.
Said no. Medtronic’s cgm seemed to have this. Haven’t noticed with Dexcom
I have not noticed compression lows, but occasionally when pressure is placed on my sensor (Dexcom G6) it loses connection with my phone.
Very rarely. I keep sensor and infusion sites on the same side of the body for the CGM 10 day life and side-sleep on the ’empty side’ of my body. I have on a ‘new sensor’ day rolled onto the sensor and experienced the compression low
Not sure. I get these false lows, generally when the sensor is old (8th – 9th day), and I’ve never associated them with compression. They do happen during sleep but also other times.
When I wore one, ABSOLU freakin-lutely
Machine was inaccurate as hell, on a obscenely regular basis, sadly