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Brief Sensor Issues, Missing Graph Dots And LOW Again!!

N

Neckarski_94

Well-Known Member
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346
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Diabetes!!
Don’t know whether this sensor is just a bit temperamental or if it’s faulty. Never had any issues like this before! IMG_3040.png
 
As before the low looks like a compression low.
When pressure is applied to your sensor, the flow of interstitial fluid is blocked to the filament and results in a low reading being recorded. This happens with all sensors - it is not a Dexcom or Libre issue.
The only way to stop it is to not lie on your sensor. I am in awe of the people who seem to manage to stop themselves from tossing and turning. I just have to be careful where I place my sensor - for me a sensor placed higher up my arm is less likely to cause compression lows.
If this is the same sensor that you got the problem last time, I would guess that it is likely to continue to happen until you change the sensor and place the new one somewhere slightly different. With time and experience, you will learn the best place for your sleeping patterns.

Suggestions where made previously about your missing data being related to a problem with the signal getting to your phone (or reader). Again this may be caused by you lying on the sensor (most of the missing data seems to be around the low) and your body blocking the signal.

I am not as familiar with Dexcom. Does the missing data result in an annoying alarm? If not, then an hour without data when your results look good should not be a concern. It is far better than the days when we relied on a finger prick when we went to bed and when we woke up. If there is a signal loss alarm, can this be turned off? I know that is what some people do with the Libre.

Whilst I appreciate this is frustrating and another thing to worry about with regards to diabetes, remember many of us survived for decades without CGMs. Ignoring the lows and gaps, your graph looks pretty good. To me (and I have no medical qualifications), it looks as if you are doing well. Try (yes I know it is easier said than done) to give yourself and your technology a bit of a break, Managing diabetes is a combination of science, art and good luck.
 
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Yes, my dexcom sensors occasionally throw a hissy fit. Sometimes the sensor ends up being a dud, more often it pulls through to the end. As @In Response said, I would recommend trying to relax about the odd technological hiccup.

You do look to be making good progress and hopefully in a year's time (or sooner) you will be able to look back on your current worries with a smile.

If the sensor gives up the ghost don't forget to contact dexcom to send you a new one. (In New Zealand there is a dedicated 24 hour phone line, and also an internet link for you to report issues by email. Not sure what the situation is in the UK).
 
Jaylee said:
Do you get any broken signal during the day?
Click to expand...
No seems to fine during the day. It just seems to be during the night and this is the only sensor I’ve had the issues with. Well apart from the one before that started falling off but so far so good with this one not falling off. (got an overpatch on)
 
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Neckarski_94 said:
No seems to fine during the day. It just seems to be during the night and this is the only sensor I’ve had the issues with. Well apart from the one before that started falling off but so far so good with this one not falling off. (got an overpatch on)
Click to expand...
Goes to add to my theory that the problem is around lying on the sensor in your sleep.
 
Neckarski_94 said:
I probably laid on the previous sensors during sleep. But no compression lows then or broken signal.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately some will be fine and some will not, tech like this can never be 100% guaranteed to work - so sometimes there will be problems - even the blood test strips can fail and only have to be with 15% of the actual value to be considered accurate and they have been around an awful lot longer than CGM's (which haven't been around very long really)
If you use a CGM you have to accept that sometimes they will fail or have issues, sometimes they recover and come back to life, other times they will just go belly up :(

About two weeks ago I went through 4 sensors in two days (Medtronic ones for me) just cos the first 3 failed on me (I was not happy) - so yes it can happen for any of them (Medtronic just sent me a whole new box of 5 and told me to ditch the last one in that box)
 
Rokaab said:
Unfortunately some will be fine and some will not, tech like this can never be 100% guaranteed to work - so sometimes there will be problems - even the blood test strips can fail and only have to be with 15% of the actual value to be considered accurate and they have been around an awful lot longer than CGM's (which haven't been around very long really)
If you use a CGM you have to accept that sometimes they will fail or have issues, sometimes they recover and come back to life, other times they will just go belly up :(

About two weeks ago I went through 4 sensors in two days (Medtronic ones for me) just cos the first 3 failed on me (I was not happy) - so yes it can happen for any of them (Medtronic just sent me a whole new box of 5 and told me to ditch the last one in that box)
Click to expand...
Seems to be working just fine at the moment! IMG_3049.png
 
Neckarski_94 said:
No seems to fine during the day. It just seems to be during the night and this is the only sensor I’ve had the issues with. Well apart from the one before that started falling off but so far so good with this one not falling off. (got an overpatch on)
Click to expand...
This is just a thought on my experience using a G6.

A few days in I lost the signal. Pushed on the transmitter & it clicked.
Signal picked up?
I’m wondering if you’ve jogged the transmitter breaking contact with the sensor for a while causing the drop out?
Though some of the lows look like pressure, too…
 
I started a new Dexcom One+ sensor yesterday evening. I got a bit of bleeding, but not too bad. The readings did seem a bit random compared to the previous sensor. Both sensors were placed in a similar place - just to the side and slightly above of the navel.

Today I got a 'Brief sensor issue alert - do not remove your sensor wait up to 3 hours'. See https://www.dexcom.com/en-IE/faqs/i-received-a-brief-sensor-issue-alert-what-does-this-mean. I suspect that is what happened in the first post of this thread, except it was not seen as at night. It took a few minutes to come back, but the first couple of reading after that were very low.
 
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