Search
Search titles only
By:
Search titles only
By:
Home
Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New profile posts
Latest activity
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Log in
Register
Search
Search titles only
By:
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Install the app
Install
Reply to Thread
Guest, we'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the
Diabetes Forum Survey 2024 »
Home
Forums
Diabetes Discussion
Type 1 Diabetes
How Long Does Your Dexcom Sensor Last?
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Message
<blockquote data-quote="MangosteenElbow" data-source="post: 1837987" data-attributes="member: 322425"><p>Number of days of the last ten DexCom 4 sensors:</p><p></p><p>54; 54; 53; 60; 28; 50; 40; 49; 39; 44</p><p></p><p></p><p>Over two years:</p><p></p><p>Never sought deliberately to push the lives of the sensors. Health care providers seemed initially inclined to argue for strict adherence to warranty period, but that was not logical – a warranty period is not the same as a period of low-risk utility. HCP cannot argue with my records and lack of skin issues. Benefited a lot from this forum and other sites.</p><p></p><p>Average life of sensors seems to be getting longer , and fewer CSGM reading problems during their lives.</p><p></p><p>All sensors have been used under consistently regular exercise (long running, vigorous running intervals and gym strength or cardio sessions); sometimes swimming (body surfing or ocean pool), seasonally in hot, sweaty conditions (and travel by planes, trains, cars and motor bikes).</p><p></p><p>Now finding that <u>less</u> OptiFlex tape is better: using a “cross shape” layout of thinner strips (even though they go over the sensor), instead of my previous practice of wide strips around and over the sensor’s adhesive strip.</p><p></p><p>I might alternate the crosses (from St Andrews to Iron) every two or there weeks, depending on the state of the film (i.e., degree of mankiness).</p><p></p><p>The latest practice seems to handle showers better. The former practice seemed to trap moisture in between the sensor unit and the transmitter (so sometimes I had to separate them, dry them, wait many minutes and then re-start the session).</p><p></p><p>Quite consistently only rotating the site around the navel. That’s where I have any “fat” (not much at all); all other sites are lean.</p><p></p><p>Sometimes trim with scissors belly hair. Learnt that shaving encourages too vigorous and itchy regrowth.</p><p></p><p>Kept details on a spreadsheet, so I could reflect and adjust (and prove to health care providers).</p><p></p><p>My biggest disruption to CSGM readings is, I think, when I have sustained dehydration over several days. The pattern seems to be when I train a lot more than usual, and have less water (or more coffee or a beer?). This pattern seems to be recognisably different from the pattern of a dying sensor site (actually, I think it is the subcutaneous environment, rather than the sensor, which “fails”).</p><p></p><p>Never any skin issues, infection or discomfort.</p><p></p><p>No insurance cover for sensors or transmitters.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Transmitters warranted for 6 months. Ignoring the current transmitter, the prior two lasted 349, 387 days.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Not going to move to any DexCom or other system that hardwires earlier unit lives.</p><p></p><p>(edited 23 July 2018: (1) changed "DexCom 5" to DexCom 4". Sorry for the error. (2) updated the life of the then current DexCom 4 to 54 days. I will change it today (day #54).)</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="MangosteenElbow, post: 1837987, member: 322425"] Number of days of the last ten DexCom 4 sensors: 54; 54; 53; 60; 28; 50; 40; 49; 39; 44 Over two years: Never sought deliberately to push the lives of the sensors. Health care providers seemed initially inclined to argue for strict adherence to warranty period, but that was not logical – a warranty period is not the same as a period of low-risk utility. HCP cannot argue with my records and lack of skin issues. Benefited a lot from this forum and other sites. Average life of sensors seems to be getting longer , and fewer CSGM reading problems during their lives. All sensors have been used under consistently regular exercise (long running, vigorous running intervals and gym strength or cardio sessions); sometimes swimming (body surfing or ocean pool), seasonally in hot, sweaty conditions (and travel by planes, trains, cars and motor bikes). Now finding that [U]less[/U] OptiFlex tape is better: using a “cross shape” layout of thinner strips (even though they go over the sensor), instead of my previous practice of wide strips around and over the sensor’s adhesive strip. I might alternate the crosses (from St Andrews to Iron) every two or there weeks, depending on the state of the film (i.e., degree of mankiness). The latest practice seems to handle showers better. The former practice seemed to trap moisture in between the sensor unit and the transmitter (so sometimes I had to separate them, dry them, wait many minutes and then re-start the session). Quite consistently only rotating the site around the navel. That’s where I have any “fat” (not much at all); all other sites are lean. Sometimes trim with scissors belly hair. Learnt that shaving encourages too vigorous and itchy regrowth. Kept details on a spreadsheet, so I could reflect and adjust (and prove to health care providers). My biggest disruption to CSGM readings is, I think, when I have sustained dehydration over several days. The pattern seems to be when I train a lot more than usual, and have less water (or more coffee or a beer?). This pattern seems to be recognisably different from the pattern of a dying sensor site (actually, I think it is the subcutaneous environment, rather than the sensor, which “fails”). Never any skin issues, infection or discomfort. No insurance cover for sensors or transmitters. Transmitters warranted for 6 months. Ignoring the current transmitter, the prior two lasted 349, 387 days. Not going to move to any DexCom or other system that hardwires earlier unit lives. (edited 23 July 2018: (1) changed "DexCom 5" to DexCom 4". Sorry for the error. (2) updated the life of the then current DexCom 4 to 54 days. I will change it today (day #54).) [/QUOTE]
Verification
Post Reply
Home
Forums
Diabetes Discussion
Type 1 Diabetes
How Long Does Your Dexcom Sensor Last?
Top
Bottom
Find support, ask questions and share your experiences. Ad free.
Join the community »
This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn More.…