Thanks. Perhaps someone with experience will also comment. I’ve read about elsewhere and wondered. Anyone direct experience?
I was wondering if someone had invented something like this. I’m gonna look it up. Thanks, Dorie!
If you try it please let us know what you think - it appears I have aroused some curiosity.
I found it on Etsy but Amazon might have it too.
Hi All,
Another Dexcom question: Do I have to use the overpatch that comes with the Dexcom? It sticks just fine without it. It doesn’t have anything to do with it’s functioning, does it?
On another note. I ordered the Dexcom cover and will let everyone one how it works once it arrives!
Jess
No you do not have to use it. You’re fine it works without the overpatch.
Jess @Jsich, as @Joe said you do not need to use the Dexcom overpatch; use / non-use does not affect performance.
BUT, if one should fail due to falling off or loosening, you could encounter difficulty getting a replacement. One of the questions asked - ‘was Dexcom overpatch used?’.
I’m waiting for your repost on the cover; especially if it helps prevent compress lows when sleeping on the arm.
Hi @Jsich Jess. I’ve been reading your posts and was wondering if you are doing better with the G7 now that you have a better idea of what to expect from it?
The G7 manual says the overpatch must be used. When the G7 first came out all the Dexcom G7 marketing images didn’t include the overpatch. Now most images include it. Personally during the cool season I never have a problem with the CGM adhesive. If you choose not to use the overpatch think about it again in summer. The other thing is, if there is ever any movement of that tiny wire that goes under the skin your readings are going to jump around and you should avoid that until you become more comfortable interpreting reading from the G7.
Hi Chris,
You had asked if I was “doing better with the G7 now that you have a better idea of what to expect from it?” It’s funny, hearing from others that it is as accurate as my meter did help, in that I found myself being less irritated by the differences between the two. And what Joe said about the readings lagging as long as 20 minutes - that made a lot of sense based on what I was seeing (I was thinking it was always 5 minutes), so that helped as well. That said, my last Dexcom started being off 30-40 points consistently after five days of wear. Corrections seemed to help but only temporarily. So at that point I decided to put in a new sensor. I do think individual differences do account for how well the dexcom works for people. Regarding the overpatch, I guess I don’t see a need for it in my case because it never slips or moves at all, and even after ten days I have a hard time removing it!
Still waiting for my “cover” to arrive. I really hope it works, as it would make sleeping so much better!
Jess
When you are checking the G7 against a BGM, is it because either you feel high or low and the G7 is saying you aren’t or the G7 is saying you are high or low and you feel fine or something completely different?
To discuss differences between CGM and BGM readings we really need both readings and in the case of the CGM, the arrow direction. The difference by itself leaves out too much information.
5 posts were split to a new topic: CGM Compression low design project - Community input
Thanks for the numbers and you picked a great example. I plotted the values on a Parkes Error Grid, something used when the FDA evaluates CGMs, and your example is in Zone B: “Altered clinical action, little or no effect on clinical outcome.” As an example lets say you didn’t check with the BGM and just ate something to raise your glucose 30mg/dl. If the BGM was exactly right, you’d end up between 110-120.
So the accuracy is good enough but the alarm going off when it doesn’t need to is a problem. I hate it too, enough to sometimes quit the app so it can’t bother me. In the morning I have regrets. Every time. Having a quirky alarm is better than no alarm. Give it a few more years, you’ll see what I mean. In the meantime lets try to reduce the number of alarms due to something other than blood sugar.
You said “no arrow”, do you mean literally no arrow or ? No arrow means the app thinks the number might be wrong, but the alarm has to sound after the second low reading. I was going to ask for a graph but then I remembered I have graphs… is it like this?
Or jumpy like this
Also can you grab that great illustration of an arm Joe posted and draw where you wear your G7 on it and maybe other places you have tried? Location can make a big difference.