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!
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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
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No you do not have to use it. You’re fine it works without the overpatch.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
Hi Chris,
Thanks for this feedback. Regarding the arrow, I meant that I only check if the arrow is straight and not pointing up or down (or 45 degree angle). My overnight blood sugars almost always look like that second graph, with little jumps all night. It often dips below 70 then bounces up and then down again, repeatedly. It’s so hard for me to know if those are compression lows or if I am really dipping that low. I do sometimes check with my meter, but I also get frustrated and turn the alerts off many nights!
Regarding where I place my CGM, I am not sure how to draw on that illustration! I can tell you I always place the dexcom on the back of my arm, but slightly to the outside, about 1/2 to 3/4 the way from my elbow to my shoulder. I switch arms each time I put a new one in because both the adhesive and the little wire seem to irritate my skin and it takes a bit to heal. I can’t think of any other place I could put it where I wouldn’t be rolling on it or bumping it a lot.
Jess
While back of the arm is recommended I sometimes place my sensor on the front or side and it works just fine. That said, what works for one person may not work for another, and if you have an issue and need a warranty replacement you may risk getting it if you say you were wearing it someplace else.
Turns out the image I suggested using wasn’t a good suggestion. I copied one from Dexcom’s website and drew where I think you are saying you put your sensor. I circled where I put sensors on my arms and took a guess at where @joe is wearing his based on his prototype.
How much variety in sensor location have you explored? @Dorrie is right, everybody is different just like everyone else. The area I found works for me is limited by a muscle on one side that is close enough to the surface to both hurt when it tickles the sensor wire and make the readings jumpy. In another direction the number of failed sensors due to bleeding skyrockets. Took a few years to figure it out, alternating between abdomen and arm might have slowed the process. You are looking for somewhere with good capillary action, but not too much, away from muscles that are going to squeeze the interstitial fluid away, usually a couple mm of fat under the skin helps too.
-Chris
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Hi Chris,
The Dexcom I have on now is almost exactly where the woman in the picture is wearing hers. I do sometimes put it up a little higher, further away from my tricep. I always wonder on days that I lift, if that is going to throw it off, but it doesn’t seem to. But, I do get certain spots like you mentioned where it hurts just a bit, like my last one which failed after four days (and when I removed it there was some blood there).
Thanks,
Jess
I think device makers determine placement based on what worked best in their trials. The G6 was approved on the abdomen for adults, but some users chose alternate sites, maybe because they were very lean or perhaps their workouts involved lots of situps and crunches that moved or dislodged the cannula.
Back of arm was approved for the G7 but since you suspect that causes frequent compression lows I suggest let Dexcom know - manufacturers use feedback from users to improve their designs, and hopefully placement options as well.
If I recall correctly, when G6 users started trying alternate sites Dexcom said it was okay so long as doctor was on board (maddening to think we need permission but…) and they would honor warranty replacements. I don’t know if that’s the case now but it might be worth checking into with Dexcom.
In one of your earlier posts you mentioned you frequently get lows during a certain timeframe overnight. Do you have a snack before bed? If not, having something with some staying power might keep your numbers from dropping too much in the first place - yogurt was recommended to me one time.
Hi Dorie, My nighttime lows have been less frequent since i started having a couple spoonfuls of nut butter before bed, And of course, often then aren’t real lows, but compression lows. That said, I have not had many recently - fingers crossed that continues!
Great news! Thanks for the update. Amazing what a big difference a small change can make…
Both the G6 and G7 clinical trials were done using the abdomen and arm locations and while they went with the one that location that came out on top the location wasn’t significantly better. I hope one day to talk to someone involved in the medical device process who has some insight into why only one is picked.
Right?!? It shows locations don’t always have direct correlations with feelings and failures, sometimes the results come later. A better spot might be an inch away.
As far as I know the only way to find how to avoid those places is to find them and deal with the sensor failure message. Please know I hate having to say trial and error is the way to do but it’s the best I’ve got at the moment.
Like Dorrie said, its great to know what is working and what isn’t, thank you for sharing. Let us know if there is anything now or in the future that makes you want to check things other than sensor location for possible causes.