I’ve been using the Libre 3 for 2 years now, but currently none of the major pharmacies in the US have the Libre 3, and do not know when they will get them in stock.
OK, enough ranting. As a result, I am going to get a script for the Dexcom G7 and use that for at least the next 3 months. For the experienced users of the G7, can you share any knowledge you have learned about using this system that you wish you knew when you first started using it?
Thank you!
Hi @JTR19 I’ve been on G7 since it was available. It works great for me. G7 works better after about 12 hours so what I do is ignore it (I do not try to calibrate and use finger stick when I can’t feel my bs). So g7 does not have a separate transmitter, so when I am at day 10 I put a new sensor in and I do not switch to it for up to 12 hours (g7 expires but gives you 12 hours after as “grace”) when the sensor actually dies I switch to the sensor I put in earlier- this gives me acceptable results.
I try very hard to not calibrate, I only calibrate if I’ve been flat-lined (sugar is not changing) for over an hour, and if I get a suspect reading on CGM. Take into account your finger stick meter, for all practical purposes, is just as inaccurate as your CGM.
LOVE “silence all”, allowing me to treat a low and not get repeated alarms. This is the phone app- not sure if you will be using a reader or a phone app.
LOVE direct to watch (Apple only).
G7 Bluetooth range is terrible, very low power. But it reconnects to my phone and watch and pump fast enough. Actually it connects to the pump (tandem) really fast.
G7 adhesive is a little weak. I use the extra one they give you in each box.
Speaking of the box I now tear the top off so I can save the serial number, dexcom asks for the serial number if there is a failure.
Rapidly changing blood sugar can cause a “temporary issue “ so when I get one of those errors it’s 50/50 if the sensor comes back or fails. Failure rate for g7 has been about 1/10 for me.
Your experience may vary. Good luck 
Hi Jeff @JTR19, I agree with what @Joe wrote and have observed his findings too. Although, I’m satisfied with about 6 hours warmup before entering he code. I always look at the dual readings where the two sensors overlap, and only once did II notice significant differences beyond two hours.
Also, I have a Galaxy Watch6 and use a third party app [g-Watch] so I can see the G7 readings - the CGM readings can be delayed up to 5 minutes - just like on Dexcom Follow. Me watch also has a “little extra” with the glucose value number, like right now, 90 minutes after an 80 gram carb supper including warm apple crisp, I see 143 mg/dl -3, along with reading time and a line graph; the time stamp is 3 minutes before my reading time and the “-3” tells me the prior reading was 146. I like this convenience when I awaken from sleep - only need to open one eye.
@JTR19, I started on Libre3 then went to G7 in Feb 2022. Got on iLet pump so moved to G6 for a couple months until G7 was supported on the pump and jumped right back to the G7. I use it on my arms and top portion of my thigh with great results. You have nothing to worry about!
To me the G7 is by far the best sensor on the market for accuracy and ease of use. Found the Libre3 to be far less accurate (and I know the VP of engineering who leads the diabetes product development for Abbott - we eat dinner together at least once every couple months).
I always change sensor in the morning as it usually reads low for me for about 12 hours and i don’t want false hypo alarms in the night. Resist if you possibly can the temptation to calibate - it nearly always works itself out in the first 12-18 hours or so. Clean your skin with isopropyl to make it stick a little better. Overpatches might be useful if you are swimming
I will be starting the G7 in a few days and see you must use an overpatch and they provide one. Just wondering about people’s experience with them and whether I should invest in some Simpatches as a backup. Thanks!
Dorie @wadawabbit, I’ll just add a note to what I wrote above.
The most effort for me with the G7 is getting the darn thing off after the new/next sensor comes int use. I just follow the instruction that arrives with the sensor - nothing else needed.
The g7 is tiny and low profile I have not needed an over patch (I use the one that comes in the box) they stay on great for me
@Dennis and @joe thank you both for your responses. I recently knocked off a G6 sensor and when I called they told me they would send one but that would leave me with one courtesy replacement left for the next year - so I want to make sure I have all my bases covered. Thanks again and happy holidays.
Dexcom will send a package of G7 over-patches if you request; I have those patches, just in case. Request can be placed on-line or by pressing a number on the automated phone-line.
Thanks again to @joe and @Dennis . I just switched and my first sensor is warming up - and it only takes 30 minutes - YAY!
I decided to go ahead and use my tried and true Simpatches out of an abundance of caution but do appreciate the lower profile - hopefully I won’t walk so close to a doorframe that I risk knocking it off:crossed_fingers:t5:
!
Will post my findings😉.
[Later] - I’ve been going back and forth doing other things as I write this and the warmup has finished!
I don’t know if you have had issues with G6 accuracy for the first day, but G7 can be a bit erratic the first 12 hours, in my experience. good luck. 
I went through all the steps in switching over, except I neglected to remove my G6 transmitter ID from my Omnipod controller in order for it to switch to the G7, so it’s so looking for the G6 sensor😱. I’m in Manual mode until I start a new pod but I just did that this morning (required to make the switch) so don’t know that I’m inclined to do it again. Hang on baby - Friday’s coming . I am getting Dexcom readings in my phone, just not the controller.
Dorie do you still have an iPhone? The Omnipod web site is still saying their iPhone app isn’t compatible with the G7.
Yes - I forgot about that so am still using the controller. I did switch the controller to the G7 this morning. There is a video with the G7 showing you how to switch from the G6 - as well as written instructions. As I recall the video did not mention anything about pods but rule of thumb (learned the hard way ) - start a new pod any time you are changing or updating a device. This morning I went to Manage Sensor on my controller and selected G7, then set up a new pod. My controller now gets my readings and I can run in auto mode.
@wadawabbit You’ve already gotten some good feedback, I’ve been using G7s a few months now. I initially used the overpatch that came with them, but read that it wasn’t needed by a couple of folks and tried it without…I haven’t used an overpatch since. The small 1/8” adhesive that comes already on the sensor/transmitter (I haven’t figured out what to call the thing) does a great job for me, though I know others have issues with either skin sensitivity or sweat a lot or have oily skin requiring an overpatch. I’m like @Dennis in that the biggest problem is getting a hold of thing to get it off. I still keep the overpatches that come with it for those “just in case times”. One thing I do that I think helps both pods and G7s stick: when I get out of the shower or pool, I dry the adhesive patch by dabbing it with a towel AND pressing Kleenex/tissue onto the adhesive patch of pods and G7s; not much comes off the G7, I get quite a bit off my Dash pods.
Thanks for your feedback. I have read a few comments about how “wonderfully effective” the adhesive is - I’ll experience it for myself in a few days. Hopefully once I pull it off (or dig it out, as the car may be 
) I won’t have to scrub too hard to remove the super-glue - ER, adhesive:blush:. We shall see…
So far so good though - I love the quick warmup, and @joe the first 12 hours went fine. Hopefully that will continue.
I realize my reply is late but nonetheless, I offer the following in case someone may have difficulty with the Dexcom G7 that I had. problem. Before I started doing this the sensors kept falling off my body no matter how clean I was. The following method keeps the sensor in place and has saved me from losing my sensors.
I do not use the back of my arm for the Dexcon G7 as I found it to be much too difficult to attach the sensor in location. Somehow I kept knocking it off my arm. I now place it on my stomach and it works well. The method I now use to keep the sensor on is to shower first, then clean the location where I plan to attach the sensor with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol). Then I rub the SkinTac over the area, before attaching the sensor and overpatch. Using this method usually works best for me, The sensor reads once every five minutes and the only thing I have found that is faster alerting me to a low is my service dog!
One more thing, I have found it to be reasonably fast to order the SkinTac on Amazon as my local pharmacy does not carry the product and when they do it is significantly more expensive than it is on Amazon.
One more thought… The SkinTac (skin adhesive) can be removed with a product that is made to remove SkinTac or rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) and a cotton wipe or tissue.
I hope you find this useful.
I changed from dexcom 6 to dexcom 7 last fall. I too have noticed a weak signal especially getting closer to day 10. At first I thought it was the Omni Pod but I came to realize it was the sensor.
As for location, I use my upper thigh and had used my thigh for the 6 also. I found the over patch a bit to sticky for my skin so I have not been using them.
I agree that it can be difficult to remove but over all I have only had one questionable sensor that I had to change early.
Thanks for the reminder to not get too aggressive with calibration.