I guess I went too far around the back of my arm with the last sensor placement 'cos I was getting some seriously erratic meter readings! This morning was the worst–after eating a small carby treat for Mother’s Day, the sensor reading just hung at 95 for an hour. But when I did the calibration fingerstick, I got a BG of 170! I did a second BG reading and got 180. Eeesh! So I finally just ditched it after only 4 days and placed a new one on my abdomen this morning. I have only been using the CGM for about 6 months and this was the first really bad sensor experience I’ve had so I’m figuring it was the placement and not the sensor itself. Does this make sense?
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It makes sense to me. I have had the same thing happen. It’s rare.
In general Dexcom would prefer that you call them before replacing the sensor because they might have advice to help you save the original sensor session. I often try re-starting it one time (an old tried and true trick for Medtronic sensors) and then if it doesn’t settle down, I call Dexcom.
Chances are that Dexcom will replace the sensor you pulled out prematurely, so give them a call.
Their helpline has been overwhelmed in recent months, but according to Dex president Kevin Sayer, improvements have been made and will continue to be instituted.
Through the years I have learned a lot from Dex techs. Some of them know tricks that are not in the user manual.
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Thanks, Laddie, for your suggestions. I was so frustrated with the situation that it never occurred to me to try a restart!
I have the best luck by far placing my sensors on the side of my stomach in the love handle area. Hope you give it a try, it works great for me.
Thanks for the suggestion. I haven’t tried that area yet, thinking I’d have trouble with it since I’m a side sleeper. But maybe I’ll give it a whirl with my next sendor change. 
Edited to add: Do you place the sendor horizontally or vertically?
I always place them horizontally. I sleep on my back thankfully because I usually have the cannula from my pump on one side and the CGM sensor on the other.
Horizontal for stomach/sides. Vertical for arm or upper thigh (more accurate, longer lasting, but more easily dislodged)
Great advice! Thanks
I always put the Dexcom on the upper thighs slightly toward the inside. Lasts two weeks then I switch legs with a new sensor.