I asked them long before g6 came out to make a smaller device with a smaller needle and then they came out with g6. So they likely won’t listen. I still use G5 due to G6 issues. G7 is supposed to be better, less waste, no transmitter, but we will see.
I’d really like to see what’s inside the inserter and how it works before I declare Dexcom as being environmentally irresponsible. Does is require too much real estate to miniaturize? Maybe. Could they reduce the amount of plastic surrounding the insertion mechanism? Maybe. By a significant amount? Maybe. Could it be made reusable? Maybe. Bottom line, unless I delve into the realm or speculation, I just don’t know.
I do know the inserter is absolutely painless. If there is significant unneccessary plastic waste, I’m willing to accept it in exchange. But everyone has different priorities. Nothing wrong if waste generation is higher on your list.
Probably the most environmentally responsible CGM is Eversense. But I’m personally not yet excited about it enough to make the switch. Maybe in the future if they have the G6’s other significant advantages that are important to me. (No calibration, pump integration, etc.).
I was really excited for Eversense. I figured I just had to wait until it was popular enough for my middle-of-nowhere doctor to get trained. I’m glad I never jumped, though. I’ve read horror stories about the removal process. How they can never get them out, have to make bigger incisions that scar and go rooting around in flesh until the doc can fish the sneaky bugger out. I’m really hoping future implantables figure out a better extraction, or make it biodegradable inside you.
1 Like
The trouble with the biodegradable is the plastic just breaks up into smaller bits that can easily be swallowed by marine creatures. It would be better to be able to melt and reuse the plastic boxes, inserts etc so we don’t have to throw them away. We can’t do that individually so the manufacturers could be thinking about this for the future. They could save a bit by not needing to buy so much ’new’ plastic.
1 Like
Jen, I’m curious and jealous that you live in a town that still recycles. Can you tell me the general area where you live?
I’m in Oregon, and almost nothing gets recycled here anymore. Someone found a place (independent of our garbage service) that would take plastics, and we had periodic plastic recycling events to gather it. It was not particularly efficient, but at least it didn’t go directly to landfill. Sadly, the pandemic has changed all that.
All the times I’ve been to Vancouver, I was always impressed with the recycling options.
I too just got the dexcom g6, and have yet to have a sensor last more than a week, without going bad, or get a good site put in, only for it to stop working during warm-up phase. People praise the technology, but i find it very wasteful, in many senses.
2 Likes
I’d wonder if you were unlucky - there is a general distribution of failure, and some people are going to be unluckier than others - or engaged in an activity that might increase the failure rate. I’m certainly not accusing or criticizing, but have to wonder. For myself, I’ve had a few units that failed prematurely, the past 2 in fact, and I don’t know why.
For myself, pre-pandemic, my fitness activity encompassed several activities, but now is primarily using a rowing machine, and that requires a certain amount of curl forward, and I’ve often wondered if that might have loosened or dislodged the sensor.
I’m a placid side sleeper, but if someone sleeps on their stomach, or just moves quite a bit while on their side, I imagine it could dislodge or interrupt the unit.
Just some thoughts…
I have been using the G6 for quite a few months now and have only had 1 sensor work well. It worked all 10 days with very accurate readings. It was such a joy. Yesterday my new sensor had to replaced after 4 hrs. The replacement sensor quit on me, but by morning it was working again.
I am fairly thin, so I wonder if that is the problem. I usually soak them for up to 24 hrs, but they just don’t like me. I had better results with the G5.
1 Like
I know part of the failure rate, or premature need requiring early change of sensor, is my fault. I can blame myself, for being overly, physically active, and a lack of body fat, that requires more changes than a normal wearer. However, I did speak to a Dexcom rep, on each occasion, and they are partially at fault. I have sensors, that have a particular lot number attached, that are (apparently) more prone to failing, than others. They’ve been good to me, and offer free replacement, with each failure. I guess I have nowhere else to voice my complaints, and should be elated that I am able to exercise the way I do. Before anyone can recommend it, I do use Mastisol spray (spray adhesive,) as well as the most highly recommended skin tape (skin grip.) I’m simply at a loss, as to why it continues to occur, and look to other people, with similar experiences, but better outcomes, for advisement. Since being it excellent, physical shape, I guess my frequency of new sensor sites should be taken “with a grain of salt,” and I should be grateful of decent health, instead of negatively commenting about personal experience. lol
Poloplayer, I don’t blame myself at all for the fact that the sensors don’t work well for me. They don’t work for a good number of people. I find it very frustrating, and I get angry at the company, but I am not going to blame myself when I am doing everything correctly as far as I can tell.
I did have one detach but I imagine everybody has had that happen. I may keep my glucose levels too much on the low side, and I have heard that can cause a higher failure rate.
I just hope that the G7 works better for me and for you too.
1 Like
Marilyn, the g6 works best when it doesn’t move.
I know you don’t like your arms but I find it’s best there.
I have had very good luck elsewhere though if you put a large undertape like iv3000 it will keep several inches of skin from moving all all.
If I use my abdomen, I need to use the tape or it never works at all. Every time I bend or twist, the wire moves and it gives an error and stops collecting data or is way off calibration.
So you might want to try it to see if it helps.
I’ve found that to be all too true lately. I went looking for some new real estate recently, and tried upper/side breast, near the armpit. What a disaster. Worked great during the day, and haywire all night when things shifted around a bit. Finally ripped it off at 3am when I really needed sleep without false alarms. Back to my tried and true front of the arm placement.
I tried my upper thighs and it worked ok on one thigh but not on the other. I need the freedom to move when I sleep, so I just can’t see how I can sleep with a sensor on my arm without setting off the alarm. I might try it on the front of my arm, but I would rather put it somewhere I have some fat.
Last week it worked beautifully very low down on my abdomen. It is working pretty well now, but it took two full days to work correctly.
I will look for under tape. Thanks Timothy.
G6 inserter kills me. It is indeed easy and painless, but I struggle every time I have to toss it in trash. It should be reuseable!!! Or we should be ale to send them back to be re loaded! I mean come ON
3 Likes
See also this thread:
1 Like
The “problem”, as I understand it, is that after insertion, Dexcom’s current G6 applicator functions as a sharp’s container. Because it contains a needle which has come into contact with blood/body fluids, it can’t be recycled.
The best rational I have at the moment is to disassemble the used applicator and yank out the needle stuff and put that into my personal sharps container. The few metal parts of the applicator can also be separate and then recycled.
The rest of the applicator is all non-recyclable plastics where I live. But I can still drop this off at my county’s recycling center rigid plastics section. Probably not different than putting it in the trash, but the best approach I can come up with.
To dismantle the G6 applicator, use a screw driver or equivalent to pry or scrape off the 4 white plastic buttons on the underside of the applicator. Then pry the grey and white sections of applicator apart and separate the internals.
I found the short video below helpful. Maybe you will too. 
1 Like
When Minimed first came out with the Mio sets I switched to those for awhile but hated throwing all of the plastic out. The little insertion pod was supposed to keep the needle safe after you inserted but they came off so easily I never felt comfortable just throwing them in the trash. I started using pliers to pull the needle out and I’d put that in the sharps container. Then I got annoyed by the waste and went back to the Silhouettes.
Hi, I know that there is a needle inside the G6 applicator. I know I can’t take it apart myself. I know I cannot throw a used needle in the trash even if it is encased in plastic. I know the G6 plastic is not stamped with a recycle mark. So, if I’m going to treat the applicator as medical, sharps waste, do I order a 5 gallon sharps bucket?
Please tell me how you dispose of your G6 applicator (not in the trash and not taken apart)?
Thanks.