Amen. It is not that we are trying to cheat the system we are trying to improve it. I would think the goal should be to build a sensor and let customers use it as long as they are getting good readings. But the FDA would not approve a 20 day sensor if 50% might reach 20 days and 50% might not. But rather than put a day limit on the sensor just promote it as a variable sensor. Change it when the readings begin to be inaccurate. I thinks the biggest obstacles are the FDA and Profit.
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Yep, profit motive and the FDA are the impediments to “variable wear” sensors.
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I usually do all my sensor starts from the t:slim. The sensor age never updates in Xdrip if you do that, though. Mine currently says it’s nearly 70 days old, not ten.
When it asks you, “is this sensor new today?”, or however it phrases that question, do you lie and say it’s new, or do you enter the real start date? I was tempted to tell it it’s 10 days old for the promised better accuracy, but didn’t want it to tell the transmitter that and have to start over after an “expired sensor” flag.
I stuck with what I know and restarted with the pump. 
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I don’t have t:slim yet but currently use G5, Xdrip app on my phone and a Dexcom receiver intermittently…
By using the Xdrip algorithm (when in G5/G6 setting don’t check Native on Xdrip) your sensor will extend until you decide to change it. You would never get a question as you approach 7 days.
But since I want the Dexcom readings on Xdrip (they are very close) I do the following.
Before the Dexcom sensor is 7 days old and about to expire and shut off, I simply unclick Native. (Then I let my my Dexcom receiver restart for two hours). As soon as the Dexcom receiver restarts my sensor, I turn Native back on my phone.
My making two clicks (turn off Native and turn Native back on) I have continuous readings on my phone. I never have to worry about a two hour delay when restarting a sensor. I only experience a 2 hour delay when I decide to actually change a sensor.
You’re going to have to learn to do things differently when you move on to the t:slim/G6 combo. Pre-emptive restarts don’t work with the G6, you’ll just get a sensor error. You have to manually start a new session. Also, all the setup instructions I read for G6 on xdrip say to run in it in the native (Dexcom) algorithm. Maybe not necessary, I don’t know, I just followed the directions.
I haven’t don’t know if there are any t:slim integration issues with running the xdrip algorithm, either.
Thanks. I don’t know when I will be on t:slim but I’m sure I will have to find out a few things first.
You show me a detailed procedure and I’ll try it yet again… so far I’ve had zero luck.
G6 restarts are most definitely possible, no matter the transmitter. Maybe you could tell us what you’ve tried, step by step, so we can help you troubleshoot the problem.
Many of us use this method all the time!
1) Let sensor expire or stop.
2) Remove transmitter while sensor is still on your arm
use a test strip or thin card. - there is a hidden clip in middle of sensor - try to get
it to raise up slightly on both sides and the transmitter will come out.
3) Wait at least 30 minutes
longer is okay and the rumor is it’s possible 15 minutes works, I just haven’t tried
it yet
4) Snap Transmitter back into the sensor
5) Start new sensor session using your original code
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Thanks, I’ll give it a try when my current one is ready to expire… Hoping I can finally get this trick to work. Pretty frustrating having attempted numerous methods, none of which worked.
Already tried the method in the video quite some time ago, with no success. Seemed simple enough but Maybe she forgot to relay all the steps or something?? I’ll try the text directions you supplied in your reply. Sounds almost too easy… I’m anxious to try it… Thanks for helping me with this. Fortunately I get my sensors free and have several “spares”, but I’d like to squirrel away a few more just for emergencies.
@schleeb I get mine free too, but early on I realized how attached I got to having my sensors on and how vulnerable I could be when supplies were stalled at one time. So a back up supply is really nice. Plus I like the restarted sensors better than starting new ones. I average about 26 days a sensor, but that really seems to vary per person.
But it really is that simple, the only catch is if you’re not used to removing the transmitter the first time can be hard.getting it to pop free.
The methods change periodically as Dexcom tries to prevent us from restarting them.
I’ve studied the transmitter removal and am comfortable with doing that… I used the Abbott Libre 14 day system for over a year and got used to the 14 change interval. I changed due to unreliability. Too fragile to last 14 days on a consistent basis. AND if you had one fail early, it was like pulling teeth to get them to replace it. The 10 day interval with the Dexcom is REALLY annoying, when you know darn well it is still working just fine at 10 days. I guess they have to have some cut off time, but I don’t know why Dexcom is only 10 days. I have read, that there IS a 14 day Dexcom sensor in use in other parts of the world. Don’t remember where though and that Dexcom is going to get the US FDA approval at some point. I’m not holding my breath.
Agree, whole heartedly, on having spares. Can you imagine if the insulin or CGM sensors came into short supply like we are seeing with stuff associated with the Covid-19 issue. Not good…
I’ll let you know how things work out.
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I restart almost every one of my sensors. I wear mine 14 to 21 days before actually replacing the sensor.
I stop the sensor.
Remove the transmitter.
Wait 30 minutes.
Insert transmitter and restart sensor.
I can do that from the X2 pump or the Xdrip app.
But I now make myself do it from the pump so I keep doing it the same way. You know, habits…
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This Restart worked great with 8H transmitter. My session expired and assume I still needed to wait the 30 minutes (which I did) before reinstalling transmitter and starting new session.
Hammer, did you put in the code or did you put in no code?
I use the same/original code.
When I put in a new sensor, I always take a picture on my phone so I have the code and date (I also set it on the back strip of the insertor so I have the lot number, etc. if Dexcom needs to know.)
Re-using sensors can be vital. Supply disruptions can happen. Plus Dexcom’s back-office procedures have been failing recently in my case. They have messed up two G6 sensor orders in a row (never did that in the past), this time leaving me with no new sensors. So I am hoping the 30 min wait procedure will allow me to reuse my last sensor or it’s back to test strips.
Dexcom reads these same sites we do, and they can update my transmitter firmware every 90 days. Clearly in 2020 some transmitters were noticing when new sensors were too reliable instead of frequent changes from trauma of insertion. Not sure how the 30 min wait will fake out the transmitter’s firmware, since the transmitter can store 36 readings/3 hours, and it can look for lack of erratic readings when you claim a new sensor. But I am hopeful. My transmitter is 8J – fingers crossed.
Reuse in my case does not worry me. I reused G5 sensors regularly. I have always sensed lows and highs, and I am quick to use the meter if my CGM reading doesn’t feel right. So I do not worry about accuracy when reusing. I think the G6 firmware tricks are all about their shareholders’ profits and selling more sensors. I love the technology. Not wild about the business procedures.
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No worries. It works fine for 8Js. My last one was an 8J. I’m onto a later model 8L now, and restarts still work via the remove the transmitter and wait 15 minutes method.
I think they’ve given up on trying to outsmart us for now and are focusing on making the G7 more tamperproof. Without any removable parts on the G7, I worry about that one.
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The early Loopers had a lot of courage – basically they replaced the firmware with their own. I will hold onto G6 as long as I can, but when G7 is forced on us, we may have to play a tougher game.
I am retired and have money invested in various companies, though things will always be tight. Still, I understand how corporations think – Dexcom executives see sensor reuse as a threat to their profits.
I often wonder how the techies working for the likes of Dexcom really feel about trying to outsmart people like us who figure the corporation is already making plenty of money, and it would be nice to have some spare sensors around in case an earthquake or pandemic.
By the way, I must have read 40 or so comments about how hard removing the G6 transmitter was for them. I watched your video and my first try took about 20 seconds. Thanks!