I have been using Dexcom cgm for several years. I started with the G4 and now using the G7. While I like the smaller design of the G7 sensor applicator, I am having a button release problem using it. For some reason I can’t get the push button to release while pressing the applicator against the insertion site without a struggle do it. The insertion videos that I have watched make it look so simple and it should be, but not for me. I am using the G7 on the stomach because I don’t like arm insertion, that shouldn’t matter relating to insertion site. I will add that overall I am not pleased with the G7, regardless of the improvement like shorter warmup time and 12 hour grace period, etc. One of my major issues is the apparent sensitive and erratic behavior of the sensor readings, not only during the first 24 hours, but during the 10 day session. These behaviors may be stomach verses arm site sensor placement, but I don’t believe so and I am just about ready to go back to the G6, which for me was more reliable. I am not going to panic, but things really need to improve.
New user of G7, much preferred the reliability of the G6. I also find the readings erratic (it’s on my arm). Like for others to weigh in before, I too, give up on this “improved” sensor. And the beeps, all of them, for every alert of every type, are much too loud, and I don’t know how or if they can be controlled. I certainly have not figured out how. I do know how to silence at night, for all except lows. The first 24 hours of a sensor require finger sticks for me to rely on. Why is that?
I couldn’t agree with you more Bob_Martin. I just did a new insertion of a G7 sensor yesterday and had such a hard time getting the push button to release that I almost gave up. I was just lucky that on my last try, it finally worked. Additionally, I have to calibrate the
G7 with my meter every time I insert a new sensor. That is something you might consider doing. I have found that somewhat helpful; although I will admit that “somewhat” is not really good enough when you are trusting this little gadget to let you know when your blood sugar has gotten too low during the night. I check the G7 readings against the meter readings several times throughout the 10 day active period. If I could, I would go back to the G6 in a minute. It seems to me that they rushed the G7 out before it was ready for prime time. And the overpatch, what can one say about that little piece of work and the need for it? I never needed an overpatch with the G6. I, too, place the G7 on my abdomen (with my doctor’s consent) instead of on my arm. I’ve gotten the same kind of results in both locations. Suffice it to say, I’m just not happy with the G7
I’m discouraged to read such poor reports of G7 performance. I was getting ready to move from the G6 to G7 last spring but got cold feet reading reports like
@Bob_Martin’s, @susan4’s and @rrrruff’s above. I know it’s only anecdotal but the negative reports seem consistent.
After reading many negative user reports from users, I switched my supply orders last spring from the G7 to the G6. I’ve yet to wear my first G7.
A stream of relatively accurate glucose readings produced by a CGM forms the foundation of an important quality of life and safety. I use my CGM data stream as a key component of my DIY Loop system. It doesn’t have to be perfect but it does need to be reasonably accurate and consistent.
I’ve used Dexcom CGMs since the Seven+ back in 2009. I know the actual numbers don’t fully support my perception but I felt the most confident when I was wearing the G4. I was a very late change-over to the G6 as a result.
I’m also aware of many satisfied users of the G7. It just seems risky to switch! I hope that Dexcom continues to make improvements to the G7 as time goes on.
If you’re a happy user of the G7, please comment!
While I like the smaller design of the G7 sensor applicator, I am having a button release problem using it. For some reason I can’t get the push button to release while pressing the applicator against the insertion site without a struggle do it.
I just did a new insertion of a G7 sensor yesterday and had such a hard time getting the push button to release that I almost gave up. I was just lucky that on my last try, it finally worked.
I agree that the insertion button is stiff. The best technique I’ve found is to press not in the center of the button, but further down the panel near the skin. This gives better leverage and makes it somewhat easier to press.
I’m pretty satisfied with the G7. I’ll list the pros and cons versus the G6.
Pros:
- I like that the sensor and transmitter are in one unit compared to having the separate transmitter with the G6 and the earlier Dexcom models.
- I actually like the insertion device. I’m sorry to hear some people are having trouble. You do have to press actual device hard to skin before button is pressed. My nephew and I used to laugh with G6 insertion device. We felt like we were using nail guns, and at times, we both had a lot of bleeding. Him more than me.
- The G7 shape is flatter than the G6.
- The 12 hour grace period with the G7.
Cons:
- I lose readings much more often. If I have the G7 on the left side of my body and my phone (receiver) in my right pocket, I’ll lose the signal. Maybe it’s because of the G7 sensor/transmitter in one unit? I don’t really know though, but this rarely happened with the G6.
- The G7 patch. I used the G6 patch too, but the G7 patch isn’t great. It’s a bit more difficult to get on, and sometimes it basically flakes apart. It sticks just fine, but the integrity of the patch isn’t as good. I have a lot of sensitivity with the Dexcom adhesive, but with both the G6 and G7 I use a Flonase type spray before application that did solve the issue.
My readings for both the G6 and G7 were and are always fairly accurate so I can’t comment on that. I do finger stick checks, and for the most part there were never red flags with either the G6 or G7.
Thank you for your comment about the insertion button. Your share was what
I
was looking for. I will use your suggested pressing technique at my next
insertion party. I had tried moving my finger around the button, but I
never really recalled where it finally released.
Thanks,
Bob
Terry, I never intended for my comments to be a poor or negative report on
the G7. Let’s face it the G7 wasn’t an upgrade from G6 it was a total
redesigned to look like the FreeStyle Libre in my opinion. I call it as I
see it. Other than seeking help from anyone who has found a solution to the
button release issue, I am the other issues with the G7. I have not made
any final decision about going back to the G6. As we all know, any new or
modified system will have issues and like you I am willing to wait a
reasonable amount of time for Dexcom to address them by software and
hardware changes when possible. I might add, the signal loss issue has been
a problem since Dexcom started using Bluetooth. I can say from using both
the G6 and G7 that the G7 is the worse.
Happy Holidays,
Bob
No worries. I’m sorry that my comment did not come across as fully as I wanted. I didn’t interpret your comment as overly critical of the G7. It was not overly one-sided or harsh.
After I posted my comment, I realized that it could be seen as a thread hijack. I didn’t mean it as that nor did I see it as too negative. I share your criticisms of the G7 although my assessment is not backed up with experience.
Thanks for checking back with me and I hope you’re enjoying this holiday time of year!
Hey Drrps, I guess Dexcom needs to design a wimp insertion device for us little boys, LOL. What’s the secret???
Lol. I certainly know no secret. I’m sorry you’re having trouble with insertion. I wear the G7 on various spots (stomach, arm, thigh, butt) with no real issues with the insertion. The only thing I do is press it very hard to the site then hit the button to insert.
I feel the redesign with the integrated transmitter was intended to stop the lost profit stream from people reuising sensors.
I remember when the Dexcom transmitter switched from RF to Bluetooth, the battery life of the transmitter went from 6 months to 3. What used to be an unobtrusive 2x yearly event became twice as frequent. Now with the integrated transmitter, they can play this up as a convenience while not mentioning how they’re making their technology much less affordable for lots of diabetics.
I had similar issue and tech support solved the problem. Must press hard on skin before the button will dislodge easily. Has worked every time.
Hope this helps you too.
I started a sample G7 on Friday night and am equally not impressed. I followed the directions for insertion and also had trouble pushing the button - and I have no dexterity issues.
I have a G6 going at the same time - although the trends are similar, the G7 rises or falls more rapidly - sometimes giving inaccurate readings. I was nice and steady one night according to the G6, but the G7 had me randomly dropping down to 50-55 a couple of times with no symptoms (and maybe one was a compression low, which I never get with G6 in my stomach).
The adhesive is fine and it seems to stick ok so far. If I did another G7 I’d try it on my stomach instead of my arm. I think I’ll hold on to my G6 sensors as long as possible though. Shame the G7 is not a lot better.
I can confirm that you have to press the device firmly against the skin to press the button. If you look closely at the clear ring and press down against the skin you can see the device move downward. I think this was developed as a safety measure against premature release.
I take Repatha for cholesterol, which comes in an auto injection device. It too has a safety mechanism whereby you have to press it firmly against the skin for the trigger button to release.
I agree that the G7 readings are more erratic, and I now test when I see a sharp decrease and low alert. And the number of loss signals is disappointing. Never had this issue with the G6.
Mike
Mike, I agree. Just started my second G7 sensor. The readings are erratic, and the number of loss signals, as you say, disappointing. Anyone want to chime in on why this might be happening?
I’ve been using G7 for a couple of months with a brief interlude using up my last G6 sensors before G7 was integrated with Tandem.
I like the smaller size and usually do not put on the over patch until the edges of the sensor start pulling up on about Day 6-7.
I am committed to sticking with G7 but for the most part I consider G7 to be the first diabetes tech in my long diabetes career not to be an improvement over the previous generation.
What do I like?
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The smaller size.
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I think that it is a bit more accurate than G6.
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Not dealing with a transmitter which has to be ordered separately and tracked on when it will expire.
What do I love? The ability to silence all alarms on the G7 phone app for up to 6 hours. This includes everything such as Low 55.
What am I indifferent about?
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The 12-hour expiration extension. My problem with it is that somehow either the original expiration or the extended expiration ends up being in the middle of the night. The value of the expiration is negated by the sensor life countdown starting when the sensor is inserted. As someone who must insert sensors early to minimize massive Day 1 inaccuracy, I am losing sensor life because 12 hours is not a long enough presoak for me.
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Issue with lost signals. I have the exact same experience with G7 that I had with G6. Mostly fine and signal losses are explainable such as sleeping on my pump or my arm buried in the cushions of an armchair.
What do I dislike? Let me count the ways…
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I find the inserter to be incredibly difficult. I press down hard and it always takes several tries to have the button work. I have used arms, thighs, and abdomen and have an equally hard time in each location.
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The insertion is very rough and I have had massive bleeding several times. Even when I don’t have bleeding, I have had a small bruise under almost every sensor after it was removed. I am a senior with less durable skin and tissue but I do not take any blood thinners. I occasionally find the 90-degree filament to be painful and rarely had pain with the angled filament of G6.
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Reliability of insertion. I have had more failures with G7 in 3 months than in 4 years of G6. The sensors with massive bleeding failed soon after startup. I have had several sensors that failed immediately and there was no sensor wire inserted. Once or twice it was bent. A few other times I have seen it coiled up in the hole. Was the sensor defective before insertion or did the insertion cause this? No idea, but Dexcom replaces them immediately. I ask Dexcom if I am doing something wrong and they say no. Unfortunately I lose the pre-insertion time of the failed sensor and have to start a new one cold turkey.
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Scattered results and horrible Day 1 results. I have used sensors for 15 years and have always had Day 1 inaccuracy. Insertion trauma they say. The duration of the inaccuracy seems to be longer for me with G7 than G6 as I am using a sensor inserted 30 hours ago and it is only now starting to settle down. I will share a screenshot of the last day. You can see the new sensor starting lower than the previous sensor during the overlap period. And then totally scattered numbers and repeated dives to LOW overnight. Not compression lows because I sleep on my side and the sensor is on the front of my thigh (as suggested by my endo to minimize bleeding). An hour or two past that photo the jumpiness is decreasing and I expect the sensor to become reliable for the next 7 or 8 days. My G6 sensors were almost always reliable up to the end but G7 tends to start jumping around and having Brief Sensor Issues on the last day or two.
Summary: I just ordered a new batch of G7 sensors and probably should have investigated the possibility of going back to G6. But I stubbornly think G7 will work and I should stick with it. In general it is just another frustration with my diabetes tech and my life with diabetes. It is mostly okay but should be better. One thing that saves me is the alarm suspension on the phone and putting my Tandem pump in a Faraday pouch to stop the pump from communicating with the sensor until it is accurate.
Lisa c, I was told press very hard on the insertion device like you, but no
insertion device should be that hard to use. I have pressed so hard on my
skin that if the Dexcom name was on the bottom of the device I would have a
permanent tattoo, lol. All the Dexcom systems G4 thru G7 that I used all
have startup accuracy issues, but I got pretty good at dealing with them
over time. I thought that the grace period would help, but I haven’t found
that to be the case so far. I am still work on the startup thing. I never
had one that’s so sensitive and erratic as the G7. I hope things improves.
Happy Holidays,
Bob
Mike83, Understand the safety measure against premature release, but really,
I think Dexcom over did the safety on this one. We are just usesr of the
produc.t Who knows maybe FDA had the last say.
Happy Holidays,
Bob
I hear you on the " G7 to be the first diabetes tech in my long diabetes
career not to be an improvement over the previous generation." But remember
the integration of the G7 &Tandem has a lot of technology that depends on a
consistent and reliable Dexcom for insulin decisions making and right now
from what I have seem I would trust the G6 more than the G7. With that said
let me add the following:
You nailed everything that I have concerns about relating to the G7. I
don’t understand why if we and others now using the G7 see all of these
obvious flaws or cons with the new G7. This makes me think about the people
selected to participate in the test trials. Surely, some of these folks
observed the same issues that we have after using the G7 in real time.
Happy Holidays,
Bob