Switched to the G5 a couple months ago. Actually started Nov. 5. So I am on my first transmitter. Got the low battery alert last night. Called Solara today to order a new transmitter ( my insurance says I can only have one at a time) and was told since it is still in warranty, to call Dexcom. Dexcom said yes they would overnight me a new transmitter but couldn’t explain why I got the low battery alert so early. My real question for those who have been on the G5 for a while, is how long the transmitter will actually last? I am used to the G4 and the transmitter seemed to last way beyond what it should have. Wil it last longer than the 3 months or does it go pretty quick when the time is up?
I don’t have the G5 in service yet but I’ve been following this topic closely lately. It’s my understanding that the G5 transmitter will shut down at 3 months + 3 weeks (could be 20 days) of service and you will get a warning at the 3 month mark. It’s longevity is a function of its firmware, not the actual battery failing like the G4.
I am following any discussion of the G5 … or anything Dexcomy for that matter … totally from the sidelines. However, the impression I got from the post on another board (link below) was that the 90+22 days appears to be overly optimistic.
The fellow in the post below only got 14 days beyond the 90 day warning before the software nagging ratcheted up to a point where he didn’t want to bother any longer.
I had a bad G5 battery on my transmitter. My first G5 transmitter lasted 3 months. My second transmitter got a “low battery” alert 2 months in…then a couple hours later got a “critically low battery” alert…then a couple hours later went dead. I had no backup transmitters and of course it happened on a Friday night–so they couldn’t get another one to me until Tuesday. It is during these times when I realize how quickly I have relied on the comfort of Dexcom.
Then a thought occurred to me. Could my old G4 transmitter still work? It’s been over a YEAR. Sure enough, I popped it in, and had my numbers back. Wow. I’m debating on ordering a G4 with share on my next cycle.
My G5 transmitter just petered out 4 days ahead of the 3 months mark. I have no backup transmitter. I will go on a low carb diet until I can ‘see’ again.
Bummer. Isn’t the battery under warranty for three full months? Call Dexcom, you may be eligible for a fresh replacement transmitter.
It’s amazing how integrated a working CGM becomes in our new sense of normal. Good luck with your CGM intermission.
I’m on my last week I think. Got a 2 weeks left warning some 8 days ago. Now I plan to go back to Libre until the summer holidays etc are over.
Unfortunately, the G5 sensor is a bit too big to have on the body while working on the tan. But yes, I agree, seeing the sugar readings on the watch has become a really pleasant habit.
I called Dexcom support. They answered the phone on Memorial Day. I did not expect that. They verified my early death claim and will ship a transmitter overnight. Because of the holiday the expected arrival time is Wednesday or Thursday. At first I panicked. Then I remembered that I managed without dex for 40 years. Makes it hard to justify the claim that I cannot do a couple of days without.
Except for the tan issue, do you prefer the dex? How do the two compare in accuracy?
I have tried Enlite, Libre and G5 and G5 is by far the most accurate system. But it’s also the one which is least discrete on the body, with a huge adhesive, and a big transmitter.
Enlite was the least good one when it comes to accuracy and was way off in my experience.
Libre was really good in the beginning, many times managing to hit exact blood value, but the last few series of sensors have been so-so. I don’t know if they have changed something, but the deviation is usually +/- 18 mg/dl, which can be irritating, but I can live with that for certain periods of time, especially considering the minimalistic sensor size, the adhesive that actually holds for 2 weeks and no calibration. I would say that the G5 and the Libre complement eachother well.
Thanks. Your insight is very much appreciated.
Both I and my daughter have been on the G5 since late last year. we’ve gone through 3 transmitters so far. I haven’t tracked it closely, but as I recall, we usually fail really close to 3 months. My last transmitter gave little warning before it died. I echoed Helmut’s sentiments when it happened (with a couple decades less than he 
):