Trying, Sorry to read this. That’s why I put up the original post asking if people have had any issues like you are mentioning cause that’s what was happening with me!
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Yes, I’m on the TAndem x2 and the Dexcom G6 and I have the app on my phone.
And soaking it for 13 hours really helped. Hurrah!!
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Sami, I replied on the site vs. directly to you! Anyway, I needed to change the sensor the other day so I soaked my new sensor for 13 hours! It appears, at least for now to have worked. Now instead of 24 hours of going crazy it was more like 3. I calibrated after the warm-up and it was only 4 to 10 points different vs. 30-40. I’m thrilled so maybe that is the secret. Who knows we are all so different!
Best of luck to you!
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Well, I spoke too soon. This new sensor is still way off. I can’t rely on it. I have to keep taking finger sticks. Latest Dex reading shows 79 but finger stick is 120. Should I call DEXCOM? Replace it? I also changed the transmitter last night so I suppose that could have a bearing.
UPDATE:
Called Dexcom. They confirmed there is a problem w/ the sensor and advised me to insert new one. So another 2 hour warmup… 
They are sending a replacement.
I find if u leave it alone for 12 hours it will come I to range. I haven’t tried soaking yet but I will on my next one.
Sometimes calibrating it too much can make it go wonky. If it’s still not giving good results then take it off and ask dex for a replacement but when u take it out look at the sensor wire. If it looks like an accordion then it was inserted incorrectly.
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Maybe that is what is going on. I was too impatient so I calibrated too often. I’m on Loop so the BG readings really need to be accurate for Loop to work! It is still no where near accurate despite calibrating maybe 5-6 times in the last 12 hours. I could either replace it now, or wait another 12 hours without any calibration whatsoever to see if it resolves itself. I don’t think I did anything different on insertion and it feels perfectly normal so I hesitate to give up on it!
Yea Timothy I think you need to give it 3 tics before you see it within the recommended range it’s supposed to be. It’s been my experience to calibrate, wait 15 minutes, calibrate again, wait 15 minutes then if it’s not within the recommended range do it once more. If its still not within the recommended range than call Dexcom. You’re aware Timothy that the Dexcom reading will not be the same as your meter. Occasionally you’ll get them the same of a 4 point difference, but certainly at least for me not every time.
Jane-
Check again. I believe the switch IS reversible. But, check this out before you jump in!
Stay Well
Jeff21
Hi Jane. No worries, I’m completely new to this forum and still don’t know how to work everything lol. It’s crazy how everyone has such different experiences. So many people acted like I was crazy and didn’t know anything when I kept saying my PHONE/PUMP were prompting me to do a REQUIRED calibration TWICE when the warm up session was over, and about once every other day. I kept saying why is no one else having to calibrate!?! I just changed my site this morning, and finished my warm up session about 20 minutes ago. Wouldn’t you know, for the first time in a YEAR of using this, I got the message “sensor readings are now available” instead of calibrations. I don’t understand!?! All I can think is there was some sort of update, because sure enough when I opened the app to check, my blood sugar number was sitting right there, no calibrations required. I did one just in case to make sure it was close and it was only 7 off! I’m thrilled but confused!
While most of my G6 readings are technically in range of my Glucometer . I still calibrate during the day as have the Dexcom reading be more in tune with the Glucometer.
As I don’t typed on the actual Dexcom readings but then to more rely on the trend of the readings…
I have the “helicopter” spouse, too. I also wear the pump on the same side of my body as my sensor—I was either told that by Tandem or read it in their manual. Pump trainer never mentioned it. For me, communication between the pump and sensor is much better when they are on the same side of the body.
If I wear my dexcom on my arm, then it doesn’t matter which side my set is on. But I rotate my insulin sets from side to side so my dex is never on the same side as my set for more than 3 days.
There are these stickers that used to be for boosting cell phone range. You would apply them to the batteries, this is flip phone days. I put one on pump and OMG I never lose connection with my sensor anymore. I always thought they were just a gimmick.
I found these while cleaning my old diabetes stuff, but I’m not sure anyone makes them or where to get them anymore. I’m going to search for them.
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Found them easily. These are a different brand but they look exactly the same and are super cheap on eBay if anyone wants to try https://www.ebay.com/i/20307641735
I’m not the seller and I have no idea who it is so so your best diligence or I bet you can find them other places
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I have another issue with the Dexcom G6 and Infusion sets.
G6 accuracy; I rarely have to calibrate but the sensor is very erratic two or three days from the end of session. I often have to rip it out because the insidious incidents of "the sensor will not be communicating for a while … give it 3 hours … etc.
Tandem infusion sets have always been god to me, but now they hate me. Yesterday my sensor went crazy so I changed it. It didn’t work so I changed it 4 times yesterday until it functioned normally. By the time I felt comfortable with it, I was on my 4th sensor of the day. My BG had soared (to the 400 range!!! ) but the last insertion seemed ok. It was in the Basal IQ range all night but after breakfast his morning readings keep going UP! Right now it is level at 272 and needs a change. When I took the devices out, they looked strange … I remember it always looked like a small cylinder about 1/4 inch long. Recently they have appeared be be longer (hard to really see). Not sure what to do … will call my Endo for an opinion. I am going through these infusions sets way too fast for my insurance to cover them. Have I developed an allergy to the material?
Not sure how to deal with this problem. I have been using these devices for 20 years and they have rarely failed. Now, it seems that they ALL fail after 2 days.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.]
Jeff
You have a few issues going on it seems.
First w dexcom.
The sensor has a certain life span and you can use it up fast or slow.
If your sugars run high, you use it up faster than the 10 days. Some people can keep them for a month but that means their sugars are pretty low most of the time.
So when your control is better, you will get better life from your sensors.
I am allergic to my tandem sets. It’s the adhesive that works down into the cannula and gets irritated. Then the site stops absorbing.
I have 2 ways to combat this. First I use an iv3000 tape on my skin and poke through with my infusion set. That keeps most of the adhesive out of the cannula.
Secondly I use Flonase spray on my skin before I place the iv3000. This keeps my body from reacting to any of the adhesive that gets in there.
I generally have good results with this method. My sets last 3 days and my sensors last 10, although I went 20 once just to see how it would go.
I am I. Range 95%.
I also have absorption issues If I don’t rotate my sites enough.
Thirdly, I have lowered my sensitivity setting to get a better reaction from my pump, it keeps me lower and more steady.
The cartridge thing is not solvable. You can’t see into it, you just have to rely on the counter.
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I’m beginning to suspect there’s a misunderstanding creeping into some messages here. As I understand it, it’s not important to have your sensor on the same side of your body as your SET, but on the same side as your PUMP. The pump and sensor communicate, but the infusion set doesn’t communicate with anything.
I wear my pump in a case on my belt, so about half the time the tubing crosses over my abdomen to get the pump on the correct side. With 41- (42-?) inch tubing, it’s no problem.
Long-time users: am I on the right track here?
Thanks! I have already discussed this problem with Tandem and the have no real idea. Thinking it could be an allergy, they are sending me some stainless steel sets. I often use Tegaderm under the sensor but not for the infusion set. I will tray that now. I do have flonase which I shoot into my nose. Never thought to try this on an infusion set.
I believe you are correct!
Jeff
Not sure I clocked the correct button. You are correct. The pump and the CGM sensor should be on the same side of the body. The pump should face away from the body or it might not communicate.