I can only speak from my own son’s experience with the G5, but we have never had a single issue with the G5. Not one…that was not self-induced. We “shutdown” the receiver when changing out the transmitter which caused a ERR121, but that was our own fault. Our sons transmitter lasts even longer than 2 weeks every time and the only limiting factor is how long the tape can stay on him, holding the transmitter into place. We now do 2 week change outs regularly even if the transmitter can last longer.
G5 is amazing for us. We only use the receiver, though…no iPhone connections.
My G5 has worked really well for me until one sensor recently that was not great and I kept losing the signal; sensors and the transmitter since have been fine signal-wise. I’m guessing that particular sensor may have been equally problematic with the G4.
However, with the G5 I’ve had no missed days because I accidentally left my G4 receiver at home—somehow I always remember my iPhone (helps that my car syncs to it as well, so I’ll realize very quickly if I’ve left it), but having a receiver on top of that was somehow one device too many to keep track of, so for me, the G5 has been way more reliable due to less human error. Another case of YDMV.
very uncomfortable and often painful (I inject 4-6 times/day so I am accustomed to discomfort)
requires extra taping and effort to stay attached, especially during strenuous exercise.
My most continuous stretches of signal are at night when I am asleep and not moving much. I use a stand-up desk at work and I exercise with some type of cardio exercises every day. I try to be active. It seems to me that the G5 does not like active people.
In spite of the limitations, it is still extremely helpful. I am a brittle Type 1 diabetic so I have significant fluctuations in blood sugar. The G5 is very helpful is learning to anticipate spikes and dips.
Thanks for sharing more. We are all here to share both good and bad experiences, to help each other out.
I don’t think the representations were absurd in the least. I have none of the issues you mention above. Coincidentally, I use a standing desk at work as well (love it). I also jog about 30 miles a week and work up a pretty good sweat each time and coach 3 youth baseball teams and can regularly get 3+ weeks out of the sensor adhesive with no issues.
Sorry to hear you are having issues, but glad to hear you still believe there is value in your G5.
Some thoughts I had while reading all these…first, it’ sometimes “off” happens with your equipment, even if you’re not sure it’s a real issue, call the company. Dexcom or whoever. I found with Dexcom and Minimed both, they want to know when something goes wrong or even just "weird"with their products so they can work on a solution or more importantly, you may be the lucky person who has the problem first, like before anyone ever experienced it before… like you may be the first time anyone has ever called them with the issue. I’m pretty sure that’s what happem d when my very last sensor came out of the package with the needle already retracted!! About not getting the most out of your G5…could the stick-on-ness, new word there, be a hair issie possibly? Could it be a skin-prep issue? Especially if you’re going to attempt getting more than a week from a sensor, I found that skin prep is a big deal. Even more so in warm weather. Someone here suggested to me to try liquid SkinTaq and it’s been the answer for me. I use it under the entire thing. Even after the sensor is in, I’ll put more SkinTaq on the area where the other adhesive tape will be touching me. I’ve had zero issues with sticking after I started using SkinTaq. I also make sure I prep the skin well with alcohol just so all oils are removed. Thankfully no sensitivity issues doing this so far!! Another thought I had was having someone help me affix the Dexcom. I wouldn’t be able to wear them in my arms without help. I could probably get one in, but it wouldn’t be to the back of my arm where I prefer, & would be more likely to get knocked off. Maybe I’m not as flexible as you guys are, but the only place I’ve ever done it entirely alone is in my stomach & I hate wearing a CGM there. I need the help of the extra hands and eyes. I’d never get my GrifsGrips on without folds without some help either. Especially after applying SkinTaq! (I’m not sure how it’s spelled either…maybe it’s SkinTac? Tack??.. anyhow, it’s the liquid and not the wipes. ) Maybe some of this was helpful, but I did want to encourage you to always call the company with any issues just in case it’s also new to them! It is alway YDMV with these things!!
Some people insert a new sensor 24 hours before terminating the old sensor. The idea is to give the new sensor enough time to settle in and hopefully produce better first day CGM readings. I’ve tried this and it does work. An old transmitter can be snapped into the new sensor to protect the exposed sensor conductor pads for that 24-hour pre-soak period.
I’m sorry. I answered a question you didn’t ask! You want to know what to do with the old sensor, not transmitter, right? I throw my used sensors away.
I don’t know whether to ask this here - but does anyone know if the transmitter can adjust the transmitter power down? I carry my ipod in my pocket most of the time or it’s in the same room, so the power might be higher than it needs to be. Of course Dexcom’s app doesn’t have anything about this. But does anyone know if there are any “private API” commands that could be sent via xDrip or something like that?
No, there are no power controls on the G5 transmitter. In the G5 the battery does not wear out, it is stopped by the receiver software at 105 days. If you use xDrip+ you might get some extra mileage out of it.
Also, if you look on Etsy, there is a group that is replacing G5 transmitter batteries for use with xDrip+ because the software doesn’t care how long the transmitter is being used. I think it’s about $79, way less than the cost of a new transmitter.
Does the same 3 month plus a couple weeks expire still happen with xDrip too? I was wondering if the “intelligence” for the expiration of the transmitter was in the transmitter itself, or in the much more capable software in the receiver or Dexcom iPhone app. I got the chance to try xDrip+ last week for a few days, borrowed an Android Nexus 6P while my iPhone was being repaired. WOW! xDrip+ is such a fantastic program otherwise. Much more inclusive of data, and more configurability. So I was wondering if it can ignore the time limit and continue to receive data from the transmitter as long as the battery can send. I know the Low Power Bluetooth mode the G5 uses is not that battery intensive. With devices on the market like the “Tile” keychain tracker, which also transmits data ever 5 mins to any cell phone in range for over 1 year!!! Why can’t the G5 go this long? Or at least longer than 3 months… Anyway, does anyone have more than 3 months experience with xDrip or xDrip+ and the G5???
xDrip+ does not have a hard limit of 3 months with the G5 transmitter. Xdrip+ just keeps going until the transmitter battery dies. I have not used the G5 long enough to have a battery failure but people on the internet usually get longer than 3 months but I have seen people talking about failures around 120 days -your mileage may vary…
I want to try replacing the batteries so I can let my T2 sister wear it for a few weeks.