A Tale of Two Sensors
Actually, this is more like a tale of one sensor, but two completely different behaviors. But first a little back story. I’ve had a pretty good run with the Dexcom as far as sensor usage goes. As of this post’s publishing, I will be on sensor #7 of the Dexcom Revolution. To my knowledge, the shortest lifespan that I’ve experienced is nine days. At this point, future sensors better prepare for the long haul with me. I know there is always the chance of an outright sensor failure, but so far I’ve been very lucky.
However, should I really be saying that I’m lucky? Seven days is still a decent run, but should we be expecting more out of this device? I have to assume the technology for longer-lasting sensors is being developed as I type, but does that make me (and other CMG users) beta testers for a more refined model? Technology is constantly evolving, but when something like my health is on the line, is it acceptable that my money and life are invested in something that has such a short shelf life? Is seven days an acceptable run for any of you CGM users? While the instructions say seven days, is there a number that you expect to reach before you give in and start up a new sensor? Assuming accuracy was a given, would you be willing to trade comfort and ease of use for extended lifecycles?
These are the types of questions I think about during my commute home, especially during days like today when the last 6 hours of my work day, commute, and dinner were filled with “???”. After 9 days of glucoastering, my latest sensor bit the dust on day #10. The ironic thing about 6 hours of “???” is that the same morning was filled with the most beautiful overnight line I have ever experienced. Of course dancing on a line like this meant I had to address a Low Alarm for a few 79s here and there, but this graph was too pretty to not take a picture of.
???
B-E-A-utiful
I’ve said it before, but I have no regrets about starting up on the Dexcom. It has given me the empirical evidence I needed to (finally) split my Lantus to two shots a day. It has given me the confidence to aggressively treat spikes without fearing the rebound. It has caught some rather interesting dips that came from nowhere. It is living up to the hype.
EDIT (6:30 AM…ish)
Clearly, karma is coming after me. I didn’t think I was particularly hateful in this post, I was just capturing some thoughts that have been circling around in my head. I guess I crossed a line with the Diabetes Gods.
After switching my sensor, I fell asleep knowing that the initial calibration would happen in the middle of the night. No worries, it’s only a minute or two and I could get back to counting sheep. It was a great plan, until I my calibrating blood glucose numbers were 39 and 36. BLARGH. Of course it was a calibration notification that woke me up instead of the traditional low alarm. But I did wake up, so I shouldn’t be too critical of the fine details.
Note to self: change sensors well before going to bed, or at least be a little less aggressive with overnight corrections.
I’m on day 13 of a Dexcom sensor right now. It seems the trick is to tell Dex you’re starting a “new” sensor when you haven’t actually removed the old one. If it’s a good site and a really securely stuck-on sensor, it’s worth a try. (Of course Dexcom won’t recommend doing this, since you’ll have something sticking in you that much longer and it could cause an infection…)
I’ve also had luck with the DOC recommended process of putting in a sensor at night but not starting it until the next morning. It has extra time to “wet” itself in your skin so calibration should be quicker & more accurate.
I agree with your points, though–these things should last much longer and be more reliable, and I do feel like a test pilot at times.
Yup, 100% agreement with Kathy. I generally get about 10 days out of a sensor and am usually sad when I only get 7. Putting in the sensor at night and starting it in the morning helps a TON.
I personally don’t mind changing it every 10 days. I don’t know that we’ll get to the point where something is implanted all the time. I’ve had sensor and infusion site infections and they’re no fun. Changing more often reduces that a risk a lot.
We also insert a sensor at night and let it “get wet” and start it in the morning.
For those of you who insert a second sensor before the old one is done, what do you do to keep the new sensor from flapping around? I tried this once and realized that without a second transmitter, it was exposed.
As far a duration, longer sure is better, particularly when you have a rockin’ sensor, but Caleb’s skin has been reacting to having something on that long. When I take the sensor off, his skin underneath can be quite a mess, particularly when it’s been on for a while. I’ve tried a few tricks and some have helped, but none prevent the problem. I worry that a longer life will result in insurance coverage for fewer sensors and that may not be enough for what Caleb’s skin can endure.
I’d love to see smaller size before longer life.
I can’t get more than 10 days out of a sensor either. The last one I had on was like the perfect sensor. Even on day 9, I was never more than 5 points different. I woke up the morning of day 10 to my BS being over 70 points off and when I tried to enter the right BS, I got “sensor error #1.” I tried a couple times but every time I cleared it, it would just come back so I yanked it.
I don’t know if you have ever read the TuDiabetes Dexcom user’s group, but there is someone there that only gets 6 days out of her sensors.