Anyone on dexcom? Pros, cons, your thoughts?
Can you also shower using the transmitter or does it need to slip off before the shower?
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Les @Type1strong, I use DexCom G5.
If you are serious about managing your diabetes - and I do NOT mean just having a particular HbA1c, the CGM is an awesome tool. Effective diabetes management means staying “in range” as much as possible, not just having a “good” average glucose over 90 days - such as an A1c = 6.0 - but rather that you stay close to that value as often as possible. Certainly you will have many “excursions”, like I do, that your BG way to high or those times when BG just drops and keeps dropping.
Once you get used to, and understand what it is telling you, you can use the CGM readings to adjust your insulin - be very careful not to “stack” insulin - to either correct a high or to avoid future lows. The biggest help my CGM so far is that it has alerted me to suspend my pump to prevent hypoglycemia.
Your question: Certainly you can shower and swim while wearing the transmitter this is addressed quite a bit in your User Manual and in other materials. I strongly recommend a thorough read of the Manual.
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Thank you very helpful information
I’ve been t1d for 49 years and wholeheartedly agree with Dennis. I’m getting ready to switch from the G5 to the G6. Next to insulin itself, Dexcom is my most valuable tool.
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I have been using a G6 for a few weeks and find it very useful. Yes, you can shower with it on just fine.
Thank you all! I have been using it for a couple weeks now and I love it. Since I’m not on a pump it really helps when to make adjustments.
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Dexcom g5 is water resistant and g6 is waterproof. you do not have to worry about the transmitter fit to the sensor but however, the patch tends to come off after 7 days but there are other options dexcom offers like using an adhesive patch on top of the sensor. i have been using dexcom for quite some time now. the g6 works perfectly for 7-8 days after that, either the sensor malfunctions (does not transmit data or sensor fails) on a whole scale; on how many ever days it works, you get super accurate data and is good way to monitor your BGs and enjoy your life!
I have used three generations of the Dexcom CGM and think that the G6 is great. The G6 is waterproof and can be used in the shower with no issues. I swim and kayak with it, and haven’t had any issues regarding using it whilst wet. If you exercise of play sports, having a CGM like the G6 makes a huge difference.
I don’t use the phone app, as I find the receiver to be convenient, and in many cases easier to use while cycling and kayaking then taking my phone.
The G6 is easy to use, and it does not require a finger stick for calibration, so I no longer need to carry around a test kit, other than as a backup for when I travel for long periods.
I have found two cons: The first, noted in an earlier reply, is that depending upon placement, the patch housing the sensor starts to come off after 7-8 days. A bit of medical tape will keep it secured for the remaining 2 days, but it’s still a bit disappointing.
Aside from that, the G6 is a great improvement over the G4 and G5 generations.
I am a t1 now for 50 years. I have been using a Dex g5 for a year now and the past several monthaa my sensors have been iffy. I am getting the g6 next month and I hoping for better accuracy. I am tired of finger sticks with each meal and other times.
@Julliette Welcome Mary Ann to the JDRF TypeOneNation Forum! I hope that you enjoy your visit here and thanks for introducing yourself. Congratulations on achieving 50 years of life with diabetes and we are looking forward to seeing you here offering and sharing the wisdom you have about diabetes life.
Are you a member of the Joslin Medalists group? We will welcome you there too - there are 357 members on the Joslin Medalists [closed] Facebook page, all who have lived with diabetes for at least 50 years, sharing their experiences and discussing issues.
Thank you for the info. I will definitely look into this.
My son, age 8, was diagnosed with T1D at the end of August 2019. We have been using the G6 for 20 day now. During insertion he has been having pain. I have read a lot up on this and everyone says how it doesn’t hurt. I have tried skin numbing cream but that doesn’t seem to help. We had to insert three sensors now, his first one fell off after day one. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make this experience better for him? He wants to give up but I am trying to push him to keep going. I am so very frustrated and it hurts me knowing that I will put him in pain again. Thank you for all your help.
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CGM sensors and pump infusion sets can hurt. A lot. Sometimes even to the point I have to rip them out. Some people are way more sensitive than others. Some people have sensitive areas. I, for example, cannot use my belly, at all.
In my opinion, the decision here is if the sensor provides more good than harm. It’s a very personal experience and decision.
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Thank you @joe for your help.
@loftiner hi Erin I hit reply early.
Anyway you could try to ice the area before you put in a set to help with inflammation. I find exercise or a shower to help take the sting out. You can try alternate sites as I am positive an 8 year old probably has very little “real estate” to put sensors.
If they fall out more than hurt you can try IV prep and over tape, usually our other users have good tape suggestions.
Good luck!
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