I’m on a trip right now to HI for family matters, though we’re taking advantage of some of the time to see some sights. I use a small backpack for all my D supplies (just got a new one with the Trio logo and “#WeAreNotWaiting”: CGMs (three for a 10-day trip, supposedly good for 10-days each); 5 Dash pods plus the one I had on (should need two of them); three pens of Novolog plus the one already in my kit (should need one plus the one I had in use); plus the roll of flexi-fix I use under my pod to stabilize the cannula; plus alcohol wipes, plus extra needles (always have baggy of them). **Of note:**the hotel refrigerator nearly froze two pens worth of Novolog! Yes, I have a Frio bag for them, but have never had an issue and checked to the “feel” of the frig; regardless, the Frio bag was frozen solid, but the pens appeared ok. Tested the Novo with one of my “spare” pods (time for a change any way and the Novolog still works…was dreading the call back to my Endo for a script to the local Costco!. Lesson learned: Unless required use the Frio pouch without the frig!! (I’m an old dog…but I can learn!) And yes, I do use some of the space for chargers, cables, and my iPad!
This is the season for traveling - and the more complicated our systems get, the more complicated the backup required. We’ve had a bunch of past threads on what to pack and travel stories, and I think I’ve written this one before but I can’t resist … which results in the following advice:
Don’t rely on foreign post offices for any of your supplies
I was on a long bike trip in Europe and thought I would mail my Dexcom / Tandem supplies to myself at places I was staying at in Denmark and in Italy. I mailed the packages about a month before I left the US. Neither of my packages made it in time. So I ran out of Dexcom / Tandem supplies, and ended up using my backup, which were insulin pens I had brought along for the last couple of weeks of the trip.
Interestingly, the packages of supplies that I sent to myself made it back home to the US - and showed up 3 or 4 months after I had gotten home.
I know this is a bit of a hijack of this thread. Sorry.
How about HAL in 2001?
Forgot to include I take the pdm’s for both the G7’s and the Dash pods as a backup to using Trio and the Dexcom apps on my phone. I also have the Trio and Loop apps on my wife’s phone! Think I’m covered…until…
HAL is a script writer attempting to suggest AI. 2001 was released in 1968, when I was 8. ATM we have got there; we have finally managed to develop computers that can do what HAL suggested and way more.
Did HAL get upset, or was that your monkey brain kicking in and saying HAL was?
DarkStar is my goto. I can’t surf, but at the end I wish I could. (I ski instead - almost as dangerous, hey, weight; give me a planet with an atmosphere and a pair of skis!)
Yeah. Much as I hate Lantus and the marketing behind it I known I can live 25 days with one 3ml pen of Lantus. Forget Jeff Wheeler. Just give me that Lantus pen and, oops, a needle to screw into it (just one of course.)
A little late to the thread here but so far I’ve had only one G7 sensor make it the full 10 days out of the last 5. I’ll be switching to Libre as soon as practical. I should note that I’ve never had a problem with getting a replacement using the online form. Today I had one cr** out at 4 days followed by one during the warmup time. I phoned those two in and had a prompt response of two more replacements.
Totally get your frustration, two failed sensors in a day is rough. G7 can be more sensitive than G6. To help avoid issues: make sure the area is smooth and clean, let it dry fully before applying, choose a low-pressure spot, and use a patch (I use NJAP) to keep it secure. You’re definitely not alone in this.
When I finished off the G7s made in 2024 my next two sensors have been normal. Tried Libre but phone battery suffered from the app, no calibration and no control over alarm, so not for me. I got one that registered 20 points or more low and kept alarming when not necessary. Hope Dexcom can recover their quality control and stop selling marginal product.
Thanks for the heads up @ErinRods and welcome to FuD ! Your input on any and all topics will surely be appreciated, stick around if you have time to check in and comment occasionally.
That second failure had the dreaded recoiled/kicked back wire…here’s a picture after I removed. That one hit my attitude pretty hard…I was on a 3 day trip to the east coast and had just started my only spare sensor. That sensor failure during startup put me back on fingersticks for the next 48 hours.
Anyway, after getting home and thinking a little more deeply and reading the pros/cons of Dexcom vs Libre in this excellent thread with multiple user experiences I decided to stick with the G7 for the time being (and carry more spares when I travel).
The Dexcom president/COO did an interview addressing some of these issues (sensor not connecting and bent wire/“goosenecking”), which essentially boil down to they are aware of them, they’ve adjusted manufacturing processes to address them, they supposedly do not tie directly to any particular lots to be able to track them.
In the last month I’ve had 2 sensors with the goosenecking issue and another sensor fail after a day for unknown reasons so I, too, am a bit irritated with Dexcom G7s at present
Actually he only said this about the sensors that won’t connect/pair. He seemed to imply that the goosenecking problem was becoming more prevalent earlier this year and then was addressed. I had the impression maybe there are specific lots with the goosenecking problem although he was a little vague about that.
Thanks for that link by the way. Very informative interview.