Ahh, that might be! It doesn’t show any of my pump calibrations, but I’ll have to try using the app to calibrate next time and see if it confirms it the same. Thanks for the tip!
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@Sjwprod Your comment seems to indicate my process is overly aggressive and you’d be right it’s aggressive, but to me it isn’t “overly” so, its about right. It’s what I’ve found works for me to get the G7 to be responsive to my needs and expectations in what I consider a reasonable amount of time (about 30-45 mins). My and your time periods (30-45 minutes) seem about the same, but you’ve found 10-15 minutes between finger sticks works for you and I have found it doesn’t for me (I have tried it that way with no joy). Fortunately, the situation presents relatively infrequently and seemingly growing more so.
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This was about calibrating, and if the time between calibrations is less than 10 min and overly aggressive it can cause the G7 to fail. Not anymore complicated than that.
An example would confirm my understanding of your Dexcom calibration protocol. Let’s say the CGM reads 160 mg/dL and my finger-stick reading is 100, I would enter a calibration of 130 and wait 10-15 minutes before attempting another calibration, if needed. Is that right?
Have you witnessed any limits of the calibration amount from the displayed CGM number to the average of the CGM and finger-stick? For instance, CGM reads 200 and meter reads 100. Your method suggests a cal of 150, a calibration difference of 50 mg/dL. Do you find an upper limit, beyond which, the Dexcom algorithm trips over?
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I have experienced the same frustration. One major exception for me has been the first few calibrations after warm-up. Let’s say my meter indicates 90 yet the very first Dex reading displays 160. My technique is to never calibrate with a number >30 away from the current CGM reading. The strategy is to calibrate in multiple steps, never more than 30 at a time. So in this case I feed the algorithm a cal of 130. At this point, the system is compliant and amenable to my cals. At the next update it steps down 50% to 145 and within 15 minutes to about 130.
So far, so good. Ensuring 15 minutes has elapsed, I cal again 100 (providing the glucose level has not markedly changed) and wait. Following that, if my CGM reading and meter reading converge and start to trend together, then I’m done.
I try not to over-cal. However, I’ve had plenty of tug-of-war competitions, especially when the dex wants to go inaccurately low and ruin my sleep. I’ve lived through many episodes trying every calibration trick I know and sometimes just have to give up. I always space my calibrations at least 15 minutes apart yet occasionally Dex doesn’t cooperate. Sometimes, to protect a night’s sleep, I actually turn off the CGM and my AID.
My pump is programmed with well-tuned basal rates, carb ratios, and ISF so I usually can get by, but my DIY Loop system is premised on reasonably accurate CGM and overnight is typically where its performance really shines.
I’m going to try @Sjwprod’s method and see if that might work. I’ve been using Dexcom CGMs since the Seven Plus and stability was better for me in the past. I’m not sure if my technique, aging body (72+ years) or manufacturing changes/quality control is at the root of my accuracy/dependability challenge. I may be trying out the Eversense 365 at the end of this year rather than move to the G7.
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I switched to the twiist withe the eversense. It was not good with the Libre 3. The Eversense 365 is by far the best CGM I’ve ever used in 20+ years. Hope the calibration trick helps.
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The app kinda shows the same info? It shows the calibration as “in progress” 15 minutes later, even though it’s clearly accepted my calibration (readings jumped from 118 to 90). It shows what the CGM was reading when I calibrated (118), but not the calibration I entered (78). No additional details if I open the calibration event.
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@Terry I’ve come to expect the initial readings of a new G7 sensor to be off for the first 1-3 hours, though I understand others say it can be the first 1/2 or full day. For me, a new G7 usually reads higher when compared to the previous G7 but adjusts downward within the first hour or so to where I expect it should be based on the previous meter (I try not to change CGMs when I’m close to eating or just have). That said, once in a while a new G7 reads substantially lower than the previous G7 (30+ points). In these cases, I’ll check how much IOB I have and do a finger stick to verify, but still usually don’t calibrate until after the first 1-3 hours after insertion. Quite frankly, I think Dexcom found they pushed the 1/2 hour warm up time too far and got burned by the number of folks that complain of inaccuracy (note they changed the G7 15-day to an hour). I’ve noted in other posts, it seems to have improved over the last several months, alternately I’ve grown more accepting of it (probably a bit of both)! Either way, that works for me; it might not work for you or others.
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BTW, I got a box from Dexcom today with 3 sensors in it and no return box for the one sensor. Seems contrary to the tech on the phone that said she was ordering two sensors after I commented about the last three giving me the “Wait 3 hours” message more than twice in a session. I only called about one and didn’t understand her replacing two; I’d think either one or all three; two didn’t make sense! Perhaps she was thinking three and saying two!
I also got a call from a supposed Dexcom rep a three days ago wanting to talk about an email I sent Dexcom about my interaction. He immediately asked if I was the patient and wanted me to confirm my birth date, address, etc. but wouldn’t state an email or date/time or subject. When I refused, he refused to talk anymore. I have to admit I feel sorry for these guys, but I refused because why should I trust a person that calls me out of the blue and refuses to talk unless I answer his questions any scammer would be proud of, and seemingly has no idea what the date/time or subject of an email I sent in was. I frequently get calls about my back pain (I don’t have one, I’m just old), or my diabetes (that can’t tell me what type), or my car insurance, or extending its warranty. One more email to Dexcom about how to talk with, not at, their “customers” not “patients.” I got a response from Dexcom apologizing for their service techs approach and they would be calling again with verifiable info first…no calls yet, we’ll see…
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Thanks for sharing some details on your G7 experience. It’s refreshing to read some positive comments that suggest there is a wider spectrum of experience than just the poor performance ones. It’s making me wonder that perhaps I should consider ordering 90 days of G7s and see just how I’d fare before I commit to a sensor implant.
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I always presoak my G7 sensors for up to 8 hours before I turn them on. Usually they require one calibration after insertion and I am good to go. the presoak takes the biggest issue of starting out of the equation. Yes to presoack you have to wear two at once. But that is a small price for me.
rick
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I get the frustration, it can feel like a lot. From what people share, experiences with G7 can vary. Some find it convenient, others run into issues early on. What matters most to you right now, accuracy, fewer alerts, or just something that feels easier?
The Spanish Prisoner dilemma. The movie may also help since it is closer to the modern form of the trick.
It works both ways; an unsolicited call like the one you received is inappropriate and suggests a spanish prisoner attack:
Indeed.
The defeat for the variant of the spanish prisoner in the movie and the most common one today is, “I’ll call you back on your main number.” If the employee wants to give you that number (watch the movie) say, “Oh, it’s ok, just tell me your extension and they’ll connect me.” If BS follows tell the guy very politely to FOAD or, less stress, say, “Goodbye”, hang up, then block the number.
It really is worth doing all of this. Yeah, we’re sorry for the guy; I remember one CS call with a woman who was clearly preparing food and dealing with a very yowly cat while also dealing, very politely and competently, with me but she probably got fired. (That was FedEx, not Dexcom.)
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Best advice I can give anyone re either g6 or g7 system is just don’t calibrate it. At all. Sit on your hands. It’s a trade of temporary frustration for hours vs weeks of dysfunction. If you must, never do it more than once or within the fist 24 hours of insertion. Those are my experiences, led by my docs advice— which proved to be very good advice
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With the G6 going out of service. And the Posted love and hate regarding the G7 wave forms. Does any one have any feed back on the Libre waveform graft,