Hi all,
Packing for a 3 week trip and trying to decide if I should pack a spare Dexcom G5 transmitter. I am still on month #1 with the transmitter in use. I personally have never had a problem or premature failure of a G5 transmitter and am inclined to not bring a spare. This is a hiking/biking/camping/golf/hotel trip so I don’t expect to be abusing my transmitter in any way. My gut feel is the risk of losing it outweighs the remote risk that I would need the spare transmitter over these 3 weeks.
Just wondering what the experience has been with the group: Has anybody ever needed to change out a G5 transmitter due to premature failure before it’s 3 month lifespan is used up?
@John58 Highly unlikely the transmitter would fail. The batteries will last well beyond the 105 day software limit.
But there certainly is the possibility that the transmitter could be lost, however remote. It won’t pop off of the sensor, but the sensor could get ripped off of you with the transmitter attached, and you may not be able to retrieve it.
If space is not an issue I would certainly recommend that you pack an extra transmitter (still in the box) just in case. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
We’ve never had a transmitter die prematurely but loss is a real concern, as @docslotnick says. Dexcom can always forward another one to you but that might take a few days. Transmitters are small and easy to pack so I’d say take one with.
I’ve never brought a transmitter with me when traveling—not sure that I’d bother; I’d probably just be extra careful re: taping down my sensor. That said, my sensor is always under clothing where I wear it (belly), so the chances of losing it even if it gets dislodged are extremely low. If you wear it on exposed skin, might be different.
Fantastic trip. Always great to get away. Escaped the Seattle heat wave at it’s peak and enjoyed cooler weather and afternoon rains in Tetons and Rockies.
No Dexcom issues at all.
Driving all day is probably the worst thing a person can do for good BG control. My trip was split between very active spurts for 2-4 days at a time followed by a 400-500 mile drive to the next destination. Travel days consistently required correction bolus morning noon and night. I’ll try to find time to relate that experience on a new thread.