# Stockpiling Dexcom G5 transmitters: how long do they last? **URL:** \ **Category:** C/GM\ **Tags:** dexcom\ **Created:** [January 28, 2018, 7:49pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361 "2018-01-28T19:49:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ClaudnDaye](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/claudndaye/32/5_2.png) [@ClaudnDaye](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/ClaudnDaye)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 4:44pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/21 "2019-02-06T16:44:11Z")
We have always received two at a time also…I think it’s an insurance thing. I have never had one NOT work for the full time. ---
**Author:** ![Aaron](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/aaron/32/1454_2.png) [@Aaron](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Aaron)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 4:45pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/22 "2019-02-06T16:45:44Z")
@Tapestry my comments about the 3 month warrantee are based on Canadian supplied transmitters. In Canada you get only 1 G5 per box. In the US I expect they do no sit on a supplier’s shelf for as long but I could be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Tapestry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/tapestry/32/4434_2.png) [@Tapestry](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Tapestry)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 4:49pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/23 "2019-02-06T16:49:26Z")
Thanks for weighing in @ClaudnDaye . The same here; they have always worked. It’s good to know though, a possible reason, should they not! @Aaron, thank you. I saw Canada and wondered about that. Perhaps in the States it is different becuase they ship two. That was a selling feature when moving from the G4 to the G5, that you would receive two transmitters, because they didn’t last as long as the G4. This information will help; hopefully I won’t need to fall back on it! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 6:59pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/24 "2019-02-06T18:59:09Z")
This is how the warranty works in the US: the transmitters are warranted as long as they are _started_ within 5 months of shipment. When you get 2 transmitters, as long as you start the first one less than 2 months after reception, and the second one follows within 90 days, you are good for the regular life of both transmitters. If you start the second transmitter 5 months and 1 day after shipping, if it is DOA or dies before 90 days you are out of luck. ---
**Author:** ![T1Allison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c77e96/32.png) [@T1Allison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/T1Allison)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 3:08pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/25 "2020-03-27T15:08:04Z")
I’m noticing that my G5 transmitter box labels do not include an SB Ship By date. Only the manufactered date. Just tried to start one that was manufactured in April 2019. Wouldn’t pair. Trying one manufactured May 2019 now. My supplier tends to send me stuff that was manufactured a while ago. ---
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 5:02pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/26 "2020-03-27T17:02:21Z")
> [@T1Allison](#): > > My supplier tends to send me stuff that was manufactured a while ago. Darn. That is not good when dealing with Dexcom transmitters. ---
**Author:** ![T1Allison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c77e96/32.png) [@T1Allison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/T1Allison)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 5:40pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/27 "2020-03-27T17:40:49Z")
May 2019: also wouldn’t pair Trying my other May 2019 now… ---
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 5:52pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/28 "2020-03-27T17:52:40Z")
In September 2019 we started a May 2018 transmitter. It lasted only about 10 days. Of course, at that level it is an issue of odds. Some will pair, some not. Some will last longer than others. ---
**Author:** ![T1Allison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c77e96/32.png) [@T1Allison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/T1Allison)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 6:46pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/29 "2020-03-27T18:46:09Z")
This second May 2019 transmitter did pair. 🤞🤞🤞 ---
**Author:** ![T1Allison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c77e96/32.png) [@T1Allison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/T1Allison)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 12:04pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/30 "2020-04-10T12:04:31Z")
…and it died two weeks later at 1AM…which means the app screamed at me every five minutes for 45 minutes with me snoozing it in my sleep until I woke up and realized which beep it was. I ended up turning my phone off entirely bc you can’t silence a transmitter alarm for good so far as I can tell. I turned my phone on this morning (after waking up with no help from my usual phone alarm clocks since my phone was off) and it started screaming the transmitter warning scream immediately and thereafter every five minutes. ---
**Author:** ![jim26](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/jim26/32/9780_2.png) [@jim26](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/jim26)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 1:09pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/31 "2020-04-10T13:09:44Z")
> [@T1Allison](#): > > I ended up turning my phone off entirely bc you can’t silence a transmitter alarm for good so far as I can tell. I have Android and I can go into phone settings and Force Stop the app. It shuts down the dexcom app and stops all readings and alarms. Allows you to keep using your phone, but shut up Dexcom. I do this during the dreaded first 8 hours of a new sensor when my readings are way off(low). Not sure if that works for iOS. ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/eric/32/9209_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 1:15pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/32 "2020-04-10T13:15:18Z")
I had a start-by Jan 2019 transmitter some sweetie ❤ sent me. I tried using it this week. Sadly it did not start. ☹ dexcom lifespan ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/fudiabetes/original/2X/e/edd79181a4a5cbf650bc9a9ecfec57935ff66f17.png) insulin lifespan ---
**Author:** ![T1Allison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c77e96/32.png) [@T1Allison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/T1Allison)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 5:29pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/33 "2020-04-10T17:29:05Z")
80 minute phone call with Dexcom: I learned: -they consider G5 shelf life to be 5 months from when they ship the transmitter from the MANUFACTURER to the DISTRIBUTOR -they only warranty G5 transmitters within 5 months of the ship date to the distributor (not the ship date to me), or if it failed within 90 days of the day I received it -Dexcom can see my transmitter starts and stops through my app…they inexplicably cannot see all of the failed pairings with the other transmitters…they had no way to verify that the transmitters wouldn’t pair -the Dexcom India call center is completely closed due to the pandemic -I spoke to a call rep working from his home in Cincinnati -call reps have discretion to do “goodwill” replacement of high value items such as transmitters and receivers…this is based on the call rep, their supervisor, your order history, and your replacement history -I elected to not burn my “goodwill” option on a G5 transmitter today since I imagine I will be forced to the G6 soon None of my three transmitters were replaced bc I’d had them more than 90 days. Nevermind that I received a May 2019 transmitter in December 2019. Not covered. ---
**Author:** ![Chris](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/chris/32/382_2.png) [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 5:41pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/34 "2020-04-10T17:41:25Z")
That really sucks, will your distributer give you a free one? I ask because they are the one that shipped you a transmitter late. ---
**Author:** ![T1Allison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c77e96/32.png) [@T1Allison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/T1Allison)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 5:57pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/35 "2020-04-10T17:57:58Z")
I asked Dexcom if I’m supposed to call them when I get old stuff and the guy didn’t know. I don’t have the bandwidth to deal with my distributor today. It is my impression they send stuff out that is just barely not expired. My last batch of sensors was that way. I’m not in the habit of killing transmitters or sensors early just to stay in warranty so it does suck. I’ll be switching in a few months to G6 so hopefully this is all moot. 🤞🤞🤞 ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/eric/32/9209_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 7:28pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/36 "2020-04-10T19:28:43Z")
> [@T1Allison](#): > > I’ll be switching in a few months to G6 😀 > **Hot Chocolate - You Gsixy Thing** > **By Hot Chocolate** > > I believe in miracles > Where you from? > You Gsixy thing, Gsixy thing you > > I believe in miracles > Since you came along > You Gsixy thing [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YUY9Y9RFiHY/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGGUgTShEMA8=&rs=AOn4CLC4k03M5LvqAxCt28lBxJiqfmqk4A "Hot Chocolate- You Sexy Thing (original)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUY9Y9RFiHY) Sorry, a song just flew by and I needed to get that out. Hot Chocolate? Sexy thing? Anyone?!? Never mind. Just go back to your diabetes. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![elver](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/elver/32/8772_2.png) [@elver](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/elver)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 10:20pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/37 "2020-04-10T22:20:53Z")
@T1Allison you can always do a battery replacement on the G5 transmitters, especially if they were never activated/paired. The internal clock would still read zero. Might be handy for helping to stockpile G6 equipment right after your transition. ---
**Author:** ![Sam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/sam/32/10595_2.png) [@Sam](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 11:27pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361/38 "2020-04-10T23:27:58Z")
It could be worse, you could have solara then it would take 5 months of begging them to send you a 2018 transmitter [Previous page](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/stockpiling-dexcom-g5-transmitters-how-long-do-they-last/3361.md?page=1)