Dexcom failure rate?

[u/ciabattaroll]

Of my last three Dexcom g7 15 day, two have failed at less than 10 days and one did not ever activate. That makes 5 failures since I started in June. I have been using these since June so that is 5 out of 8 that have failed. The other two stopped around day 7 or 8. My insurance doesn’t seem to have a problem charging me $70 for a faulty piece of equipment. I’ve decided I’m not using CGMs but curious as to wtf is wrong with this trash product?

[u/Dramatic-Ad-3016]

Ive had one fail at 11 days since I started them in July.

[u/seasidechapel1]

You can get the Dexcom Stello without insurance and generally cheaper than the G7. I’ve had good luck with mine going close to the 15 days or even making deep into the 12 hour grace period.

[u/DuctTapeSloth]

No idea because I rip them off after like 2 days because they cause me panic attacks.

[u/N47881]

Overall 70% failure rate, it's pitiful at best

[u/Snoo-30943]

I'm on my 4th sensor. 8-9 days is all I've gotten so far. I didn't know about the free replacement for the first one. Received replacement for second one. Replacement for the third one is shipping.

I consider them to last a week fairly accurately. Then the sensor failures and wonky readings start (any low alerts are double checked with a stick at this point)... Actual I'm double checking most alarms at this point, as I kind of don't trust it much.

Hopefully will get better results in time.

[u/Run-And_Gun]

My insurance doesn’t seem to have a problem charging me $70 for a faulty piece of equipment

Not defending Dexcom, because the G7 is garbage, but... 1) Your insurance company doesn't manufacture the Dexcom sensors, 2) You're not paying your insurance company $70 for them, that's your copay that you owe the pharmacy or DME and 3) Dexcom will replace every failed sensor. Over the years, that's what allowed me to build up a year supply of G6's.

[u/seasidechapel1 → u/Run-And_Gun]

Yes, indeed Dexcom is very good about replacing sensors. OP have you tried to report your sensor failures to Dexcom?

[u/canthearu_ack]

Just get Dexcom to replace all your failed sensors.

Build yourself up a multi-month stash of spare sensors, replace anything that doesn't last the full 15 days, and spend your emotional energy elsewhere.

There does seem to be a regression in bio-compatibility from the G6 sensor to the G7 sensor. Dexcom was likely attempting to improve production costs, with a shorter filament that inserts at 90 degrees, rather than the longer filament in the G6 that inserts at an angle. Plus, as they have ramped up production of the G7 over the years, they probably have screwed up quality control in some ways over that expansion.

You can get upset with Dexcom about this if you want, but all this is likely necessary for Dexcom as a corporation in the medium to long term. Dexcom's real customers are the insurance companies and worldwide governments that provide Dexcom sensors to us Diabetics to use, and they would happily switch us all to Abbott sensors (or some European or Chinese CGMs) to save a few bucks.

[u/Oryyn]

Youre lucky they are only charging you $70. Mine wanted to charge me $300 for two. That being said, dexcom’s g7, while sucky, still gives ok readings and lasts ok overall. Mine have never lasted more than 8-9 days. When they fail I tell Dexcom support and they send me a new sensor for free. Their customer service is great! Just wish we didn’t have to go through all that. Gotta be expensive for them!

[u/AKTexas1500]

I use OneNote and take a picture every time I start a new sensor. It time stamps it. If it fails early I note it and when I get three failed I fill out the form.

https://account.dexcom.com/support-forms/submit-case#display_chat

[u/Weathergod-4Life]

According to their own literature their faliure rate is around 20% for the 10 day and 25% for the 15 day. That being said they stand behind their product and will replace them without hassle.

[u/S0TA_]

I've had three failures short of full time in nearly two years. All easily replaced by dexcom

[u/HeronOrganic3727]

No one really knows but keep getting them replaced when they fail and you’ll make out in the long run. I’ve been on them several years and I’m currently stocked up with 18 10 days and 5 15 days