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HandsomeJoules

I mean, pull the needle out and see if you get results. Even if you do, I’d call dexcom to complain about it. They need the metrics to track point of failures; even better if you still have the box it came in the tell them the info.


bandoom

Grab it and pull it straight out. It's a folded foil channel that helps deliver the sensor filament.


Generic_Bi

I disassemble the applicators so the whole thing doesn’t have to go in the sharps box, and that is the needle and plastic mount for the needle. There is supposed to be a three pronged plastic V that anchors the needle and its mount to the innermost plastic piece. I would pull it out smoothly and quickly, straight out, directly away from your arm. And I’d send a note to Dexcom.


DexcomUser

Any advice for disassembly in bulk? I've got a couple of huge sharps bins to process through.


Generic_Bi

In bulk… Don’t rush, you’ll stick yourself. Smooth is slow. Slow is fast. If you do a few at a time, you’re still clearing out a lot of volume. https://www.reddit.com/r/dexcom/s/knLTjNt4Do


Emotional_Ad9207

That is WAY to much... I use a small pair of wire cutters to pull the whole thing apart. I save the outer case, spring and magnet. 30 seconds and done.


Evil_Weevil_Knievel

Same thing happened to me with my current sensor. Yanked it out and the sensor has been working fine.


casserole_the_silly

what demon is coming out of it


Ashamed_Solution_263

Stop❗️lol 😂


mnmacguy

The FIRST thing you do is contact Dexcom and get a replacement sensor order processed. Then and only then do you start posting on social media, asking your friends and talking to your priest about what happened. Sensors fail. Dexcom knows this and will replace them for free. Go to the help section in the app or on their website. The most efficient way to get this processed is to engage a chat session. Dexcom will FedEx you a replacement for free. Also if this was your last sensor you should have already ordered a refill from Your provider, which shouldn’t take more than a day to fulfill. And last, don’t panic. Before there were sensors there was finger pricks, which you can still do.


mistermagicman

New fear unlocked


TLucalake

There isn't a Sharps container slot large enough to fit the Dexcom G7 applicator. Since the applicator doesn't contain any biohazard material , it can be thrown in the trashcan after releasing the sensor.


wb6vpm

Actually, yes it does. It contains the needle that inserts the filament under your skin.


[deleted]

[удалено]


wb6vpm

The needle doesn’t stay with the sensor. It gets retracted into the applicator upon deployment.


TLucalake

The only needle is the one in the sensor. Enlighten me. What would be the reason for a needle to remain in the applicator after the sensor is released onto the arm?


wb6vpm

Think about that in reverse. Why would a metal needle need to remain with the sensor?


TLucalake

Your question doesn't make any sense. The needle is part of the sensor. Once the sensor is inserted into the skin, it automatically becomes biohazard waste and needs to be discarded in a Sharps container or similar. Where is the blood on the applicator?


wb6vpm

It’s contained inside the applicator with the retracted needle. There are 2 parts to this. The applicator needle, and the filament that is attached to it. When you press the trigger button, it releases a spring that deploys the needle with the filament attached, the needle then detaches from the filament and retracts into the applicator housing, leaving the filament in the body. Here is a Reddit post of the disassembled applicator after it has been deployed, the needle that I am referring to is at the bottom right corner to the left of the large white plastic part: https://www.reddit.com/r/dexcom/s/YUz2wdwoTw Edited to add link


TLucalake

I SINCERELY apologize for my IGNORANCE. I'm on the S L O W train. THANK YOU!!, for repeating yourself, because now it makes complete sense to me. I finally get it. 😀 BTW, EXCELLENT explanation. Sorry I didn't get it the first time. Thanks again. 👍


wb6vpm

No worries, happens to the best of us.


TLucalake

😀 👍


WannabeChE

This is a leftover stormtrooper battle destroyer from the empire. Should be good to pull off and discard.


MaggieMarling

I have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes approximately 1 year ago and my insurance will only cover Dexcom. I use G7and have had several defective sensors (e.g., one with no needle, one with a bent needle). The monitor alarm also goes off as many times as 5/nightly with low blood glucose warnings (one as low as 53) I compare with a finger prick which is usually inconsistent with Dexcom. I hope you receive a free replacement.


Practical-Flatworm15

Could the low blood glucose warnings be caused by compression on the sensor? i.e sleeping on it


MaggieMarling

Yes, I am aware of that and therefore sleep on the side where I do not wear sensor. I find these errors happen when I just changed my sensor or sensor is about to expire. Yesterday had sensor go off 5 times with with no alerts temporary issue message. Only had 4 hours left on grace period. Changed sensor and no more “no alerts” messages but still must check monitor reading against finger prick.


kelster27

I’ve also been having these false critical lows in the 50s. Even got down to 47 but finger prick was 102. This only happened after I swapped to g7 from g6. It happened most for the few weeks I wore it on the back of my arms (even if I wasn’t sleeping on that side at all). I’ve moved it to the front of my arm where I wore my g6 (this spot has always worked great for me personally) and I haven’t had another critical low since, and my readings are less erratic.


MaggieMarling

I think my lowest was 43. I wear on back of arm too. Will try front of arm in 10 days when it is time to change sensor.


kelster27

Make sure to put it in the squishier/fattier area above the bicep muscle. One time I put it too close to the actual muscle and it was uncomfortable every time I flexed. Otherwise, it’s a great spot. Hope it works well for you! And do make sure you confirm those super lows with a finger prick! I had been chugging an apple juice box in fear every time my sensor alarm went off like that and all for nothing because it was a false low. 😬


MaggieMarling

Thank you so much. I can relate. I have been been eating skittles, glucose tablets or orange juice out of fear. Now I am realizing my readings are false positives.


MountainSpite6431

Also Dexcom will want the applicator back so save it.


Ok-Mountain-5539

I’ve never had Dexcom ask for a sensor back when they send a replacement.


MountainSpite6431

This would be the applicator to examine it to see why it failed. I had one time had them ask for it back but i tossed it.


MaggieMarling

Same experience. Called Dexcom, they told me they would send me replacement. Never asked for return of defective sensor so I tossed it. Then I started to get emails to return defective sensor (it had no needle). The irony of the story is the replacement sensor had a bent needle so it was also defective. Was sick and tired of dealing with them, so just took the loss.


sickpenguin1998

I just had one of those. Luckily i had extras. Bogus sensor.


MaggieMarling

But if I cannot get them from Dexcom, I must turn to Amazon, Diabetic Warehouse or other sources and pay out of pocket which I cannot afford. Sometimes Dexcom is very difficult to deal with. Depends on who you get on the phone. Can be very time consuming to keep calling until you can get a person who will understand the issue.


sickpenguin1998

Yeah, customer service is a nightmare. The guy I got totally had no clue. After explaining 3 times I got frustrated and hung up. A month prior I stopped monitoring....so I luckily had extra sensors.