Dexcom G6

I bought these to use with the Omnipod 5 system. Omnipod provides no help for using these with Omnipod 5s. Service is certainly lacking from Dexcom and their response to Omnipod 5 users is "we don"t know Omnipod 5". Omnipod should have reconsidered joining Dexcom at all. The first Dexcom 6 transmitter only lasted 5 days. The second (replacement that took 6 days to get) transmitter would not pair with either Omnipod or Dexcom receiver. The third transmitter (and sensors) I had to purchase online from Canada, actually worked. Went through 5 sensors, they only replaced 3. Took them 11 days to send the third transmitter (which I have not tried yet because the Canadian one worked). Terrible customer support! And nowhere to complain. Are they using old stock since the 7 is coming out? I wonder. Medicare will not allow for replacements for defective products, and the cost for replacements is prohibitively high. I only got to use these CGMs for 5 out of 45 days due to customer disservice of Dexcom.

Length of Use: Less than 3 months

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I have been using the G6 for over four years. During the first few years, the sensor would fail every few months. Yet, Dexcom was very willing and friendly to have it replaced. However, during the last twelve months, the sensor failure rate has increased to at least once a month. Therefore, the company has become resistant to replacing the sensor. The only reason I use the G6 is because it is the only sensor my pump works with.

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

This thing cannot consistently read my blood sugar after the first day of it being on is over. Always cutting in and out, have taken every advice from my doctor and Dexcom themselves and nothing has helped. From hydrating like crazy to having it listed as the only Bluetooth device on my phone, nothing helps. Stick to finger sticks or the libre, this thing is not worth it, and this is coming from someone who has been using Dexcoms since they became approved in the US. Horrible company and customer service is a joke.

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I have had nothing but terrible customer service with Dexcom, the past two times we have needed sensors, they tell me we will get those sent out and after a couple of days of not receiving an email that the order was placed or shipped, I call and they tell me oh, the sensors are on back order. It is a constant problem with them and something needs to be done as the person that needs the sensors now has to go without their Dexcom because they can't seem to keep up with the demand. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Been using Dexcom for years. Lately customer service and tech service has gone downhill. It's like pulling teeth to get thru on the phone, then even harder to have your order shipped before you run out. Called tech service several times last night. Appears they no longer offer 24-hour, 7 days per week service. I have encouraged several fellow diabetics in the past to use Dexcom. Sorry but service has really slipped.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Have been a freestyle Libre user for 18 months with a Miao Miao and thought I would try a Dexcom.

Insertion is OK and it is compact, etc. Software interface is easy enough, however...

Signal loss issues. I can't tell you how annoying it is to wait up to 30 minutes to reconnect it to my phone if I walk to the other end of the house or just go into the next room without my phone.

I went for a run this morning and when I got back I did a few things in the next room, you guessed it, signal loss, been waiting 20+ minutes for it to reconnect all the time wondering about my levels after my run. So off to do blood pricks.

With the Libre and Miao Miao, the range is much much larger and when it drops out it instantly reconnects. I mean how hard can it be?

In all, it is a NO from me. I will spend my cash on the Libre Miao Miao combo.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I updated my operating system about a month ago and it seldom works. If they're gonna sell this product, they should be able to keep up with the operating systems. I do not recommend this.

Length of Use: 3–6 months

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I have experienced problems with the sensor. I get false readings. Yesterday I was awakened by a low blood sugar alarm. I did a finger stick and my blood sugar was 134. I calibrated. It took 3 tries. According to the start point, my bs was 39. Then it happened again about an hour later. This started at about 2 am. Re-calibrated again. Took several tries. Then early in the morning, I got a false high blood sugar reading — my blood sugar was 189. Calibrated AGAIN. No sleep. The same thing happened the next night at 3 am. I have had sensor troubles before and it is always the same lot number 9117. I requested and reported this and I am still getting these sensors. I am a type 1 diabetic and rely on my bs readings. They need to be accurate.

Length of Use: 3–6 months

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I actually love my CGM. It has changed my life. However, getting in touch with customer service, ordering supplies or getting your supplies from the company is horrible and disastrous. They do not allow you to order online. You can't reach a live person ever and they always have to call you back. I have not received my order for this month and have been without supplies for almost two weeks. I have been hung up on twice since Monday and they still have not "approved" my order with their internal documentation department even though my insurance company has already approved it. My provider has called and tried to contact the local rep to no avail. If I could use another company I would, but they are the contracted company for my insurance.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

This is my first CGM and I absolutely love it! A few problems with the app though:

1.) To say that it drains your phone battery insanely fast is an understatement. My battery before this app would last 8 to 10 hours on a full charge but with this app, it doesn't even last 2 hours. Something has to be done about this because it couldn't be more inefficient.

2.) The dumbest thing in the world is that the app won't work unless you give permission to override the do not disturb function which it will wake you up as it keeps losing connection. It was a very dumb idea to institute this.

3.) The adhesive on the sensors doesn't last near ten days and having to input a code every time you use a new sensor makes it so that you can literally only use the device for 2 weeks then you have to go back to the old way until you can refill your prescription for more sensors.

4.) It's crazy that the app isn't compatible with all types of smartphones. I don't understand why there is such a limited number of devices the app is compatible with.

5.) Also an unbelievable waste of material making the sensor inserter 95% garbage. The cost of this device is way too high. I will give it 3 months until I move on to a different type of CGM.

Length of Use: Less than 3 months

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I have been a Type 1 diabetic for over 35 years.

I have been using Dexcom for over two years now, and it has revolutionized the way I treat my diabetes. Instead of getting only 7–10 readings per day (from fingersticks), I can see the trends in my glucose readings every five minutes throughout the day. This allows me to be in MUCH better control of my diabetes, and I am incredibly thankful for that. I think the use of Dexcom will add years to my life.

There is only one product attribute that I wish was a bit better. The adhesive that keeps the sensor on your body could be quite a bit stronger (a particular issue for someone with body hair). It tends to start coming up from my skin after 5–6 days (even when using an over patch), and I'm constantly having to check that the sensor is secure from that point until Day 10 when the sensor expires. I wish I could be more confident in the adhesion of the sensor. I used to use the Freestyle Libre before Dexcom and that sensor didn't have the same adhesion issues, so I'm hoping Dexcom is working on this aspect of their product. Once that is done, it will be near perfect.

I will say that the readings are a bit off when you first apply a sensor, so it is very important to calibrate it right away by using a fingerstick. I'm routinely getting readings that are 30 points lower than what the fingerstick produces when I first apply the sensor. But, once I calibrate things, the readings between the Dexcom and fingersticks are very, very similar.

The major problem with Dexcom is that I have to work through Edgepark (a medical supply distributor) to get the product. This wasn't always the case, as I used to be able to order directly from Dexcom with no issue. But they must have determined that it would save cost if they made all customers work through Edgepark. Fair enough, except Edgepark is a disaster and I'm not being dramatic. It took Edgepark over 30 days to process my last order (which meant I was without Dexcom for almost 20 days), and they put my endocrinologist through quite a process during that period, as well.

Specifically, they needed to confirm my prescription (which is understandable). They were routinely contacting the wrong doctor's office in the process, even after I got involved to make sure they had the correct contact information. (This was odd because they always got in touch with the correct doctor on prior orders.) And worse, they never reached out to me to let me know they were having issues; I had to figure that out on my own by following up with Edgepark several times throughout the month. And then, when they finally did get in contact with the correct doctor, they kept changing the "ask" of her. First, it was the case notes, which were provided. Then it was an authorization form, which was also then provided. Then they were complaining that the form was not completed correctly, despite the fact that my endocrinologist completes these same forms for many patients every day. In the end, the only way things got done was that my endocrinologist had to call Edgepark herself, which seems like a poor use of her time.

I got the distinct impression that Edgepark was trying to drag things out, either because they didn't have the supply chain in order to ship my product or because they were trying to push out the billing to my insurance. I'm not sure, but it was very, very fishy. I have filed a complaint with the FDA against Edgepark as a result of all of this, and, if this continues to be an issue, I will be going back to the Libre despite the fact that I love the Dexcom technology. It took dozens of hours of my time during the 30 days and I don't love the Dexcom technology more than Libre enough to justify that level of effort.

So I hope that Dexcom either finds a new distributor or goes back to fulfilling orders themselves.

Dexcom will tell you that Edgepark is "getting better", but that was not my experience.

I wish I could give this five stars, and I would if not for the fact that you have to work through Edgepark.

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend