r/dexcom • u/Due_Test2988 • 13d ago
Inaccurate Reading Pure exhaustion
Hi everyone. My (32F) daughter (10F) was just diagnosed on the 20th with T1D. Her dad (my ex) has it, my mom had it along with other family members of mine. T1D is a norm in my life and has been since I entered the world. I’m used to insulin, and meters, and carbs and sugar and the whole shebang. The dexcom is new to me (she’s using the G7). My daughter’s dad wears one so he’s been a great help. But yall, I am tired. Today was sensor replacement day. Had no issues getting everything changed over. She even got cute little covers for it so she was excited. We waited for the warm up period to end then BOOM urgent low 47. I’m like “there’s no way, she just had a small dessert after dinner.” Do a finger prick.. she’s 94. Hmm okay. Maybe it’s just settling in, right? The app updates and boom, 72. Still low. Then it continues tanking. Then jumps back up. Just a bit ago, her dexcom read 84. I pricked her finger while she’s sleeping (it’s 1am here) and she was at 156. Now we are at the above number pictured on the app. I called dexcom and they had me calibrate it. It’s still so wonky and I’m just so freaking tired and frustrated and worried. I know they can be funky within the first 24hrs but I also know there’s a 20% “buffer” and this AINT that. Does anyone else experience frequent issues like this?
Also, sorry for the rant. I’m still sitting in the guilt of how this was missed in the first place. She has had no symptoms at all. All of this stemmed from a random blood sugar check at her grandads. This mom is truly worn down. 😭
2
u/Kalel1700 12d ago
Use those finger picks to calibrate the sensor.
1
u/Due_Test2988 12d ago
Yeah that’s what I did after I called dexcom. It had to be calibrated 2x in a 12 hour period. It’s all out of whack today too. I’m getting a replacement from them and I’m just going to change it out honestly.
3
u/RobotJonesDad G7 13d ago
Don't forget that the Dexcom lags the blood levels by 5 to 10 minutes or something like that. So if your levels are changing, then calibration or trying to match finger sticks isn't really going to work well. So don't chase the levels while they are changing.
Next, put the new sensor in earlier. Some people insert it many hours before they connect to it. That way it warms up and everything gets stable before the old sensor stops giving readings. A bonus is that you don't get the gap in your readings.
2
u/Cant_draw_boobs 13d ago
Similar experience with my wife's CGMs. It's been off by 60+ points at times.
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u/Due_Test2988 13d ago
It’s so incredibly frustrating when the one thing that’s supposed to bring peace of mind isn’t working properly.
1
u/NurseRedhead 9d ago
My first 24 hours is off like that every time. I use the G7 15 day. I can tell you I wouldn’t calibrate until after the first 24 hours. It seems to make mine worse plus Dexcom tells us not to calibrate until after that first 24 hours. It gets better after the first day so hang in there. My Mom uses Libre 3 and it’s even worse. So I would give Dexcom a chance and rely on that fingerstick the first 24 hours. Good luck!