Dexcom jumpy readings

[Evergreen]

Hi everyone,

I’m wondering if I need a reality check. I currently use the Dexcom G6 with Omnipod 5. Been on this setup for nearly a year.

For the first 6/7 months I had absolutely no issues with the Dexcom, worked perfectly, very accurate from start to finish. Then suddenly one moment to the next I have been having issues with nearly every sensor, some sensors worse than others. The readings are pretty ‘jumpy’ and erratic. Still reasonably accurate but jumps up and down so difficult to dose insulin at times as you can bolus and the moment later it jumps up or down 0.8 mmol.

I’ve spoken to Dexcom and my DSN and have tried all their advice including staying hydrated and massaging the sites. Nothing has helped so far.

Now I’m wondering if I just need to accept these erratic readings as part of the deal. I haven’t so far as I didn’t have these issues before and i can’t find a reason for the change.

So I suppose my question is twofold: for someone on a closed loop system, would you be happy with this graph (please note, I’m not talking about the readings but more the jumpiness)? And does anyone else’s G6 graph look like this?

 

[Satan’s little helper]

Hello, where is the sensor placed, on the arm?

 

[SimonP]

I don't use a Dexcom, I use a libre2, but the jitter in your graph doesn't look terrible compared to what I see, though that doesn't answer your question about whether it's suitable/why it's changed/etc.

It's a shame the CGM manufacturers don't tell us what algorithm version they are running - I noticed last year that my libre2 sensors suddenly started going offline if I had large BG swings (and coming back with a calibration change) when previously they hadn't done this. Perhaps something else improved.... hmm 🙂.

As a general point I find that overnight I often get a much more jittery line, which I guess might be because I'm not moving and my heartrate is low - so low interstitial fluid turn over (and I also get some drops caused by compression lows) though whether one would expect this to generate jitter I don't know; during the day the line is typically much smoother.

With that said some sensors are much better than others: some are jittery all the time, some are smooth all the time.

 

[Evergreen]

Hello, where is the sensor placed, on the arm?

Yes on my arm. 🙂

 

[Satan’s little helper]

Yes on my arm. 🙂

It looks standard fare to me, in comparison to other documented graphs online. (I trialed G6s) Even the Libre on the arm for me can flick about within 0.8 over a few minute period? (Using the juggluco app.) looks smoother on Libre link. Hopefully, more G6ers can comment?

 

[Evergreen]

I don't use a Dexcom, I use a libre2, but the jitter in your graph doesn't look terrible compared to what I see, though that doesn't answer your question about whether it's suitable/why it's changed/etc.

It's a shame the CGM manufacturers don't tell us what algorithm version they are running - I noticed last year that my libre2 sensors suddenly started going offline if I had large BG swings (and coming back with a calibration change) when previously they hadn't done this. Perhaps something else improved.... hmm 🙂.

As a general point I find that overnight I often get a much more jittery line, which I guess might be because I'm not moving and my heartrate is low - so low interstitial fluid turn over (and I also get some drops caused by compression lows) though whether one would expect this to generate jitter I don't know; during the day the line is typically much smoother.

With that said some sensors are much better than others: some are jittery all the time, some are smooth all the time.

Thank you for your reply. That’s interesting. I have been wondering if actually this is just the way it is and I’m striving for something that isn’t ‘usual’. There definitely has been a change since September, but maybe I got lucky before September with lots of good sensors instead of unlucky since September.

As I only see my own graphs I suppose it’s difficult to say what’s ‘normal’. Sadly it’s confusing my pump at times and my time in range has been impacted by it.

 

[Evergreen]

It looks standard fare to me, in comparison to other documented graphs online. (I trialed G6s) Even the Libre on the arm for me can flick about within 0.8 over a few minute period? (Using the juggluco app.) looks smoother on Libre link. Hopefully, more G6ers can comment?

Thank you. I’m wondering if I got lucky previously and am now pursuing something that maybe isn’t so standard…definitely food for thought!

 

[Satan’s little helper]

Thank you. I’m wondering if I got lucky previously and am now pursuing something that maybe isn’t so standard…definitely food for thought!

I’d personally probably be more concerned if the dots looked like they were following a horizontal ruler? Especially if the readings didn’t tally up with a blood test.

 

[Evergreen]

I’d personally probably be more concerned if the dots looked like they were following a horizontal ruler? Especially if the readings didn’t tally up with a blood test.

Ah yes, I know what you mean. I don’t have a picture, but I don’t mean it follows a horizontal ruler, but the lines were much smoother previously. So it goes up and down with food etc, but less erratic/jumpy.

At the moment I can see that the numbers are fairly accurate, however it does depend on when I test. Sometimes I have a weird little jump or fall and if I were to test then it’s not accurate. It’s like having constant little compression lows, but even when there is no pressure on the sensor.

Hope that makes sense!

 

[Inka]

Hi @Evergreen I use the Dexcom G7 and I see what you mean. I don’t loop though. Silly question but is there any correlation with what arm you have the G6 on? I only have occasional stutters like that, but one of my arms is a bit more fussy about sensor placement than the other. It must have more/less fat or muscle. Could it be something like that contributing?

 

[Evergreen]

Hi @Evergreen I use the Dexcom G7 and I see what you mean. I don’t loop though. Silly question but is there any correlation with what arm you have the G6 on? I only have occasional stutters like that, but one of my arms is a bit more fussy about sensor placement than the other. It must have more/less fat or muscle. Could it be something like that contributing?

Hi @Inka, I’ve wondered that but there’s no difference in arm. And previous to September I used both arms in the exact same way/places and no issues then either.

I just cannot think what changed in September that has caused this. I literally cannot think of anything. It coincided with a transmitter change, but Dexcom replaced the transmitter and the issues have continued so clearly that wasn’t it.

 

[Satan’s little helper]

@Evergreen , have there been any updates back in September?

 

[Inka]

Hi @Inka, I’ve wondered that but there’s no difference in arm. And previous to September I used both arms in the exact same way/places and no issues then either.

I just cannot think what changed in September that has caused this. I literally cannot think of anything. It coincided with a transmitter change, but Dexcom replaced the transmitter and the issues have continued so clearly that wasn’t it.

Hmmm. No weight loss or gain that’s affected your body composition? No change of routine? Perhaps, as you say, it’s just a funny batch of sensors? I had to return a couple of G7s quite a time apart but I noticed the second seemed to be from the same batch as the first.

If you can’t find a cause or remedy it, I wouldn’t worry too much, unless the jumps get bigger. Your line still looks good.

 

[Evergreen]

@Evergreen , have there been any updates back in September?

Hmm…interesting! I actually am not sure. Would you know of a way of finding this out?

 

[Evergreen]

Hmmm. No weight loss or gain that’s affected your body composition? No change of routine? Perhaps, as you say, it’s just a funny batch of sensors? I had to return a couple of G7s quite a time apart but I noticed the second seemed to be from the same batch as the first.

If you can’t find a cause or remedy it, I wouldn’t worry too much, unless the jumps get bigger. Your line still looks good.

No changes at all that I can think of. It’s just so bizarre!

I’m wondering if you’re right though and I should just roll with it as it’s not too bad!

 

[nonethewiser]

Could it be a app issue? Has Dexcom suggested deleting app then downloading it again.

Not saying to do this but it's possibility, had to do this with Libre once to get latest software version to sort issue out at time.

 

[Evergreen]

Could it be a app issue? Has Dexcom suggested deleting app then downloading it again.

Not saying to do this but it's possibility, had to do this with Libre once to get latest software version to sort issue out at time.

I suppose it could be yes. They haven’t ever suggested that, but I might try! To be honest Dexcom haven’t been hugely helpful with this.

 

[nonethewiser]

I suppose it could be yes. They haven’t ever suggested that, but I might try! To be honest Dexcom haven’t been hugely helpful with this.

Maybe just check to make sure you don't lose data before trying, Dex or DSN will know answer but you shouldn't have issues logging back in if you remember your log in details.

 

[nonethewiser]

Maybe just check to make sure you don't lose data before trying, Dex or DSN will know answer but you shouldn't have issues logging back in if you remember your log in details.

Btw I'm Dex G6 user together with Omni 5 but not had this issue to date.

 

[Evergreen]

Yes will do! Thank you for the tip!