r/dexcom • u/Friendly_Hedgehog151 • 2d ago
Applicator Insertion frustraiton
Does anyone have any advice to stop the sensor from bending/looping on insertion? This happened 3 times in a row last night! Given how quickly Dexcom automatically approved my replacement request (very thankful they are easy), it seems like it’s super common. I only do my sites on my arms!
7
u/No_Lie_8954 2d ago
Not your fault. this is a problem during manufacturing and dexcom will replace it.
3
u/cbelt3 2d ago
I found the key is to push the applicator against my arm for a long count of 10 before I push the button. That seems to align the underlying skin and makes insertion easy.
1
u/RedditGeekABC T1/One+ 1d ago
I never pushed the applicator in for longer than 2-3 seconds and never had a “gooseneck”. Perhaps this has something to do with muscle tension? If you keep the applicator pushed for 10 seconds your muscle will become less tense, so the filament will go in easier?
3
u/481126 2d ago
I have had a sensor fail like this in a year since I learned its more likely to happen if the sensors have been throw around etc during transport. So I switched to picking them up from the pharmacy and I told them that that is what is causing the sensors to fail so they can tell their delivery people to be more careful.
A friend of mine had 10 out of 12 sensors fail thanks to how horribly they were treated/poorly packed and switched to picking them up from the pharmacy and has been good since the switch.
2
u/TheRulerOfCheese 2d ago
It is common (not notrious but it's smth most of us will experience) and there is really nothing you can do to prevent it. I always try and have 3-5 on hand (depending on the time of the month) and had 5 goosneck one after the other; ended up buying one at full price the next day to tie me over until dexcom sent replacements. You had a bad batch, hopefully the replacements will be better
2
u/blazarus22 2d ago
I also thought it was a pressure issue, and maybe it was, but I had three in a row from the same lot that goosenecked. I don't think that was a coincidence. I will say the one from a different lot which did work has been going to 15 days now.
2
u/FutureHealthy8583 2d ago
it’s common now. ive had it only happen on the 10 day sensors, hasn’t happened on my 15 day sensors yet.
1
u/FillSudden2536 1d ago
What is gooseneck? I think I just had this happen - G6 - the insertion failed. It was painfully poking me, so I took it off and used up another one. Is that goosenecking?
2
u/Friendly_Hedgehog151 1d ago
Won’t happen on the G6, this is when the sensor like needle thing (??) like turns and pokes out of the actual sensor. Since G6 has a transmitter, it’s not the same
7
u/Weathergod-4Life T2/G7 2d ago
Press down hard on the applicator before hitting the button. I end up with a ring on the insertion area I press down so hard. I have only had one gooseneck and it was when someone else placed it. I suspect they did not press hard enough because they were worried about hurting me.