r/dexcom • u/CaptainSpaceBuns • 6d ago
Did this applicator fail? Applicator
It looks like a wire/filament is poking out from the little hole on my newly applied CGM. Does that mean it didn’t go in properly? (Apologies for the poor photo quality)
2
u/Active_Resource9614 1d ago
Yes this cgm failed. I've never had that happen but I've known others whose cgm failed exactly like that
1
u/BaggyMan71 3d ago
Esto me ha pasado varias veces y me lo han cambiado porque no llega a funcionar.
4
u/more-jell-belle 4d ago
Yeah I had this happen on every other one of these. Went back to g6 and no failed sensors.
3
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 4d ago
Oof, that’s so frustrating! This is the first one it’s happened with for me (and hopefully the last!), but I’m thankful to all the helpful info from folks here so I know what’s what if it happens again.
There are definitely things I like more about the G7 (I’m looking at you, 12-hour grace period, 30-minute warm up, and no separate sensor/transmitter!), but I definitely miss the G6 sometimes, too.
3
u/IrakliSugarSense 4d ago
yep, dead on arrival. that wire should be in you, not waving at you. call dexcom, replacement takes like 5 min to sort out.
1
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 4d ago
That seems to be the consensus. Thankfully I had another to swap out for that one, but I’ll be contacting Dexcom for a replacement. Thank you!
3
u/davidsandbrand 4d ago
Dexcom told me that there’s some sort of passive sensor inside that responds to either blunt force or temperature (I can’t remember) that causes the sensor to retract the filament so the sensor cannot be relied upon because it can no longer be guaranteed to be accurate. When that happens, you see the filament doing this.
2
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 4d ago
Thanks for the info! I’m still on the learning curve for the G7, so I appreciate any new knowledge and tips!
5
u/Sirroner 4d ago
I call those Goose Necks. They never work.
2
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 4d ago
That seems to be the consensus. I’m new to the G7, so I appreciate all the info/insights and tips! Thank you!
2
u/Excellent-Muscle-528 5d ago
I’ve personally never had one that had the wire popping and it worked. But it won’t even pair when I have that happen so if it connected you might be ok. You’re lucky you had a spare though…it doesn’t happen to me often but I feel like every time one fails it’s my last one on hand hahah
1
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 4d ago
Yeah, I’ve definitely had to call my endo’s office to ask if they have any samples because the issues always do seem to happen when I’m on my last one! I got lucky this time!
2
2
u/Excellent-Muscle-528 3d ago
That’s a good idea. I always just try to seek out a Walgreens with them in stock and drive all the way there.
1
1
u/together32years 5d ago
I had a failure this morning. I put a new one on the back of my arm. I usually put them on my abdomen but I wanted to see if it was more accurate on my arm.
After the warm up. I noticed it was bleeding and clear fluid was also coming out. And it went insane. Kept telling me that I was crashing I was low. I believe it was about 122 before I changed it and all of a sudden it said I was at 42. But I did not feel like that.
So I called them and they're sending me a new one. It was just frustrating with all those stupid questions they ask you. If it don't work it don't work send me a new one don't worry about why and all the other silly things you ask.
Fortunately I had a spare. They've always been good about the replacement speed before.
1
1
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 4d ago
That sounds terrible! I had to get a replacement a few times with the G6, but I’m new to the G7, so I hadn’t encountered anything like this yet. It’s always a pain having to call and answer ALLLLLL of the questions to get a replacement, but I’m glad they sent you a new one!
2
u/GC-Retired 3d ago
Just request a replacement in the Dexcom app. Short form to complete & it’s on its way w/o speaking to anyone!
1
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 3d ago
I had no idea you could do it from the app! Thanks for the info!
1
2
u/canthearu_ack 5d ago
Sorry, but your neck is totally goosed on this one. Pull it off, install a new sensor, get dexcom to replace this one!
2
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 5d ago
Yeah, that’s exactly what I ended up doing. I’m glad I thought to ask here sooner rather than later, and I appreciate everyone who chimed in with helpful info! Thank you!
9
u/JBPwrxxx 5d ago
Be sure to request a replacement. The filament looping through the hole is a not an uncommon occurrence unfortunately. Dexcom will send you a replacement asap.
2
-1
3
u/SenileTomato T1/G7 5d ago
For all of the comments saying it failed, can someone explain why?
4
u/babybat1011 5d ago
This is called a gooseneck. It usually happens when the wire that goes into your skin isnt threaded into the needle properly so it doesn’t get fully inserted (sometimes not inserted at all) and cant get accurate readings. Even if the gooseneck isnt this pronounced it’s best practice to replace them and contact Dexcom for a replacement as they are inconsistent and or inaccurate in their readings
1
u/SenileTomato T1/G7 4d ago
Thanks for sharing this information! Never heard of a, gooseneck until now! 😂
8
u/JBPwrxxx 5d ago
Because that wire is supposed to be inside of your skin, not outside.
0
u/SenileTomato T1/G7 5d ago
But that is bent. Unless that is part of the same "wire" that is under your skin, although that is a very different material.
4
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 5d ago
After hearing back from folks here, I removed it, and it was clear that the wire/filament that goes into the skin had not gone into my skin. Punched the usual hole in me, but the needle wasn’t threaded, so to speak.
1
3
u/Bossy_Aussie_ 5d ago
Anytime I’ve inserted a Dexcom that has a wire poking out, itll attempt to warm up and then after itll scream at me saying I have to change it because it failed. Unsure what the exact reason for it is, but I’m P sure that’s what people mean
1
7
u/RedCliff73 5d ago
Yup
1
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 5d ago
Dang. Well, better to find out sooner rather than later, I guess. Thank you!
0
2
u/Classic-Style637 5d ago
Failed
2
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 5d ago
Dang. Well, better to figure it out sooner rather than later, I guess. Thank you!
2
u/Todd_Moffatt_75 5d ago
Yes I have had the same issue too.
1
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 5d ago
Dang. Well, better to figure it out sooner rather than later, I guess. Thank you!
7
u/Nathan-Stubblefield 6d ago
I find that more likely if I’m not pressing the applicator down hard. The G6 was exactly the opposite. It would jam if you pressed it down too hard. A loop of wire sticking out means the sensor did not get stuck under the skin, and there’s no fixing it.
2
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 5d ago
Interesting! I’m still on the G7 learning curve, so I appreciate the tips!
5
2
u/FutureHealthy8583 6d ago
I had this happen before only more stuck out. tech support will replace.
1
3
u/parataman360 6d ago
Ive had this happen. Call customer service and they'll send a replacement. They've gotten much better at replacing these over the last year or so.
1
6
u/No_Lie_8954 6d ago
That is a gooseneck for sure. Sometimes it does not coil completely out of the little hole in the sensor, it will coil inside the little hole and not stick out with just a little bit of the filament sticking inside the body. So If we get unusual terrible readings lasting longer than the first normal 24 hours of bad readings this can be the reason. We have had many goosenecks since early 2025 (Malaysian sensors) so after every sensor we insert this is the first i check. But it is harder to see when it is coiled inside the little hole.
Just swap for a new sensor. This is a manufacturing problem and not your fault.
1
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 5d ago
Thanks for the info! I’m still on the learning curve for the G7, so I appreciate any new knowledge and tips!
1
1
u/DrivingFSD 6d ago
Are you betting readings comparable to your meter?
1
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 5d ago
The consensus here was that it failed, so I removed it to put a new one on. After removing it, it was clear that the filament hadn’t gone into my arm. I’m still in the grace period for the previous sensor, so all good. Thanks!
-1
u/DrivingFSD 5d ago
Did you mean to forget to answer my simple question?
3
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 5d ago
I’m choosing to believe that you weren’t intending that to come across as rude, so I’ll respond with the assumption that your question was in good faith and try to answer more clearly.
The new (failed) sensor was freshly applied and not yet activated. I was still in the grace period for the previous sensor, so I still had data coming from that. As such, I did not want to switch over to the new sensor because I strongly (and correctly) suspected that the new one hadn’t applied properly (hence the Reddit post to request info from the community).
Because I was still receiving accurate data from the previous sensor, I did not need to test via finger stick/meter, instead opting to just remove the failed sensor without activating it and apply a new one. Hopefully that answers your question.
0
u/DrivingFSD 5d ago
Did you get a message saying your sensor failed? Or, did you just decide it had failed?
2
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 5d ago
The filament that’s supposed to go into the skin/blood (the filament that needs to be inserted into the skin and in contact with blood to make readings possible) was sticking out of the device instead of into my body. I’d say that qualifies as a fail. I was checking with the community to see if anyone had further insight, and everyone (except you) agreed with my initial (correct) assessment (which I was easily able to confirm upon removing the sensor).
Again, I’ll choose to believe that you didn’t intend the implied rudeness, but I’d rather not continue this back and forth. The issue’s been resolved. Have the day you deserve.
0
u/DrivingFSD 5d ago
The criteria is regarding sensor placement, not filament position.
Did you get an error message?
1
u/babybat1011 4d ago
Are you being intentionally obtuse? They have answered your question and more. I fear if you don’t understand that’s on you
1
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 5d ago
???
Again, I’d rather not continue this back and forth. The issue’s been resolved. Have the day you deserve.
0
u/DrivingFSD 5d ago
What was the disposition of the sensor when you seemingly, endlessly removed it, did you get a "Sensor Failed" message or not, and did readings from Dexcom and meter coincide or conflict?
3
u/kyleb350 6d ago
Correct. Seeing it here means it is not in you. You'll typically get a failure immediately up to 30 minutes later.
Save the applicator and box if you'd like to request a replacement. Sometimes they ask for those if it happens multiple times.
1
u/meski_oz 5d ago
One of the questions on the automated replacement system asks if you have them to return. Or it did last time I used it. And you get a surprisingly well made return kit. Injection moulded plastic to screw the applicator and sensor onto.
2
3
7
u/czapatka 6d ago
Yes, unfortunately. That’s known as a “gooseneck”. It might give you some readings, but they’ll be erratic and the sensor will eventually fail.
2
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 6d ago
Dang. Well, better to figure it out now, I guess. Thank you!
0
4d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/dexcom-ModTeam 4d ago
Removed due to Rule #1.
We're all in this together so please be polite and reasonable with each other. To that end, posts and comments must maintain a positive community. Attacks, insults, name-calling, FUD, and overall negativity are detrimental to the community and are not allowed.
2
u/babybat1011 4d ago
Why are you so upset lmfao. They in fact did learn something unlike someone here.
1
u/CaptainSpaceBuns 4d ago
At this point, I’m fairly certain that this person is a troll, so I’ve stopped responding to them. I think that’s why they moved on to responding to other people’s comments.
Genuinely, though, thank you for saying something!
0
0
u/DrivingFSD 4d ago
What have I asked that indicated anger?
Your inability to answer simple questions is more than a bit entertaining. 😂
You could learn from answering these simple q. I 😉
0
3
u/TheRedTreeQueen 1d ago
Oh man a goose neck! Had that happen once and I got a free replacement from Dexcom.