DexCom G4 Platinum: Second Look

Arden modeling her G4 tucked into her pocket.

Arden has been wearing the new DexCom G4 Platinum CGM for every second of the last month. I initially wrote a 'First Impressions' piece about three weeks ago - let's see how things have gone since then.

Sensor Life:

The worst kept secret in the DOC is that the DexCom sensors can be restarted at the end of their seven day life and often gain accuracy as the days go on. The package insert indicates that you have to change your sensor site at the end of those seven days, I am in no way suggesting that you should ignore that direction. I'm merely sharing how we do things... Many times in the past the DexCom 7+ would happily restart twice and would still be going strong as the last bit of adhesive was holding on for dear life. So far we haven't gotten a G4 to a second restart, but I'm not giving up on getting one into the three week range. Having said that, two weeks is really very good.

Adhesive:

Not as long lasting as the 7+. The G4 is not weathering showers like that 7+ did even when covered. I wonder if DexCom changed the adhesive, maybe I'll ask.

Form and style:

The reciever is a huge inprovement in both size and shape. I've heard a few call it 'unsturdy' or 'light' but we don't have that feeling. 

The sensor is slightly taller then the last generation. I've asked Arden multiple times if the size change is annoying and she has always answered, "no". Mindful that I don't wear the product I read about what some others have said and I did find a few adults that aren't happy about the increase. Again, Arden is unfazed by the change.

Signal Range:

I have for years been unable to let Arden sleep on the sofa during her sleepovers becasue I wouldn't be able to hear her CGM. Once I even slept on the floor so that she and her friend could 'camp out' in our family room, but that was so uncomfortable that since that day sleepovers are confined to the bedroom. Until last weekend that is. On Saturday night Arden had a friend over to spend the night, she asked just as she always does if they could crash on the sofa, I said yes without hesitation becasue of the G4. Our family room is underneath of our master bedroom and the G4 cruises through walls, floors and ceiling like they aren't there. 

As the parent of a PWD this new feature trumps any other and makes the Platinum a winner in my book. Here is my Instagram picture of Arden's G4 sending a signal through the floor of her bedroom and into our kitchen. Kelly and I were watching 'The Walking Dead' on AMC while Arden slept soundly in her bed. In the past, we would have to pause the show while I ran up and down the stairs like a loon. Now we just listen for the beeps.

@ArdensDay on Instagram

The Sensor Wire:

The insertion of the sensor wire seems less painful but the real win of the wire being smaller is that Arden doesn't seem to notice it under her skin anymore while she is wearing it. It the past with the 7+, Arden would sometimes be bothered by the wire if she moved the wrong way. 

Pound the Alarm:

The alarms on the G4 are louder then the 7+. Additionally, you can vary them if the one you are using ceases to get your attention. So far the default sounds are waking me from my slumber, though Arden never hears them when she is sleeping. DexCom has samples of the alarms on this page of their site (scroll to the bottom), if you'd like to give them a listen. 

Freedom:

With the new signal range comes freedom. In a movie theater I can hold the CGM to give Arden a break. When she gets home she can take it off and roam the house without fear of dropping the signal. Arden sleeps upstairs, we live our life downstairs. I wish you could have heard the lilt in Arden's voice when she gleefully told me, "I just peed without my CGM", she was seriously thrilled that she left her receiver in the kitchen while she used the powder room, thrilled! Connected but frequently untethered is a major advancement in my opinion, it gives back some of Arden's humanity and releases burdens. 

Wrap:

I know of a couple people who have experienced build quality issues, for example Stacey's thumb pad fell off. So far we haven't had any such isues, but be sure that I will tell you if we do. 

I've always been an early adopter of technology that I believe in. I expect a few bumps along the way and take the chance on something new when I think the chance is a good bet. So far, the G4 has been a terrific bet. Wait until you see the signal range and how it changes your life.

Be Well!

Update on Monday, December 3, 2012 at 11:19AM by Scott Benner

This post is a follow up to First Impressions: DexCom Platinum G4 which can be found here.

Comments

[Steve B]

If your like me and have a hard time keeping the sensor's on your skin, I now have found the fix. I did post in the past I was using sport tape which seemed to work better than other tape I used, but it just didn't hold. I play alot of tennis at a club, around 5-6 days a week and sweat alot. The sensor's start coming off after couple of days. I was researching on line and found a product called SKIN TAC. It is made to make bandages stick on your skin much better. I ordered on line. Comes in a 4oz bottle that you simply use the applicator and wipe it on your skin and let it dry for couple min. and apply the sensor. WOW, does it stick! I've used it for couple of weeks now and its the best so far. If the edge of the sensor starts to lift up alittle, just wipe a little on and it will stick back and your good to go. Great product for people like me that have a hard time keeping those sensors on. Let me know how it works for you.

[Todd]

My 7 year old has a G4 and we love it!!! Him not so much all the time, but he never goes anywhere without his monitor. So much easier to get something done at work during his school day and so much easier to sleep at night. He likes to put his on the back side of his left arm (since he is right handed). We were having an issue with the sticking like the rest and this is our first week using the IV3000 tape under it. Until last week we were only getting 5-7 days out of the sensor with an active 7 year old. This time we are on day 8 and with the IV3000 it is still on perfect. Right or wrong we just put the IV3000 on him, then put the sensor on top of it and went through the iv3000 tape.

[Denise]

Todd,
I totally agree as a parent how much the g4 helps
With sleep( for me)... However my 12 year old daughter is
The one wearing it.. She doesn't mind it, it has helped her.
She went through a period of testing like 15 times a day. Before
The g4. Now she is better. We cut the iv3000 in half then place
It on the outside edges of the tape of the g4. We have actually gone
18 days before needing to change the sensor. My advice is
That if you are going to insert the sensor on the tape, cut a hole in the
Middle of the tape. Then if you look on the sensor you can gage
Where the needle will poke through. Just so you don't damage
The sensor going through the tape. You may want to try what we do it
Seems to work great... Beat of luck.
My daughter didn't like it in her arm to bulky. She wears hers at the top of
Her buttocks(only)...