Blog - Warrior Stories
How to Wear (highlight or hide) your CGM System with Warrior, Shreya
Dexcom Warrior, Shreya*, shares her experience of wearing the Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System. Depending on the occasion, she shares tips on how to hide or (more commonly) highlight the sensor. Working for Diabetes UK, she’s on a mission to increase awareness for people living with diabetes.
Meet Dexcom Warrior, Shreya*
27-year-old Shreya was born in Kenya and has lived in London since the age of 3. This bright young woman has an education in chemistry and now works for Diabetes UK in Philanthropy and Partnerships. This was spurred on by her mission to improve outcomes for people living with diabetes and a passion for working with non-profit organisations.
She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) aged 12 while visiting family in India. Shreya was showing a lot of the T1D symptoms1, including weight loss, and her grandparents suggested visiting a local doctor. With little information to go on at the time - and not even really having heard of diabetes before - she didn’t fully understand her diagnosis at first. Later on, a bit of shock and questioning set in, especially around her “fear of needles” and the idea of finger pricks and daily insulin injections.
Luckily Dexcom CGM Systems allow for easy, comfortable and virtually painless2,3 sensor insertion†, sensor placement and zero finger pricks.‡
1. When did you start wearing CGM Systems and sensors? Have you found them comfortable to wear?
I started wearing CGMs back in 2018, first wearing a competitor brand as that’s what was available on the NHS at the time. It was surprisingly comfortable to wear but tedious having to constantly scan my sensor, as opposed to the convenience of real-time Continuous Glucose Monitoring (rtCGM) with Dexcom.
2. How long have you been wearing the Dexcom CGM Systems and which one do currently wear?
I’ve been wearing Dexcom CGMs for about a year now. Currently, I’m wearing the Dexcom G7. It’s extremely comfortable and so tiny that I sometimes don’t even notice that it’s on me or where I’ve placed it. I also love that I have such easily accessible CGM information by simply glancing at my phone or smartwatch.§
3. Where on your body do you usually wear your sensor (and why)?
I wear my Dexcom sensor on either my upper arms or lower abdomen. While most people don’t have this issue, I have very sensitive skin so like to alternate every 10 days. I did this more so with the Dexcom G6 and don’t notice it as much with the Dexcom G7. No skin irritation or itchiness, which is great!
4. Have you ever had issues with sensor insertion or placement?
No, despite my fear of needles, I’ve never really had a problem with sensor insertion and placement with the Dexcom G6 or Dexcom G7. The process has been pretty straight forward. Dexcom also provides easy step-by-step instructions on the G7 app, which I can always go back to if I have to.
5. Do you find your Dexcom sensor ever gets in the way?
No, I don’t even notice it that much and sometimes almost forget that I’m even wearing it, it’s become like second nature now. Very occasionally, the Dexcom G6 could get knocked or brushed up against things but that hasn’t happened at all with the Dexcom G7.
6. How do Dexcom sensors compare to other CGM Systems you’ve worn in the past?
Dexcom is a lot more accurate than other CGMs I’ve used in the past, especially the glucose levels it provides and calibration. The sensor is also much more comfortable to wear and less bulky, compared to competitors and even previous generations of the G series. I love that you have options for sensor placement. In terms of ‘ease of use’ and flexibility, I would sway more towards Dexcom.
7. Do you have any tips for comfortable sensor placement?
I generally like to insert it near the bottom of my abdomen – I find this placement to be the most comfortable for me. But I tend to find myself rotating it between there and my upper arms, just to avoid any potential skin irritation or bumps. You can also use CGM patches if needed to make your sensor even more secure when you’re doing physical activities.
8. Do you ever change sensor placement depending on occasion, clothing or if you want to hide it?
Absolutely. If I don’t want to show it, I’ll place it on my abdomen as its less likely to be noticed. It also depends on the weather, location, occasion and what clothing I’m wearing. Sometimes you’ll place the sensor around what you’re wearing if you want to highlight or hide it completely.
9. Do you typically like to hide or highlight your sensor?
I do both, but often find myself highlighting it and wearing it with pride. But it really depends on the situation, things like the season and what I’m doing. In winter, its hidden by layers of thicker clothing and sometimes visible in summer. If I’m around big crowds I’ll conceal the sensor to avoid it brushing up against other people.
10. Do you find it easy to hide your Dexcom sensor if you want?
Yes, if I want to do that, I've always found Dexcom sensors to be quite easy to conceal. But the Dexcom G7 in particular is so slimline and easy to hide. Even under very tight clothing, it’s barely visible. And if you want to conceal it completely, you can always change your sensor placement and dress accordingly.
11. On what occasions do you like to highlight your sensor?
I work for Diabetes UK, so I often like to highlight my sensor when I’m in the office or at diabetes events and conferences. I especially like to wear my CGM System with pride on social media – we need that representation, so I like to show it off whenever I can to increase awareness.
12. When you highlight your sensor, how do you do so?
Wearing your sensor in a visible place, usually on my arm, or with clothing that doesn’t hide it but accentuates it. I have also worn CGM patches in the past, which not only add an extra layer of stability to your sensor but allow you to show it off with bold colours and interesting designs.
13. Have you ever created a custom CGM patch? If so, what does your design represent?
I created a custom CGM patch for the World Diabetes Day #SeeDiabetes campaign. My design had a Dexcom green background, and a flower pattern design as a symbol of joy and growth. I wanted it to be as colourful and bright as possible to encourage the idea of wearing your sensor with pride.
14. Do people ever point out your sensor and ask questions about it? How does it make you feel?
Yes, they do. In the past I preferred to hide my CGM System to avoid having to answer questions about it. But now, I want to show it off whenever I can. I think it’s important to have honest conversations and educate people about diabetes, rather than a lot of the misinformation that’s out there.
15. Any final thoughts on wearing your sensor with pride?
You don’t have to always show your sensor off – it’s really a matter of choice. And the design of both the Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7 allows you to hide or highlight it as you see fit. You can simply choose different placement areas and dress around the sensor to reveal it. It's especially easy to cover up the Dexcom G7 because it’s so tiny.
But I do think it’s important to feel comfortable with wearing your CGM and embracing how the device is changing and saving lives. Depending on the occasion and your mood, you may want to show it off to celebrate this and create more awareness around diabetes.
Dexcom CGM Systems can seamlessly help you manage diabetes
Whether you want to hide or highlight your sensor, Dexcom CGM Systems are powerfully simple, seamless and discreet. With many integrations, it’s also the most connected rtCGM in the world.|| Dexcom allows you the freedom of choice – the flexibility and convenience of more wear location options than competitor brands.
Compare Dexcom CGM Systems to see which product is right for you or find out how you can access CGM through NHS funding.
References and Footnotes
* Shreya is a paid spokesperson for Dexcom.
† 84% of Dexcom G6 users and 94% of Dexcom G7 users reported that the initial sensor insertion was painless (patient survey). The Dexcom ONE uses the same applicator and sensor as the Dexcom G6.
‡ Finger pricks required for diabetes treatment decisions if symptoms or expectations do not match readings.
§ Display devices sold separately. For a list of compatible smart devices, please visit www.dexcom.com/compatibility.
|| Data on file 2022
1 Diabetes UK. Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/types-of-diabetes/type-1/symptoms (Accessed: 17/02/23).
2 Shah V LL, Wadwa P, et al. Performance of a Factory-Calibrated Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring System Utilizing an Automated Sensor Applicator. Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics. 2018;20(6).
3 Dexcom G7 User Guide. p.128.
* Shreya is a paid spokesperson for Dexcom.
† 84% of Dexcom G6 users and 94% of Dexcom G7 users reported that the initial sensor insertion was painless (patient survey). The Dexcom ONE uses the same applicator and sensor as the Dexcom G6.
‡ Finger pricks required for diabetes treatment decisions if symptoms or expectations do not match readings.
§ Display devices sold separately. For a list of compatible smart devices, please visit www.dexcom.com/compatibility.
|| Data on file 2022
1 Diabetes UK. Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/types-of-diabetes/type-1/symptoms (Accessed: 17/02/23).
2 Shah V LL, Wadwa P, et al. Performance of a Factory-Calibrated Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring System Utilizing an Automated Sensor Applicator. Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics. 2018;20(6).
3 Dexcom G7 User Guide. p.128.