By Anna, Eversense user living with type 1 diabetes.
I first heard about the Eversense system at the ATTD conference in Paris and was instantly fascinated by the duration of the sensor (90 days in the US and 180 days in Europe), the insertion process as well as being able to monitor the CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) curves on my smartphone.
Although I was super nervous before I had the little surgery, I was even more excited about trying out the new system.
So here are some short facts about the Eversense System:
- Implantable sensor
- Lasts up to 90 days (under the skin) – it’s approved for 180 days in Europe
- Smartphone app with real-time tracking
- On-body vibration alerts (via the transmitter) when your blood sugar is low or high
- Chargeable, removable, water-resistant transmitter
- FDA approved for dosing decisions
You can see how the sensor and transmitter look and their relative size in this image below.
The implantation
The implantation process of the sensor took about 10 minutes. First, I had to decide where I wanted to wear my transmitter so that my doctor could find the right spot to implant the sensor. Afterward, the place was marked and disinfected.
After that, my doctor did a local anesthesia with zigzag incisions. We had to wait a few minutes until it started taking effect so that they could start doing the 5 to 8 mm incision in my upper arm. The sensor was then inserted with a custom inserter. Afterward, Steri-Strips were used to close the incision.
The sensor is usually implanted in the upper arm but you can choose other places if you prefer.
The transmitter
The Transmitter is worn over the sensor and wirelessly powers it to activate the transfer of glucose measurements.
After implanting the sensor, the transmitter starts receiving glucose data from it and calculates the glucose value, which is then sent to the Eversense App via Bluetooth. Even if you do not have your phone nearby, the sensor automatically receives the data every 5 minutes.
What I really like about the transmitter is its sleek and slim design as well as the on-body vibration alerts when your blood sugar is low or high. Those alarms are really helpful because I do not have to look on my phone to see what my blood sugar is doing at the moment.
One of the biggest challenges for me during the first two weeks after the implantation was the correct placement of the transmitter. To place the transmitter correctly over the sensor, you have to use the “Placement Guide” on the App so that you can see if the connection is good enough. However, after using the CGM system for quite a while now, placing the transmitter correctly got very easy.
Accuracy
Before I got the Eversense, I heard about how accurate it is and how it is supposed to be the most accurate system on the CGM market right now. And after testing it myself, I have to agree. I was really surprised at how precise it is. Of course, there are times when the CGM differs a bit from what my blood glucose meter says but overall, it’s nearly perfect most of the time.
My experience
After wearing the Eversense system for several months now, I have to say, I really like it.
There are a few things that need improvements such as the transmitter’s battery capacity and the sensor duration.
What I enjoy most about the Eversense CGM is that I don’t have to think about changing the sensor weekly or having to carry around tapes, an inserter, disinfectant, and all the plastic packaging. And of course – no more ripping out the sensor (which is one of the biggest advantages for me, since I have a special talent for ripping it out whenever I’m passing a door frame.)
I also didn’t have any problems with my skin compatibility while wearing the tape on which the transmitter gets placed.
All in all, I really enjoyed using the Eversense System. Monitoring my CGM curves on my smartphone really helps me in my daily life with T1D because it makes keeping an eye on my blood sugar so much easier.
You can learn more about the Eversense implantable CGM on the Eversense website.
Right now, you can get the Eversense CGM for as little as $99* (plus the cost of the sensor placement by a healthcare provider) by using the Eversense Bridge Program.
The Eversense Bridge Program is a patient access program designed to help patients who want to be on Eversense therapy but are experiencing challenges, such as high out of pocket costs.
To learn more, please visit https://www.eversensediabetes.com/patient-bridge
*Rules and restrictions apply.
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Does Insurance cover it in the United States?
It’s covered by some insurance companies at this point. It’s only been FDA approved since June 2018 so there are most likely some insurance companies that do not have it on formulary yet. You can try and contact Eversense directly to get more information
Only Aetna covers this product.
I have cigna and Carecentrix, and they are covering 80% after the deductible is met, however, I don’t have it yet.
Are you having issues with the tape. My friends comes undone on the left side of the sensor(the shorter side of tape within the day. We are caterers and he sweats alot. Do you have any suggestions. It is so new here in the States. Having hard time finding helpful advice.
Tks
Is it the Eversense tape that comes undone? That one your friend should change daily.
If it’s another sensor (such as the Dexcom) I have a whole article on how to make it stick HERE
Welcome to the states 🙂
Would this be beneficial for someone that is a HYPERINSULINEMIC HYPOGLYCEMIC?? I’ve used the Dexcom G5 in the past with OK results. Doesn’t always alert me to my rapid drops until I am well past the low 60 mark.
Hi Colleen, that would be a good question to ask Eversense directly. You can contact them on their website https://www.eversensediabetes.com/. We don’t know enough about how the Eversense handles rapid blood sugar drops to answer such an important question without hearing from the company directly.
Change your low mark to 80.
Hi Christel,
My BG goes low at night, even with regular bedtime snacks. I’ve bottomed out too often from lows. Would the vibration be strong enough to wake me?
First: Not sure if the vibration would be enough for you. I think for me it would, but you’d have to hold one and make that assessment.
Second: If I were you I would not accept regular nightly lows! It sounds like you have too much basal going if you rarely get through the night, and that’s something you can change. I hope you’ll at least discuss a change or different basal rates depending on your activity with your doctor.
I wear the Dexcom G6 CGM. I like the settings on it and I can choose the volume of the alarms. I have the volume on high for my low alarm and it is really loud. It wakes everyone in the house!
It was not strong enough for me during the night.
Thanks for all of the information Anna. Glad to hear you like the Senseonics CGM.
For me, I just don’t get the appeal. Please keep in mind when reading this comment I’m a HUGE proponent of new technology to treat my T1 Diabetes (over 20 years since diagnosis). I was the first to use Afrezza in my Endo’s office of thousands of patients. I wear Dexcom CGM and use Omnipod pump.
I get 20+ days out of every Dexcom sensor I use. 90 days and having to get it implanted at a doctor’s office just doesn’t appeal to me. That’s 4x a year you need to go to a doctor to get this implanted. What happens when a sensor fails? Another trip to doctor. What happens when the site gets infected? Another trip to doctor. The transmitter looks huge compared to Dexcom’s transmitter. I already wear my Omnipods on my arms so if I have something implanted on an arm what’s the radius of space you would need to avoid with the implanted sensor?
These are just a few questions/concerns that I have. I recognize that new diabetes tech does not need to be one size fits all. Good luck to those who have it already and those who are going to give it a try. Choices in monitoring and treatment are wonderful to have.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the note (this is a repost so Anna doesn’t reply). After meeting with the Senseonics team I at ADA I was actually really impressed. BUT my sensors don’t last me 20+ days and my skin starts to get irritated after a week of wearing the adhesive. So I get where you’re coming from given your current use and the possible complications. It has been approved for 6-month use in Europe, so I think that will be the big game changer when they get 6-month approval here in the states.
And I really agree with your final note, a variety of choices is key and none will fit all.
Christel
Thanks Christel!!!
180 is still iffy for me – 365 would be very appealing. Hopefully the tech continues to improve and I will be keeping an eye on user experience as well.
Mike – I don’t know how you get 20+ days from a sensor. I wear the Dexcom G6 and get 10 days of use. On the 10th day, it gives me 6 hours warning before it shuts itself off. I try to change my sensor within a few minutes of the expiration so I can get the full 10 days use from it. There’s no way to make a sensor last longer.
You can restart it to go another week
Dexcom can be restarted as long as you have the code
Yes, that’s true. With a google search, it’s pretty easy to find the exact steps to restarting the device. It’s of course not a FDA approved approach but many do it successfully
I have a G6 and can only use 10 days. I live in the US and here we cannot restart it. How can it be restarted?
We don’t recommend restarting the sensor since it’s only supposed to be worn for 10-day. However, if you’re curious on how to do it try doing a google search on: “how to restart dexcom g6”
These are great questions. I see my Endo every 3 months anyway. My thought is my diabetes is not going away. I will try whatever can make something easier. I have a CGM now and I still test alot. Besides a cgm. Testing is the best thing to do for your own future. The cgm. Is an extra. Most type 1 or type 2 diabetics that I run into barely test. I keep my A1C’S at a great level. But not because of a CGM. Because I finger test. Good luck and keep testing
Try the Freestyle Libre. I’ve been using it for 5 months now and love it! You have to physically scan the sensor every 8 hours with a scanner, which also displays the readings, but it’s the only cgm on the market that’s FDA approved to replace fingersticks. There is also no calibration required! You replace the sensor every 14 days and there’s no separate transmitter since you scan it. That also means there are no real-time low or high alerts, but not everyone needs those. All in all, the Libre is a good, low-priced cgm for those looking for a more complete blood glucose picture for their treatment program, while eliminating the hassle and pain of daily fingersticks! With my insurance, the scanner was about $32, and the sensors are about $11 a piece. I encourage anyone who hasn’t tried a cgm yet to give it a shot..(pun intended!)
Libre is a good option, however not only LIbre but also Dexcom doesn’t require calibration and has been approved for dosing (in the US)
Can anyone say what the cost is – without insurance? In any country?
It probably depends a lot on where you are. I would suggest contacting Senseonics directly and asking. They are very keen to get people to try the Eversense right now so they will definitely do what they can to help.
7500 pln for the 180 day version in poland
12500 pln for a year long plan
I switched to it from medtronic guardian connect which had a comparable yearly cost of 12300 pln (added up receipts for sensors) but required a lot more hastle with sensor replacment every 6 days
Current pln/USD is 1pln=0,26usd
I’m on my first day with it and so far so good. Being able to see glucose levels in real time is going to be so useful in managing diabetes.
The insertion procedure was painless and the set up was fairly easy.
If anyone gets the chance to have one of these go for it.
Having it buzzing on my arm when it’s calibration time was a bit strange but I’ll get used to it. I’m doing this as a medical trial in the UK.
Thanks for letting us know Mick, and please keep us updated
I`ve now done the 1st 6 month period and had the sensor switched to my other arm 2 months or so ago.
Does any one else find after a couple of months the sensor seems harder to accurately place and disconnects more often. I`m finding in the last couple of weeks (and the last couple of months of the placement on my other arm) it`s disconnecting on a night several times and the alsrm is waking me up every couple of hours which is very frustrating.
I`ve tried to put on a new adhesive before bed and secure it with an elasticated bandage but it seems to go off even if I haven`t moved, pressed it or lay on it.
Does anyone else have problems with it keep disconnecting? Thanks Mick
I am concerned about infection risk, scar tissue, an scarring. Not much real property on the arms,,so after a few implants, where to?
That’s a good question and one I don’t know the answer to. I’m sure they’ll have to do a lot of testing to answer those questions before it gets approved for mainstream use
The technology sounds great! I am interested in trying it when it gets to the states. I do have initial questions/concerns. I would think the market will look at a 10 minute surgical procedure as a drawback. How big is the incision? Replacing it every 90 days on the back of your arm do you run out of room because of scar tissue? Do they have to suture the incision closed?
Hi Sean,
I’d agree that some might find the 10-min procedure as a barrier. If the medical professional gets paid for it, I’m sure they don’t mind.
This was a guest post so I don’t have more information than what was in the post
This is great news! So grateful for this technology, the developers and those investing in it!
So, what happens after the 90 days? They go back in and remove it? And, add another one?
My impression is that they will need to replace it
What is the cost of the CGM system
It’s not out in the US yet so we don’t know what the cost will be here. It’s also different from country to country and depends on your insurance.
My son participated in a trial in Canada and he really liked it to. We can’t wait for it to come to Canada.
Oh great, thank you for that addition
My daughter was supposed to be part of that trial too, but we couldnt do it. Didn’t the sensor they tested in Canada last 6 months? THat is what I remember about it. Was removal and re-insertion in the same spot?
Hi Lea,
The sensor is already approved for 6-month wear outside the US. For now, until they get that approval, it’s 3 months in the US. The Senseonics team told me that the insertion switches from arm to arm and it’s up to the physician whether they’ll reuse a spot.