When I started using Dexcom G6 in June 2021, I remember thinking: this is incredible!

My diabetes educator called Dexcom the industry standard. People were ride-or-die for the sensor, and it seemed like Dexcom was positioning itself to become the CGM that worked with nearly every automated insulin delivery (AID) system. But things have changed. 

The launch of Dexcom G7 brought a new set of frustrations—from sensor dropouts and connection issues to inaccurate readings, insertion failures, and sensors that simply didn’t behave the way people expected them to. At times, G7 has felt incredibly reliable. At other times, it has been a complete headache—and, as someone who relies on a CGM to manage type 1 diabetes, those bad experiences can come with a lot of anxiety.

Dexcom isn’t operating in the same competitive environment it was a few years ago. Abbott’s Libre has become a serious competitor, while Eversense is expanding its compatibility with AID systems. And the twiist pump still hasn’t integrated the sensor after a year of availability. More choices are emerging, and that means Dexcom can no longer assume that being the industry standard is enough. So can Dexcom rebuild the trust it has lost and maintain its position in the CGM market? Only time will tell. 

Today, I’m going to unpack the issues I’ve experienced with Dexcom over the years, what I’ve heard from the community, and how recent competition is changing the game. I’ll also lay out what I think Dexcom needs to do to strengthen its relationship with the community—and why I think G8 could be a critical moment for the company. 

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