[Diabetes-talk] Responses to talkingblood glucosemeters and breakfasts

[Mike Freeman]

Veronica:

Re CGMS devices, I agree with you.  WE as blind folks haven't figured out
how to interpret the data coming from them in a fashion we can interpret.
Frankly, I often feel as though I am crying in the wilderness in that most
blind persons (including some who should know better) do not acknowledge
that in some instances, this being one and set-top boxes being another, we
don't know what data we really want (saying that we want the same data as
the sighted may be idealistic but isn't always practical) nor do we know how
the data should be presented.  Just yelling "WE WANT IT!" or "You figure it
out." Ain't good enough.

I also share your skepticism re calibration of CGMS  devices given the
current wide tolerances allowed manufacturers for bg meters (note I do not
say "glucometers" because this is a trademark of Bayer.

And although I have had some conversation with one CDE who disagrees with
me, for most blind people, alternate site testing doesn't work for the
precise reason many folks like it -- one can't feel where one has poked.

And, like you, I feel noninvasive bg meter technology is primarily designed
to part potential gullible investors from copious quantities of cash!
Recently, I read where one physicist claims he has come up with an algorithm
that accurately predicts bg readings from the light reflected from
intersticial fluid but, frankly, I don't want some device or program telling
me what it thinks my readings are rather than giving me an accurate
measurement.

I disagree only on one point in your message:  I am actually in conversation
with a gentleman at Access Solutions who is actually using a prototype of
the remote and he says it does actually give him readings from a meter in
the system though I don't know which one.  I figure we'll learn more when
Medtronics has something to say.

Mike


-----Original Message-----
From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Veronica Elsea
Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2011 11:15 AM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Responses to talkingblood glucosemeters and
breakfasts

I very much doubt that the Access Solutions device will work with the 
CGMS. The meters that act as the remotes for the current MedTronix 
pumps are actually OneTouch Ultras from LifeScan. So if this remote 
is designed to work with the pump instead of the MM remote, forget 
the meter and forget the CGMS.
Come on Prodigy! That's the talking pump that could have me drooling 
at the moment.
As for the others you mentioned, I've not seen anything that truly 
gets you away from pricking your finger. Oh there are alternate site 
meters that allow you to prick other places, like forearms, palm of 
your hand, but nothing that is truly what they call non-invasive. 
Those things have been promised for fifteen years or so, but they're 
not out there for anyone, let alone us.
And even if we could use the continuous monitors, they show you 
trends but are not used as an accurate reading for taking insulin 
boluses. One still has to calibrate them with your regular meter, 
which strikes me quite funny knowing the wide range of inaccuracy 
allowed in today's meters by the FDA.
Now, there are various types of lancing devices available from a 
zillion different companies. Some of them are designed for those who 
don't want to have any possible contact with the part that actually 
does the pricking of your finger. Some of them claim to hurt less. 
They're all different sizes and use varying types of lancetts in 
them. Some devices are longer, some are shorter. I just saw a cute 
one from LifeScan called Delica, which is nice and compact to hold in 
your hand. I borrowed it from my pump support group but haven't 
actually used it yet. I kind of like the BD lancetts because it's 
really easy to put the cap back on before you toss it away. I find 
this really handy when I am somewhere other than right near a sharps 
container. They are round and don't have the ridges like most 
stabbers do. I use them with the lancing device that came with my 
FreeStyle meter. So you do have plenty of room for experimentation in 
this department.
Hope this helps some.

Veronica
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		Veronica Elsea, Owner
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Santa Cruz, California
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