[Diabetes-talk] Subject: Re: Update on Pumps?

Sat Aug 17 00:03:12 UTC 2013

Everett, the Accuchek Spirit will give you quite a bit of audio feedback on
the main pump itself. In their latest model it relies more on a remote which
isn't so great for us. But you may want to check out the pump to see if you
like the main unit. I agree with you Bridgit that the Animas is worth
checking.
Also, depending on which state you're in, the Snap pump by Asante may be
available. It might be the next one I investigate if it comes out in
California soon. Like Bridgit, I haven't been quite willing to part with my
beloved Cozmo yet because I've been so spoiled. 
But I did spend time reading the user manual for the Snap and it does have a
lot of audio feedback, as well as prefilled cartridges that you just snap
into the pump, hence its name. I know that Medtronic is waiting on the FDA
for approval of a newer pump so if you buy theirs, you'll be eligible for a
free upgrade when it does come out. This could be a nice thing or a really
nasty surprise if the upgrade is less accessible than the current model. But
I don't know the answer to that question. 
If I were sighted, this discussion would be leaning towards the T-slim by
Tandem diabetes. The pump actually has really nice audio feedback for stuff
and the beeps are in a lower register, making them easier to hear. But it's
a touch screen. And most things you do with it, including filling a
cartridge involve it asking questions that need responses. We couldn't
figure out how to make any kind of reliable overlay for it either. Too bad
though. It's really cute and small.
There is also the Omnipod by Insulet Corporation. It's a tubeless pump. You
put the insulin in what's called the pod, which is the part that goes into
you. Then you control everything with a remote. The tubeless aspect of this
pump is really attractive. Nothing beeps on the remote. It does have a home
button so if we got goofed up, we could get back to a known place. But there
are three issues I see with this one. First, it too has a lot of fussy
alarms. There's an alarm if something happens to the pod, when the pod
expires, bla bla bla. You fill the pod with three days' worth of insulin and
if anything goes wrong, either you've wasted insulin or you're engaged in a
rather fussy sort of task to try and get the insulin out. Third, the pods,
though smaller than the originals, are big enough that if you put one say,
on your arm and smack into a doorway, you can dislodge them. But the company
is very open to working with us to see what we can do. So if no tubing
really calls you, don't be afraid to check it out. 
And that's pretty much what's out there right now. There are some pump
patches out there designed for type two's where you don't change the
dosages. They sound kind of cool, actually. There's just this patch that
contains a set delivery of insulin over a day and then you change patches
the next day. No tubing, no anything, just wearing this patch. And bummer,
I'm blanking on its name. Oh that big round-number birthday that looms ever
closer! <laughing!>
Anyway, I hope this gives you something to play with and to think about.
It's an exciting time, making a big change like this and I hope you enjoy
the process as much as possible. That's what will set you up for the process
of experimenting and figuring for yourself what you can and can't get at.
Happy snooping and please keep us posted. And of course, questions welcome,
on and off list. Have fun!
Veronica

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                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2013 4:22 PM
To: 'Everett Gavel'; 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Subject: Re: Update on Pumps?

Veronica can better answer this than me, but as I'm in the process of
switching to an Animas, I think this pump is good for blind users. The
menus aren't terribly complicated, there's an audio feature you can turn
for some functions and the operation itself is really nice. And for
those with useable vision, it has a larger screen and you can change the
contrast of the screen.

I haven't played much with other pumps, but the Medtronic Mini and
Accucheck Spirit aren't bad either.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Everett Gavel
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2013 6:09 PM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Subject: Re: Update on Pumps?

Hello Again,

Since I took the plunge, finally after so many 
years, and am seriously considering getting a 
pump, now that the reps came out from Medtronic, 
what other pumps would you recommend for a blind 
diabetic these days?

Thanks,
Everett

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