[Diabetes-talk] gestational diabetes havesome questions abouta talking glucose meter

Tue Dec 3 20:54:15 UTC 2013

This is how I test as well. Hold the meter with one hand, and guide it
to the finger you pricked. And as Mike suggests, try to keep your finger
flat against the strip. And don't forget to hold your finger on the
strip a few seconds longer even after it accepts the blood.

I've used several meters through the years, and even when sighted, I
tested this way.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Star Gazer
Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 2:32 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] gestational diabetes havesome questions
abouta talking glucose meter

Thank you Mike. 
I had the Prodidgy Autocode, I've shipped it back and have the Voice on
order. 
I'll look over your booklet. 
You're suggesting I prick my finger, then guide the meter to my finger
using my other hand? This sounds doable.

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Mike Freeman
Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 3:26 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] gestational diabetes have some questions
abouta talking glucose meter

I do not believe there are any meters that allow data readout via
computer; there's a data transfer protocol involved and I don't believe
any of these protocols allow on-the-fly data readout.

As for the Prodigy Voice, have you tried putting some control solution
on your finger and then touching the strip?

Incidentally, Prodigy autocode strips will work with the Prodigy Voice
and autocode strips are fairly common.

Also, I recommend that you hold your hand flat and bring the meter/strip
to your finger. Most of the time, blind persons have trouble getting
blood on the slot on the strip because the blood gets smeared; you want
a bead of blood to roll into the capillary slot on the strip. Practice
makes perfect and it may take some practice.

Under separate cover, I'm sending you a booklet NFB put out a few years
ago with articles about diabetes care as a blind person, "Bridging the
Gap". The article I wrote is a bit out-of-date in that I'm on different
insulins now than I was in the article. But the general advice is good
and there's an article on finger-sticking techniques.

Mike Freeman

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Star Gazer
Sent: Monday, December 02, 2013 1:18 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] gestational diabetes have some questions
abouta talking glucose meter

Thank you. 
What we couldn't figure out is how to get enough blood to keep the
Prodidgy happy. The nurse worked with me on it, said my technique was
perfect, and that meter still wasn't happy. 
We ran out of test strips and of course CVS didn't have more. 

They sent me home with a nontalking meter which I'd like if it could
talk. I should be able to plug it into my computer to get it to read
data. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Monday, December 02, 2013 2:04 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] gestational diabetes have some questions
abouta talking glucose meter

I use the Prodigy Voice and like it. Some prefer the Solace, but I
personally haven't experienced problems with the Voice.

Having been type one diabetic for 28 years, I was use to testing blood
sugars long before I lost my sight, so I didn't struggle with testing
nonvisually. Nonetheless, some recommend setting the poker on the
highest prick option so you can feel it. I don't have much meat on my
fingers, so I've never liked doing this, but if it works, great. I just
poke, hold my finger down and squeeze a few times then line the tip of
the test strip up where I felt the poke. I hold the meter to manipulate
the test strip.

Hope this helps.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Star Gazer
Sent: Monday, December 02, 2013 7:31 AM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] gestational diabetes have some questions
abouta talking glucose meter

No but this is a great suggestion!

Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 2, 2013, at 7:17 PM, "Wanda Sloan" <wsloan118 at roadrunner.com>
> wrote:
> 
> Have you tried your thumb?
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Star Gazer
> Sent: Sunday, December 01, 2013 1:25 PM
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] gestational diabetes have some questions 
> about a talking glucose meter
> 
> Hi folks.
> I have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Our second baby is
due in
> Feb.
> I will need to test my blood sugar levels several times a day. 
> I take my class tomorrow morning. 
> It was suggested by the diabetes doctors that I use the Prodidgy
talking
> glucose meter.
> What are others experiences with this meter? I am totally blind. I am 
> wondering if this is really what I should use, or if there is a
different
> meter.
> I've played around with testing myself, and am trying to figure out
how I
> line the test strip up with the dab of blood. Any advice? I am not
testing
> using my fingertips as I read Braille. So, I need to use a point other
then
> my index fingers. I found a spot on my hand that seems to work.
> Anybody have any advice? 
> 
> 
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