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

Fri Dec 6 05:41:54 UTC 2013

Yes, the only times I have problems is when I receive strips from
different manufacturers. My pharmacy seems to switch a lot, or maybe
it's Medicare, but I don't find the meter to have problems much but more
the type of strip. Things will work beautifully, then I start using a
new type of strip, and problems develop. Nothing as of yet that made
testing near impossible, but more issues with errors. I've had diabetes
long enough that my body recognizes extremes, so the odd times I get an
off reading, I usually know based on how I feel and will re-test. The
not enough blood error is a real pain in the but though.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Mike Freeman
Sent: Thursday, December 05, 2013 11:58 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk]gestational diabetes have some questions
abouta talking glucose meter

I understand. However, you should know that in most instances, it is
*not* the meter that is at fault when one gets erroneous readings or
can't get a reading but, rather, the strips, assuming you've allowed the
meter ten or twenty minutes to settle down to a working stable working
temperature, i.e., haven't brought it in from outdoors or are just using
it in the house.

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Star Gazer
Sent: Thursday, December 05, 2013 9:46 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] gestational diabetes have some questions
abouta talking glucose meter

Thank you. 
My sister reminded me that when she tried Prodidgy autocode, she also
got the "not enough blood" message. She's a vet tech, and a good one and
knows how to get blood. She thought the error was odd. 
Yet more verification that meter or the one I happened to get was a
lemon. 
I have the Prodidgy Voice on order. Waiting for that sucker to get here.

I'll try your suggestion when it does. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Mike Freeman
Sent: Thursday, December 05, 2013 12:36 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] gestational diabetes have some questions
abouta talking glucose meter

I believe the timeout is either thre or five minutes. But really it
shouldn't take more than thirty seconds once you get the hang of it.

Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Star Gazer
Sent: Thursday, December 05, 2013 7:12 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] gestational diabetes have some questions
abouta talking glucose meter

Thank you. 
I'm waiting for the Prodidgy Voice meter to get here. 
So, I prick my finger, the lift the meter with my other hand and place
the strip on the finger I poked. 
I want to be sure I understand. 
I'll have a good two minutes from when I insert the strip until the
meter times out right? 

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Mike Freeman
Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 3:33 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] gestational diabetes have some questions
abouta talking glucose meter

Yes; you have my suggestion right.

Please ask more questions if something doesn't make sense to you.
<smile>

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Star Gazer
Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 12:32 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] gestational diabetes have some 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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