[Diabetes-talk] Pumps

Sun Feb 17 21:38:32 UTC 2013

Kelly, I too am totally blind and am currently using a Cozmo. My warranty is
just about to run out as well. Ummm, a bit of quivering going on here on the
west coast! If I were sighted, I'd go for the T-slim, without a doubt
because it actually does have many of the features my Cozmo has, like being
able to set temporary basal rates up to 72 hours. Yep! Doing that right now
to accommodate a short stint with Prednisone. You are right that the
Accuchek Spirit has the beeps when something happens, the most audible
feedback. Problem is that we don't have access to the bells and whistles
that modern pumps have. Everything like storing insulin to carb ratios, and
the things that today's smart pumps figure out for us used to reside on a
PDA which isn't accessible to us. Now they do have a remote, but the one I
looked at a couple of years ago didn't work because everything was wizards.
And for me, the 20 questions approach to just munching a scone and coffee
just doesn't cut it, not to mention isn't accessible anyway. At this moment
I definitely feel like I'm going to give up something when I change pumps
and it has the feel of not getting much extra in terms of things happening
automatically. That was okay back in 1991 because that's how it was for
everyone else too. But over these next two months, I'm going to revisit all
the pumps, yes, even the touch-screen T-slim, just to see what it is like. 
And of course, what we're running into with things like iPhone connections
is that any software has to be approved by the FDA and even now there is
software that's been sitting on a shelf somewhere for years because they
can't get through the backlog. And liability is not our friend here. Nobody
wants to take on the possibility of being sued because their app read
something wrong. It's a real shame in my personal opinion.
Having said all of that, I do wish the Accuchek Spirit were as small and
light-weight as the others. But I sure do intend to set up sessions with all
of the different reps, likely shedding some tears over the loss of my Cozmo,
but ultimately arriving at some sort of solution that works for me. I'll be
happy to share my experiences with all of you along the way. 
And I haven't heard of anything coming from J and J either. But hey, let the
snooping begin. These companies all have offices out here so no harm in
trying! Stay tuned!

Veronica

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-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 12:56 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

Kelly,

I'm totally blind and use a Cosmo, but this brand is no longer available.
I've played with the MedTronic and Animas Ping, and both are fairly simple
to use. No pump on the market currrently will beep for every single function
like the Cosmo, which is one of the reasons I love it, but I have found the
Animas to be the most similar to my Cosmo and plan to use this once my
warrantee is up, which is now.

My advice is to get your hands on any pump your endo has available and play
around with it.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Kelly Thornbury
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 2:06 PM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

I was on a pump back in the mid/late 90s when you could still buy pre-filled
cartridges, and it was sight loss and blindness that sent me back to the
pens. 

So, it looks like there are several pump users here, and I'm curious as to
the models you use, and your vision level if you choose to share as I'm now
shopping for a new pump. 

So far, in talking to company reps, the Accu-Trend Spirit seems to be the
most "accessible," as it is one of the few pumps I've found where every time
you enter a menu the selector starts at the top of the menu.
It also has the beeps and vibrations as you navigate menus and make
selections. 

I looked at another, which I've forgotten the name of, which automatically
primes and inserts the needle, and the "unit" is controlled entirely by a
remote. I asked their tech support about the possibility of a smartphone app
to program and control the unit, but never heard anything back. 

Then, my doctor has been talking about a Johnson and Johnson pump supposedly
up for FDA evaluation with speech capabilities. My doctor has seen pictures
of the pump, but I lack the credentials to find any information on it or
it's progress. I know J&J was recently in trouble with quality control, but
I'm betting that now that the FDA has come down on them their quality
control will be significantly improved...hopefully. 

So, any ideas on pumps and accessible features would be appreciated. 

Thanks,
Kelly

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