[Diabetes-talk] Glucose meters; was -- iBGStar

Tue Feb 4 00:04:57 UTC 2014

I was looking for something unrelated to diabetes today in the audio 
Consumer Reports magazine from NLS and although it does not pertain to 
glucose meters that talk, in the November 2013 issue there is a short review 
of glucose meters.  It is interesting to see what the meter cost is vs the 
anual cost on the strips for someone who tests 4 times per day.

Eileen

-----Original Message----- 
From: Mike Freeman
Sent: Monday, February 3, 2014 4:54 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] iBGStar

Eileen:

I think you're right -- 20 mg/dl or below. However, one is advised to test
at least twice (if one is coherent) to ascertain whether the problem was not
enough blood on the strip or a real emergency.

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
eileen scrivani
Sent: Friday, January 31, 2014 3:32 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] iBGStar

I had time for this to come to mind and the "to low" means your bg is so low
the meter can't get a reading on your value.  I do think those to low
numbers are when someone runs 20 or lower but not sure on the exact number
that is the cut-off.

-----Original Message-----
From: Star Gazer
Sent: Friday, January 31, 2014 5:58 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] iBGStar

Thank you. This is very helpful. In my case, I deffinately feel symptoms
when the meter says "blood glucose level low".
I feel these symptoms before I test so I don't think I'm cooking the data.
Does anybody know what number Prodigy Voice bottoms out at? Mine seems to
bottom out at 30.

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
eileen scrivani
Sent: Friday, January 31, 2014 4:29 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] iBGStar

When a meter tells you "to low"  that's a really low number like 20 or less.

I forget what the "to low" value is, but we understand that 20 is a
dangerous place to be in. And when a meter indicates we're "to low" we
should if we feel like we are running low go and instantly get juice or the
glucose tabs.  So if you feel that you are to low with symptoms then I would
believe the meter.

My issue is that I feel totally fine with not a single symptom, no shaking,
no heart racing, no sweating, no disorientation of thoughts.  In my case, I
question the meter when it tells me "to low" when I feel completely fine.
If I felt like I was running low with symptoms, then I would believe what
the meter is telling me.

-----Original Message-----
From: Star Gazer
Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2014 9:18 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] iBGStar

Eileen, your post interests me.
I use Prodigy Voice, and I always thought when it said "blood glucose level
low" that the glucose was indeed low.  Am I incorrect in this? I've gotten
the "not enough blood" error, and I always took that to mean a different
error.
When it says "blood glucose low" I normally have other symptoms.

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
eileen scrivani
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2014 4:16 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] iBGStar

I am unhappy with either the number of finger sticks or the number of strips
I have to use in one testing to get a result that;

A.  I believe, or.
B.  Is an actual number other than "no sufficient blood" or "result to low".

I think I've been doing this long enough to know how to get a "good" sample
for a test (not usually poor bleeder except for freezing cold) and I think
it is the strips.  Not that the strips are a bad lot, it is only my
suspicion that it has become an issue with the manufacturing process that
the companies of these things are going for too little blood in too short a
time and the end result is what I think are inaccurate results.  Sorry, I
don't care what they have to say or argue their point of how good their
products are I no longer believe it because I'm doing many multiple times a
day and for a poor, no nothing blind person, I think I have a pretty good
idea of what the problem is, but no one is listening or even getting the
wheels in their heads turning thinking, "hmm, maybe the people who are using
our product on a daily basis know something and we should look into our
product."

I have had people watch me do the testing and know I'm going about the
correct way.  I do warm water washing prior to finger sticks, go through the
shaking/rubbing of the hand/fingers, get a good droplet for a test and still
get crazy numbers.  And, yes, I've was sticking on the sides of my fingers,
and holding the meter to my finger so the strip touches where the blood is.
I moisturize hands to prevent tough skin, I change the batteries regularly
too.  I am made to feel like I am the one held up under a microscope that it
"has" to be my fault because I'm blind, but if I ask questions about the
strips or a meter it seems to always turn into its something wrong I'm
doing.  But from my diabetic team who has observed me, I'm not doing it
incorrectly.

For me, the proof in something not being on target is when I get my A1C
(average done) but what I anticipate the average to be around is usually not
in any line with majority of test results from home meter.  Last year when I
still had the Solo have to say things were good and I was very happy with
home testing and A1C's.  Not the case with the Solus V2.

I used to use the Prodigey and while I did not have to run multiple tests,
it gave me numbers that led me to think my control was fine and dandy.
Again, when I'd get my
A1C done it was not fine and dandy.  So, where could the problem have een?
-- at that time and I'm not sure if its changed the prodigey did not say if
there was not enough of a blood sample, it just threw out a number.
So I'm turned off to it as well and don't want to go back.

I'm not looking for explanations of the manufacturing of strips or meters, I
am disgusted and just hope to find something newer, and accurate that will
be covered by my insurance.

Eileen

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Freeman
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2014 2:24 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] iBGStar

Eileen:

What has caused you to become disillusioned with the Solus V2?Just curious.

And you speak truth re the medical device companies (even if no one here
wants to admit it). What we need IMO is legislation. Wonder how far we'd get
at the state level?

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
eileen scrivani
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2014 10:58 AM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] iBGStar

Hi Gregory,

Just wondering if you  are using the IBG meter as a totally blind person or
with some level of vision?  I am tempted to give it a try since I'm getting
a bit fed up with the Solus and had in the past used Prodigey and not
terribly impressed with that one either.

I believe it is the way of all these medical/pharmaceuticle type companies
not to respond to any input or suggestions on improvements.  I have been
pump shopping and with all the companies I have talked with, none can tell
me why they don't, can't, won't build in any level of better accessibility
for those diabetics who have lost vision.  When I ask the reps if they have
any input with higher ups in their companies the standard response to that
runs along the lines of "I don't get paid enough," or "I'm the low man on
the ...."  It is a very discouraging situation.

Eileen

-----Original Message-----
From: Gregory D. Rosenberg
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2014 12:54 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] iBGStar

Good morning everyone,

I bought an iBGStar shortly after it came to market. It works OK and is
fairly accessible. They have some room for improvement. I have big hands and

their strips are smaller than most. So when I drop on on the kitchen table
it is a bit harder to pick up. As a software developer I have higher
expectations than many other users since I know in my mind how would would
have coded their app. It is a little better than good. I have sent them
feedback, but have not received any reply to my emails showing interest on
their part.

On Jan 22, 2014, at 22:24 CST, Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com> wrote:

> An update:
>
>
>
> I hadn't looked at the iBGStar app from Sanofi-Aventis since early
> this fall. An update was released in December, 2013, which resolved a
> bunch of problems such that the app would work with iOS versions from
> 3 on and iPhones from the 3GS to the iPhone 5C and 5S. Although I
> haven't read clear through the documentation yet and won't get a
> chance to do so until after Washington Seminar, it appears that this
> version of the app, though awkward (one must double-tap buttons
> labeled with numbers to enter values), is accessible using VoiceOver.
> This is a vast improvement on the version of the app Veronica Elsea
> and I tested early this past fall. So when I get back from DC, I may
> purchase the meter and some test strips and give the app a go.
>
>
>
> One can enter bg readings, insulin and carbs into the app's database
> using these number buttons, as I say, though exactly how it all fits
> together won't be clear to me until I read through the documentation.
>
>
>
> Some cautions: it is not clear to me that a blind person can set up
> the meter that talks to the iBGStar app independently, i.e., set its
> date/time, pair up the Bluetooth connection with the iPhone, etc. I do
> not immediately see a way to do any of this from the iPhone app and
> this makes sense; the app only works with the meter once the iPhone is
> paired with it.
>
>
>
> This isn't exactly an accessible insulin pump but it has some
> possibilities for Alan although, as I say, I'd bet the meter itself
> could not be set up by a blind person which would negate the
> usefulness of the system unless one wished to use the iBGStar app only
> to record one's log.
>
>
>
> Mike Freeman
>
>
>
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P.S. Text the word BLIND to 85944 to donate $10 to the NFB Imagination Fund
via your phone bill.

--
73' & 75'
Gregory D. Rosenberg AB9MZ
gregg at ricis.com

RICIS, Inc.
7849 Bristol Park Drive
Tinley Park, IL 60477-4594
http://www.ricis.com

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