[Diabetes-talk] iBGStar
Gregory D. Rosenberg
gregg at ricis.com
Fri Jan 24 16:22:03 UTC 2014
Mike,
Even more critical is the fact that 90% of the meters are not even in 1% of them selves from reading to reading. Most are off as much as 5% and some like Prodigy upwards to 10% in error from reading to reading. I did 20 consecutive tests drawing blood at two points on the inside and / or the outside of the four digits on each hand. My error rate testing with several Prodigy meters was between 7% and 10% and compared to lab tests that my doctor agreed to do fasting over the course of three consecutive days. The Prodigy readings were off as much as 20% of the lab readings.
On Jan 23, 2014, at 16:52 CST, Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com> wrote:
> Incidentally, this isn't just a problem with meters designed for the blind.
> IMO none of the meters are what they ought to be. For instance, I think
> meters -- yes, even those for home use -- should, with an identical blood
> sample taken under identical conditions -- be within one percent of lab
> standard.
>
> If you believe that'll happen soon, I have a bridge across the East River
> I'd be glad to sell you.
>
> Mike
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> eileen scrivani
> Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2014 1:48 PM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] iBGStar
>
> Yes, I know. I wrote him a few months back when this topic came up on this
> list and he very nicely had a new Solus sent to me. Unfortunately, I or it
> still has the same set of issues so not crossing that road twice. Thanks
> anyway.
>
> Eileen
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike Freeman
> Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2014 4:33 PM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] iBGStar
>
> You might want to write Chris Gwaltney of BioSense with your concerns.
>
> He's cgwaltney at biosensemd.com
>
> Mike
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> eileen scrivani
> Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2014 1:16 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
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Diabetes-talk:
>>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/gregg%40ricis.com
>
>
>
> 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
>
> 708-267-6664 Cell
> 708-444-2690 Office
> 708-444-1115 Fax (Call First)
> We are tired of SPAM faxes.
>
>
>
> NOTICE: This e-mail message and all attachments transmitted with it are
> intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain legally
> privileged and confidential information. If the reader of this message is
> not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for
> delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified
> that any dissemination, distribution, copying, or other use of this message
> or its attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message
>
> in error, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message
> and please delete it from your computer.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/etscrivani%40veri
> zon.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/etscrivani%40veri
> zon.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/etscrivani%40veri
> zon.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Diabetes-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/gregg%40ricis.com
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
708-267-6664 Cell
708-444-2690 Office
708-444-1115 Fax (Call First)
We are tired of SPAM faxes.
NOTICE: This e-mail message and all attachments transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain legally privileged and confidential information. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying, or other use of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message and please delete it from your computer.
More information about the Diabetes-Talk
mailing list