[Diabetes-Talk] G5 question

Mon Feb 13 19:36:57 UTC 2017

Hi Jeanette, 

Welcome. 

I use the Prodigy Voice meter by Prodigy Diabetes. You may buy it directly from Prodigy at www.prodigymeter.com, or you can buy it directly from the National Federation of the Blind Independence Market by calling (410) 659-9314. Note, there are two models of Prodigy meters, you want to make sure your prescription specifically says Prodigy Voice. ** do not order or purchase the Prodigy Autocode ** it is less expensive but lacks many key accessibility features. 

I've bought the Prodigy Voice meter through the NFB, but I've also had success having my health insurance purchase the meter. I have United Health Care, and my Prescription Benefit Manager is CVS. 

If you are on Medicare, you must use one of the Medicare approved providers I'm pretty sure, unless you are on a Medicare Advantage plan. 

The Prodigy Voice meter is well under $100, others may have a different price, but I think something like $70. 

It is sad your husband's insurance states they will not cover a talking meter. That is simply not possible. They must cover talking meters when it is medically necessary, as described by your doctor. 

Tom

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jeanette Kutash via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 2:23 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jeanette Kutash <kutash-jm at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] G5 question

Hello.  I just subscribed to this list, though I have considered doing so for a long time. My questions are these.  What meters do those of you who are totally blind use, where do you get them, how much do you pay, which insurances do you know of that will cover them or not, and if your meter becomes nonfunctional before the five-year time period Medicare says you must have one before they will approve it, where do you go to try to get it serviced or replaced?

Why, you ask, do I have so many questions? Because my meter malfunctioned after a year and a half, the company that sells them says they do not sell to clients directily, just to approved companies, because my husband's insurance company will not cover any talking meters, and because locally I have found  only one pharmacy which can get them for me if I want to pay full price (much less than the price Medicare wishes to charge, and if that pharmacy goes out of business I guess I'm totally stuck.

Thanks for any help.

Jeanette Kutash    

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 1:44 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Jamie Gurganus
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] G5 question

Hi!  How is the baby doing?  

I just came from a visit with my diabetic educator to review my blood sugars and go over my issues with the pump.  I think I almost have it down. We figured out where my confusion was and practiced going through the menu.  I also have the Animas rep visiting me on Wednesday, because I am having issues with the infusion sets.  For some reason, the Insets don't go in properly and leak on me.  I have given up using them for fear of having another 500 blood sugar.  I hadn't had one that high since going on the Dexcom almost three years ago.  My Dexcom kept alarming me in the middle of the night that I was high, I would give a bolus and then wait.  I should have gotten out of bed and checked my blood sugar, but I didn't.  By morning, I was over 500 and couldn't give any more insulin due to the Insulin on Board feature being on.  Fortunately, my husband uses a Novapen, so I was able to take 20 units to get it down quickly.  It still took all morning for that to happen.  And, I had my daughter turn off the IOB feature for now.  

So, I am using the Inset 30, but I can't twist around enough to insert one in my backside.  So, I am trying the Contact D  that is the little metal thumbtack looking thing with a pigtail.  I hope it works.  I wish I could continue using the Ultraflex set that I used for years with my Accucheck Spirit, but they may not be in stock in the near future.  So, I need to figure out how to make the Animas products work for me.  I really like working with Animas, and they have been so helpful with sending me replacement sets when I go through three just to get one to insert correctly.  I'm not sure what I'll do when I run out of Inset 30's and have just the box of Insets left though.  I ordered a three month supply with two boxes of 30's and one of the Insets.  Since they can't accept a return, I can't order new sets until I am almost out of the three month supply thanks to my insurance.  I'll see what the rep says on Wednesday.

I did get discouraging news today from my Dexcom supplier.  Insurance won't pay for an upgrade to the G5 until my receiver is out of warranty in August.
And, since I just replaced my transmitter  on Feb. 3, I can't even get the
G5 transmitter.  So, I guess I'll do what I am doing now for six more months.  I really wanted to be more independent with the Dexcom than I am now.  I have to rely on my kids too much, and their busy schedules has me planning when to do a quick blood sugar to calibrate it or change the sensor.  Insurance companies really cause us a lot of headaches, but I know that we can't afford to be without them.

Take care.  I hope Duncan is doing well and home with you.

				Jamie

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 8:37 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter <bkpollpeter at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] G5 question

Jamie,

How are things going with the pump? I can still call you at some point if you wish, things are still just a little hectic around here. Is the prime and rewind going better? Let me know if I can do anything else or answer other questions. Will do my best.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 6:03 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jamie Gurganus <jamielgurganus at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] G5 question

Tom,

     Thanks!  This does seem like it can be managed!  I have my high alert set at 180, because I feel awful if it is in the 200's.  So, mine does go off more than usual, but I do watch what I eat.  I will get it all figured out, just like the Vibe.  I'm still working on mastering that!

				Jamie

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tom Ley via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2017 7:21 PM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: TALey at ups.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] G5 question

Hi Jamie,
Glad you had success with your upgrade request, and very quickly, it seems. 

At church I make sure I plug my ear buds  into the iPhone, even though I may not have them in my ears, to prevent unexpected alarms and Voice Over announcements disrupting the people around me. The alerts still play but just through the ear buds, not on the iPhone speaker. This also works when sleeping. I think the below 55 alert always plays over the speakers, even if you have your ear buds plugged in, the same way the alarm clock on the iPhone works. But, if you are really 55, you need to be disrupted (smile).
That is a serious low, at least for me. 

The alarms options such as sound and vibrate, sound only, etc. on the Dexcom
G5 app can be changed any time, as well as the level when the alarm is triggered. , and this is separately controlled for each type of alarm. I think all of us probably have our alarms configured differently, to fit our lifestyles and diabetes health and safety needs. So, you will need to work with the alarm settings over the first few days or weeks to find what works for you. 

One time I chose to set my high blood glucose alert to 220 to avoid so many disruptions from the alarms. That worked to prevent so many alarms, but my A1C was not as healthy when it was next measured. So I lowered it back. I decided it was up to me to behave differently to keep the alarms from going off, as if that wasn't obvious to everyone. Sometimes though we just need a break from having to think like a pancreas! 

Hope this was helpful.

Tom

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2017 8:53 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jamie Gurganus <jamielgurganus at gmail.com>
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] G5 question

Hi all!  My insurance has approved an upgrade to the G5, since I really want to be able to input my own blood sugars via the phone app.  However, I am quite concerned about the negative reviews that I am reading about regarding the inability to silence the alarms.  From what I read, it is with the latest update that took away the mute feature for the alarms.  As much as I want to be able to independently manage my Dexcom, is it worth having the alarms going off with no way to silence them at night or in church or meetings.  Thanks for your experiences.  I may consider staying with the G4 unless they change the alarms.  I can't close the app during church or meetings like many do, since I need the Dexcom to notify me of lows that I don't feel anymore.  

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