[Diabetes-Talk] Artificial pancreas

Wed Jan 4 19:16:03 UTC 2017

Wow Joyce, you sure have a lot on your plate right now. And I'm so glad that
TCOYD was able to do some work on your behalf. I will be very interested in
how your training goes and what it's like when real life begins. <grin> Good
luck with all of it and please keep us posted.
Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on
iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club. 
To learn more, visit:
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
blindhands--- via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2017 10:51 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: blindhands at aol.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Artificial pancreas

For those who don't know,  Medtronics had this arrangement made in the Fall
of 2016.  If you upgraded or got the Mini 630 pump and their CGM system,
that when the 670 pump was released in Spring 2017 that you could received
the new 670 pump "artificial pancreas & the CGM that will be released along
with the 670 pump that works with this pump for no extra cost.  These two
things had to have been ordered no later then December 31, 2016.

I had ordered the pump and I did not use it, but sent it back last week and
ordered the 530 Medtronic pump.  As the 630 pump does not work with an
IPhone, but the 530 pump does.  I am still going thru the training on the
pump  and not using it yet, but hope to get started in the next week or two.

I am impressed with the information that the pump gives to the IPhone and
that is readable with voice over.  It can let you know when you use the CGM
blood sugar levels, if you are connected,  

I will let you know more, but I have to go.

The 630 pump and the 670 artificial pancreas received FDA approval close
together and it is my personal feelings that they did not follow thru with
the IPhone connection as time might be part of it getting ready for the
release of the 670 artificial pancreas.  Medtronics does not call it
"artificial pancreas.

The study was done up at Yale New Haven hospital with teenage diabetics in
the Spring of 2016.  I heard wonderful things that came out of that study.

I also will be having my hearing with the judge and Medicare on January 11,
and I just learned from my lawyer that new information was released
regarding CGM's that will be presented at my hearing.  

The sad part, Bernie, is if you don't go through the 3 denials with your
insurance company first, you can not bring it before a judge and Medicare.
Thank you for those who pointed me in the direction for the Diabetic group
that provided the lawyer's fee and lawyer to bring this before a judge.  I
will let everyone know how it goes.  Wish me luck for next Wednesday.

Joyce Kane

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Ladd, Kim (DBVI) via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, January 3, 2017 1:01 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Ladd, Kim (DBVI) <Kim.Ladd at dbvi.virginia.gov>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Artificial pancreas

Artificial Pancreas Approved
Medtronic MiniMed 670G Hybrid Closed Loop System With Guardian Sensor will
launch in the Spring 2017. In September 2016, the FDA approved the first
integrated device that detects blood glucose levels and adjusts basal
insulin every 5 minutes to keep BG at a target of 120 mg/dl. It is approved
for people with type 1 diabetes ages 14 and older. Users still need to enter
carbs and blood glucose (BG) readings to calibrate the sensor- that's why
it's called a hybrid closed loop system. But by automating that basal
insulin, the MiniMed 670G system is requiring a lot less input from users
than previous pumps and sensors. The 670G excels at keeping nocturnal BG
levels on target and preventing nocturnal hypoglycemia. The pump is
waterproof and the system also includes a wireless Ascensia Contour Next
meter. Patients can sign up for the Priority Access Program on the Medtronic
Website.
https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/blog/introducing-the-minimed-670g-system/
Want to learn more about upcoming closed loops systems? See list of future
systems here>>
https://diatribe.org/drugdevice-name/medtronic-minimed-670g#Medtronic%20Mini
Med%20670G%20Hybrid%20Closed%20Loop%20System%20With%20Guardian%20Sensor%203 

Kim Ladd, RN, BS, CPHQ
Diabetes Educator
Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind & Vision Impaired

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2017 12:25 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Artificial pancreas

Veronica,

The artificial pancreas has already gone through rounds of beta testing.
It's finally being released on the market for wide-spread use within the
year. My endo is very excited and has nothing but good things to say about
it, and he's yet to steer me in the wrong direction, especially in regards
to technology, grin. Of course, as we know, even once released on the
market, changes will be inevitable and necessary, but so far, it all sounds
very promising.

Even though little interaction will be necessary for any user, I still am
concerned with accessibility. I don't have a lot of people in my life I can
turn to on a daily basis for sighted assistance, so accessibility is a huge
factor for me with anything, but particularly when it comes to my diabetes
management. There will inevitably need to be some way to access info from
the device, and I'm sure at times, human interaction will be necessary, so
how easy will this be for nonvisual users; it's yet to be determined. Sad
that the lack of accessibility has to hamper the excitement of nonvisual
users.

As mentioned before, I switched to the Animas Ping a few years ago after I
had to sadly stop using my Cosmo. It's not the same but close. I've not had
any major problems with my Animas. However, now being pregnant, it's been
annoying because the Animas cartridge holds 100 units less of insulin than
the Cosmo cartridge did, and being in my final 2 months, we have had to up
my basal ates quite a bit, so I'm going through cartridges every 3 to 4 days
as opposed to weekly when I'm not pregnant. Last time I was pregnant, I
still had my Cosmo so wasn't expecting this. But this is not a common
exception, grin, just pointing out.

Otherwise, my Animas has been comparable and I'm happy with it. But I agree,
the Cosmo was the best.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2017 6:11 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Your new president...

Bern, I echo the bitter-sweet congratulations. I assure you that we do not
expect you to be Mike. <grin> I look forward to seeing how this list and
organization will grow under your leadership. And yes, a definite group
effort. 
I also look forward to seeing what the new technology will do. In the
meantime, I am checking out the current pumps as my beloved Cozmo finally
shrieked out its last system fault alarm. Yikes! Someone here mentioned
awhile back that there was a blind person using an OmniPod with some sort of
app. I found out that he was actually using a KNFB reader to try and read
the screen. I'll probably end up with the Animas Vibe but I'm struggling to
get around that notion of how much I'm losing compared to what I had. 
As for the artificial pancreas, I hope the technology it's based on is more
accurate than what we have now. Eventually it would be nice to have to
interact less with stuff, but I'm not so sure I want to be in the first
round. <grin> Never say never though. 
In the meantime, boy do I appreciate having a place to share knowledge, to
vent, to brag, to whine and to help each other. I really do appreciate all
of you and look forward to accomplishing as much as we can together. Onward,
onward! Count me in!
Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on
iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club. 
To learn more, visit:
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bernadette Jacobs via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2017 8:45 AM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Cc: Bernadette Jacobs
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Your new president...

Oh Bridgit!

Thank you so kindly for your vote of confidence!! You're like a breath of
fresh air!

Only trouble is, for Medicare patients, I think that these things are so
hard, as a matter of fact, too hard to get. You shouldn't have to go through
denials and appeals and denials and appeals. Too bad the system is so
broken!! We should not have to fight this hard to survive. Just makes me
sick!! However, I will be anxious to hear more about the artificial
pancreas.  I'm always anxious to hear more when it comes. Talk very soon.

Bern

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 2, 2017, at 9:50 AM, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via 
> Diabetes-Talk
<diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Bernie,
> 
> Congrats, even though it's a bittersweet congratulations. You will do 
> a fantastic job.
> 
> On a sidenote, speaking of sharing and learning from each other, I 
> just
want
> to say that my doctor continues to bring up the artificial pancreas 
> and
how
> it will be available on the market within the year to all diabetics. 
> He believes this will revolutionize diabetes even more than insulin 
> pumps
have.
> He's eager and excited for the technology and for me to have the
opportunity
> to transition to one. Of course, I'm concerned about accessibility, 
> but nonetheless, this is exciting news, and I'm sure many of us are 
> excited about this technology.
> 
> The device will use a CGM to constantly monitor blood sugars. As it 
> does this, it will automatically adjust insulin as needed. Little 
> interaction will be necessary for the device.
> 
> More info about this is available online, but as I learn more, I will 
> continue to share.
> 
> Happy New Year; may 2017 be fruitful for everyone.
> 
> Bridgit
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf Of Bernadette Jacobs via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2017 1:26 PM
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Bernadette Jacobs <bernienfb75 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Your new president...
> 
> Good Afternoon Everyone!!!
> 
> Happy New Year!!!
> 
> Firstly, I'd like to begin by telling you a little bit about myself 
> for those of you who don't know me.  I'm aware, however that most of 
> you
do.
I
> am Bernadette Jacobs, formerly, about 18 years ago, Bernadette Krajewski.
I
> have been first vice-president now since, I believe, about 2007.  
> Don't hesitate to correct me if somebody out there finds me to be 
> wrong.  At any rate, I did have a one-year break while Sandy Ryan 
> served just last year--2015-2016.  Thank you Sandy.
> Since the unfortunate passing of our illustrious and fearless leader 
> Mike Freeman's passing, I will do my best to serve you as our Diabetes 
> Action Network's president and your list moderator.
> 
> I will warn you.  I can't do this all alone, however.  I need all of 
> you
to
> work with me and teach me as you have done about our conditions for 
> the
past
> so many years.  Most of what I have learned about my own diabetes, 
> I've learned from all of you.  You've been so gracious.  But that's 
> what we're
in
> this thing for.  Right????  Helping each other and taking care of each 
> other.  So, I'd like to say, Welcome home and Happy New Year!!!
> 
> I was diagnosed as a type II diabetic in about March of 1985.  This, 
> of course, was before the age of "pre-diabetes."  I have been insulin
dependent
> since 1999 when My husband Bill and I were first married and I became 
> pregnant with the baby we lost in miscarriage.  I have been a member 
> of
the
> Diabetes Action Network, (DAN) since its inception in 1985.
> 
> My mother was a diabetic and I lost my mother to complications of 
> diabetes at the tender age of 13.  She, herself was only 47.  She had 
> three heart attacks, the third of which, resulted in her passing.  I 
> remember it as if were Yesterday.  When I came into DAN, I told it's 
> then president, Ed Bryant, that my mother was a diabetic and died of 
> complications.  He gave
me
> that gentle kick in the seat of the pants, "And you are diabetic too..."
Of
> course, he also recognized I was in that old familiar river, "Denial???"
Ed
> Bryant, the gentle man he was, took me under his fatherly wing and we
worked
> together up until his passing.  Mike came in and we all continued on.  
> I must say, that his passing on December 24, shocked and deeply 
> saddened me just as it has everyone else.
> 
> Now, everyone, I'd like to take this time to thank you!!  For, it's 
> all of you who've taught me so much about the conditions that we share
together.
> Taught me about insulin pumps, complications, and the heartaches we've 
> suffered together as well as foo the positive bits of news.  There are 
> so many of you that I simply can't wait to hear about something new 
> you've learned, discovered and/or whatever else.  It simply warms my 
> heart to the moon and back to hear from you as I feel like we're such 
> a great big
family.
> Isn't it wonderful???  I think it's phantabulous!!!  SQUEEEEEZE!!!!!  
> i DO hope that all of you will continue to write in with all your 
> things, both good and bad so that we can all continue to share, learn, 
> and work
together.
> I'll miss you if you don't!!
> 
> Until next time, take care and have a great day!!!
> 
> Below, I'll be posting my Email, so that you can write me offlist for 
> anything strictly confidential you might need help with.  I will then
share
> my cell phone with you that we may continue our work together.
> 
> Very Warmly,
> 
> Bernadette M. Jacobs, (Bernie, Bern).
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> 
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