[Diabetes-Talk] Help with insulin pumps

Fri Mar 10 23:51:02 UTC 2017

Joyce,

     I agree with Veronica.  I just started with the Animas Vibe in January,
which I found to be easier to use as a blind person.  The Animas and the
Dexcom G4 can be used together, but the CGM readings and ability to input
blood sugars independently are not possible.  I am doing like Veronica and
have the Dexcom G5 and use the iPhone app.  I love being able to do
everything with the Dexcom on my own, and I am just getting used to having
my phone with me all of the time.  I also don't feel my lows, but the Dexcom
is the best thing to help you with knowing where your blood sugars are.
Even if you don't like the pump, I'd recommend getting the Dexcom to keep
you from dropping low without noticing.  Since you live by yourself, you can
have the alerts set as loud as you want to notify you when you are dropping.
I, like Veronica have had to put my alerts on vibrate only and even mute and
turn the volume very low on my phone at night.  That even bothered my
husband, since the vibrating phone on my bedside stand woke him.  So, I now
wear shorts to bed with my phone in my pocket.  

	My friend has the Medtronic pump with their own CGM, and he is very
unhappy with it.  He, as many others have stated finds that the CGM is very
inaccurate.  The Dexcom is really the more superior system, and he is
wishing he had gone with it.

Veronica--good luck learning the Vibe.  It took some time, but I have
finally mastered the sequence of buttons to push to change my cartridge and
prime tubing.  I'm still nervous doing either of these when my kids are not
in the house, but I did receive excellent tech support from Animas when I
messed up and was lost in the menus!  The key for me is to be slow and
deliberate when pushing the buttons.      Good luck.

				Jamie

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2017 4:20 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Help with insulin pumps

Joyce, the Dexcom is a stand-alone product. So I wear a pump around my waist
and keep my iPhone in my pocket to read the CGM results. You set alarms on
your phone so that if you get above or below a certain point, the Dexcom
makes a bunch of noise! I found the alarms annoying enough that I turned
them off and just check it frequently. But you cannot turn off the urgent
low alarm. If you don't respond to the first alarm, which goes off if you
reach 55, it keeps getting louder and louder. 
Frankly, I would not like my pump turning off automatically for two hours
because your basal rates actually affect what happens to you about two hours
down the road. I'd worry that I'd end up too high. But you could still get a
separate Dexcom unit and use it with the pump you have, which is what I'd
recommend. I don't have first hand knowledge but the reviews I've heard seem
to say that the Dexcom is more accurate. The Dexcom iPhone app is also much
more accessible to us than the one with the Medtronic.
I also don't understand why you aren't using the pump you have yet. You
really shouldn't have gotten low cartridge or battery alarms in only three
days. So something feels off here. 
I am starting the Animas Vibe on Monday. I am a bit nervous about it but it
is what it is, the next phase. But Joyce, please don't give up hope. You
deserve the very best care and believe me, we'll sure back you up here.
Please keep us posted and let us know how we can help. Hugs!
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: Friday, March 10, 2017 12:48 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: blindhands at aol.com
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Help with insulin pumps

Is there an insulin pump that works with the Dextron CGM?  I went with the
Medtronic pump due to the feature that it will turn off for up to 2 hours
when you have a low blood sugar.  That feature works only if you have the
CGM.

This was the major problem that I was having.  I don't feel low blood sugars
coming on and I would latterly pass out and be on the floor for up to 3 or 4
hours before someone would find me.  Since my husband died 3 years ago, I am
by myself most of the day & night.  
They haven't started me on the pump, even though I have had it since mid
November.  I actually had it on for 3 days and then it went crazy and did
not send me a message that the reservoir was low and the battery needed
replacement.

It took a week to figure out what was going on with that and Careline.  My
Sprint service needed to be upgraded.  That was over a week ago and the
trainer was going out of town  until March 22.

I was told by my lawyer that they have approved the Dextron 5 for Medicare
to be covered, but none of the others.

Any help with learning about these other pumps that work with the Dextron
CGM I need information on.

Joyce

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