[Diabetes-Talk] Help with insulin pumps

[Eileen Scrivani]

Joyce,

When you get batteries for the pump, no matter what pump make or model, are you sure you are getting the Energizer brand batteries? They are the best. 

Once and only once, I thought I was saving money by buying a different, cheap, brand of battery that was on sale. I changed the battery on Wednesday and by Thursday afternoon, the battery was spent. My bG numbers shot up way high. At the time I was in the emergency room with my husband, I felt so ill I had to leave him and get a car service home and changed out everything; batteries, reservoir and infusion set just to be safe. When I had sighted help look at the screen, it was clearly the battery. It only took that one time and after that I’ve never bought any other brand than Energizer as battery of choice.  Make sure you don’t cheap out on batteries its just not worth it.   Even though Duracell has had a good reputation and name recognition they are still just not as good.  Medtronics recommends the Energizer batteries for the pump for a reason.

Eileen


From: Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk 
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2017 5:20 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' 
Cc: Veronica Elsea 
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


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To learn more, visit:
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                Veronica Elsea, Owner
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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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