[Diabetes-Talk] Animas Vibe, I'm live!

Fri Mar 17 20:39:13 UTC 2017

That's ridiculous. I was just recently in hospital after having my son, and the diabetes educators and doctors were more than willing to work with me and help with doing things on my pump I needed help for. The labor and delivery nurses were pretty ignorant of pumps, but they admitted to this and let me lead the way in my pump management.

Though not every encounter through the years has been great. I once had a nurse years ago refuse to leave me alone in the shower. She said I was a fall risk, and that I would slip in the shower, and she wasn't going to have that on her watch. Eventually I grew indignant and slammed the door in her face. I think she got the message then. LOL!

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Eileen Scrivani via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2017 8:44 AM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Eileen Scrivani <etscrivani at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Animas Vibe, I'm live!

Bridget,

The level of ignorance among “medical professionals” is mind-blowing. On New Years Eve morning, I was hospitalized for yet a third time due to a kidney infection. It was a horrible infection I’d been battling with since October and on-off again with antibiotics since October. With the last hospitalization I decided to go to a different hospital. Like the other hospital I had been admitted to, they  allowed me to keep my pump on with the understanding that I was in charge of using the pump – giving my bolis dosages and changing out the infusion set/reservoir when necessary. This was not an issue for me since I’ve been doing this for the past three years.

After being in for two days, my glucose levels started to climb really high. The diabetic doctor who was called in took me off the pump and started an insulin IV drip. I had no problems with this because I was so sick I just wanted everything to get better and back to normal. Before one of the nurses helped me to put the pump in a suspended delivery state, I asked if there would be someone to help me get it back up and running before I left the hospital. The response was there would not be a problem. Haha, what a joke!

On day 6 when I was feeling better and ready to be discharged they would not assist in helping me to read the screens and get the pump up and running again! 

They actually wanted to send me home on insulin injections. I was not willing to let them alter my entire insulin regiment to that extent. The CDE started telling me that the pump was defective. I told her that one was pulled out of a hat because they had absolutely nothing to base the pumps integrity on. At no time did they do a self-diagnostic check on my pump because they weren’t even willing to put hands on it. They just simply wanted me off of it without being able to give me a good reason why. I was fit to be tied and raised bloody hell with them. Apparently, the hospital had some ridiculous guideline that would not allow their certified diabetic educator to assist a patient (while in the hospital) in getting an insulin pump up and running. They did not want to hear that I was blind and needed assistance in doing this step.  They weren’t offering any assistance to me because of my blindness.  All of this two weeks after having lost my husband after months of going through a horrid illness with him and now this upset while I’m feeling down and sick as a dog.  

I kept telling them that I could not see the pump screen to get the thing up and going again on my own without a set of working eyeballs. Putting the pump in suspense is something I Never, never do so I don’t know the button presses to turn it on/off. 

I was literally screaming at them. I had them call in their patient care advocate and gave them a huge piece of my mind. Finally in this place loaded with doctors & nurses, they were “kind enough” <LOL> to have one nurse from patient advocate office come in and go through the screen settings with me to get the blasted pump up and running again.  They all seemed to me to be in total ignorance on the functionality of the pump and the fact my sugars went off the charts was due to a very severe infection.
They all appeared to me to be oblivious to the fact that I had a massive kidney infection that was reeking havoc in my body and on my glucose numbers.  They all wanted to put the entire blame on the pump and no understanding of what type of assistance I was requesting from them.

Oh yeah, finally, when I did the discharge paperwork, the nurse gave me a $25 gift card because of “All the Aggravation” I had over it. 

This from a hospital that has a reputation in the area as being a really good hospital. Go figure!

Eileen

From: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 10:25 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' 
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Animas Vibe, I'm live!

Funny story. I had a PA a year ago who accussed me of not knowing how to work my pump because my BG's were all over the place. Instead of trying to identify a problem she blamed my blindness. Anyway, She tried to say I was accidently bolusing or that my pump was maybe bolusing itself like in my sleep. I was like, "Uh, don't think so, Lady. In order for this pump to accidently bolus with the touch bolus, all the planets would have to align."
LOL!

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 6:31 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Animas Vibe, I'm live!

Hi Jamie!
First, it seems like all of the modern pumps assume you'll be taking them out to look at menus and such. It's just funny that this one which specifically says, used when pump is hidden in clothing and they make it so soft and slow. Way too many extra beeps too. And I too have to get used to the smaller cartridge as I'm like you in that those 300 unit cartridges lasted me a week. And we'll see what I end up doing with the alarms. Today at lunch I tried my luck at using the easy carb feature. It's a matter of counting and hope I got it right but you know, it is faster. And my trainer didn't leave me any extra anything. <grin> Those battery caps are expensive!

But I haven't tried using the KNFB reader on anything but the home screen so far.

As for the waist-it, it's a soft velcroe strap which has a soft cotton pocket in it for the pump. It's designed so that the tubing can come through one side. I don't wear dresses all that often any more but I did when I first got them. I do like the fact that the pump is secure while you're dressing and undressing or doing other things like that. It does keep the tubing out of the way. I bought them from a company called Unique Accessories. My Disetronic pump, I wore in my bra. But the Cozmo was heavier so I switched to the waist. But they make things you can wear on your arm, your thigh, your leg or in pouches that clip on to stuff. They also have pump tea shirts which have a pocket designed for the tubing. They even sell pajamas.
The web site is www.uniaccs.com
The two women who founded this company are very nice on the phone as well.
One of them was my first pump trainer back in 1991.
I also only change the tubing when I change the cartridge. I met someone who did an art sculpture out of all the leftover tubing he had. It was pretty cool. 
But so far, other than moments when I get the cannula into a dud of a spot like this morning, my BG readings seem to be much steadier on the Animas than on my old Cozmo. Even though I have to wait till the end of the process and listen to the motor, I'm glad I am able to make use of the smart bolus features which as much certainty as we have on many things today. <grin> Anyway, thanks again for the nice feedback. Betty and I are doing okay so far.
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 Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 4:04 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Jamie Gurganus
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Animas Vibe, I'm live!

Veronica,

     I also think the audio bolus is  not as quick to use like my Spirit, but it is the only way for me to give a bolus.  I also can't hear it without taking it out of my pocket when out in public or even when my family is talking at the dinner table.  But, my friend who is sighted and has the new Medtronic pump is finding the same issue.  He said that he has to take his pump out of his pocket to navigate the menu just to give a bolus on it.  So, sighted or not, we are all having to take our pumps out of our pockets to use them!

And, I couldn't hear Beethoven at all when at the store or with a coat on, so I changed all of my alarms and alerts to vibrate.  

I haven't found anything except my kids's eyes that can read the screen for me to tell me what an alarm or alert is saying.  I don't have the KNFB reader.  I just keep track of when I change my cartridge and expect a low cartridge alert in about 3 days.  I'm not used to that, since the Spirit cartridge lasted a week for me.  I also have to change my infusion set every two days, but I don't always change the tubing.  That uses a lot of insulin.

What is the waist-it?  I don't recall getting one with mine.  I have been keeping my pump in my pocket since I started on one over 19 years ago, so I only have clothes with pockets in them.  Dresses are fun though, and I either tuck my pump up top or strap it to my thigh.  I don't wear dresses
very often though.    I do have to use the clip on certain summer shorts.
It's all good though!   I wouldn't be without one now.

Jamie
  -----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 1:09 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Animas Vibe, I'm live!

Hi everyone!
Thanks so much for the responses and suggestions. I did manage to get my Vibe into a new Waist-it that I hadn't opened yet and other than noticing the extra weight of the pump, made life more comfy for me. By day three, the thing driving me the craziest is the darned audio bolus. Man it's slow! I also can't hear the little beeps if I'm out in public. I tried it on vibrate and found it even slower. I'm actually about ready to try just using its easy carb feature. But I've now changed cannulas a couple of times. I can only wear mine for two days and this morning I landed in a bad spot and up I went. Oops! I wouldn't mind if the user could control where the default started you when entering blood sugars so I could start at 100 rather than 80. <grin> And I wonder who decided to have it default to starting at 4 hours for a temp basal. Start at 0 and let me decide. Sheesh! 
As for the KNFB reader, perhaps it makes a difference which iPhone you have.
I have the 7 and do find the KNFB reader works better in other documents as well. But this morning I checked my cartridge level again. It's really helping me to have one little exciting benefit like this. Incidentally, my new pump is named Betty. It's short for better than expected. <grin> Now I just have to call Animas and straight out my account. It looks like when they lost my order they lost track of my pump upgrade and payment I'd given them. Ah, life in the modern world!
Thanks again for all the support and company. I really appreciate it.
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 Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2017 6:42 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Animas Vibe, I'm live!

Veronica,

I wear my pump with the clip on the back attached to my waistband. However, about every six months or so, I need to replace the clip as it starts to break. On the Animas website, they have some other options for devices to wear the pump. I prefer the clip despite it wearing down easily though.

I tried using my KNFB reader and it did not work but maybe I need to try again.

Glad things are going well so far. You get used to the extra Ok's eventually, grin.

Keep us updated.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2017 7:15 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Animas Vibe, I'm live!

Hi everyone!
Pant pant! It's amazing how much mental work is involved here. But I am now up and running on my Animas Vibe. 
The very first time I filled a cartridge, one of the O rings busted. My trainer said she'd never seen that before and took a picture of it. Oh boy!
But things went better than I was afraid they might go. I have everything set up, thanks to my hubby. I've now filled my first cartridge, done a correction bolus, figured out how to handle temp basals, the easy carbs and of course, the audio bolus. It's kind of nice how it divides up the whirring sound of the motor so you have a sense of how much insulin has been delivered. The only thing I'm still trying to sort out is how to wear this pump. It doesn't fit in the Waist-it that held my Cozmo because there is a giant seam right where the audio bolus button is. So for the moment I'm trying out the clip on the back of the pump. We'll see how it behaves during certain activities. <grin> I did make one really, and I mean really cool discovery. I actually used my KNFB reader to read my home screen. As long as things aren't too cluttered, I was able to read how much was left in my cartridge. Now that was exciting!
Life will be really cool if I can keep that up! I still get just a bit nervous about which things need an extra ok and which don't. And I'm already kind of sick of Beethoven. <grin> So now I'll just see how the rest of the day goes, calibrating my Dexcom and one more meal. 
Anyway, thanks for hanging with me through my negative anticipation. Now we'll just see when the breath holding stops. <lol> But any hints on how you are wearing this pump would be appreciated.
Thanks so much.
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

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