[Diabetes-Talk] difficulty testing my sugar level

Tue Sep 4 01:00:36 UTC 2018

Personally, I don't often have a problem getting enough blood or getting the strip to accept it with my Prodigy Voice, but, we all have different struggles and triumphs with diabetes, blind or not 😊

For me, I don't have to run my hands under water or anything like that. I poke my finger, and I can feel where I poked, so, after squeezing upwards on the finger, I place the strip onto the spot where I felt the poke and do circular motions. Once the meter beeps, indicating it has accepted the blood, I hold my finger there for a fraction longer before pulling away.

For me, I typically get an accurate reading, though, every now-and-then, I get a not-enough-blood error. But, to be honest, this happens with all meters, for both sighted and blind people. I used to be sighted, and it was the same. I've found the Prodigy to be one of the better meters I've used both sighted and blind, but, I'm open to learning about newer meters.

I'm also in the process of getting a CGM too, which I'm excited about. Although, I'm not sure how well docs are explaining CGMs to people. I have a friend who is GD, and they want her to get a CGM because they think she can't independently test her glucose levels even though she's using the Prodigy Voice. I had to explain to her that even with the Dexcom, she will have to test a couple of times a day manually, especially if using the G5 version. But, the doctors have her convinced she will not have to poke her finger ever again. And also, this is only during the remainder of her pregnancy.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, September 3, 2018 7:08 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] difficulty testing my sugar level

No matter what I did, I couldn't seem to get enough blood to satisfy the Prodigy. It's a shame that we are stuck with a meter that is known to be inaccurate. That's why there isn't a bigger fight to get it covered by more insurance. Frankly, if I were in charge of the world right now, I'd recommend that all blind people be given, and yes I did say given, a continuous glucose monitor on the grounds that we don't have any accurate accessible meter to use. 
But back to the testing tips since it's what it is and I am not in charge of the world. <grin> I find that not only do I have to run my hands under hot water, but my wrists. If I get up higher, I seem to have more success. I was also told not to use alcohol. It will make bigger lumps under your finger. Besides, soap and water work. They work well. There's no need for the alcohol.
When I sit down with my meter and do the prick, I also do milk my finger, a gentle squeeze working from my hand towards the tip of the finger. The trick there is not to run into the drop of blood. Ask me how I know this. Hahahaha! But sometimes I just have to do several sticks per test. I have always had trouble. I am hoping that my fingers are enjoying the break they're getting as now that I have the Dexcom G6, I don't do many sticks at all. Yay! 
Keep us posted and feel free to keep questions, suggestions and ideas coming our way as well.
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 Peggy Kane via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2018 3:27 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Cc: pegkane52 at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] difficulty testing my sugar level

Peggy Sent from my IPhone.

> On Sep 3, 2018, at 5:49 PM, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> If a doctor writes insurance a letter, often, they will cover the 
> Prodigy Voice or at least a portion. I've never paid for my Prodigy 
> Voice. But, you need to get your doctor and possibly pharmacy to provide an over-ride.
> 
> Bridgit
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of 
> Daniel Chavez via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Monday, September 3, 2018 4:26 PM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Daniel Chavez <topdog2046 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] difficulty testing my sugar level
> 
> Hello folks,
> In my last reply to a list member who was having issues testing their 
> blood sugar's, I failed to mention that, if you will need the Prodigy 
> Voice meter, it will need to be purchased out-of-pocket, as insurances will not cover it.
> However, if anyone needs information about the Prodigy Voice meter, I 
> have a link to where I purchased my "starter kit," from.
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-Talk mailing list
> Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/bkpollpeter
> %40gma
> il.com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-Talk mailing list
> Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Diabetes-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/pegkane52%4
> 0gmail.com hello,
Yes I’ve had to prodigy to voice meters. Both times doctors have written letters, and the second time I had to change companies this is why I needed a new letter and I also needed a new meter.
Take care.
Peggy
_______________________________________________
Diabetes-Talk mailing list
Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Diabetes-Talk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/veronica%40laurelcreekmusic.com

_______________________________________________
Diabetes-Talk mailing list
Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Diabetes-Talk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/bkpollpeter%40gmail.com