[Diabetes-Talk] Accessible alternative ways of testing blood sugar

Fri Sep 7 17:38:43 UTC 2018

Hello All,

I have been having some luck with the Abbott Freestyle Libre CGM system. This system doesn’t require any finger sticks to calibrate. The sensors cost only  $40 without insurance. I believe that medicare/medicade are covering the system as well. Here are my findings.

iOS:

The Libre Flash application isn’t ready in the United States so far, hopefully a late 2018 release. I have had a lot of luck using TapTapSee to read the Libre’s reader screen  and the blood sugars to me, The Seeing AI app works for the most part, it for some reason only seems to read the screen about every third time I try.

 Android:
If you have an Android device with NFC you can use the Glimp application and have it read the NFC sensor on the Libre sensors and it works pretty well with Talkback. The same developers offer another free app that you can download that will start the sensor for you so you don’t have to figure out how to start the sensor using the Libre reader, of which isn’t accessible.

Universal (both iOS and Android)
App name - LinkGluCon
Device - GluCon Nightrider
Price for device - $85
App price - free

 This device will allow you to use the Abbott Freestyle Libre just like the Dexcom system. The Glucon Nightrider device sits on top of the libre sensor and reads the NFC chip every 5 mins, and will send the BG readings to the iPhone or
Android device. The GluCon also has a replaceable battery so you can pay one price for the device and use it for as long as you would like. The only down fall is the device doesn’t stay on the sensor by itself. You will need to wear an arm band or use the self adhesive medical tape to hold it on the sensor. I am trying it out and will post more to list as I figure the app out and see if there are any issues.

 Thanks,

Ed

On Sep 6, 2018, at 9:22 PM, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org<mailto:diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>> wrote:

The G5 version of Dexcom is covered by Medicare. Sometime next year, the G6 will be as well.

Yes, you insert the sensors yourself at home. My understanding is that the G6 sensors are much easier to insert for anyone using them, sighted and blind. No, the sensors for the G5 are different from the G6.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of Estelnalissi via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Thursday, September 6, 2018 9:41 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org<mailto:diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>>
Cc: Estelnalissi <airadil at dslextreme.com<mailto:airadil at dslextreme.com>>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Accessible alternative ways of testing blood sugar

Dear Veronica,

Can you tell me a ballpark price for the Dexcom G6? I'm seeing my Endo tomorrow to discuss it. I'm wondering if I could afford the G6 since it isn't covered by Medicare. Can you implant the sensor into your arm yourself? How does it stay in without falling out? Do the G5 and G6 use the same kinds of sensors? Probably not, but I can hope. Can the doctor's office see your readings or just you? Can the doctor see the results when you are in his office so you don't have to keep a log?

There is so much I don't know.

Always with love,

Lissi

-----Original Message-----
From: Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2018 10:04 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Veronica Elsea
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Accessible alternative ways of testing blood sugar

Terri, with the Dexcom G6, it calibrates itself so you don't have to test twice a day, as you do with the G5. But the alternate testing methods that regular meters emply require vision. You just prick somewhere else and then you have to watch when the clear cap is filled with blood.
So unfortunately, the only break your fingers could get would come with the wearing of the G6. Mine are thrilled about it. <grin> Hang in there.
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: Thursday, September 06, 2018 3:17 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Accessible alternative ways of testing blood
sugar

Currently, there's no way to test without poking unless you use a CGM
(continueous glucose meter). A CGM is a device that attaches to you and you
wear the sensor for 7 days, I believe. It test your glucose levels every
couple of minutes, showing what they are doing in real time. The only
accessible CGM is the Dexcom, and it's only accessible if using the app.

Medicare just recently agreed to cover the G5 version of Dexcom and its app.
There is a G6 version, but, Medicare will not cover it until next year
sometime, for some reason. Either is accessible with the app.

With the CGM, you still have to test a couple of times a day to calibrate,
but, this is much less than normal. Others on the list have been using the
Dexcom for a while and can answer more questions. I am in the process of
getting one myself. CGMs are allowing diabetics to lower A1-Cs because, you
see in real-time what carbs do to your glucose levels, and it alerts when
you are going to high or low, able to correct.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of Terri
Stimmel via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Thursday, September 6, 2018 4:42 PM
To: Diabetes-talk <Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org<mailto:Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org>>
Cc: Terri Stimmel <princessterri76 at gmail.com<mailto:princessterri76 at gmail.com>>
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Accessible alternative ways of testing blood sugar

Hello everyone,

I apologize if these questions have already been asked. I don’t check this
email account often. I usually delete messages when I do.

I was wondering, are there any accessible, alternative ways to test blood
sugar, and get results, without having to poke yourself?
Or are all these ways still not accessible for someone who is totally blind?

Also, if there are any accessible methods out there, might they be covered
by Medicare?

Any help would be very much appreciated. I want to not have to poke my
fingers anymore, if at all possible.

Thank you,

Terri

Sent from my iPhone
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