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

Veronica Elsea veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com
Fri Sep 7 21:08:27 UTC 2018 

The important thing to remember about the FreeStyle Libre is that as of the last I knew, this device only gave readings when you asked it to do so. This means that you'd also not have alarms that warn you when you're high or low. In the case of the Dexcom G6, I have really benefitted from the "urgent low soon" alarm. It figures out by watching your pattern of a falling BG reading, when you might be about 20 minutes away from a low and alerts you so you can take action early to prevent it. I'm thrilled by the fact that I no longer have those rebound readings after going low. I will not be switching at this time to the Libre even if it's cheaper because I think I'm getting what I pay for.
Right now I don't know the full cost of the G6 because I do have good insurance coverage. But the sensors are different than those for the G5 and so is the transmitter. You still put them in the abdomen but they are much easier. I don't even wrinkle the tape any more. Yippee! But frankly, until they make tape that lasts for 14 days, I don't see the point in making the sensor last that long. <grin> 
With the Dexcom, of course, we can see the current reading. You give your doctor a code and then your doctor can look at all of your readings and you don't have to keep that log. When you give the doctor the code, you specify how long it lasts. So for instance, if you give it for a year, that means any time during that year, if you have a question between appointments, the doctor can just look at your readings and answer your question. It's a great system in my opinion.
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 ed worrell via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2018 1:05 PM
To: gary-melconian
Cc: ed worrell; Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Accessible alternative ways of testing blood sugar

Hello Gary,

Apple has recently opened up NFC to developers and Abbott is working on an app for the US market. The other slow down in the whole process is the FDA has to approve the use of the application. Granted this process has been sped up, and Abbott is saying that the app should be available  in the coming months. I also have read on the freestylelibre.com<http://freestylelibre.com> website that the application will have verbal announcements and it should be accessible to VoiceOver and TalkBack users. I have a feeling that the app won’t be in the app stores until the new Libre 14 day sensor is widely available. We will have to wait and see.

Ed

On Sep 7, 2018, at 1:38 PM, gary-melconian <gmelconian619 at gmail.com<mailto:gmelconian619 at gmail.com>> wrote:

Please do test an let us know.i do have both I OS and android.if there  is an alternative that  will cost les and do as good of a job as  dexcom.i am willing to  giveit long term testing as I only got to try with my endo office for a few days .the dexcom transmitters are the expensive part of  the unit compare to the Abbot libre system.the sensssor aare comparable between abbot and dexcom.that  much I noticed when I was googling around.
When abbot has more testing and will improve I will take a second look to se how it wiwil  compare as an alternative solution to dexcom.
-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of ed worrell via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, September 7, 2018 10:39 AM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org<mailto:diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>>
Cc: ed worrell <ntnmprt at hotmail.com<mailto:ntnmprt at hotmail.com>>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Accessible alternative ways of testing blood sugar

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><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><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><mailto:diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>>
Cc: Estelnalissi <airadil at dslextreme.com<mailto: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<http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com/>
              Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407<tel: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><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><mailto:Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org>>
Cc: Terri Stimmel <princessterri76 at gmail.com<mailto: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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