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

Sun Sep 9 21:57:28 UTC 2018

Thanks, this is helpful. Can you wear the pod elsewhere on the body? Just
curious. I also know you're a swimmer like me. How does it hold up in the
pool?

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Veronica
Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Sunday, September 9, 2018 3:21 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Accessible alternative ways of testing blood
sugar

The last I heard, Medicare will approve the OmniPod if you're on it before
starting Medicare and in 2019, they'll cover it for everyone.
I am still using the OmniPod. It is working for me and Bridgit, I too have
different basal rates at around 5:00 in the morning. That is the thing I
worry about going back to pens. 
I have been saved many times by using the Seeing AI app so I wouldn't
recommend using the OmniPod without it. There are still some tricky moments
when a new message pops up and I don't have a way to know which button does
what. It's very rare now but it can be one of those fun dramatic moments.
The trickiest thing in my opinion, is the filling of the syringe. In each
package with the pod, you get a syringe which holds 200 units of insulin. So
you must fill the syringe from a regular vial of insulin, then you stick the
syringe needle into a small corner of the pod and fill the pod with insulin.
We cannot use the Count-a-dose or any other assistive gadget I know about to
help fill that syringe because it's really fat and has a very short needle.
I had a hard time keeping the needle in the insulin vial as I tried to pull
the plunger out. So I made a plastic gadget that allows me to snap things
together and know where I am when filling the syringe. I have had no
problems with air bubbles though. 
I put the pods on the back of my arms and it is pretty easy to wrinkle the
tape when reaching around and slapping the pod on. But they seem to manage
to stay on for the three days anyway. <grin> But blousing, doing temp
basals, suspending and responding to alarms is quite easy. I really like
working with the remote not connected to my body because for one thing, I
can hold it where I can hear it in a crowded place. I have really come to
enjoy not having tubing, not having to disconnect during a shower and such.
And I love being able to use the Seeing AI app to read things like how much
insulin is left on board, to double-check my carb entries and read what the
pump suggests. That's more than I've had with anyone's pump in the past. 
I still get help when changing settings like the basal rate because, I just
don't want to mess up on something like that. That was true for me with the
Animas as well. 
Anyway, given the challenges with all of this stuff, I will be more than
happy to spend time with anyone here who wants to give it a try, sharing my
notes and the things I've figured out with help from a working pair of
eyeballs. <grin> 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: Saturday, September 08, 2018 7:28 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Accessible alternative ways of testing blood
sugar

Oh, of course, Medicare doesn't cover the Omnipod. We potentially will have
new insurance, but, nothing for sure. My husband may have a new job soon,
finger's crossed, but, still, this is yet to be determined. Tired of all
this crap.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jamie
Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Saturday, September 8, 2018 8:12 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jamie Gurganus <jamielgurganus at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Accessible alternative ways of testing blood
sugar

My G6 is being delivered next week. I see my diabetes educator on September
24, so I will probably wait to start using it until I see her for some
guidance. We are also going to be looking at my pump options, which I think
is just the Omni pod now. Luckily, I now have Blue Cross as my primary
insurance with my new job, so I should be able to purchase it now. Medicare
still has not approved it. Talk soon!

     Jamie

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 8, 2018, at 6:20 PM, Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
<diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> The Dexcom G6 needs no calibration at all so technically you don't 
> have to test. For me, it takes a little longer than the two-hour warm 
> up period to settle in on that first day so I do a couple of test on 
> day 1 and then nothing till I insert a new sensor ten days later. My 
> fingers are really appreciating the break.
> 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 Daniel Chavez via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2018 6:48 AM
> To: Lester Cameron; Diabetes Talk for the Blind
> Cc: Daniel Chavez
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Accessible alternative ways of testing 
> blood sugar
> 
> Dexcom apps right to health with a three hour delay.
> Emergency personnel can still access the application should they 
> choose
to.
> The Dexcom phone number is: 1-877-339-2664 The website is: 
> www.dexcom.com
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> laurel
> creekmusic.com
> 
> 
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