[Diabetes-Talk] insulin pumps and CGM

[Alyssa Frierson]

Hi all,
Thank you all so much for your messages and sharing your experiences.
I tested the Omnipod, Medtronic, and Tandem T-Slim pumps with my
diabetes educator, and we're going with Medtronic! Medtronic was
easiest for me to use (and most like how I operate the Animas). The
Omnipod's screen wasn't big enough for me to read it with
magnification (I could probably do it with my phone, but it's easier
to use the small handheld one I'm used to). The contrast on the T-Slim
was better than Medtronic, but I kept messing up when I was trying to
operate the touch screen. I kept having to touch it, take my hand
away, look at the screen again with magnification to make sure I
hadn't made a mistake, then backing up and doing it again when I'd
pressed something incorrectly. It seemed like there was too much room
for error and it would take forever to operate. Also filling the
cartridge seemed tricky. As long as the brightness is turned all the
way up I could navigate the Medtronic okay, and I think filling the
insulin will be easier than with the Omnipod or T-Slim, so I think
it's the right decision.
It's great to know the Dexcom app is accessible! Insurance won't cover
the Dexcom G6 until June, so we're waiting a few months to add that. I
think that's good; then I can get used to a new pump first. I still
feel a little anxious about having to switch, but I think once I get
the hang of a new pump I'll feel more excited. Thanks again for all
the support!

Alyssa

On 3/29/19, Eileen Scrivani via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Allisa,
>
> While I am using a Medtronic insulin pump, last October, the company
> discontinued the last models we as blind diabetics were able to use
> independently. I thought I would be able to upgrade to a Medtronic 530G
> which others on list are using, but there was not a supplier that had
> anymore to sell. I had to settle for an upgrade to the same model that I
> have used the last 5 years which is a Paradigm Revel model 723. So long as
> its under warrantee I’m okay with it. Although Medtronic keeps saying they
> are working on a pump we will again be able to use so far as I know there is
> not one out on the market at this time. I don’t know if your doctor’s office
> might be able to work with their Medtronic rep to try and get you something
> you can use.
>
> Veronica who is on this list is using the Omni Pod. If you have useable
> vision I don’t know, but maybe you’d be able to use the Tandum, that is
> something you or your doctor might be able to give you more information on
> or let you see one before committing to it. As a totally blind diabetic I
> cannot operate it.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Eileen
> From: Alyssa Frierson via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Friday, March 29, 2019 3:15 PM
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Alyssa Frierson
> Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] insulin pumps and CGM
>
> Hi all,
> I was on the list a while ago, took a break, and now I'm back with a
> question. For those of you on insulin pumps, what insulin pump do you
> use? I have Type 1 and have used an Animas pump for the entire
> thirteen years I've been on a pump. My warranty expires at the end of
> April, so I have to sadly switch. I meet with my Diabetes educator on
> Tuesday to discuss options, but thought I'd ask here as well. I have
> some residual vision and have been able to use my Animas Ping
> independently with some magnification. I know there's not a totally
> accessible pump, but was wondering if you've found some more easy to
> use than others? My doctor suggested at one point the Tandem T-Slim
> might work because of the contrast on the screen?
>
> Also, for those of you who have a CGM, which do you have? I know
> Dexcom has an iPhone app; is it accessible? I'm really on the fence
> about a CGM. I'm not sure I like the idea of being attached to
> something else all the time (having a pump and CGM stuck to my body
> all the time), and am not sure how I feel about always being able to
> look at my blood sugars. My last A1C was 6.9, so I feel like my
> control is generally pretty good. But lately I'm finding I have
> growing anxiety about my overnight blood sugars and have trouble not
> over-correcting for lows, so I can see some advantage to trying a CGM.
> Both of these feel like big changes since I've only ever used my
> Animas pump (or shots) and my glucose meter for so long, so I think
> I'm struggling a bit with wrapping my head around it, if that makes
> sense or if anyone can relate.
>
> I'd appreciate any input anyone has to offer. Thank you!
>
> Alyssa
>
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