[Diabetes-Talk] insulin pumps and CGM

Tue Apr 2 22:01:05 UTC 2019

Allisa,

Congrats things are going well so far. Did you go with the Medtronic 530G, 630G or 730G? Medtronic is more similar to Animas than other pumps on the market, but still has it's own individual way of doing things.

Personally, I find the Medtronic reservoirs challenging to fill; actually, every sighted person who has helped me, including my nurse educator, my local Medtronic rep and a few family and friends really struggle with filling it. They are hyper sensitive to air bubbles, so caution there. With Animas, I usually filled my own with no problem, but since I can't tell if there's air bubbles or not, I'm not comfortable filling the Medtronic reservoirs myself.

Honestly, there's not really any training with Dexcom other than inserting the sensor and attaching the transmitter, which your nurse ed or a Dexcom rep should train you on, but both the G5 and G6 are easy, the G6 particularly easy. Otherwise, once you have the app set up, there's no training.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2019 3:22 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] insulin pumps and CGM

Hi Alyssa. So good that you got to get your hands on all of the pumps and could pick what looks like it would work for you. I look forward to hearing your experiences. I'm always a bit nervous about switching pumps because the motions and sequences get so ingrained in my brain. So, a pat on the back for taking care of yourself and being a savvy consumer. 
And you heard June on the G6? Man, those dates are just all over the place right now. Anyway, good luck; enjoy the journey and please keep us posted.
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 Alyssa Frierson via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2019 12:04 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Cc: Alyssa Frierson
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] insulin pumps and CGM

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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