[Diabetes-Talk] Introduction, Accessible Non Stic Glucometers

[Patricia Maddix]

I agree that it is very disturbing that insurance will not pay for the continuous glucose monitor‘s for people with pre-diabetes or mild diabetes. I had some leftover Dexcom G5 sensors when I started the G6 and let my husband who has mild type two diabetes use them for several weeks. He learned so much about how food and exercise affected his blood sugar and this can really help in making behavioral changes early on before the diabetes progresses further. We did check with our local Costco which is in The state of Washington and they are offering a one month supply of the freestyle 14 day sensors for $60 which might be doable for a lot of people as this is much less expensive than the Dexcom. You can read the results of the blood sugar through an iPhone app and do not have to purchase the separate receiver device. Hope this helps.
Patricia

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 6, 2021, at 3:54 PM, Sandi Ryan via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Peter,
> 
> The Continuous Glucose Monitors are pretty accessible. The problem is that,
> as a "borderline," you wouldn't qualify for one under insurance or Medicare.
> It could be very helpful for people like you and me to have one of these
> devices. My doctor has told me I need test only once a day, which gives me
> only knowledge of my blood sugar at one point in the day. The CGM's check
> your blood sugar, I think, every 5 minutes so you can, for instance, see
> when it's high or low, and determine how many hours each day your sugar is
> high or low. But as blind diabetics who don't have high enough A1C's, we
> aren't eligible for these devices. And between the purchase of the unit and
> the ongoing costs of sensors and transmitters, they're quite expensive to
> buy on one's own.
> 
> To the rest of you, this issue has frustrated me for several years, and I
> just wanted to explain. On the one hand, I'm fortunate that my glucose
> levels are not as high as many people's. On the other hand, until they are
> that high, I'm being watched and receiving no real treatment or tools to
> help it stay that way.
> 
> Sandi
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Peter
> Donahue via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, January 6, 2021 9:29 AM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: pmdonahue2 at gmail.com
> Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Introduction, Accessible Non Stic Glucometers
> 
> Good morning everyone,
> 
>    First let me introduce myself. My wife Mary and I are members at
> large from Texas. We've been NFB members for many years but took a break
> from 2014 until last year when we rejoined. Mary is still employed as a
> Braille Proofreader and I build websites. In addition we're also
> entrepreneurs.
> 
>    My doctor is keeping a close watch on my A1C as I'm a borderline
> diabetic. I know many blind diabetics who use conventional blood glucometers
> for monitoring their sugar. In recent years glucometers have come on the
> market that don't require one to prick their finger to obtain a blood
> sample. Should one be necessary I'm curious to know if any of these new
> generation blood glucometers are usable by blind diabetics and how they
> work? Your information will be very much appreciated. All the best for a
> happy new year.
> 
> Peter Donahue
> 
> 
> 
> 
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