[Diabetes-Talk] Need information about accessible glucometers

[walterl.mitch2 at gmail.com]

Hello Andre,

With medicare, I was able to get the Dexcom G6. There is some monthly cost
but it is assessed by individual. It is a continuous glucose metter, which
allow you to check your blood sugars on your smart phone without finger
sticks. If you go this route, you will need to change your sensor every 10
days. There is a call in educational group at Dexcom that will walk you thru
the process as needed. Please contact me at the information below for more
information if desired.

There is another CGM, the Free Style Libre. I do not have this device, but I
know that there are those on the list that use it. I hope that they will
chime in to provide information.

Sincerely,
Walter Mitchell
President, Ohio Diabetes Action Network
(513) 250-2432
Walterl.mitch2 at gmail.com

Purpose:
The Diabetes Action Network Educate, Empower and Inspire blind and visually
impaired people to independently and confidently manage diabetes!


-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Andre
Zelvin via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 3:52 PM
To: Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Andre Zelvin <l.andre.zelvin at gmail.com>
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Need information about accessible glucometers

Hi all,
I'm pre-diabetic. I joined this list thinking I wanted to know what
accessible equipment people are using so that I'll know what my options are
if I need to know in the future. Well, It's very likely as later onset
diabetes including needing insulin, is in my family. I could have guessed I
wouldn't retain anything I read here if it wasn't immediately applicable.

I wasn't able to get my blood sugar under control following my doctor's
recommendation which was just to cut out sugar and eat only whole grains.
That was pretty much how I was eating already, eating very little sugar and
mostly whole grain products. So,  that did nothing. she then said to eat low
carb and I started to do that with very little guidance and I ended up with
something close to the Keto diet but without following that diet's guidance
on ratios. So, that pretty much worked. I even lost a chunk of weight which
wasn't my goal but made the doctor happy.
The problem is it's costly to eat this way and I don't have the money for
it. Since I practically went from all to almost nothing as far as carbs go,
we came up with the idea I could add some back in, but test my blood sugar
along the way so I could get more immediate feedback than waiting for my
next appointment. 
so, here I am needing to know. Is there a write-up of what the current
options are for a blind person for testing blood glucose? If not can someone
give me a run-down? I have an iPhone which I. know is rellevant, and am on
Medicare, but don't have prescription coverage, but do have a sliding scale
medical center where I get anything that comes from their pharmacy at low
cost. So, having no clue what I'm looking at, I know there's the machinery
and then there's the strips or whatever supplies are needed, and my goal is
to minimize expense, not convenience at this point, although if it becomes a
long term thing, convenience will then be an issue. And if there's anything
else anyone  thinks I should know, please share. Talk to me expecting that I
know nothing.
Thanks for any help,
Andre
  
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