[Diabetes-Talk] Finding Help With the Dexcom G7

Tue Jan 9 00:54:16 UTC 2024

Everett,
If I were considering a new pump at this moment in time, I personally would hold off a bit longer as there are some really great possibilities for more accessible devices that should be coming within the first quarter of this year. Several people are using the Omni pod five independently with an android phone and they should be releasing the iPhone app soon once it’s approved. Tandem will be releasing there MOBI pump any moment now. This new pump is controlled entirely from an iPhone app, and if we can finally figure out if this app is totally accessible then the pump could be used completely independently by a totally blind person. If you are on Medicare, any pump you choose except Omni pod will require you to keep it for five years before they will let you upgrade. Not quite sure how this works with commercial insurance or other insurance but this is a major factor to consider. Because the Omni pod pumps are fully disposable every three days they are not considered durable medical equipment and fall under prescription coverage so you are not locked into the five-year warranty with this one. I have not heard of anyone using any of the Medtronic newer pumps completely independently, but using some cited assistance either in person or via camera.
I believe that most of the companies let you try a pump for 30 days to see if it works for you before you have to make a firm commitment but double check and see when this 30 day countdown starts as it may start when the device is shipped or when you receive it as opposed to from the first day you start using it.
I had just the one Dexcom G7 to try out, but as it was mentioned before by listening to videos online, reading online articles, I’ve got the general idea and was able to entirely set up the G7 app on my iPhone independently. Once it set up, it pretty well walks you through the steps to insert and start a sensor session.  There is one tricky part that no one seems to mention in the materials that I’ve seen that you will need to know is that the sensor code is on the applicator on the other side of the device from where the release button is. I was able to pick up this code which apparently is a QR code using the camera on my phone , but I understand that not everyone has luck doing this each time so it might’ve just been pure luck that I had no trouble. Otherwise you will have to enter this number into the appropriate text field manually and might have to use something like Be My Eyes to read the code to you.
There is a quirk in the app where you may find yourself in a menu item and unable to go back to the main screen using voiceover so all you need to do is completely close the app from the app switcher and then open it back up and it will take you to the main dashboard.
You can call Dexcom at 1 (877) 339-2664  For help but rather than choosing the technical support option, choose the education and training option. These people are better trained to assist you and apparently even have a bit of understanding regarding using voiceover with the app.
Keep us posted. Best of luck.
Patricia. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 8, 2024, at 2:45 PM, Milton via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Do you have a diabetes educator connected with your doctor that prescribed
> the Dexcom for you? If so, I would start there to get training and learn
> about what your options are with regarding a pump. If you have been
> following the discussions hear, there is still no pump that is fully
> accessible and you will have to discuss these things for alternative
> suggestions on how to deal with the inaccessibility of pumps.
> 
> If you don't have a diabetes educator connected with your doctor, Dexcom has
> people that you can call for assistance and help. There is a toll-free
> number that you can call but I don't have it right in front of me at the
> moment.
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of everett
> everettgavel.com via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Monday, January 8, 2024 3:02 PM
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: everett everettgavel.com <everett at everettgavel.com>
> Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Finding Help With the Dexcom G7
> 
> Hey Gang, 
> 
> I've got a Medtronic pump that's 10 years old now, and I will soon be
> getting a new one. So if y'all have any advice on which may be more
> accessible than others, I'd love to hear it. 
> 
> For now, though, the more immediate question is regarding the Dexcom G7
> thingy I now have in hand, with no real idea what to do with it. Is there
> any training out there that could help this perforated pincushion? Maybe an
> article or audio training one of you has recorded or written for other blind
> diabetics, perhaps?
> 
> No training seems to have come with the product. My doctor had no problem
> writing the prescription for it, and CCS Medical had no problem sending it
> to me, even though they seem to mess up almost every order somehow, but now
> I have the product with no real idea how to proceed or what to do next. 
> 
> Any help would be greatly appreciated. 
> 
> 
> Thanks, 
> Everett
> In Colorado Springs
> 
> 
> 
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