[acb-diabetics] acb-diabetics Digest, Vol 26, Issue 7
Patricia LaFrance-Wolf
plawolf at earthlink.net
Fri Nov 11 19:47:19 EST 2011
I agree with you tom. I can't believe Prodigy would give up on not
producing the accessible pump. In fact, I thought it was going to be out
next year (providing FDA approval.().
-----Original Message-----
From: acb-diabetics-bounces at acb.org [mailto:acb-diabetics-bounces at acb.org]
On Behalf Of tltobin
Sent: Friday, November 11, 2011 10:21 AM
To: acb-diabetics at acb.org
Subject: Re: [acb-diabetics] acb-diabetics Digest, Vol 26, Issue 7
As a totally blind pumper since 1992, I've had a vast experience with
insulin pumps primarily from the MiniMed/Medtronic family of pumps.
I agree with Chanelle's thorough overview of what a blind pumper can and
cannot do independently using an insulin pump. Despite efforts, both
individual and collective, the general feeling among pump manufacturers is
that blind people should not be using pumps as they feel it is too dangerous
-- well after almost 20-years of successful pumping I refute their position
and I'm sure many of you do as well.
I also concur with Mike's observations and know many people who are
successfully doing the multiple injection thing, basically emulating pump
therapy, with success and tight control of their diabetes. So, I agree it is
a personal preference, no doubt.
As I'm sure many, if not all of you know, Prodigy Meters, the manufacturer
of the award-winning, fully accessible Prodigy Voice blood glucose meter has
a prototype of a fully accessible pump. Unfortunately, due to FDA rigors
they have decided not to manufacture the pump and seek full FDA approval.
While I am new to this list I am not new to consumer advocacy and have
experience in bringing the first talking attachment for the One Touch series
of meters to the market back in the 80's. It seems to me that we have a
responsibility and obligation to support those companies who are working on
our behalf to bring the needed tools to market to help us take better
control of our disease.
I am also aware the Prodigy may have "stubbed their toe" in over promising
and under-delivering re the accessible insulin pump. But don't you think we
should support the only company who has brought very useful tools to market
when the rest of the mainstream companies couldn't care less about our
needs.
>From my chair, this is such a non-political issue, and I've worked in the
past with both Jim Olsen, ACB and Ed Bryant, NFB to work on this area of
common agreement with much success for all of us.
Frankly, I think it is up to us to get this accessible pump off the dime and
I welcome your thoughts either to the list or in private.
Tom Tobin
-----Original Message-----
From: acb-diabetics-bounces at acb.org [mailto:acb-diabetics-bounces at acb.org]
On Behalf Of acb-diabetics-request at acb.org
Sent: Friday, November 11, 2011 12:00 PM
To: acb-diabetics at acb.org
Subject: acb-diabetics Digest, Vol 26, Issue 7
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Today's Topics:
1. brailled directions for the solo v 2 t m (Barbara Mattson)
2. Insulin Pump: To do or not to do? (Nef)
3. Re: Insulin Pump: To do or not to do? (Chanelle Allen)
4. Re: Insulin Pump: To do or not to do. (Mike Freeman)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:06:33 -0500
From: "Barbara Mattson" <barbieann519 at charter.net>
To: "Discussion list for diabetics and/or ACB issues"
<acb-diabetics at acb.org>
Subject: [acb-diabetics] brailled directions for the solo v 2 t m
Message-ID: <F5A9D2BFC6CA48A695F61A9B6A74881C at gx620>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
I have brailled the following instructions for the solo v 2 t m:
setting the audio voice volume and language recalling the memory and
reviewing the average troubleshooting minus the tables with solutions
warranty information
If all are brailled it is 18.5 by 11-inch pages at 4 cents per
page--virtually the cost of the paper.
barb mattson
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:43:36 -0500
From: Nef <nefamphetamine at gmail.com>
To: acb-diabetics at acb.org
Subject: [acb-diabetics] Insulin Pump: To do or not to do?
Message-ID:
<CAEEYSsrh3sigQ=fVmdNA_D5WTQj9WU6=j0CWSpG+YPn7aZBDFg at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
Hi everyone,
My doctor and I began discussing the possibility of putting me on an Insulin
pump during my last visit. Both she and I are ignorant as to the
accessibility challenges one might face as a visually-impaired individual.
In hopes of remedying this, we agreed to do our due diligence by way of
research, and reconvening in 2 weeks time.
So far, the information I have read online is grossly out of date, and this
has hampered any true progress on my part.
Recently, I read a message posted to this list by a lady (Patricia?) who
mentioned her pump use.
Are there any other users here? Would any of you be willing to share your
experiences and/or advice? Perhaps there are resources I?ve yet to tap into
that someone might be kind enough to impart?
Hoping all are well,
Nefertiti
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2011 07:11:07 -0600
From: "Chanelle Allen" <chanellem.allen at gmail.com>
To: "Discussion list for diabetics and/or ACB issues"
<acb-diabetics at acb.org>
Subject: Re: [acb-diabetics] Insulin Pump: To do or not to do?
Message-ID: <B67171DF6D214E839CC8CC8A8C713607 at chanellePC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="Windows-1252";
reply-type=original
Dear Nefertiti and list,
Many people who are blind have successfully used insulin pumps.
Unfortunately, most features are inaccessible, but it is possible to perform
basic functions without the aid of sighted assistance. It takes some time to
be trained in how to fill reservoirs, change infusion sets, and learn button
pushing sequences. I have used the Minimed Paradigm pumps, so I can only
speak from my experience with Minimed. The pump has three horizontal buttons
and two vertical buttons which are the up and down arrows. My pump is set to
beep for each press of the up arrow so long as I am in the main screen. This
is called easy bolus, and for me, one beep equals 0.1 units of insulin.
Everyone has their pumps customized differently (1 beep = 0.5 or 1 units of
insulin etc.). The pump will beep back to me again (10 beeps = 1 unit of
insulin) to confirm that I want the insulin. The maximum amount of insulin
that can be given at one time is ten units. The key closest to the arrow
keys is the activate button, which also goes into menus. The button in the
middle is the escape key, and I am not quite sure what the other button
does. Priming the pump is simply a matter of pressing the activate button
and down arrow a few times activate, and down arrow again. When the
reservoir and infusion set are inserted, continually holding down the
activate button until you feel wetness lets you know that the insulin is
going through the tubing properly. After inserting some infusion sets, the
pump must be primed again; since that feature is inaccessible however, I
just press escape and activate several times until I come back to the main
menu indicated by three beeps and give 0.4 units of insulin (about the
amount given when going into the menus to prime the pump). The Minimed pumps
have something called a bolus wizard where users may input their blood
glucose level along with the amount of carbohydrates eaten and the pump will
calculate the amount of insulin needed. Unfortunately, this is inaccessible.
The pump gives a certain amount of insulin each hour called the basal rate.
Doctors may from time to time want to change the basal rate, and since there
is no audio feedback to do this, I have needed assistance. The button
pushing sequence is simple enough to set a temporary basal rate. The pump
emits a sequence of three beeps, which could mean several things: the
battery is low, the reservoir only has a certain amount of units left, the
pump is not connected or able to give insulin, and many others. Usually, I
am able to take a guess as to what the pump wants. For example, after three
days, it probably wants more insulin; after two or three weeks, it wants a
new battery; after an infusion set is inserted, their may be a problem with
the cannula being bent, etc. Doctors are able to download settings and
history from the pump on to a computer in order to analyze trends. Minimed
produces a meter that works with the pump in transferring readings
wirelessly; however, this is inaccessible. At one time, the software for a
pump user to view settings and history was accessible, but I don't know what
the case may be now. Overall, being on a pump is better than having to give
injections several times a day. It is best to try to be patient with the
process as many adjustments to basal rates and boluses will need to be made
in the first several weeks. There are several different types of infusion
sets from which to use, so you will need to find the one that works best for
you. Usually, pump users are first trained in filling the reservoir with
saline, inserting the infusion set and wearing the pump for a few times.
I hope that I am not overwhelming you with too much information and that
this explanation helps. Please feel free to ask more questions.
Chanelle
-----Original Message-----
From: Nef
Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2011 4:43 PM
To: acb-diabetics at acb.org
Subject: [acb-diabetics] Insulin Pump: To do or not to do?
Hi everyone,
My doctor and I began discussing the possibility of putting me on an Insulin
pump during my last visit. Both she and I are ignorant as to the
accessibility challenges one might face as a visually-impaired individual.
In hopes of remedying this, we agreed to do our due diligence by way of
research, and reconvening in 2 weeks time.
So far, the information I have read online is grossly out of date, and this
has hampered any true progress on my part.
Recently, I read a message posted to this list by a lady (Patricia?) who
mentioned her pump use.
Are there any other users here? Would any of you be willing to share your
experiences and/or advice? Perhaps there are resources I?ve yet to tap into
that someone might be kind enough to impart?
Hoping all are well,
Nefertiti
_______________________________________________
acb-diabetics mailing list
acb-diabetics at acb.org
http://www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-diabetics
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2011 06:41:24 -0800
From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
To: "'Discussion list for diabetics and/or ACB issues'"
<acb-diabetics at acb.org>
Subject: Re: [acb-diabetics] Insulin Pump: To do or not to do.
Message-ID: <002201cca07f$fd2f2d80$f78d8880$@panix.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Nefertiti:
Chanelle gives excellent descriptions and advice below. Not being a pumper,
I have nothing to add and even were I sufficiently presumptive to try, it
would be in the FWIW department.
My only observation is that Chanelle's observation that it's better to be on
a pump than to inject several times a day is a matter of opinion. To my way
of thinking, wearing a pump and futzing with it all the time is far more
work than simply calculating one's dose, injecting and forgetting about it.
And yes, I'm on intensive management and my last A1C was 6.8 and I usually
stay between 6.5 and 6.8.
Peace!
Mike Freeman
-----Original Message-----
From: acb-diabetics-bounces at acb.org [mailto:acb-diabetics-bounces at acb.org]
On Behalf Of Chanelle Allen
Sent: Friday, November 11, 2011 5:11 AM
To: Discussion list for diabetics and/or ACB issues
Subject: Re: [acb-diabetics] Insulin Pump: To do or not to do.
Dear Nefertiti and list,
Many people who are blind have successfully used insulin pumps.
Unfortunately, most features are inaccessible, but it is possible to perform
basic functions without the aid of sighted assistance. It takes some time to
be trained in how to fill reservoirs, change infusion sets, and learn button
pushing sequences. I have used the Minimed Paradigm pumps, so I can only
speak from my experience with Minimed. The pump has three horizontal buttons
and two vertical buttons which are the up and down arrows. My pump is set to
beep for each press of the up arrow so long as I am in the main screen. This
is called easy bolus, and for me, one beep equals 0.1 units of insulin.
Everyone has their pumps customized differently (1 beep = 0.5 or 1 units of
insulin etc.). The pump will beep back to me again (10 beeps = 1 unit of
insulin) to confirm that I want the insulin. The maximum amount of insulin
that can be given at one time is ten units. The key closest to the arrow
keys is the activate button, which also goes into menus. The button in the
middle is the escape key, and I am not quite sure what the other button
does. Priming the pump is simply a matter of pressing the activate button
and down arrow a few times activate, and down arrow again. When the
reservoir and infusion set are inserted, continually holding down the
activate button until you feel wetness lets you know that the insulin is
going through the tubing properly. After inserting some infusion sets, the
pump must be primed again; since that feature is inaccessible however, I
just press escape and activate several times until I come back to the main
menu indicated by three beeps and give 0.4 units of insulin (about the
amount given when going into the menus to prime the pump). The Minimed pumps
have something called a bolus wizard where users may input their blood
glucose level along with the amount of carbohydrates eaten and the pump will
calculate the amount of insulin needed. Unfortunately, this is inaccessible.
The pump gives a certain amount of insulin each hour called the basal rate.
Doctors may from time to time want to change the basal rate, and since there
is no audio feedback to do this, I have needed assistance. The button
pushing sequence is simple enough to set a temporary basal rate. The pump
emits a sequence of three beeps, which could mean several things: the
battery is low, the reservoir only has a certain amount of units left, the
pump is not connected or able to give insulin, and many others. Usually, I
am able to take a guess as to what the pump wants. For example, after three
days, it probably wants more insulin; after two or three weeks, it wants a
new battery; after an infusion set is inserted, their may be a problem with
the cannula being bent, etc. Doctors are able to download settings and
history from the pump on to a computer in order to analyze trends. Minimed
produces a meter that works with the pump in transferring readings
wirelessly; however, this is inaccessible. At one time, the software for a
pump user to view settings and history was accessible, but I don't know what
the case may be now. Overall, being on a pump is better than having to give
injections several times a day. It is best to try to be patient with the
process as many adjustments to basal rates and boluses will need to be made
in the first several weeks. There are several different types of infusion
sets from which to use, so you will need to find the one that works best for
you. Usually, pump users are first trained in filling the reservoir with
saline, inserting the infusion set and wearing the pump for a few times.
I hope that I am not overwhelming you with too much information and that
this explanation helps. Please feel free to ask more questions.
Chanelle
-----Original Message-----
From: Nef
Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2011 4:43 PM
To: acb-diabetics at acb.org
Subject: [acb-diabetics] Insulin Pump: To do or not to do.
Hi everyone,
My doctor and I began discussing the possibility of putting me on an Insulin
pump during my last visit. Both she and I are ignorant as to the
accessibility challenges one might face as a visually-impaired individual.
In hopes of remedying this, we agreed to do our due diligence by way of
research, and reconvening in 2 weeks time.
So far, the information I have read online is grossly out of date, and this
has hampered any true progress on my part.
Recently, I read a message posted to this list by a lady (Patricia?) who
mentioned her pump use.
Are there any other users here? Would any of you be willing to share your
experiences and/or advice? Perhaps there are resources I've yet to tap into
that someone might be kind enough to impart?
Hoping all are well,
Nefertiti
_______________________________________________
acb-diabetics mailing list
acb-diabetics at acb.org
http://www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-diabetics
_______________________________________________
acb-diabetics mailing list
acb-diabetics at acb.org
http://www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-diabetics
------------------------------
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acb-diabetics mailing list
acb-diabetics at acb.org
http://www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-diabetics
End of acb-diabetics Digest, Vol 26, Issue 7
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