Category: Gadgets

As I just posted, I picked up an Aviva from my CDE today. I’ve used it a couple of times.

Frankly I like the case better than the Flash case, and switched my Flash over to it. I also like the Lancing device, and am using it. Even picked up a box of lancelets tonight and asked the CDE for a script. I have an email out to Medco to see if they are available.

Here’s what I don’t like about the Aviva: Right now, I cannot download the results. Thus it isn’t happening. I know for a fact that I am not going to record blood sugar readings, I’m too hooked on downloading.

I wish it and the Palm Pilot would communicate but they have removed the Pocket Compass software from sale according to their 1-800 number. Let’s face it, right now, the Palm OS is in big question right now.

Roche’s own software doesn’t work with the meter right now. I will be right up front with everyone. I test 8-10 times a day, and I’m not buying any more blood glucose software. If you want me to use your meter, you better give me free software.

EzManager doesn’t work with it either, but I’m confident that that will be fixed shortly.

It is larger than the Flash and it doesn’t have a backlight. Those are both Flash features I love. The test strips are larger.

However, I do like the new lancing device. It is taking some getting used to but with my history of infections, I think reusing lancing devices is not a good idea.

Products / Product Specifications – Insulet Corporation

Here’s the new insulin pump specifications. Right now, I can’t see the advantage.

I would agree that tubing is a pain in the rear. On the other hand, the most sensitive and most hard to design part of the whole pump happens to be the set. I misinsert at least 2 times a month. Yesterday was the last time I screwed up, I was in a hurry and didn’t wait until my skin was dry.

I really don’t see it working that well for a Type 2 since it holds only 200 units. I also can’t see that the unit that goes on the body is much smaller than the current Animas pump. Let’s face it, the Omni pod has to be big enough to hold a AAA battery + 200 units of insulin. That’s a big lump. In fact, it has to be at least as large as the Animas 1250.

It’s also got to be waterproof and adhere to the skin.

The PDM looks interesting though and the fact that it works with the Freestyle.

Diabetes Mine: Diabetes: Two Diseases in One

I’m not sure I SHOULD be singled out as a special case.

I’m also not sure diabetes CAN be prevented. I’m quite certain that in my case it couldn’t have been.

Here’s why I say that. I’ve known my genetic medical history all of my adult life.

All of my adult life my health providers have told me that I was borderline diabetic. I have always had fasting blood sugars in the 100-120’s. I was even tested for diabetes when I was in high school.

None suggested putting me on oral medications until I was truly diabetic. In fact, because of the cardio vascular deaths of my father and his parents, I was put on statins a full year before the diabetes was addressed.

That physician clearly stated I was borderline at that point and that he wanted the lipids stabilized before he addressed the diabetes.

And in fact, I was still considered borderline until the day that diabetes was diagnosed.

One theory everyone has in my case, is that the diagnosis process is what destroyed my pancreas, and that I was borderline up until the day of my glucose tolerance test.

But here’s the deal — I have never drunk drinks with sugar in them. In high school I started on Tabs. I always drank unsweetened tea (can’t stand the stuff, etc). I have never cared for sweet drinks. For one, I would get loggy after drinking one (remember, I have decided I am glucose sensitive). I have never been a huge sugar eater.

Our theory is that when I was put through the glucose tolerance test, my system failed, not able to cope with that much sugar in my system. I went from a fasting blood sugar of 120 the week before, to a fasting blood sugar of 400 the next week! I also had an immediate change in health and well being. I was literally sicker than a dog.

Also the oral medication didn’t do much for me. Of course, going from pre-diabetic to diabetic in the space of 3 hours is going to be much harder on your system than someone who gradually became diabetic.

It’s raining, I’ve had to be in and out in the rain a couple of times to replace my parking space == long story == so as a result, I just couldn’t get dry enough for the Glucowatch to work.

I do have a call out to the CDE, requesting that we change my basal rates starting tomorrow. I am running REAL low today.

I’m experimenting with the Compact meter, and I am finding out some interesting things.

First, it isn’t compact. It’s at least one third more of the mass of the Flash. Meaning that it probably won’t fit in my immediate bag. Second, it’s SLOW!

Something interesting is that I NEVER get a decent test the first few times ou use a new meter. First of all, you have to lose some muscle memory, and learn new habits. If you test any length of time at all, you have a ritual. Or at least I do.

If you are a meter manufacturer, I highly recommend you do what Accu-check does. Don’t throw in 10 lousy strips. Put in at least 50 strips. Accu-check puts 3 drums in their sample box, and my CDE gave me three more drums. That means I have 102 to play with.

Why did they pick 17 tests? It isn’t even divisible by anything. I’d have put 15 in, and made it smaller. Or 10. Weird.

After about 3 tests, the results on the two meters started converging. At first they were as much as 50 points apart, and now I am getting tests with 10 points of each other, which is as much as you can ever hope for.

Fun little factoid — you never get a real number on a blood sugar test, all you are getting is trends. That’s even true with the A1C — actually more true, because that’s a so called 3 month average, but it doesn’t really work quite that way either.

Just have to learn which trends to follow when it comes to correcting.

So I haven’t decided which to go with, but I’m definately going to go with one more round of Freestyle while the copay is still $80, not $120.

aDorn Handbags | High Style, Low Profile

Honestly too small for me with my pump supplies and Palm Pilot, but they have a super product and even better customer service.

They DO honor the 30 day trial period.

I would absoletly love a bigger, tote size of this. The removable medical pouch is great — but like I said, just a tad too small for me.

pump-pouch.com / Home

These are SUPER! I’ve been wearing my pump without the clip — works great in a pocket, by the way, and these solve a lot of the problems. I can put the pump in one of these, pin it to my bra and it doesn’t show as much as it does with the pump. However, I sweat on the pump that way, and the pouch solves that problem.

Will try one of the belted ones when it’s pool time.

I took advantage of an Animas deal and got a One Touch Ultra Smart

Frankly I don’t know why they did that, as EzManager is so cool….

Here’s what I wrote in the feedback at the Lifescan site:

I just received your One Touch Ultra Smart meter from Animas Pump Corporation and I can sum up my experience with one computer science term, at the bottom of this message.

First, I am an insulin pumper and an experienced alternative site tester.

First, on on my first three tries I was unable to get a valid reading. Each time I got an error code 5. I did read the manual before attempting the first test.

I then called your 1-800 number and was on hold for over 5 minutes. Unfortunately I did not connect with anyone because I received a phone call.

I then called after the phone call and after going through your voice directed hell, after about 2 minutes got connected with help.

She was EXTREMELY PLEASANT and ID A VERY NICE JOB. She is the only pleasant part of my On Touch Ultra Smart Experience.

I do not like the user interface for the meter at all. It is awkward to have to enter the carbs/calories of food, and not useful at all not to have a ready made database of foods.

I haven’t done much else to the meter, but I will probably be shipping it back instead of the old Freestyle.

I’m very sorry to have to tell you this, but your meter SUCKS. Your desktop software doesn’t seem bad, but I won’t spend much time with it.

The first thing I did, when my doctor suggested I look into the pump, was do a web search on insulin pump. One of the first and best resources is the Insulin Pumper’s site.

I joined, and then sat down and read about 3 months of archives.

That immediately ruled out Minimed. I dont think a week goes by without someone complaining about them. I have not noticed that with any other pump company. (Maybe Distronic, but that’s okay, the FDA isn’t letting them do anything in the USA anyway).

Then I sat down and looked at some websites comparing the pumps. Deltec Cozmo and Animas had almost the same features I was looking for. Very adjustable flow rates, water proof (we have a pool), etc.

I was invited to a support group demoing EasyManager Plus and even though the rep wasn’t that good at demoing, I could see that the software put Animas over the top for me. Like I said in my post about EasyManager Plus, I’m a Palm kinda of girl.

After 3 meals on the pump, I’m sold. The Palm/Pump/Desktop model is flexible. Much more flexible than I think the MiniMed Paradigm model is, and more flexible than Cozmo.

So that’s why I made my decision.

Well, I broke down this morning and ordered it, along with a night shirt and a t shirt from Animas. I’ll let everyone know how it goes.