Living with Diabetes and Lapband

Flying without a Net

I decided to go without Dexcom for a few days.  The current sensor stopped working -- and man it was a good sensor.  Lasted 10 days, and was accurate the whole time.

However, if I put in a new sensor today, I'll have a sensor failure during a dog show next weekend, and it's not something I want to deal with.  I'm going to try going without until Monday. 

I think it is probably a good idea to give my skin a bit of a rest anyway.  The Dexcom is hard on it.

This is the first I've been without CGMS I started in July.

I need to learn to trust the technology!

My pump just went off -- post breakfast.  Checked Dexcom -- 104 with a nice steady downward trend.  Three hours after breakfast.  I probably will make it until lunch, but I will probably eat something to be safe.

At the same time, I did an increase on my bolus rate.  Was using a 1:4 ratio and went to a 1:6 ratio since my pre 8:00 am was slow, and my after 8:00 was at 1:6.  Plus I've gone low a bunch in the mornings lately.

Pedometer

A commenter wanted to know what pedometer. It's an Omron -- not sure which model but it is much nicer than any other I've seen.

PumpPak

Is a bag a gadget?

I bought a big diabetic travel back with a cold pak from the diabetes store, and frankly it just wasn't big enough.

Had a gift certificate from Amazon so broke down and finally brought a Pump Pak. Wish I had years ago! It's Very nice! Very big and much better made than the Medicool bag.

If you want your own, you can get it here -- yes I get a referral fee.:

Glad I waited

Diabetes Mine: Judgement Day: Disappointed

Although Amy is not quite as technology savvy as I am, I am still going to follow her lead on this. Seems that the Dexcom technology didn't help her.

I do feel though that she is "handicapped" by sticking to shots. I still think she'll do better on the pump. I sure have!

So that's where it went....

A1CNow � for Home HbA1c Monitoring - Medgadget - www.medgadget.com

I knew that Walmart was selling them cheap, and wondered what happened. Looks like they are being re released in a different form factor.

A1CNow �, device, designed for at-home monitoring of HbA1c--a glycosylated hemoglobin--was acquired by Bayer when it bought Metrika Inc., a company based in Sunnyvale, CA.

Dexcom

Diabetes Mine: Think Outside the (Test Strip) Box: DexCom and Me

I am seriously thinking of joining the Dexcom crown in August. It will be of course, out of pocket.

Lifescan Ultra II

I picked one up tonight at CVS since they were $69.98 and have a rebate for up to $70. Not a bad meter, it has the best features of the Ultrasmart -- backlight and ability to make comments.

It is not smaller though, it's the same size as the old Ultra and not significantly smaller than the Ultra Smart. However, it is lighter.

Downloading data works fine, after I downloaded the software update. However, right now, I don't konw how to make it work with EzManager, I have an email out to EzManager support.

To Dexcom or not to Dexcom

Got an email from a Dexcom employee today, my doctor has trained so they just need a letter of medical necessity.

Obviously it isn't covered by insurance yet. I don't suffer from a lot of hypos, BUT my performance at work is affected by blood sugar. Example, I was feeling tired, cranky and out of sorts this afternoon. Tested and was at 252 (but only tested because it was "time"). Cause: my infusion set was bloody, so I assume that was the reason. Don't know why, blood sugar was fine before lunch, didn't do anything different. Weird.

I have unexplained highs and lows like any diabetic, just not as high and low as a Type 1.

I've got an email out to my doctor.

So do I hold out for the Navigator, which will probably work with the Cozmo -- and I wouldn't mind going with a Cozmo pump, next pump.

Or do I go with the Dexcom which already has a deal with J&J (the meter it pairs with is a Lifescan)?

Or do I wait for insurance.

FYI: I'm predicting a price war.

Dexcom is available!

I'm very tempted.

Dexcom

The starter kit is $800. Sensors are $35 a piece and come in a bundle of 5. It would be wonderful if BCBS of Texas would cover it.

I've very tempted to do it without coverage. I would not have to wear the sensors every day.