Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Blind diabetic having glucometer issues? (self.Blind)
submitted by TechnicalPragmatist
Half vent half can anyone else relate what did you do and how did you figure this out?
I am totally blind and can’t. Red any print.
I am a blind diabetic type 2. I have. No access to my blood sugar numbers because its not made accessible to me.
It’s could be made accessible. The doctor said I am not severe enough for cgm.
There are talking meters I know of two the prodigy and the other one I think next contour one or something like that?
But….. but…. But…. Not at all covered by insurance. My doctor already a endocrinologist prescribed me the prodigy meter, needles, and strips.
I even called. Back and checked after what I will tell you next. Surely it was the correct one.
Great so i went down to the pharmacy to get strips took them home and put it in the machine, I thought it broke already because the machine didn’t work. I ttried a few more times. Eventually I had someone check and I called The pharmacy even. What’s going on? Is this prodigy? Nope it was. They gave. Me the accu check brand. It went with meters that don’t talk. We played the cat and mouse chase a bit. Well I need the certain meter folks, and the right strips. Doc, even said he prescribed it or the office did. We tried to send an approval or justification to the pharmacy.
Later. The pharmacy basically said welp we. Can’t do. That the doctors. Have. To get on the phone and talk to the insurance and argue. With them and convince them.
Most doctors don’t seem to want to do this.
Again, they said I am not serious enough with cgm.
I am taking some medications but have no access to my blood sugar numbers.
Help? Now what? Is that my fate. Do we just live. Like that and have our a1c every like 2 or 3 months? I have no feedback if I am low on sugar? Ate too many carbs and is high on sugar, nothing, just radio silence until I go back and the nurses tell me at my appointment your sugar is blah and your a1c is blah.
Oh cool.
I am totally blind and can’t. Red any print.
I am a blind diabetic type 2. I have. No access to my blood sugar numbers because its not made accessible to me.
It’s could be made accessible. The doctor said I am not severe enough for cgm.
There are talking meters I know of two the prodigy and the other one I think next contour one or something like that?
But….. but…. But…. Not at all covered by insurance. My doctor already a endocrinologist prescribed me the prodigy meter, needles, and strips.
I even called. Back and checked after what I will tell you next. Surely it was the correct one.
Great so i went down to the pharmacy to get strips took them home and put it in the machine, I thought it broke already because the machine didn’t work. I ttried a few more times. Eventually I had someone check and I called The pharmacy even. What’s going on? Is this prodigy? Nope it was. They gave. Me the accu check brand. It went with meters that don’t talk. We played the cat and mouse chase a bit. Well I need the certain meter folks, and the right strips. Doc, even said he prescribed it or the office did. We tried to send an approval or justification to the pharmacy.
Later. The pharmacy basically said welp we. Can’t do. That the doctors. Have. To get on the phone and talk to the insurance and argue. With them and convince them.
Most doctors don’t seem to want to do this.
Again, they said I am not serious enough with cgm.
I am taking some medications but have no access to my blood sugar numbers.
Help? Now what? Is that my fate. Do we just live. Like that and have our a1c every like 2 or 3 months? I have no feedback if I am low on sugar? Ate too many carbs and is high on sugar, nothing, just radio silence until I go back and the nurses tell me at my appointment your sugar is blah and your a1c is blah.
Oh cool.
Mamamagpie 2 points 1y ago
I have always wondered how the totally blind test their blood sugar because I can’t get the drop of blood on the strip in the dark.
TechnicalPragmatist [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Heh! Super funny but super fair question too.
I guess I use some proprioception and some spacial stuff, luckily I am pretty kinesthetic. Being aware where the strip is and your cut or your prick is you try to bring it and just wipe the strip against it. The last time I just picked up the entire thing and just brought it to my finger. I’ve done it a few times before. It’s an interesting thing for sure. In concept it’s tricky. Definitely need enough blood.
I guess I use some proprioception and some spacial stuff, luckily I am pretty kinesthetic. Being aware where the strip is and your cut or your prick is you try to bring it and just wipe the strip against it. The last time I just picked up the entire thing and just brought it to my finger. I’ve done it a few times before. It’s an interesting thing for sure. In concept it’s tricky. Definitely need enough blood.
Drop9Reddit 2 points 1y ago
Not sure when it comes to insurance and alike. I am low vision and a type 2. I have the contour One. While it does not talk it was parable to my phone and I use the contour app which can transfer to apple health. The setup was okish with voiceover and apple health is great.
Another solution though is be my eyes and have them read the meter for you
Another solution though is be my eyes and have them read the meter for you
TechnicalPragmatist [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Oh I thought it did talk how do you tell if it has taken your blood and transfering to the phone, that may be a problem then. I have the prodigy anyway.
That’s a solution for sure. If nothing works don’t want to do that unless I have to.
That’s a solution for sure. If nothing works don’t want to do that unless I have to.
Drop9Reddit 2 points 1y ago
It beeps when it has taken blood and the app reacts if you have it open
TechnicalPragmatist [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Oh oo that’s actually really interesting. Thanks for this this has been helpful.
KillerLag 1 points 1y ago
https://www.oraclediabetes.com/
Is the Oracle Blood Glucose monitor available in your country? It's a talking blood glucose monitor. We have them in Canada, and a fair number of my clients use it.
Is the Oracle Blood Glucose monitor available in your country? It's a talking blood glucose monitor. We have them in Canada, and a fair number of my clients use it.
TechnicalPragmatist [OP] 1 points 1y ago
No I don’t think so I think the equivalent here is the prodigy
akrazyho 1 points 1y ago
Call your insurance and see if they cover the freestyle libre, it is reasonably affordable so a lot of insurance companies actually cover it. It is a CGM that works very well with your smart phone except in order to see your numbers you have to scan the sensor but it’s still very very good. The manufacturer also give you a free 14 day trial if you wanna try it out. See if your insurance will cover that and also see if your doctor will subscribe it’s prescription for it and if not find your dad find yourself a doctor that cares more about you.
I’ve been blind for two years and I’ve been using the Freestyle system for the past two years with no issues
I’ve been blind for two years and I’ve been using the Freestyle system for the past two years with no issues
TechnicalPragmatist [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Hmm. Interesting maybe but we’ll see. The issue is they think I am not serious enough because I only take oral medication and they reduced it. I never get low and I am type 2 and fairly mild. No insulin at all but yeah, could be this insurance too but yeah. Apparently they want to do it for more serious cases.
PrettyBlind1983 1 points 1y ago
I found on the Internet these about glucometers I hope the information is useful to you. Blessings.
https://glucometros.net/para-ciegos/
https://youtu.be/TMNjRRmP2yc
https://youtu.be/W97VDe4su1w
https://youtu.be/xO1l-4z8vgc
https://glucometros.net/para-ciegos/
https://youtu.be/TMNjRRmP2yc
https://youtu.be/W97VDe4su1w
https://youtu.be/xO1l-4z8vgc
TechnicalPragmatist [OP] 1 points 1y ago
The meter is not the issue it’s the strips and the other supplies that will be expensive and daily use.
scaram0uche 1 points 1y ago
Tell your doctor it is necessary to have a CGM because of your vision - they may just not realize how complex an issue this is.
"Not severe enough" sounds like a lazy doctor rather than one willing to look at your needs holistically. I am a sighted person with a visually impaired family member who uses a Dexcom.
"Not severe enough" sounds like a lazy doctor rather than one willing to look at your needs holistically. I am a sighted person with a visually impaired family member who uses a Dexcom.
TechnicalPragmatist [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Hmm. Interesting and true I guess it’s more about the insurance but we’ll see. The insurance is the part that sucks, if they don’t want to cover the needles and strips for this will they want to cover the cgm stuff? Kind of the question.
scaram0uche 1 points 1y ago
That I cannot answer but having your doctor write it as a prescription and calling the insurance company to explain why will be necessary. It is a total pain in the ass to deal with insurance companies but you can always file grievances with them when they deny things.
TechnicalPragmatist [OP] 2 points 1y ago
If they don’t this is probably the best option. We are trying the doctor route again, I ended up seeing the other doctor in the office. And he was I think a bit more sincere. Quiet guy but seems to get it so we’ll see if he bites or what happens he seriously took a look at things and was pretty honest.
scaram0uche 1 points 1y ago
Good luck!!! I hope it works. The Dexcom is so great for my dad. Between that and using an insulin pen he can manage his glucose much more easily. r/dexcom is also a good resource since if the sensor doesn't work you reorder from them directly and it is shipped overnight.
ravenshadow2013 1 points 1y ago
Maxi aids has the Prodigy meter for 40 USD, or you can try looking on amazon, as for the rest of the headaches associated with being blind and having type 2 you might see if your insurance will cover an aide to assist with your testing and monitoring
TechnicalPragmatist [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I have the meter the meter is the least of my issues it’s the rest of the supplies.
gunfart 0 points 1y ago
sometimes you just gotta suck it up and spend your own money for things you need, you can't always depend on insurance to buy everything for you
TechnicalPragmatist [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Except it is prohibitively expensive
gunfart 2 points 1y ago
i don't know much about the quality here, but there's a listing for a talking glucose meter with test strips, lancets, the whole nine yards to get started for only $24.99...
https://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Talk-Diabetes-Testing-Kit/dp/B0945GX114/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=talking+glucose+meter&qid=1652747600&sr=8-5
and another brand with a whole starter kit with travel case, same price...
https://www.amazon.com/Clever-Choice-Voice-Talking-Glucose/dp/B007JVQQRE
https://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Talk-Diabetes-Testing-Kit/dp/B0945GX114/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=talking+glucose+meter&qid=1652747600&sr=8-5
and another brand with a whole starter kit with travel case, same price...
https://www.amazon.com/Clever-Choice-Voice-Talking-Glucose/dp/B007JVQQRE
TechnicalPragmatist [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Hmm. Probably not a lot strips and all is pretty expensive if you want a serious supply of them the meters itself isn’t that much.
gunfart 1 points 1y ago
you may be able to get just the strips and lancets covered by insurance or something, but i was just saying sometimes you gotta give in a little and not expect everything you want and need to be covered by insurance. for example, i am a dialysis patient as well as being blind so i have to constantly monitor my weight, but i can't expect my insurance to cover a talking scale just because my doctor wants me to watch my fluid intake and weight between sessions; that part is on me to keep up with
Nikanoru181 1 points 1y ago
In the US? DM me your address ill send you one, they have a talking one we use that we got from walmart.
TechnicalPragmatist [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thanks that’s very kind, but I have the meters unfortunately that’s the least of the problems had to buy it outright and that was $20. The bigger issues is the test strips which will need to be bought and rebought and the needles
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