Your Diabetes May Vary

Test & Tu

2009-07-13T22:30:00.003-04:00

4 pm EST on July 14th

Test and Log in.

See: http://tudiabetes.com/forum/topics/14k-people-with-diabetes-test

Jazz is All That

2009-07-13T09:11:00.003-04:00

We are big fans of WaveSense meters. Their new Jazz another hit with the YDMV family. Connor switched over and now both kids are now using them. Mrs. YDMV was talking them up to everyone she met at FFL if not actually draging them over to the WaveSense booth. You know who y'all are. You can thank her next year.

We like that the Jazz uses the same small sample size as a Presto, about half what the one touches needed. Same fast read. No err 5. The Jazz has the same big numbers for my crappy eyes at 2:36 am checks that I liked in the Presto. Yet it's a little smaller and looks a little sportier (or at least not as boxy.) Still no coding. New meal time marking and other stuff I haven't features I figured out yet including a smiley face.

Good. Good. Good. Iffy on the :)

WaveSense meters make accuracy claims I can not confirm or deny. It isn't that I am trying to go all Dick Cheney. It is that I know Bruce Buckingham and I am no Bruce Buckingham. My claim understanding the science of accuracy and 69 cents will get you a small coffee at McDonald's. Ya can't prove science by me other than the WaveSense metres work great for us.

The Jazz comes in a bunch of colors and so do the cases. Colors count in a family with two T1s - everyone knows who's goes with who. Pearl is the new Black as far as Delaney is concerned.

Avid YDMV readers (OK I know there are none but humor me here,) know I dinged WaveSense about the light turning off just about the time I need to read it in the post titled Prestodigitation.

Well they fixed it in the Jazz. The back light stays on no problem. Kerri busted me by claiming I would now complain about battery life, so Kerri, I here by do solemnly swear, I will not bitch about battery life from longer lasting back lights.

Not only that - I think it needs a cool blue glowing flip flop logo like the necklaces they gave out in prior years. We still have some of those on Delaney's dresser and they are still Way Cool. I like the beach vibe. So it is no surprise I liked the Hawaiian shirts of previous years better than this year's theBetes.net green polos. (theBetes appreciated the look, I asked him.)

I had high hopes for Bluetooth in addition to blue flip flops. While it (Bluetooth not blue flip flops)is clear of the FDA they aren't yet in the Jazz (Bothe Bluetooth and Blue Flip Flops) - Yet. Bummer. Collecting and downloading meters is a pain and I don't bother doing it.

In all fairness I need to point out that Connor won an iPod Shuffle from these dudes (I use dudes here in a no gender specific context, however if that is a problem for some readers please feel free to substitute "dudes and babes" to be more politically incorrect) three FFLs ago before they had a meter on the market. It is buried in some drawer and didn't influence Delaney's choice a year and a half later to use their meters.

The customer service around Pink may have had some influence but you will need to read the comments on the posts to see it. I am sure nobody reads the commentes here so I think I can get away without disclosing that WaveSense has great service that influences our feelings about their meters.

Neither Dick Cheney or I can not confirm or deny the influence of the still Way Cool glowing flip flop necklaces on the dresser on any meter choices.

Hey Compliance Dude

2009-07-11T20:43:00.001-04:00

I saw her coming back from the dance and she was way happier than going. That is good.

-- Post From My iPhone

Arrg

2009-07-11T14:02:00.001-04:00

The Betus boy sword fighting at Pirates

-- Post From My iPhone

Professional Pokie Jamokie

2009-07-08T12:26:00.001-04:00

The kids are in some kind of trial where they get paid actual cash money for testing their blood. They are all about this professional blood testing deal.

They are testing and logging like I have never seen. Apperently Bribery will get you anywhere.

-- Post From My iPhone

BG on DS no BS

2009-07-06T21:52:00.004-04:00

Bayer is introducing DIDGET a Nintendo DS carridge fo checking blood glucose.

Bayer’s DIDGET™ Blood Glucose Monitoring System

Bayer’s DIDGET™ is the only blood glucose meter that plugs into a Nintendo DS™ or Nintendo DS™ Lite system. This unique meter helps encourage consistent testing with reward points that children can use to buy items within the game and unlock new game levels. And, since the DIDGET™ meter is based on Bayer’s trusted CONTOUR™ system, you know you’re getting a meter that’s reliable.

http://www.bayerdidget.co.uk/About-Didget/Product-Information

Also an online community
http://www.bayerdidget.co.uk/About-Didget/Bayer-sWebCommunity

I am all or the idea of bringing the daily care tasking into kids lives and on their terms. Rock on Bayer.

This ain't Brimmley's meter.

Wonder if they will have one at FFL on Wednesday? Wonder if the will have the big screen Rock Band.....

Talk To Me Connor's Street Auudition.

2009-07-06T09:00:00.001-04:00

The boy auditioned for the American Idol show at Disney. He sang talk to me for Bye Bye Birdie.

Sorry iPhone no video

-- Post From My iPhone

Do Crunch Berries Count as Fruit

2009-07-05T19:28:00.001-04:00

After a P&J the boy needed a bowl of Captain Crunch. A little bowl. A serving bowl. Do crunch berries count as fruit?

At least he had the pump at the ready.

-- Post From My iPhone

From The News Wire: Experiment Type 1 Vaccine

2009-07-04T08:53:00.002-04:00

Fun science article (I know it sounds like an oxymoron) from the AP on trials of T1 vaccines. There are a few good one liners in it these are my top two:

"It bothers me all the people who say, 'Can't you just exercise and get rid of it?'" said Berg-Fulton of Millvale, Pa., who was diagnosed just before her 10th birthday. "Type 2 gets all the attention. This is Type 1 — we die from this."

"I'm getting poked for science,"

From the News Wire: Retinopathy Research

2009-07-04T08:42:00.002-04:00

Study Suggests Natural Compound Stops Retinopathy

ScienceDaily (July 3, 2009) — Researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center have found a way to use a natural compound to stop one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. The research appears online this month in the journal Diabetes, a publication of the American Diabetes Association.

The discovery of the compound’s function in inflammation and blood vessel formation related to eye disease means scientists can now develop new therapies –including eye drops – to stop diabetic retinopathy, a disease which affects as many as five million Americans with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

“There is no good treatment for retinopathy, which is why we are so excited about this work. This opens an entirely new area for pharmaceutical companies to target,” said Jay Ma, the principal investigator on the project and a research partner at the OU Health Sciences Center, Dean A. McGee Eye Institute and the Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center.

more at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090702112842.htm

Who is Who

2009-07-03T10:30:00.001-04:00

Me

The twerp who is sterling my tweets

Post From My iPhone

Tweeting Twit

2009-07-03T09:22:00.003-04:00

Oh it is on.

The boy tweets. So what the heck I gave it a try. Then I find he is steeling my material!

We were walking into Soarin' and the T1 kids are all about the smell of sugar coated roasted nuts. I say, "It is so strong they should bolus."

He tweets it.

It is gonna be a war of the twits.

@theRealBetes
vs
@Badshoe

-- Post From My iPhone

Houston We Have a ....

2009-07-02T13:37:00.001-04:00

Houston? I am going to Orlando.

And what is this Delayed deal?

-- Post From My iPhone

From the News Wire: Roche & Glucose Buddy

2009-07-02T09:04:00.002-04:00

Glucose Buddy inks deal with Roche

From Mobihealthnews

MYLEstone Health, developer of the Glucose Buddy iPhone app, is working with Roche Diagnostics’ Accu-Chek to add its educational program to the Glucose Buddy diabetes management app. Even though the addition of Accu-Chek’s educational program to the iPhone app is a far cry from meter integration, MYLEstone co-founder Matthew Tendler told mobihealthnews, it is a step in the right direction and it will bring substantial value to people with diabetes and iPhones.

More

Chalk It Up

2009-06-29T20:05:00.001-04:00

We have had a herd time remembering when set were last changed.

Lowes has chalk board paint.

I painted a chalk board. It was there to remind the older kids to lock up and other critical stuff like last one in turn out the lights.

On day I was goofing around with a set. I think goofing with the supplies now and again helps put the supplies in their place, at least in the kids eyes. Stuff is just stuff Dont let it get cocky,

The real message is for the kid. Here it is. 'Your're more important than stuff. Stuff can suffer indignaty it it makes you laught at what you have to do to stay well.

Anyway I a set on the chalk board. It seemed funny at the time but I don't remember why. The set stuck. Not litterally, well it did litterally too, I mean figuratively in time. It stuck as a tool. A fun place to write when the set was last changed.

I didn't notice 'till i took its picture but it is getting friends. That is funny too.

-- Post From My iPhone

Get My Head Straight

2009-06-29T15:14:00.000-04:00

That is the point of CWD's Friend For Life. Living with disbetes takes energy from a family. That energy needs to be charges and oriented from time to time.

Being a guy I have a facination for machines. Machines don't make for better health care, better caring makes for better health care.

FFL gives me a reorientation. Gets my focus on raising kids who happen to have type 1 diabetes. It helps me get my mind off the numbers and means of care and onto the caring.

YDMV started at FFLas a way for me to both have and share that focus on the kids. Funny (a word that here means sterotypicaly not humorous) being a guy I've let my focus drift.

I find it very ironic that the Monty Python bit about machine based health care is "The Machine That Goes Ping." I need to be about the kids not the stuff. Or at least more of a balance.

I'll try. If you're smart, expect posts about The Machines That Go Ping (or are named Ping) anyway.

And maybe some focus where it should me too.

-- Post From My iPhone

Does Lantus Cause Cancer? - Probably Not

2009-06-29T08:45:00.002-04:00

Lantus is in the news. Sadly it isn't this is a wonderful tool that helps people who must take insulin do so is a manner that helps them lead more normal lives.

No it in some 'Coming Soon a Big Report' rumor say that the sky is falling and we should call Whitfeild B. Ambulance Chaser, III, Attorney, and get in the class action suit.

I don't know all the details. I do know that not taking insulin can have immediate and serious side effects like hyperglycemia. For deatils go read Diabetes Mine.

LY/MI Amy

http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/06/does-lantus-cause-cancer.html

Continuing on Continua

2009-06-27T09:39:00.003-04:00

Continua maybe the path to standards for the tools used to live with type 1 diabetes. I hope it is.

I do worry about the route they take getting us there - for me Continua has a ‘Health 1.0’ feel about it. Maybe the best way to explain what I mean is by contrast.

I am moved by Amy’s calls for participatory patient care. This week she wrote about patients rights to health data. Amy is the Queen of the web 2.0 diabetes world. Advocating, leading and living the idea that patients have valuable contributions to make in their individual and collective wellness. Sorry I can’t give one specific link for that because she has written so much and so well on the subject. If you want more go click the Health 2.0 link on her banner. I am a True Believer in Amy’s Vision

The point of this 2.0 vision is that patients are critical to shaping their health process. Patient voices need to be heard not only because they are ultimately the consumer but because including patient makes for better health outcomes.

So Health 2.0 is patient participation. Health 1.0 is where the system, fronted by the Kindly Dr. (Fill in your favorite TV Dr’s name here from Dr. Kildare to Dr. House), has the all the answers.

In Continua Big Pharma, Big Tech, Big Health are playing the rolls of Drs Kildare Doggie Houser and House. They have the answers. Patients are not part of the process.

It is that lack of patients in the design process where I find Continua Health Alliance being in the 1.0 universe. There is no path for patients participating in defining the standards Continua is setting. I asked Chuck Parker Continua’s Executive Director about this, ‘So the first question that comes to my mind is there a mechanism for patient voices in the standards development process? How do patients and their needs fit into the equation?’

Chuck explained that Intel has done tens of thousands of hours of market research. He said that the member companies of the Continua Alliance employ vast numbers of people. These companies, their experience with their employee’s health care systems and their research represent the patients in the standards process.

Ouch.

Reminds anyone other than me of when Dr. Wellby says this shot won’t hurt a bit?

I think that the Diabetes Mine Design Challenge is a direct result of Big Pharma’s focus being someplace other than patient usability when they engineer the tools we use. I don’t see a track record of consumer product design that suggests Intel going to do any better. Intel’s image is far away from users, deep on the Inside, where the truly user hostile engineering is hidden.

Next I asked Chuck where I could see the format for the data set that will be used for diabetes, specifically pumps and CGMs. My curiosity being simply if there are going to be standards what the heck do they look like. Seriously how can we see that the standards are going to collect the information we need to form intelligent responses?

I concede that I can go way off the deep end on this topic. (Me going off the deep end who would have thought…) I have this strange notion that the next big step in type 1 care is going to come from bringing life’s events into the mix. Stuff like PE class, stress, growth spurts and hormonal events. That kind of information layered with our pump and blood data can maybe form a basis for adjusting type 1 therapy to lives and not the other way around.

I digress, I always digress. Before I digressed the topic was Continua and pump data. Sadly insulin pumps haven’t been worked into the Continua Health Alliance data standards – yet. So the standard can’t be shared - yet.

Chuck did say insulin pump standards are scheduled to be part of the 2.0 release of the Continua Health Alliance standards next summer. He was unable to say if CGM data was going to be part of that next release of the standards.

The next generation of pumps are being designed now. Then they go to the FDA for blessing. Since there will not be pump standards until next year and then the pump companies will need to get them into pumps and those pumps off to FDA for blessings, I don’t see how the type 1 community can expect Continua to be a relevant in pump technology anytime soon.

Maybe the upside here is that 'no time soon means' we can reach out and touch some one, like our vendors who happen to be in the Continua Alliance and let them know we believe in health 2.0.

How convenient there’s a big type 1 gathering in Orlando next week…

Sara Inspired

2009-06-25T19:25:00.003-04:00

Days to Disney

Post From My iPhone

FFL

2009-06-24T21:53:00.001-04:00

I keep hearing the AT&T 'you have a text' jingle. 'Lanes is texting her FFL buddies.

She is looking forward to Disney. We are Disney people. www.DisneyWithDiabetes.com is us. This time she is looking forward to seeing her FFL friends maybe more than playing in the parks.

I underestimated the value of being with other people with diabetes. Delaney has never been alone with diabetes. She has always been in a club with at least her brother. He's cool. Not as cool as friends.

FFL is a gift. Give it to the T1 in your life.

-- Post From My iPhone

Continua Health Alliance

2009-06-21T18:02:00.011-04:00

I have written (OK ranted) about standards for diabetes data. In short I want all the tools we use to manage type 1 to play nice together.

Alert YDMV reader KoHo wrote “There is an industry group out called continua connected health that does exactly what you all want.”

Really?

Well yes, really, except it is called Continua Health Alliance.

Since KoHo left that message I have been digging around learning about Continua. It will take a few post to share what I have picked up. Lets start with what they say about themselves:

(Continua is) a non-profit, open industry alliance of the finest healthcare and technology companies in the world joining together in collaboration to improve the quality of personal healthcare.

Our Mission is to establish an eco-system of interoperable personal health systems that empower people & organizations to better manage their health and wellness.

Who are these “finest healthcare and technology companies?” Way too many to list here you can get a get a feel by follow this link. Members of the type 1 community will recognize some of our key vendors including Medtronic, Roche, LifeScan, and Bayer Diabetes Care.

The Association board has members form Intel, Partners Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Roche, Cisco Systems, Medtronic, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Welch Allyn and tallying the Academy’s votes and tabulating the Oscar winners Price Waterhouse Coopers. Ok I was kidding about the Oscars. These companies are some economic big dogs. Good news for YDMV readers, the Roche board dude is from their diabetes care group.

The point I they make plain and I’m getting loud and clear is that these are serious corporate players. Here’s hoping that if the suits play nice, we’ll get tools that do too.

So much for who, how about ‘What are they gonna do for me?’ As I understand it they do a couple of things. First they establish standards on how devices for all kinds of things talk and aggregated information into common data sets. Manufacturer’s will make devices following the standards and submit them for the Continua version of the ‘Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.’ Their efforts are then bifurcated. (Continua’s dude there actually used the word when I spoke with him. I had to stop to go figure out what he was talking about. Apparently is a cool word for split in two I should have known.) Anyway Continua spits its efforts between government and private payers to try to help them see that common standards and preventative tools are a good investment in avoiding more expensive conditions down the road.

How is it gonna work? Imagine having all kinds of devices in your house reporting on your health. Of course if you’re a type 1 household you don’t need to imagine devices they are probably on the coffee table right now. Imagine those meters, CGM, pumps, etc, talking to a central data hub. That hub then share the data in common combined reports.

That sounds really cool.

When is it going to happen? Continua would like you to see that it is happening now. Well OK - there are devices that have earned Continua certification. Exactly two. Both are Nonin Oximeters one is USB the other wireless.

No diabetes toys yet. They can’t say when. Continua does say that they expect additional certifications in the coming weeks and months. Or in other works - stay tuned.

From The News Wire: FDA PMA Upates May

2009-06-15T14:21:00.005-04:00

The FDA released May PMA Approvals
The following maybe reliant to YDMV readers, DexCom software revisions, Abbott Navigator modifications to the inserter and Mini Med's sensor base and software.

P050012/S018 5/5/09 Real-Time
DexCom Seven Systems
DexCom, Inc.San Diego, CA92121
Approval for design revisions to the accessory software program to provide additional supplementary information to users on glucose trends and patterns downloaded to the program. The software program, as modified, will be marketed under the trade name DexCom Data Manager 3 (DM3) and is indicated for use by consumers to allow for the transfer of glucose data stored by the DexCom STS or Seven Systems into a personal computer (PC). The software modifications included several new features as identified in the submission.

P050020/S012 5/8/09 Real-Time
FreeStyle Navigator Continuous Glucose Monitoring System
Abbott Diabetes Care, Inc.Alameda, CA94502
Approval for modifications to the Inserter component housing of the FreeStyle CGMS, to reduce the overall thickness in the shelves of the housing and a change to the manufacturing equipment used to mold the housing components.

P980022/S054 5/22/09
SOF-SENSOR Glucose Sensor
Medtronic MiniMedNorthridge, CA91325
Changes to the sensor base and the needle/hub components.

P980022/S052 5/22/09 Real-Time
CareLink Pro PC Software
Medtronic MiniMedNorthridge, CA91325
Approval for a modification to the CareLink Pro PC Software (Version 1.3A, MMT-7335) to correct two identified problems.

Ellen LYMI (Good News about CVS Caremark)

2009-06-13T13:22:00.005-04:00

I just read a post from Ellen at CWD

I just received information from an organization that I'm not at liberty to name, that CVS Caremark informed them that CVS Caremark "recently changed their protocol to include a cold pack with ALL shipped insulin. This is in response to customer reaction." Dated June 9, 2009.

Can a Caremark customer please confirm this? I'd also like to know where this is in writing on the Caremark website but I'm not a customer. Thank you.

So I got on the phone....
.
.
.
I am on the phone (on hold) with Michel now.
.
.
.
.
.

still holding
.
.
.
.
I could use some Cheereos

(little inside joke for Ellen)
.
.
.
.
Still on hold
.
.
.
.
'OK Sir, According to our recordw we have no change but let me get you into Pharmacy they may have more recent information...'
.
.
.
.
.
Back to hold
(No elevator music. I have to say no music is better than bad music.)
.
.
.
.
‘Sir I have Michel from Pharmcay on the line there have been some updates and she can tell you about them.’

‘Me - wait aren't you Michel too? I am so easily confuse, thanks Michel and hello Michell.’

‘Sir I am going to put you on hold for a pharmisist.’

‘OK’
.
.
.
This time we have some classical music - not one particularly inspiring.
.
.
.
.
‘OK Sir? I just wanted to let you know we are waiting for a pharmacist. OK?’ Michel

‘OK’ - Me

‘OK’- Michel

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
‘Mr. Dunlap? Thank you for patiently waiting. I have Dale a pharmacist at CVS / Caremark on the line.’ - Michel

Me - ‘Thank you Michel. Hi Dale.’

‘I understand you are interested in our shipping policy for (mumble)log diabetes products.’ Dale

‘Yes all insulin. I stopped being a CVS Caremark client when you stopped shipping it cold. I understand you may have changed your policy recently so I may need to consider coming back as a client.’ - YDMV

‘Yes as of June 5th we will now include a cold pack with every shipment of insulin. The only change is if the expected temperature at the receiving destination is expected to be over 85 degrees we will then ship next day.’

‘Thanks! That is great news!’

Ellen - That LY/MI on the post-it. Means Love Ya/Mean It

OK Campers - Lets all give Ellen a big

LY/MI

Around the Neighborhood: Diabetes Power Show

2009-06-13T10:54:00.005-04:00

Talking a walk around the neighborhood is a healthy habit. One I need to do more of both in ‘real life’ and virtually on-line. I’ll take the dogs for a stroll later when Delaney can go with me - she enjoys it and I like her company. In the mean time let’s get ready to take a quick stroll to another part of the diabetes community online.

Having a child diagnosed as Type 1 stressful time. We know we have been there twice. It is time of fear and intense focus. Sadly those two - fear and focus - tend to push away humor when you need it most.

One of the things that ads to the stress are the lows that happen as the initial insulin resistance wears off. You face two uncertainties the fear of lows, ‘cause you have been told lows are something to take seriously and WTF maybe the doctor was wrong about this diagnosis ‘cause we are using next to no insulin.

The Diabetes Power Show has a great podcast on this and a bunch of other stuff. Here is why I think it is so great, the warning at the beginning is hysterical and important. Now I intend to go on and say why I think this is so important BUT SPOILER ALERT if you are the kind of person who really has to experience thing first hand with no preconceptions go there now and listen now.

What I find so great here is their good humor and relaxed attitude with the fact that blood sugars are crashing like model buildings in a Godzilla movie. Yeah they do what they gotta do about it but it is clear that their minds aren’t so clear. I think this is hugely important. It is a great demonstration of the diminished capacity that can come with lows. The lows are taken seriously but they are not even remotely solemn about it. I listened in the car on my iPod and was literally laughing out loud not just moderately amused little lol.

They talk about diabetes as an ability. The ability to function when low and have a sense of normalcy and humor about it is a great case in point. Panic never helps anything.

I have gone back and linked this pod cast in my Newbie Advice on Insulin Resistance. I hope it will help someone someplace deal with the stress of a new diagnosis.

From the News Wire: iPhone Apple and FDA

2009-06-11T19:04:00.002-04:00

From MobiHealthNews.com

Apple puts onus of FDA clearance on iPhone developers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has indicated in the past that under certain circumstances the iPhone may be considered a medical device and therefore regulated as one, however, as of February the FDA still hadn’t figured out exactly which circumstances those might be.

Turns out Apple isn’t waiting around for the FDA. iPhone application developer and GraniteKey COO Mike Ahmadi wrote in to point out that Apple’s iPhone developer agreement includes a special section that puts the regulatory onus, in particular the duty of ensuring FDA compliance, on the developers themselves.

Obviously this section of the agreement has become increasingly important since Apple began promoting connected peripheral devices and medical apps like LifeScan’s glucometer and AirStrip’s cardiac monitoring application at the company’s iPhone 3.0 and World Wide Developer Conference events.