New to forum

[Alnan]

I am not the diabetic, my wife of nearly 48 years is. She has been a type 1 for 30 some years, on the pump for 7 years plus. Very shortly after the original diagnosis for diabetes years ago, she went into a coma, the hospital, and then type 1 status. So, we have both lived with diabetes for that period of time. I just don't inject insulin.
She has always used Medtronics pumps, she is now using the 508, but has received the 715 w/Link. We have spent several days with the CD, the manuals, playing with the pump, tomorrow we meet with the nurse/educator.
One of the issues we will discuss is, will we use the Link? Our inclination as present is no. Any opinions on your experience with the Link would be appreciated.
I've always found that discussing these issues with other users, sometimes fills in the gaps the professionals may not discuss. The reasons for others choices, etc.
The reason I am on this site is because my wife is not comfortable with PC's.

[xMenace]

By link do you mean the CGMS or the linked monitor.

I haven't gotten the CGMS yet, but I will when Mr. Insurer decides to cover it. I'm hoping for their execs or their kids or grandkids to be Dx'd:evil:

I am thankful for the monitor link. I am a notorious record keeper, and having the ability to upload months of data after the fact has saved my credibility with my endo. Actually I'm becoming better every day. :)

BTW, welcome aboard.

[kgm0612]

HI & Welcome!

I was used the BD meter (link) that came with my MM-515 for 10 months before switching back over to my One Touch Ultra. What I loved about the "link" was that when you tested, the reading went right into the pump so you didn't have to enter it manually. One less thing I had to do manually. LOL

What I didn't like about it, was that the blood sugar readings were sometimes 20-30 points higher compared to the One Touch.

Karen

[ProudNanaof5]

I'm not a pump but I just wanted to welcome you to DF. Glad you joined us..

[Alnan]

We've just came back from our session with the nurse educator. Nancy's 508 is now boxed up, and she's using the 715. She chose not to use the Link. Thats what the box says. The blood glucose monitor. The other option is the real time continuous that you wear? Correct?

Anyway, part of the reason for that decision is BD will not be used by MM after December. We've noticed even in the brief time on this forum the number of people that have chosen not to use them. The final factor was our meeting today with the nurse. She works for the Doctor at a Medical University clinic. She sees a lot of diabetics each year, and she says quite a few have been dissatisfied with the monitor.


And Nancy says she likes her present meter, and entering the readings manually. And she's da' boss. But the new pump looks great, it'll just take a little practice.

Now for the next step, what to do with the 508 and the few supplies we have left. It always seems a shame when you get a newer glucometer or whatever that you can't as a rule find some charity to donate them to. Any opinions on that issue?

[kgm0612]

From Mini Meds website dated 12/15/06:

As you may be aware, our glucose meter alliance partner, Becton Dickinson and Company ("BD"), announced its plans to exit the meter business and make test strips available through December 2007. Well, there's good news! Test strips for your Paradigm Link blood glucose monitor will be available well into the future because BD has sold its blood glucose monitoring business to Sanvita, a medical supply distribution company. This means you can continue to order test strips through Medtronic and other outlets, such as through your pharmacy or via special pharmacy orders.

We are also delighted to report that we are making progress on providing a replacement meter option to our customers. So stay tuned – we expect to share exciting news about a replacement meter in 2007!