Strangely Diabetic - Latest Comments

Re: Dexcom Keeps Making the Same Damn Mistake

Brian Whitlock — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 18:59:42 -0000

I am able to charge either through a powered USB hub or a USB power adaptor(Apple's 10W or the one that comes with the Kindle). I haven't tried attaching directly to my laptop. Using the same cord I use for my phone.
I have noticed that sometimes I have to plug it in more than once and have more luck if isn't in sleep mode(screen on).
It is frustrating that it doesn't just work.

Re: Guns and Suicide

Scott K. Johnson — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 23:14:07 -0000

Thanks for opening up on a subject that is so hard to talk about.

Re: Guns and Suicide

Scott Strange — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 17:11:49 -0000

Hi michelelp, that's exactly what I think

Re: Guns and Suicide

michelelp — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:14:15 -0000

I think that's a bullshit statistic that politicians like to throw around to try and prove their point. I would assume studies would also show that when a gun is not present, but a knife or razor is, there is an increase in their use.

Re: Dexcom Keeps Making the Same Damn Mistake

Scott Strange — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:53:03 -0000

You're right, I also think they should have gone with a web-based solution, it would make multiple platforms so much easier to deploy and support

Re: Dexcom Keeps Making the Same Damn Mistake

Scott Strange — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:51:50 -0000

Well, if it does work let me know so I can start hounding them to swap it out. I really surprised that they didn't anyway

Re: Dexcom Keeps Making the Same Damn Mistake

Scott Strange — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:50:58 -0000

Hmmm... sounds like it is trying to charge anyway, next time the battery gets low I'll try it and see what happens

Thanks!

Re: Dexcom Keeps Making the Same Damn Mistake

Scott Strange — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:49:25 -0000

Yea, the AC adapter works fine, I would prefer the USB because I spend several hours a day at a computer. It's just more convenient to charge it while I was working and I do the same with my phone when needed

Re: Dexcom Keeps Making the Same Damn Mistake

Scott Strange — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:48:00 -0000

The whole situation just seems screwy, but then I am old and cranky...

Re: Dexcom Keeps Making the Same Damn Mistake

Scott Strange — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:43:55 -0000

Ok, think about it like this... You buy a new phone and it has exactly the same sized USB port as your old phone. You think "cool, I already have cables and chargers for this." You then get home and none of them work. Calling tech support, you learn that you actually need THEIR USB cables and THEIR car and wall plugs to be able to charge the device. That new phone is using a non-standard USB port.

I have the the power adaptor in with my bag of pumping supplies. I usually spend several hours a day at my desk and plugging it into the computer is simpler for me. I always have a cable plugged into my PC and, since the G4 port was the same size as the one for my phone, imagine my dismay when the G4 refused to charge when using that same cable

Re: Dexcom Keeps Making the Same Damn Mistake

Allison Nimlos — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 21:59:43 -0000

What is a standard USB port? I'm not sure I understand the issue. Don't you have to plug the Dexcom receiver into the power cord it comes with? And then can't you plug that into anything USB related? That's what I do and it's worked fine. Like I said, I don't need any software to charge it.

Re: Dexcom Keeps Making the Same Damn Mistake

Click1st (1 Bolus @ a Time) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 20:14:19 -0000

I'm still beyond pissed that I have done everything to load the software on a Mac via VMWare (yes, I know not supported on Apple) taking off Win8 to put Win7 to no avail. Then since hubs uses a PC we set up a Virtual Machine with Win7 on his computer (bc he uses Win8) solely for the Dexcom and it still won't upload! Hubs is a software engineer, so he KNOWS computers and there's no reason that it shouldn't work with everything we've done. A Virtual Machine is the exact same thing as any other machine. I saw the interview with the Dexcom CEO and he said he was pushing for Mac compatibility, however IMHO going to a web-based program would solve so many problems and I'm guessing it would solve the charging issues too. A simple software update via plug in. *sigh* So irritating & I so agree with you! *HUGS*

Re: Dexcom Keeps Making the Same Damn Mistake

Scott S — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 20:05:17 -0000

I never use the computer for charging, I use the plug that goes into the electrical outlet so I can charge it while I sleep at night. But I wonder if it would work if I tried it on my PC?

Re: Dexcom Keeps Making the Same Damn Mistake

Scott Strange — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 20:01:01 -0000

To make sure everyone understands... I think there is definitely something wrong, probably with the receiver and it should be swapped out.

The real issue is the requirement to load the software to SIMPLY CHARGE THE DEVICE WHEN IT IS ATTACHED TO A STANDARD USB PORT. Heck, one might be able to make the case that the USB port specification (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U... has not been followed and the product is mislabeled. That's bad for a medical device.

It is simply a stupid, artificial impediment to ease of use for us patients. It makes absolutely no sense.

This type of impediment is another example of the attitude that is rampant through out the industry from device makers to the EHR vendors. Everything must keep users locked into that product.

Re: Dexcom Keeps Making the Same Damn Mistake

Amy Tenderich (DiabetesMine) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 18:26:51 -0000

I'm with Allison - haven't had this problem. Gonna try to get to the bottom of this, though.

Re: Dexcom Keeps Making the Same Damn Mistake

Allison Nimlos — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 15:13:02 -0000

I plug the Dexcom into the power cord and then into either my Mac or the wall-plug with no problems. I haven't downloaded the Dexcom Studio software. I didn't even know where to get the software until today. I'm not sure why you are having an issue with it. Or why I'm able to do it. Hmmm....

Re: Dexcom Keeps Making the Same Damn Mistake

Elizabeth — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:18:52 -0000

I had this problem when I recently traveled to India for about a month. I was bringing my iphone, Verio IQ meter, and my Dexcom, so I bought an awesome USB to ALL THREE charger that saved me so much room in my backpack. Then I plug in my Dex in the wall to charge and no little lightning bolt icon comes up. So at 2 am in India, I'm googling what's going on and come across the note about installing Studio, which is bunk. I ended up plugging it in to the wall for a few hours each night, and it would charge, but never fully or as quickly with its own charger, and the icon rarely showed up. A pain to be sure, but not as dire as Dexcom's documentation makes it out to be. I've also charged the Dex in my car off of my t:slim's charger.

Re: Dexcom Keeps Making the Same Damn Mistake

Todd — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:15:33 -0000

I've been able to use my Motorola phone charger without a problem. The supplied AC charger works fine and the charge lasts for a week or more. I've never used a computer or software.

Re: Dexcom Keeps Making the Same Damn Mistake

StephenS — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:08:01 -0000

I've often wondered what would happen if I was away from home without my PC (likely), and the plug for my charger was broken somehow. What would I do to charge? I guess I would call Dexcom to get a new one, but what if my battery had gone kaput in transit? I'd wait an extra day without my receiver because... I really can't figure out why.

Re: The Oaks and The Willows

Mike Hoskins — Mon, 27 May 2013 23:23:25 -0000

I've also found myself feeling like I am reading your blog and seeing myself in your writing, Scott. So often, it seems like I lump everything into that same box and that's what causes it to sink. Rather, if I'd just do like you're doing - make them individual items in individual boxes - they're more likely to float or at least stay closer to the surface. I'm glad to read you're making progress still and have come as far as you have. Gives me hope and continuing inspiration in my own mental health journey... Thanks, bro.

Re: Cause & Effect

Scott K. Johnson — Mon, 27 May 2013 00:25:39 -0000

This makes me think of something someone told me about driving. There is no shortage of idiots out there on the road, and they surely piss me off at times. But does it do me ANY good at all to be mad? Is there any gain for me in getting angry at them? Nope.

So I try to remember that and just let it go. Easier said than done, but hey.

Re: The Oaks and The Willows

Scott K. Johnson — Mon, 27 May 2013 00:23:23 -0000

Scott, it has been very beneficial for me to watch you grow and share through all of this.

Thank you for not keeping it all to yourself.

Re: And One Petition to Help Them All

Erin Gilmer — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:33 -0000

While I agree with the ideas in your pledge to have empathy, advocate for all, work to fight stereotypes and misinformation, I signed the pledge to change names.

There was another blog post about this issue over at Diabetes Mine - http://www.diabetesmine.com/20... and I see the point that perhaps having different names creates increased stigma.

But here's the thing. I am beyond frustrated with the confusion in society between type 1 and type 2. Continuing to have them both under the diabetes umbrella only further leads to misunderstanding and misinformation.

To be honest, I honestly never say I have diabetes - I say I have an autoimmune disease affecting my pancreas. From doctors to laypersons, if I say the d-word I am immediately fat and lazy and told I can't eat sugar. This is not true for either type - but because type 2 is associated with obesity, the cause of my illness is attributed to the same societal issues.

Also, to be clear, I advocate for type 2's endlessly. I talk about the fact that type 2 is more genetically linked, that type 2 arises more in minority communities, that type 2 can happen for many different reasons that have nothing to do with personal responsibility of self care. I was the one whooping in support for @AngryT2Diabetic stood up at Medicine X and put the doctor on stage in his place. (see her post about her experience at the conference her - http://theangrytype2diabetic.b.... The room needed her to speak and to speak loudly.

I think the petition and these ideas listed here are not exclusive. I think in changing the names we will actually reduce stigma, dispel misinformation, fight stigmas. By changing the names we recognize the actual diseases each have which will lead to compassion in understanding their lives and challenges. We are all people with different diseases that need to be recognized to truly change the culture's perceptions and understanding.

Re: I Have To Stop Giving A Sh*t

Scott Strange — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:54:20 -0000

Thanks, I appreciate it my friend

Re: I Have To Stop Giving A Sh*t

rpederse — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:35:43 -0000

I want to respond intelligently, but I got nothin'. But I was here, I read it, and I care about you.