1. RE: Digest Number 26
From: Yerachmiel Altman <Yerachml@...>
By the way: has anyone had any experience (first, second or even
third
hand) with the new Minimed 512 (pump which talks to the meter).

I just started using the paradigm 512 on Friday. It comes with a BD
Paradigm link meter that will transmit your bgs directly to the meter.
The pump also has a Bolus Wizard. You program in your insulin to
carb ratio, your correction bolus ratio and using either the sugar
reading from the linked pump or a reading you enter into the pump,
the wizard will give you a recommended dosage based on your
reading and how many grams of carb you tell the pump you plan on
eating. This suggestion will also take into account any insulin you
already have in the background (from basals and any recent boluses--
the unused insulin rule).

I have not used this feature yet because once the wizard is turned on,
you have to go through a whole series of questions before you can
program a basal: what is your sugar? How many grams will you eat?
Then you get the recommendation and then it is another button push
or two until you actually give the bolus. Although I think the feature is
useful, a lot of times I just want to do a quick bolus without going
through all these extra steps. Also, I am not sure about all those extra
button pushes on shabbos.

The meter is nice: smaller than the 507C and waterproof. It uses one
triple A battery which is much easier, but avg. battery life is only 2
weeks. Also, the reservoir is very small (it only holds 180 units), so
anyone who has a large daily total of insulin will need to change the
reservoir often.

I would be happy to share any other information about the meter that
you would like.

Sima