One Drop | Mobile Review (Android/IOS)

I have used my fair share of Diabetes Management applications on both IOS & Android over the years, but this one is the best I have ever used. Here is my review of the One Drop | Mobile for both the Android & IOS devices.

ANDROID:

Using an android smartphone, it was crucial to get this app on it for blood sugar logging, meal logging, etc... on the go. This app is great, like none other. On this app, I can log everything essential to managing diabetes, from blood sugar to insulin amounts. And being on-the-go a lot this app being on my phone makes it quick & easy & I got into the habit of logging quicker than  I usually do (I typically don't log). What's cool is there's an expert that communicates typically on a daily basis. I would NOT rely on the experts for emergencies, so call 911 if you are having one. The expert feature is included with One Drop's Premium Plan, One Drop | Premium, which I will talk about later on.
The android app is great & all, but is behind as far as the features that the IOS has. The app updates go on the IOS version quicker I guess. Should get one for Android soon, though! Let's talk about the IOS version next!
RATE: 7.5/10 - Update to match IOS app is all I ask!

IOS:

The  IOS is the same as the android version, yet a bit more. Here I will be talking about the difference between this version versus android's since it's the same app.
If you have an iPhone then you are in luck you get the on-the-go awesomeness like I mentioned earlier, but if you're like me & have maybe an Ipad, then you don't get the on-the-go feature as easily, but the IOS version is crucial to have, for now at least. Why do you need the IOS version? Because like I said, the android version of this app is a bit outdated as far as its capabilities, then the IOS version.
What you can do on the IOS app & not the android version:

1. Edit logs - On android (as of this writing) you can only log an entry or delete it, & not edit. That's crucial for the instance you may put 29 units of Levemir & you meant 28. or put the incorrect bg reading. Luckily, you can edit them in this version. 
2. Send stickers! - In both versions,  you have the "Community" tab/section, where you can see everyone's logs all over the world. On the Android version, you can only give a like to show your support, but on the IOS version, you can give a like, along with a sticker. The app has about two pages worth of stickers they created. I try to get in the habit of checking that tab/section every time I'm on it to show some support, never know who needs it. 
3. Export data - The thing I kind of panicked most when first using the android version was not seeing an export option when I knew there was one. Turns out, only this version has it. That's why I said this version was crucial to have. I'm one to export my blood glucose data for my endo the night before my appointment/lab. You get a preview of the page & can export as a PDF & spreadsheet.

I love the IOS version!

RATE: 10/10

P/S: 

Both versions allow you to enable notifications, I highly recommend using them, they come in handy & keep you accountable & managing your diabetes better!

Remember the One Drop | Premium I mentioned earlier? Good, time to talk about that some more as promised!

One Drop has a blood glucose meter out on the market that I recently purchased (insurance kicked my current strips to the curb, so got the opportunity to get it!). When I first saw this, I was not gong to get it, because it looked a little expensive to me, but decided to anyway. 

What you get/pay:

• One Drop | Chrome BG meter - $99.95 ($20 off for right now if you go for it)
• You get the chrome meter (which you can see below), chrome lancing device (Poker/pricker), 10 lancets, a sweet leather carrying case, & the best part, UNLIMITED TEST STRIPS! That's right. No insurance needed. 
• When I use the word chrome, I mean the meter & lancing device is actual chrome!
• Premium plan - $39.95/month for the strips & use of an expert (mine's Rachael :) )

All this for basically $40/month. I paid $119 up front. Meter is a one-time payment. 

I inquired about the lifespan of the meter I guess you could say. The meter holds 300 readings at a time. You can transfer/sync your readings to the app via Bluetooth & they are no longer stored in your meter, but rather solely on the app, freeing up meter space. I'll probably export reading daily. 

Once I receive the meter, I will do an unboxing & review later down the road. So make sure to subscribe to my channel or this blog, or BOTH!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or visit One Drop' s website. I also did a video review of both versions of the app & a demonstration of each. Make sure to visit watch that too!

One Drop Site: http://onedrop.today/

My channel

My video review: ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQV2zYocOfk

First Impressions of the One Drop Chrome Meter...

Here are my first impressions of the One Drop Chrome meter...

Unboxing, it looks pretty snazzy and nicely packed, and comes with everything ready to start testing, like 100 strips and a year supply of lancets(Haha! Yeah! I'm a bad D and don't change those things out often, but they're 33 gauge so they won't quite last as long as the old bullies do). Turning over the meter though I noticed it's basically a rebranded Agamatrix Wireless Jazz 2 meter getting ready to hit the market(or at least it looks like it to me, strips are identical to the Jazz though, so will test this out), just in a slightly snazzier housing. I will admit I was hoping for some color options right off the batt since I saw some other color options in pics from One Drop while awaiting FDA approval and release but I guess the company's not quite ready yet which is understandable being new. It paired up pretty easily with my iPhone 6 via Bluetooth and the app which I've been toying with for months(was just missing a linked meter, so I'll see how much I really like it now). Testing back to back six times yielded the numbers I was looking for and all were pretty consistent, which I've always been partial to Agamatrix's accuracy because it's always been pretty consistent for me(my Verio's decided to turn against me and reads too high nowadays). The case fits everything, but the strip container is a touch loose and will fall out easily if turned upside-down. The vegan leather(pleather?) on the case is okay, but I'm not sure how long it'll hold up. The lancet device takes standard lancets which is nice, but to make the case smaller it'd have been nice if it were about an inch shorter and had a little more heft to it - it feels like it might break easily, so we'll see. Over all, I like it, not sure it was worth the $80 for it though, paid more for my first UltraSmart meter back in the day, but I feel like a lower price point might have drawn in more customers - One Touch was already the established brand for accuracy back then and could demand a higher price especially considering the prices of such tech back then. I don't have the price on the Wireless Jazz 2 to compare it to yet either, so we'll see that comparison when it hits. No commitment on the sub and access to professional advice can be helpful and nice, $40 a month for unlimited strips is also another nice bonus(cheaper than an extra vial of 50 ct Verio strips, which happens frequently). Still need to compare to the local pharmacy and Amazon to see if it will be more cost effective to keep up the sub or go the OTC route for strips(which I still need to experiment with to see if my hunch is right), just depends on prices and my usage, which is generally pretty high so the sub is still likely a savings(also, I'd lose the ability to harass a CDE, which would likely really bum me out).

In a couple months, I'll right a more detailed review once I get down to the nitty gritty and compared to a couple rounds of labs and get used to doing more in the app(and harassing the CDEs), and see how it survives someone that's pretty rough on D stuff.

if you want to look for yourself, here is the link to their site: http://onedrop.today/

The Dollar Shave Club Review: First Shave

My level of manliness has reached a new peak! I received my first month Dollar Shave Club Box & I shaved with the products today & here is my review.
I ordered a tube of their Shave Butter & The Executive (6 blade + trimmer blades - 4 count). It also came with a free metal razor handle.

Razor handle:

I give the handle 5/5 stars. It was great quality. Was actually surprised.

The Shave Butter:

I give the Shave Butter a 4.5/5 solely because I prefer to see my shaving cream so I know where I've shaven. It does shine so it helped. After shaving my face felt pretty good.

The Executive (6 blade):

I give the Executive blade 4.8/5 stars. The trimmer part of it is good. The blade created a pleasant shaving experience. Comes with 4 blades either monthly or bi-monthly.

I highly recommend The Dollar Shave Club. Great products that don't kill your wallet. The Shave Butter was $8 & the Executive Razor was $9, but I was able to get my razors free.

Click HERE to go to their website.
Diabetes content to come soon.

Yet Another New Chapter

The road of a type one diabetic is a long, tiresome road. We deal with decisions that have to be made, some are daunting. I have had to make this decision twice now so far in my diabetic tenure: new endocrinologist. The first time I made this decision was around this time 2 years ago. My dad dropped me from his insurance & left me without any. Quickly I bounced back& got new, great coverage & found an endocrinologist I love. So why am I switching just 24 months later? Two factors played a part in my decision: Distance & convenience. Where I was going is 2-3 hours away . The place I am about to start going to is 30 minutes way. This place is where I had to leave the first time. I am very excited for this new chapter in my diabetic life!

#IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes was Good, Bad & Ugly

Good Day to you reader & Happy #IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes Day! Today is the day where diabetics all over the world use this hashtag in hopes to enlighten others about Diabetes & spread awareness about how horrible this chronic illness is. When thinking about what I would blog about today in honor of this day, the song "The Good, Bad & the Ugly" by Lecrae popped into my mind. Not the lyrics, just the song title. My personal experience with type one diabetes over the past decade has made me realize that are good, bad & ugly sides to diabetes/having diabetes & my purpose for this entry is to further explain what I mean. Let's begin!

THE GOOD

 Again, this is concerning my personal battle with (type one) diabetes. There is not much good if any truly at all with dealing with diabetes. For this, I am reflecting on the what could have been regarding my diagnosis.
The good for me is that I was not suffering when I was diagnosed. We read stories all the time of people in DKA with their blood glucose levels very, very high & are on the brink of death. I was lucky to catch mine before it got much worse. That is the only good thing that comes to mind.

THE BAD

The bad part of having diabetes is what I/we go through on a daily basis. My daily routine is the same. Wake up, check blood sugar, take long acting insulin & meal insulin & meds, , carb count, eat. Check blood glucose 2 hours later, correct if needed & repeat with just meal time insulin for each meal/snack & another long acting insulin shot before bed. I do this along with 6-8 finger pricks a day. I do this every single day with no breaks or day off. Some days I hate to get out of bed knowing I have to do this routine & that I'm stuck with diabetes. The bad is sometimes wondering if you carb counted correctly or gave enough insulin.I continue to do this treacherous routine so I can manage my diabetes correctly & stay out of the "Ugly" section.

THE UGLY

 The ugly section does not involve my personal battle, but others. One thing that devastates me is to hear/read of a child diagnosed with diabetes of that child's life taken away due to it or it being misdiagnosed. I am an advocate of not second-guessing diabetes & to not let it go unnoticed. I have read a lot recently of kids young as 7 years old had passed away due to a misdiagnosis of diabetes. Such a young life cut short & it saddens me to know it could have been prevented. The ugly part of diabetes is that it kills. More & more people are falling victim to diabetes & it needs to stop!

To end this entry. #IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes sucks (excuse my french). Even though I put a smile on my face daily & act happy (I am sometimes), I am constantly thinking, wondering aout my diabetes & millions of other fighting this too. The daily struggles + the death rate going up is saddening & often times depressing. I #IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes needs to be taken seriously & f the thought ever crossed your mind that ou or a loved one may have diabetes, just a split second thought, go get tested just to be safe. 

Have a great day & remember to use the hashtag #IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes, because there is always something people need to know about diabetes.
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DISCUSSION: What is the most ridiculous comment you have heard about diabetes?

A great question was proposed on the discussion board tonight on tudiabetes.org.
What is the most ridiculous comment you have heard about diabetes?
 I have heard a lot of crazy stuff about diabetes, but the one I hear that blows my mind is that often times when my blood sugar is low, I am asked should I take insulin to counter it.. In the midst of being loopy from the current low, I try to educate without losing my cool. trying to convince someone of something while low is quite hard. 
So,  What is the most ridiculous comment you have heard about diabetes? Leave your comments in the comment section. Check out www.tudiabetes.org for more awesome topics! I'll try to put my response to some daily.

Why I'm Back on shots & off the Pump

Say what?!
Yes, you read the title right. I am OFF my insulin Pump & on shots...again. I have been off the pump since this past June. I thought I made a blog entry about this huge change, but apparently not. I got my Medtronic pump back in 2013 & loved it! But for the two years I wore it, it was a nightmare sadly. Many people have said that "a pump isn't for anyone" & I fut into that category. So, you are probably wondering what caused me to switch back. Let me travel back through memory lane & tell you what caused me to switch back.

It was May 2015, & it was the final day of my exams for college. I changed my infusion set that morning before we went out for breakfast. I ate 2 pancakes with (sugar-free) syrup. I arrived an hour early for my last exam (an hour or so after breakfast). I waited until maybe 20 minutes before the exam & tested my blood sugar & received the highest reading at the time, to date. 499 mg/dl & my jaws dropped. So I corrected & drunk water & went on with my exam. Halfway through my exam I went faint & nauseous. So I rechecked & got the 600+ sign & I about passed out due to shock. So I rushed through the rest of the exam & went straight to the hospital. I did not pass the exam, but I did the class.

On the way I stopped to change my infusion set & guess what, BENT CANULA!  All this stress & suffering I was going through was over a bent canula. So that did the trick. When I go to the ER my blood glucose was down to 392 mg/dl, which was a relief. Over the three days that followed I was still recovering from that horrific incident & during that time I had 3 more bent canulas. It seemed it didn't matter where I put the thing, it bent. So I was like "THAT'S IT, I'M DONE!". I called my endocrinologist that second & requested prescriptions for long acting & short acting insulin & needles & haven't looked back since.  Every since, a huge stress has been off my shoulders. That crucial decision has helped me manage my diabetes so well today. Not having to worry so much is such a good feeling.