For Palm PDA Users - a couple free tools ....

[TonyAlmeida]

To keep my mind off of Diabetes, especially like today when my Insulin Pump QuickSet didn't go in as ouchless as advertised, I am a electronic gadget/computer geek.  Always on the lookout for something that's fun.  I was like this before being diagnosed, so at least one thing in my life hasn't been changed even though everything else seems to have.

I found two FREE applications for PALM pda users that may be of interest to some of you.  

The most interesting was an app called CARBCHECK by Uwe Trode and available for download at http://clix.to/peachbud.  It's similar to Calorie King's commercial software. CARBCHECK is a no frills application but does exactly what it says - it has a database of ADA Exchanges, Fast Food, and you can even customize the database if you have Micrsoft Excel.  You select what you want and it displays the items and their carbs on the screen in a menu format.  It's a work in progress and at the moment can't tally up the items you choose (Trode is working on that)- but for a quick index for meal (that you can add your own items to)it works in a pinch.

The other item is caled GlucoTools by James Cureington at http://glucotools.sourceforge.net.  Again, this is a no frills free PALM pda application.  It tracks your insulin bolus, BG readings, helps calculate correction bolus, and estimates your HbA1c.

They're not sophisticated programs nor do they have pretty interfaces .... but I figured I'd share what I found with the rest of you.  Just a few free tools for you to be aware of in case some one you know has a need.

[Dennis_Crane]

I also recomend you to have a look at UTS Diabetes software for Palm OS at
http://www.utracksys.com/plugins/diabetes

Here is just a short list of its key features:
- Unique interface to enter glucose readings without Graffiti and without keyboard.
- Recording glucose measurements in both mg/dL and mmol/L.
- Notes for entered values.
- Importance marks for the readings.
- Colored records for dangerous, normal and optimal blood glucose level.
- Insulin injections tracking with predefined list of insulin types.
- Medication intakes tracking with predefined list of common diabetic medicines.
- Carbohydrates tracking with predefined list of meals.
- Calculation of insulin and medication doses required to lower the high blood glucose.
- List filtering capabilities.
- Interactive charts: Diagrams and Histograms.
- Summarized reports with Min, Max and Averages.
- Ability to e-mail diabetes reports to your doctor straight from the Palm PDA.
- Export to the Universal Tracking System.
- Export to MemoPad.
- Windows conduit to export your data to desktop PC into MS Excel.
- 5-Way Navigation support.
- Palm OS 5 support.

Regards,
Dennis

[TonyAlmeida]

However - if the freeware doesn't quite do what you want or you want something commerically supported with updates, the PDA applications at http://www.calorieking.com may be better for you.

I personally am using CalorieKing's Diet Diary for the Palm PDA to quickly build meals and tally up carbs/calories.  Although I don't use it as a diary, I like the fact I cn put together a meal at a restraunt in a minute and have a good handle on carbs/calories to bolus as close as possible.  Like CarbCheck (the freeware I mentioned above), it allows you to add your own foods to its already extensive database of brandname foods and fast food restraunts.  It costs $14 - but for that price, you get the food database CalorieKing compiles doing it's own Nutritional Tests on Brandname foods at their lab - sometimes what's on the box's nutritional label isn't as accurate as most consumers think.  You might be surprised at how low or high you are estimating carbs.  I was .... The software can be downloaded and tried for at least a week before it requires you to buy it and it's also available for Windows and Windows CE PDAs.

Again - another software resource for someone with diabetes who (like myself) often gets frustrated and then depressed when it comes to counting carbs at mealtime.

If you're a real PALM PDA techie and like to tinker with beta software, CalorieKing has a beta test Yahoo Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cksoftware_betatest_palm/ ....

I hope this helps someone.  When I first was diagnosed and asked about meal planning software on various forums and newsgroups - no one said anything.  These programs would have made my earlier days a lot less stressful.

[JDRF-Team-dm]

Dear Tony,
Thank you so much for the information. I'm sorry I am not up on all the new technology, but it sounds very interesting. We can only hope it helps with the control issues that everyone faces.  Thanks LRS for your comment.
Sincerely,
dm

[JDRF-Team-LRS]

Thanks for sharing the tip, Tony.  I'm also a fan of technology & gadgets so I'll have a look at these resources ... gotta go check out the new technology before it changes!