MySugr - Rethinking diabetes therapy • Hacker News Board

I really don't get what you guys are doing. We have treatments, understanding, and even laws to help people who suffer from Diabetes, yet you are saying it's not done right... And I still have no idea how that's supposed to be different from the current state.

I can't figure out why (if I suffered from diabetes) I would care about your product?

Re: MySugr - Rethinking diabetes therapy

#6

Post by peterb » Mon, Jun 20, 2011, 1:30 PM UTC

wccrawford wrote: post #5

I'm at high risk for diabetes, but not diabetic. (Yet, anyhow.) I put that up front because it may be the reason, but... I really don't get what you guys are doing. We have treatments, understanding, and even laws to help people who suffer from Diabetes, yet you are saying it's not done right... And I still have no idea how that's supposed to be different from the current state. I can't figure out why (if I suffered…

The reason it is not "done right" is because it is really hard to do right with the existing tools. Diabetes is a bitch. 5+ blood samples a day, 4+ insulin injections per day, every day. You can't ever miss one. Hungover? Too bad. Sick? Double the tests. If you miss one you either pass out (low) or feel like crap (high). Anything that can help with the regimen is appreciated. I'm looking forward to what they have to say.

My son is diabetic.

Re: MySugr - Rethinking diabetes therapy

#7

Post by wccrawford » Mon, Jun 20, 2011, 1:47 PM UTC

peterb wrote: post #6

wccrawford wrote: post #5

I'm at high risk for diabetes, but not diabetic. (Yet, anyhow.) I put that up front because it may be the reason, but... I really don't get what you guys are doing. We have treatments, understanding, and even laws to help people who suffer from Diabetes, yet you are saying it's not done right... And I still have no idea how that's supposed to be different from the current state. I can't figure out why (if I suffered…

The reason it is not "done right" is because it is really hard to do right with the existing tools. Diabetes is a bitch. 5+ blood samples a day, 4+ insulin injections per day, every day. You can't ever miss one. Hungover? Too bad. Sick? Double the tests. If you miss one you either pass out (low) or feel like crap (high). Anything that can help with the regimen is appreciated. I'm looking forward to what they have to…

No, I knew that... That's why I said 'suffer from diabetes'. I meant it literally.

What I meant was that their site claims to solve something, but not how or what. It looks like snake oil right now.

Re: MySugr - Rethinking diabetes therapy

#8

Post by teh_david » Mon, Jun 20, 2011, 1:48 PM UTC

wccrawford wrote: post #5

I'm at high risk for diabetes, but not diabetic. (Yet, anyhow.) I put that up front because it may be the reason, but... I really don't get what you guys are doing. We have treatments, understanding, and even laws to help people who suffer from Diabetes, yet you are saying it's not done right... And I still have no idea how that's supposed to be different from the current state. I can't figure out why (if I suffered…

Being diabetic is a very high maintanence, and to really control it you have to go above and beyond what the doctors tell you to do.

By collecting and then analysing things like insulin doses and blood sugars, one can indentify patterns and hopefully correct anything that is not as it should be.

Collecting and analysing information is tedious, and that is where I imagine they want to help (see also www.sugarstats.com). I think that if they can make both the collection and analysis easier and hopefully more fun, then it will make it a lot easier for people who are trying to better control their diabetes.

To answer your first point, it is not that understanding or treatment is lacking, just that the more data and patterns you have, the better you can apply the treatments, ultimately improving your prospects.

Re: MySugr - Rethinking diabetes therapy

#9

Post by Fdebong » Mon, Jun 20, 2011, 1:50 PM UTC

peterb wrote: post #6

wccrawford wrote: post #5

I'm at high risk for diabetes, but not diabetic. (Yet, anyhow.) I put that up front because it may be the reason, but... I really don't get what you guys are doing. We have treatments, understanding, and even laws to help people who suffer from Diabetes, yet you are saying it's not done right... And I still have no idea how that's supposed to be different from the current state. I can't figure out why (if I suffered…

The reason it is not "done right" is because it is really hard to do right with the existing tools. Diabetes is a bitch. 5+ blood samples a day, 4+ insulin injections per day, every day. You can't ever miss one. Hungover? Too bad. Sick? Double the tests. If you miss one you either pass out (low) or feel like crap (high). Anything that can help with the regimen is appreciated. I'm looking forward to what they have to…

We'll do our best peterb.

So much in this disease is a question of behavior – measure enough, note changes, learn, adapt, adjust, measure, estimate. Rinse and repeat.

Testing is vital.

Behavior and a willingness/ability to learn/adapt is vital.

25% of us are clinically depressed. Lugging this thing around in the back of your mind, all the time, is taxing.

Through the years the therapy for diabetes mellitus type 1 has become more and more data driven. You work with algorithms and calculate what you do. You replace the sensor/reaction function of your busted pancreas (this is type 1 here, not t2) by calculating and measuring.

I've been diabetic myself since 27 years and have suffered from most crap you can think of. Including three years of diabetic burnout.

We will do our best to help.

Thanks for your comment!

OT: Just realized today, that my son is now as old as I was as I was diagnosed. Immense respect for what you have to deal with peterb.

Re: MySugr - Rethinking diabetes therapy

#10

Post by Fdebong » Mon, Jun 20, 2011, 1:52 PM UTC

wccrawford wrote: post #7

peterb wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The reason it is not "done right" is because it is really hard to do right with the existing tools. Diabetes is a bitch. 5+ blood samples a day, 4+ insulin injections per day, every day. You can't ever miss one. Hungover? Too bad. Sick? Double the tests. If you miss one you either pass out (low) or feel like crap (high). Anything that can help with the regimen is appreciated. I'm looking forward to what they have to…

No, I knew that... That's why I said 'suffer from diabetes'. I meant it literally. What I meant was that their site claims to solve something, but not how or what. It looks like snake oil right now.

Thanks! Important to know!

We won't sell snake oil nor camel milk ;)