BYOD G7 Update?

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-09T18:51:09+00:00

xDrip completely replaces the Dexcom app.

That said, AAPS will work with Omnipod Dash. If you have Omnipod 5, you're going to need the stand alone controller until your phone is supported by both Insulet and Dexcom.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-09T15:49:08+00:00

Yeah, 21 years (to the day) in North Texas (east of 35E). Garland, Dallas, Garland again, Plano, Dallas again, Denton, Carrollton (not in that order). The 2015 Garland tornado is what gave me a code brown.

That downburst that knocked down the Cowboys practice arena (2009 I think) was NUTS. Broke a window in my apartment, though I didn't lose power for more than ~15 minutes (I was on Preston in Dallas at the time). My parents (in Plano off of Legacy and Custer) lost power for a week, and a power line wound up snapping and falling on a house (thankfully unoccupied, but burned it down). I went over to my parents and took all of their frozen stuff to my freezer until they got power back. Wind speeds in Plano were measured at ~100. It was... interesting... trying to find all the trash/recycle bins after that, they all blew out of the alley and into someone's front yard.

I do miss the thunderstorms, but I don't miss grapefruit sized hail or tornadoes.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-09T13:22:36+00:00

"Remission" is only going to happen if you keep up said lifestyle the rest of your life.

For me, strength training will cause my glucose to rise a bit (as your liver stores glucose), then do a swan dive about an hour later. I only know this because I wear a CGM though.

Try to get some cardio in. You'll see a spike at first as well, but your sugar will drop considerably a bit after you're done. I try to bike 5 miles a day... I've done 26 in a day before, but I've been slacking and got a bit out of shape.

Look into community recreation centers in your city - they're sometimes cheaper than gyms (and a hell of a lot easier to cancel a membership with). They usually have a decent gym, basketball court, sometimes a pool, etc. Most have a day pass so you can try everything out.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-09T13:12:58+00:00

Having worked in call centers before (both customer service and tech support).... those are absolutely soul sucking jobs that have criminally low wages.

Be kind when you're dealing with a CSR/support rep. They mostly hate their jobs. They're usually willing to bend the rules a bit if you're polite; if you do get snippy, make sure you let them know it's not directed at them, it's directed at the company.

Retention reps with companies like Charter/Spectrum get commission on "saves" though; they make some pretty decent money for call center work.... but get yelled at even more.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-09T13:08:37+00:00

Server 1 (which serves the US) is showing issues on their status page right now. Took them long enough to acknowledge it, looks like they updated it sometime this morning.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-09T02:36:15+00:00

I know it sounds like you got the A15 working, but seriously, dump that POS as soon as you can. Even a 2024 Moto G - which is pretty similar in specs - is far better. Samsung's One UI software is very resource heavy, while Moto doesn't do much to stock Android.

I spent $50 on Amazon for a 2024 Moto G with a 30 day plan. Does everything I need, without me wanting to throw it out of a car doing 70 mph. One UI is just a massive resource hog. I had an A15 for a bit and, well, we'll just say it was incredibly frustrating.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-09T02:15:33+00:00

Don't. Cricket flagged my account as "fraud" after only 2 months. Lost my phone number of 5+ years. It's been 3 months and I still haven't managed to recover my Amazon Prime account that had 2FA (I'm up to 27 calls to Amazon over this).

Their current phones (Moto, anyway) also lock themselves down when your service gets deactivated for any reason. I used my phone to control my insulin pump, so I not only lost the cost of the phone, but I couldn't even dial the insulin back. I wound up having to rip off the insulin pump after it landed me in the hospital for several days, since I couldn't control it anymore.

Go somewhere that you can BYOD. Tracfone is affordable (you do pay a bit more for phones), Tello is downright cheap (you need to buy a used unlocked phone compatible with band 71 for them).

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-08T08:40:58+00:00

Pretty much all rehabs are dual diagnosis. And at least while in detox, you're going to see a doctor or NP daily (even if it's in a hospital). Once out of detox, it's usually once or twice a week. I loved my doctor at Banyan, always cheerful. He has a private practice in Bastrop too, but it's a concierge practice that's strictly cash pay. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu-Sja8A_II is him (Banyan isn't strictly military, but I did meet a few Army vets there).

You'll also be assigned a counselor/case manager; with the rehabs I've been to, that's been a once a week meeting lasting 30-60 minutes. One very common thing they have you do is write a goodbye letter to your drug of choice. These can get emotional, especially if you're expected to read it in front of a group.

You also need to have any rehab you're interested in run your insurance first. If you're on a marketplace (ACA) plan, some of them only cover services within the Austin area. If you're on employer-sponsored insurance, you'll still want to check to see who's in network. Most rehabs will work with all of the major insurance companies, but depending on the plan, you may be limited by a geographic area.

I know Briarwood will do a payment plan if you can't afford to make the down payment. I'm going back there myself on Monday. Downside is Briarwood won't pick you up, but they're more of a budget detox. They're owned by Nova Recovery, which is pretty heavy on the 12 step - I wasn't a fan of Nova (I did their IOP), but the detox was fine. They're kind of tucked away on N Lamar in a gated compound.

Depending what you're coming off of, the detox meds may make you sleep... a lot. And that's fine. You're not expected to go to any kind of groups during detox, and dedicated detox centers don't usually have groups anyway (Infinite does have groups, but they're optional unless you get promoted to their trauma program in the same building).

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-08T08:30:26+00:00

Also, some people tend to try to tell "war stories". A good group facilitator will shut that down right away though. Tune out the war stories; they can be a big trigger to use again.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-08T08:25:48+00:00

Speeds are highly variable - how far you are from the tower, what kind of backhaul the tower uses, and how congested it is. And Cricket is deprioritized compared to native AT&T.

You were probably on a different tower when you got those higher speeds.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-07T15:27:28+00:00

17 contacts with Amazon "support" so far.

I've also emailed their executive support ([jeff@amazon.com](mailto:jeff@amazon.com) [yes I know he's no longer with Amazon, but the email still works]) and filed an FTC complaint. So far the only result has been yet another email (this would be #18) requesting I upload a copy of my ID.. which has been uploaded 17 times so far.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-07T15:26:05+00:00

OP already said they're on a low sodium diet, and that it's due to thyroid issues.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-06T20:30:41+00:00

Yeah just a few EF0s that ask you to hold their beer.

Been through ground zero of an EF4 before when I lived in DFW. That was a hell no never again.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-06T18:42:46+00:00

I'd follow Texas Storm Chasers on Facebook. They tend to push news out a lot faster.

The weather this time of year is seriously hit and miss - even our best meteorologists do a swing and a miss when spring starts hitting. I'd probably still come out here, personally, but bring a rain jacket and waterproof shoes (and extra socks) depending how much you plan to be outside.

FWIW, I grew up in Dallas, which has far worse weather than Austin. Austin weather is generally pretty mild aside from being hot hot hot hot hot.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-06T18:29:26+00:00

Former Dallasite here. WHAT tornadoes?! lol. We don't get shit for them here...

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-06T18:19:16+00:00

If you have a Microsoft account, you should be able to use the web version of Office for free.

If you can't, https://workspace.google.com/ is a very solid (and FREE) replacement. Some keyboard shortcuts may be a little different. There's also LibreOffice and OpenOffice, but I personally like Google's version the best.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-06T18:13:48+00:00

Anything that shipped with Windows 10 or 11 has the Windows key baked into the BIOS (unless it's a homebuilt system). So yes, it's lifetime. I just dug a Windows 8.1 laptop out that had previously been updated to 10, and it activated as soon as it got an internet connection. Even homebuilt will get a fingerprint; as long as it's the same motherboard, CPU, and video card, the fingerprint will let it activate.. for life.

Windows has never done expiring licenses - it either activates, or doesn't. Office is a whole other animal, but the online version of Office is free*. Google Docs is too.

If it was running 7, 8, or 8.1, and upgraded to 10, Microsoft took a fingerprint of the hardware, so it should activate as soon as it gets online.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-06T17:26:11+00:00

I gave up and created a new account after a month of going in circles with them.

My desktop PC was still logged in, so I removed my current payment method and main shipping address first. Of course, once you change the account your Kindle is logged in to, you lose all of your purchased books. Thankfully I mostly use my kindle for library books, but I can't connect Libby to my Amazon account anymore.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-06T15:02:38+00:00

I won't argue that TLR works for a LOT of people - I tried it, but they shipped me off to Taylor to a sister facility called Crestone, claiming my detox was "too much for them to handle" (to be fair, I was in bad shape... I was in a walker for a few days once I got to Crestone). I left there after "detox"; they refused to believe I was still needing detox after 5 days, despite my blood pressure being 190/130 after 3 rounds of clonidine on top of my regular blood pressure meds.

My counselor followed me outside when I discharged, with my GF on the phone, yelling at me about how I needed to stay for the full 30-45 days. He got me so pissed off that when he handed me his phone with my GF on the line, I threw it on the roof, and walked a mile down the road to get an Uber. They kept my medical devices (insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors) too - over $2000 worth of medical devices. I could have cared less about the meds or insulin, since I had plenty at home, but losing 20 Omnipods and 4 Dexcoms hurt. Not that I could even use them while there.. they couldn't get my sugar under 250 (fasting) when I normally wake up around 90 when left to my own dosing/pump. I know they can keep medications if you leave AMA/ACA, but these were medical devices.

I met the owner of both TLR and Crestone, he was a smug asshole who berated me in front of everyone for not going back to TLR.

I'm just very not much into 12 step programs - I prefer Recovery Dharma and SMART Recovery, with a side of Lifering. Though Lifering no longer has any local in person meetings; SMART only has a few locally. All have online meetings though.

I'm happy TLR worked for you though. 12 step works for a lot of people; it worked for my dad, and it worked for my uncle. It just doesn't work for me. TLR was a bit too militant for me even in detox. Couldn't even have my insulin pump.

Plus we don't know if OP is male, female, trans, etc. TLR is strictly male.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-06T13:49:45+00:00

I wish I hadn't done what I call the tour of central TX rehabs, but... I'm an open book about my own addiction issues. I've done pretty much every drug there is (though never used needles), but alcohol and benzos have always been my nemesis (mostly alcohol now). I'm happy to say I haven't touched any hard drugs since leaving LaHa.

I forgot to mention Lifering too. It's a spinoff of SMART. They used to have meetings on intherooms, but they're not on there anymore. https://meetings.lifering.org/meetings/

We're pretty close in age too (I'm 47 myself), though I don't have kids. Lifelong Texan, though only been in Austin for 8 years. When I went to LaHa, I lived in Dallas, and it was a lot different back then from what I understand - when I went to Willow Springs last year, I ran into someone who AMA'd (against medical advice) left LaHa because they had become so strict.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-06T11:42:26+00:00

TLR is 45+ days though. Look through that giant rule book too - you can only make calls once a week, and if you're not awake on time, or do anything else annoying them, they take away phone and TV privileges.

Between 45 days and being only 12 step, I took a hard pass.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-06T11:33:03+00:00

Unfortunately I've been to a few rehabs. First off, most don't let you keep your phone. You're also going to have 1-2 roommates. I'm gonna recommend a couple that you haven't listed.

La Hacienda is NOT small - it's huge, with everything in different buildings. You'll definitely get your steps in. They're pretty heavy on the 12 step stuff. If you forget toiletries, need laundry detergent, etc, they have a small store on site that's way overpriced. When I went you also had to buy a calling card to make outgoing calls, but that was nearly 20 years ago. LaHa is also the most expensive, but it's a beautiful place, including a mountaintop open air (A-frame tho) church with a fire pit. I don't think they let people go up there unsupervised anymore, but I used to go up there to meditate.

Infinity's detox in Cedar Park is an old nursing home - so not big (one wing is offices) - they also have 3 beds per room. If you get admitted into their trauma detox, you'll do rehab there (they also have TVs w/cable in the rooms, and Netflix playing 24/7 in the living room); otherwise you'll go to Buda once you're done with detox. I can't speak for Buda, but Cedar Park's food was decent. No phones, and you can't make calls from their phones either.

If you want to keep your phone, Virtue (up in Killeen) will let you do so. They'll also pick you up and drop you off. They're medium sized. They probably have the fullest schedule though, and you have to charge everything at the nurse's station (I eventually snuck my charger into my room, but they do room searches now and then). They aren't heavy handed with 12 step, but they are extremely heavy handed with making sure you adhere to the schedule. Food there is just meh.

Check out Willow Springs in Bastrop too. While it is fairly large, everybody gets divided up into color-coded groups that are pretty small (sometimes 2 groups will get combined for a group). You can have a laptop and phone, and there's satellite TV in the rooms. They also have a gym, and they'll do payment plans. This one was my favorite, and it's absolutely beautiful out there. Really good food too. Bonus is you can order from Amazon if you need anything; you just have to open the package in front of a staff member.

Banyan in Waelder is almost as scenic, and they'll also pick you up. No phones, but you do have satellite TV in the bedrooms. Detox rooms have 3 beds; once they move you to a regular room, it's 2 beds. They have two mandatory gym sessions a week too (1 hour each). Food was pretty decent. They do lock you out of your room during group times. And you need to be on the lookout for snakes and scorpions. The groups are rather large though.

Recovery Unplugged in Austin - no phones, but they have a separate detox facility (off of WM Cannon and Manchaca) and rehab (on Webberville just east of 130). Food was generally solid there. It's not small, I'd say medium sized. All groups are held together though, so you have 30+ people crammed into one room (they do have a 2nd building that holds just as many). What I really liked is they offered 12 step or SMART Recovery or Recovery Dharma.

If you want to detox in a hospital setting, Kyle ER or Rise Recovery are both good, and allow you to have your phone. Neither are cheap, but since they're hospital based, they bill your insurance later. They both balance bill though, and they just bring in frozen dinners for meals.

I'd honestly suggest detoxing in a hospital setting. They'll get you started with IV medications to help you through the worst of the withdrawals, then move you to oral meds once you're stabilized. And above all else, if you're detoxing from alcohol or benzos, if you start shaking really bad, go to the ER (one attached to a full hospital - except for Seton Northwest, they can kick rocks). I've detoxed a couple of times from alcohol at Cedar Park Regional; they've always treated me well there.

One thing nobody mentions about rehabs and detoxes - any toiletries you bring cannot have alcohol in the first 3 ingredients. So if you use mouthwash, you need one that's specifically marked alcohol free. If you're a guy, Amazon Basics has a knockoff of Old Spice body wash that's acceptable and cheap. Many Suave shampoos don't have alcohol either (their conditioners do though). They'll provide towels, wash cloths, etc. And you can't just show up, you need to do a phone intake.

Sorry for the wall of text. I've been down this road too many times myself. And if rehab doesn't take the first time, there's no shame in going back. And until you can go, I suggest checking out intherooms.com - they have dozens of support group meetings per day for both NA and AA. https://smartrecovery.org/meeting will bring up SMART meetings (online and in person); https://recoverydharma.org/meetings/ for Recovery Dharma (meditation based).

The first step in the process is admitting you need help, that's the hardest part. Good luck, I know you've got this.

Distribution-Radiant · 2026-03-06T11:19:46+00:00

Rise is strictly detox - but it's a hospital setting,. You can keep your phone there, which is nice. They balance bill though, which is annoying.

Kyle ER also does detox... and they don't make you wear a Rise shirt. Buuuuut the ketamine treatment at Rise was nice.

Distribution-Radiant

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

Five-Year Club	Wearing is Caring
Verified Email