[Diabetes-Talk] inpen companion.

Mon Nov 25 21:16:00 UTC 2019

Veronica,

Thank you, this is very helpful. If pumps don't get on board with accessibility in the next couple of years, which I doubt they will, this seems like an in-between option.

Also, do you know, do the insulin cartridges come pre-filled, or do you fill them similar to pump reservoirs?

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, November 25, 2019 2:32 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] inpen companion.

The app doesn't control the pen, but reads from it. So the app reads how much insulin you took. You can enter in your carbs into the app. What it does, that a pump does, is to then figure out how much you need based on what remains in your system. Less chance of stacking insulin. It also tells you how much is left in the cartridge. You can also get reminders for stuff like when you take your long-acting insulin. It then sends all of that info to Dexcom Clarity, so your doctor can get the equivalent of downloading from our pumps. 
And Dar, you administer insulin just like you do with any other pen. You do have to attach a separate needle.
Hope this helps.
Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club. 
To learn more, visit:
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bernadette Jacobs via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, November 25, 2019 12:20 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Cc: Bernadette Jacobs
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] inpen companion.

As I’m reading all of these messages, I understand where some of you guys are going with this.  I guess I don’t understand how this works even similar to a pump.  So, does the app control this pen?  I did use those first pens of the 90’s/early 2000’s.  The one I had was a Lantus pen.

Bern

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 25, 2019, at 10:03 AM, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Bern,
> 
> I agree with you, but since accessible pumps are not on the horizon, we will need something for us pump users once our warranty is up. This iPen sounds similar to a pump and may be an option for those of us wanting to stay on a pump but having no other options available in terms of actual pumps. Like a pump, it seems like it has similar control with insulin release, which is what I hate to give up with my pump. But for injecting in public, like I said, I don't care if people see me do it. But I also breastfed in public, so... grin.
> 
> Bridgit
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of 
> Bernadette Jacobs via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Monday, November 25, 2019 7:35 AM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Bernadette Jacobs <bernienfb75 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] inpen companion.
> 
> Good Morning:
> 
> Firstly, Veronica, I did not get the email you mentioned from Dexcom.
> 
> Secondly, I am really skiddish about something like this as somehow.
> if I understand it correctly, I wouldn't bother to make more unnecessary steps for myself.  I wouldn't have any reason to use all that other stuff.  I, too simply inject wherever I am and wouldn't think of trying to find the nearest germy bathroom to give myself a shot???  Not on your life.  No matter what, I always come equipped with my extra pens, needles and proper oral meds in the "weapon."  I guess it's a matter of preference.  As I see it, this would be a poor excuse for what we're aiming for in the first place--a totally accessible pump...  Unfortunately, as all these claims have been in the past--not gonna happen any time soon.  I am only speaking for myself when I say this.  But, I would prefer not to have to mess with these other gadgets in the meantime.
> 
> Have a great day gang!!
> 
> Bern
> 
>> On 11/24/19, d m gina via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Are you saying when you dial up the dosage there is a needle that 
>> comes with it and you don't have to carry any with you?
>> Oh that would be wonderful.
>> Is it ready for buying?
>> If so please share the name again.
>> I like that.
>> 
>> Original message:
>>> Eileen, I have not played with the app, only had my hubby look at 
>>> screen shots. I have played with the pen itself. As for the 
>>> cartridges, you do not fill them like with a pump. You simply place 
>>> the cartridge into the pen. The cartridge would contain a certain 
>>> number of units of insulin. I remember dealing with those in the 
>>> late eighties. I liked the cases that used to come with those old pen.
>>> Made it much easier to cope with carrying needles with you in public. 
>>> No idea what I'd do now if I had to do that.
>>> Verlyn, your question about using the pen in public is one of the 
>>> reasons I'm so desperately hanging on to my pump. I hope someone 
>>> responds to your question because it would be mine as well. I 
>>> thought of you when I read the article because it might make it 
>>> easier down the road should you reach the point where you feel you 
>>> need more assistance with management.
>>> For now I'm still with my Omnipod but I figure, the more I know, the 
>>> less fear there is when things change.
>>> Veronica
>> 
>> 
>>> "Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now 
>>> available on iTunes, along with other music from her and from the 
>>> Guide Dog Glee Club.
>>> To learn more, visit:
>>> http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
>>>                Veronica Elsea, Owner Laurel Creek Music Designs 
>>> Santa Cruz, California
>>> Phone: 831-429-6407
>> 
>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>>> Behalf Of Eileen Scrivani via Diabetes-Talk
>>> Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2019 4:15 PM
>>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
>>> Cc: Eileen Scrivani
>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] inpen companion.
>> 
>>> Veronica,
>> 
>>> Are you saying you’ve tried this I-Pen & that the app is accessible 
>>> with VoiceOver? I still want to stay with a pump and don’t really 
>>> have an interest in using pens unless my back is against the wall at 
>>> the point my pump stops working or I can no longer get supplies for 
>>> it then and only then would I consider using pens again.
>> 
>>> Thanks.
>> 
>>> Eileen
>>> From: Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
>>> Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2019 5:43 PM
>>> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
>>> Cc: Veronica Elsea
>>> Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] inpen companion.
>> 
>>> Hi everyone.
>>> With all the craziness surrounding today's pumps and our future 
>>> accessibility, I thought this might be helpful for some of you. I'm 
>>> probably not the only one who got this email since Dexcom is sharing 
>>> it. But for those who may not have seen it, I thought I'd share this.
>>> Inpen by Companion Medical is an insulin pen which works with an app 
>>> on your phone. I have played with the pen, but not the app.
>>> It does have some cool sounding features though. It can deliver up 
>>> to
>>> 30 units, in half-unit increments. The clicks were easy to feel when 
>>> I played with it. It is not a disposable pen, you put cartridges in 
>>> it. It seems to only have Humalog and Novalog right now though. I 
>>> hope it has more choices in the future. But hey, the pen comes in three colors, blue gray and pink.
>>> When you connect it to the app, it sends your dosing information to 
>>> the app.
>>> So it keeps track of how much you've used and alerts you when the 
>>> cartridge is low. It has a calculator so it can calculate boluses 
>>> like the pumps do.
>>> It also alerts you when the insulin gets out of an acceptable 
>>> temperature range. You can set other reminders like when to test, 
>>> when to take long-acting insulin and stuff like that. You can pair 
>>> multiple pens to the app. The app also connects with Dexcom Clarity 
>>> and becomes part of the report your doc sees.
>>> When my hubby looked at the screen shots on the web site, he said it 
>>> looked like a pretty normal app, with text boxes and number keypads.
>>> If I'm reading it right, I think for iPhones, it connects through 
>>> Apple Health somehow.
>>> Anyway, here's the web site if anyone wants to check it out.
>> 
>>> https://www.companionmedical.com/inpen
>> 
>>> Hope this is helpful.
>>> Veronica
>> 
>>> "Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now 
>>> available on iTunes, along with other music from her and from the 
>>> Guide Dog Glee Club.
>>> To learn more, visit:
>>> http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
>>>                Veronica Elsea, Owner Laurel Creek Music Designs 
>>> Santa Cruz, California
>>> Phone: 831-429-6407
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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>>> 0laurelcreekmusic.com
>> 
>> 
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>>> ysero.net
>> 
>> --
>> --Dar
>> skype: dmgina23
>>  FB: dmgina
>> www.twitter.com/dmgina
>> every saint has a past
>> every sinner has a future
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> 
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