18 Comments
Recent advancements in insulin pens have led to the availability of “smart” insulin pens, pen caps, and other attachments with higher tech features compared to standard insulin pens. Do you currently use any of the following smart insulin pens/caps, or smart attachments?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
My smart pen cap records when last I removed the cap.
Great when memory fails to record whether or not I’ve injected. At 80 I previously often forgot and either under or double injected
Don’t know trade name. Have to rediscover when stops working
I put the needle caps into a French yogurt jar and write the dose in my paper logbook. To determine whether I took the dose, I count the caps.
The battery in my Novopen Echo is dead, so it’s not smart anymore. Still works better than the Medtronic InPen
Ditched the pump a year and half ago. Omni pod too expensive on Medicare and tired of tubing. InPen covered under part D. Not sure why not under part B as it lasts a year. So I pay a copay. Phone app shows all the info that a pump does. Also have an Iport which I change every three days. Can give my insulin doses through this device to eliminate poking skin multiple times.
Interesting to read about the port. that was not available when I was using the InPen. If I need another pump vacation (from scarring), I would go with the InPen.
I am not using it now, I took a “pump vacation” for two years and used the InPen (before it was bought my Medtronic.) I liked using the InPen and appreciated the software that let me track so much and that worked with Dexcom. For that brief period of time, I enjoyed the freedom of not having the pump attached to me. I used the pen until I learned about Tandem and control IQ so I am now tethered to a pump again but doing very well.
I use a Companion In Pen
Not aware of any “advanced features”
Jim Z
I would love to augment my insulin pen. Haven’t looked into it properly.
I haven’t used a pen in about 15+ years. But I have heard of the smart pens and am intrigued – especially if I need to take a pump vacation. Am I correct that they not only track your latest bolus and IOB?
Yes, they track your bolus and IOB, which I find very helpful. The app also will give you recommendations for injections depending on your i/c ratio. My doctor like to view this report along with my DexCom report.
I love my InPen! Admittedly, I didn’t realize there were other choices for MDI. I recently went on Medicare and kept our BC/BS Federal, we’ll see how things come out in the wash! It is very frustrating trying to figure out the best way to order supplies.
I never heard of any of these, and I doubt that my insurance would pay for them, especially after the $35 insulin law.
I tried the Malaya during a T1_Dexi exercise study; it may have been me as new user, but didn’t accept a couple of readings and didn’t fit particularly well on my pens. I contacted the study and advised I didn’t want to continue its use . Also tried the Novo Echo, because it allowed for 1/2 unit dosing, it wasn’t as “smart” as I had hoped and I moved on to use Omnipod Dash pumps with DIY Loop. I haven’t looked back, but realize some people can’t afford, insurance doesn’t cover, their jobs/part of the world doesn’t have, or they just don’t want a pump.
Is anyone aware of a comparison study that looks at these devices?
I used the NovoPen Echo early in my diagnosis, when I was still MDI. The half unit increments were crucial because I am so sensitive. I keep it for my emergency backup should my pump fail, and for muscular injections. I love it.
Not only to I not use “smart” devices but I deeply resent the assumption on the part of my physician and device providers that I would want to. I do not stay tethered to my phone 24/7 and given the prevalence of hacking, I have real security concerns.
Been on and Insulin pump since 1983 and using a CGMS,
for over 11 years.
I’m ignorant of these options. Maybe my diabetes tech team will alert me.