Product Review Archives - The Life of a Diabetic

Medical IDs for Children

July 24, 2019July 25, 2019 Chris Stocker 1 Comment

I wrote a few months ago about how I never really wore a medical ID necklace or bracelet until recently. My thoughts on medical IDs definitely changed when my daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes back in February of this year.

I’m sure just like any other kid, my daughter was not going to wear something that wasn’t cool, flashy or something that did not fit into her princess style.

The search was on.

I’ve been at this blogging thing for over a decade now, so I’ve seen my fair share of medical ID jewelry companies and I think they are all amazing. Since I love the one that I have from American Medical ID, I decided to check out the ones that they have for children.

They have a lot of cool designs, 2 of which you can see below; including the butterfly and kids dinosaur medical ID.

These are just a couple of the awesome designs that are available.

Having a child with type one diabetes is a lot different than managing my own type one diabetes. There are a lot more challenges that I have seen, now that my daughter has had type one for about five months now. There are times where my blood sugar goes low and I know that it’s going low and I can easily do something about it. With my daughter even though we have a Dexcom, there are still times that technology may not just be as perfect as it supposed to be.

So one day when we were at Target shopping for new shoes like any normal family would do, when my daughter just so happens to say that she felt “wobbly”. Now this is before she had an actual Dexcom. So I pulled out the meter in the middle of Target and checked her blood sugar.

It was 47.

First thing that I did was obviously just pick her up and rush her to the front of the store and grabbed a juice. The juice that I had with us I did not feel like it was going to be enough so I wanted to make sure that I got a larger juice with more sugar for her to drink. Luckily everything was OK. Her blood sugar came up quickly and that was that. We went on with life.

Now why did I tell that story on an article about medical ID bracelet? Simply for the fact that this could’ve happened at any time whether I was around my child or not. Let’s say for example she was at the park with a babysitter or she was at school or preschool or anywhere where she was not with me or her mother or somebody that knew a lot about her diabetes. Without a medical ID bracelet most people would not of known what to do they would not of known that she has diabetes she could have possibly had one of many medical concerns that forced her to start slurring her words possibly pass out or who knows what else.

That was the day that I said why do we not already have a medical ID bracelet for her. I knew that she needed one but it was something that we kind of just kept pushing off as we were adjusting to this new lifestyle.

Four-year-old is just like any other four-year-old if she’s forced to wear a piece of jewelry that is not cute or pretty or have princesses dinosaurs or any other fun characters she’s most likely not going to want to wear. In fact it’s going to be more of an inconvenience for her to wear then she will actually want to wear. When it comes to something like a medical ID bracelet we want her to wear it at all times, which is exactly why we needed to have something that was cool and fun. In fact we decided to have two different ones that way she can pick and choose which one she wants and which one she wants to wear.

I could go on and on with different examples of why a medical ID bracelet is so important for not just anybody what type type one diabetes but more specifically a child with type one diabetes . But if you are reading this article changes or you know those reasons why because you either live with type one diabetes yourself or you care for somebody that lives with type one diabetes. Or are you just here reading my blog because I’ve kind of forced you to because your family or friends.

I know that there are a lot of websites out there that sell medical ID bracelets but American Medical ID is my choice and I highly recommend you check that now.

LetsGetChecked – Antibody and Vitamin Testing

June 18, 2019June 20, 2019 Chris Stocker 2 Comments

In the 15 years that I have lived with diabetes I have learned as much as I could about the disease because if I have to live with it, I want to know everything I can about it.

During that time, I’ve learned about the potential of having thyroid problems and other autoimmune diseases. I’ve also found out that you could test your body for antibodies that would tell you if you are at risk for some of those autoimmune diseases.

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The discussion of antibodies came back recently when my daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. At diagnosis, the pediatric endo ordered antibody tests to be done. My daughter does carry the antibodies for thyroid disease and also Celiacs. Her endo also said that her Vitamin D levels were quite low.

There have been studies done about the correlation between low Vitamin D levels and the diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes, so I found that interesting.

Just like anything that sparks my interest, I went right to Google to start searching.

I came across LetsGetChecked

LetsGetChecked describes themselves on their About Us as:

LetsGetChecked is all about personal health testing, making healthcare and health screening open and patient-led, empowering people to use technology in a simple but powerful way and giving greater control of their personal health.
https://www.letsgetchecked.com/us/en/about-us/

LetsGetChecked offers tests in the following categories:

Some of the tests include:

Cholesterol
Kidney
Testosterone
Vitamin D-B
Iron
Thyroid
Liver
Colon
Prostate
HPV
Celiac
Lyme
STD Testing

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The best part about all of this is that it is an at-home test. They send all of the materials to you and you are able to collect the blood sample yourself and mail it back to them and wait for your results.

The entire process keeps you informed along the way as well. When it is shipped, you will receive a notification, as well as when it is delivered.

From there, you will need to complete your full health profile online. One of their real time physicians will review and recommend any additional services to you at that time.

Once done with that, you are able to collect your sample wherever you choose to do so, I would assume preferably in the comfort of your own home.

Simply follow the instructions to get your sample into the shipping container and have it shipped back to their lab and just wait for your results.

Once shipped out, you should expect your results in about two days. Once your results are in, you will receive a call from the LetsGetChecked nursing team to discuss the results and any actions that may be required.

From their website...

How it works?

Order your test online and get a confidential delivery to your home.
Activate your test and answer a number of health-related questions from your personalized dashboard.
Collect your sample and return it with our pre-paid return envelope.
Review your results on your personal online dashboard within 5 days.
Speak to our dedicated nursing team who will help you track & improve your health over time.

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Why At Home Testing and LetsGetChecked

So, why at home testing? I think at home testing is great for a few reasons. First, it can save you a lot of money. In order to get blood drawn in a lab, you need a prescription which means you first need to see a doctor. That requires either a co-pay if you have insurance and if you don’t have insurance, you’re footing the bill out of pocket.

Next, the labs themselves can be quite expensive if you don’t have insurance or even if you do have insurance depending on what your copay is.

Convenience

Since these tests can be ordered by yourself, you can have the peace of mind of being able to order the Celiac test to determine whether or not you have a Celiac antibody or not. This is not something that your doctor may order for you or not.

Confidential

Your test results are completely confidential. LetsGetChecked does not share them with your doctor unless you specifically ask. They can provide you with results via PDF files to send to your healthcare team.

Accurate Results

LetsGetChecked uses the same labs that your doctors, clinics and hospitals would use, so the accuracy is as accurate as you would get from those results.

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Online Results in 2-5 Business Days

Your results will be provided to you from LetsGetChecked within 2-5 business days via a secure password that only you can view. I know that I have gone through the process of waiting around for lab results and then the lab just telling me they sent them to my doctor, but then my doctor not providing me the results unless I schedule an appointment.

There are certain tests that I just want to know the answer to immediately and not have to wait around for a doctor or lab to give me the run around.

CLIA Approved and CAP-Accredited Laboratories

I highly recommend giving LetsGetChecked a chance.

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NuGo Slim Protein Bar Review

April 8, 2019April 8, 2019 Chris Stocker 5 Comments

Ever since my diagnosis in 2004, one of the biggest issues that I’ve had in my diabetes management are spikes in my blood glucose levels after meals. Because of this, snacking in-between meals has always been difficult. The primary reason of why it’s been difficult is because, even though I need a snack, I’m trying to bring my blood glucose levels down, so a snack may just keep them spiked (if it’s not a typical low-carb snack, which sometimes I want something other than low-carb).

I have tried so many different granola bars, fruit bars, nuts, this, that and everything else in the middle, and I just couldn’t seem to find something that worked great for me.

Then I found NuGo Slim.

So, here is exactly what I was looking for. Something high in protein and fiber and low in carbs.

Here is some information from NuGo about their healthy protein bars:

NuGo is the only company to make REAL Dark Chocolate coated protein bars for many lifestyles. NuGo’s REAL Dark Chocolate melts in your mouth, releasing a luscious flavor. Other ‘dark chocolate’ protein bars substitute unhealthy palm kernel oil for the natural cocoa butter, raising the melt point above body temp, making it waxy and too sweet.

NuGo Slim contains 16-18g protein, 5-6 grams net carbs, and has a tested and verified very low glycemic index of 24-29 to help avoid blood sugar spikes. These gluten-free, low sugar bars are sweetened with luscious real dark chocolate and chicory root fiber without using maltitol or artificial sweeteners. Four flavors are vegan and Kosher Pareve: Crunchy Peanut Butter, Espresso, Toasted Coconut, and Chocolate Mint. http://www.nugonutrition.com/products/slim/

Read and sign the petition created on change.org by NuGo Nutrition to create a FDA standard for dark chocolate.https://www.change.org/petitions/dark-chocolate-food-labeling-tell-the-fda-to-stop-the-deception

So, why am I so bullish on these NuGo Slim bars? Simple.

Steady Blood Sugar Levels

They help me when I need a snack and and most importantly, there’s no blood sugar spikes and they help maintain a steady blood sugar. Here are a couple of Dexcom screenshots to show my blood sugar graphs before and after eating NuGo Slim.

Here is a Dexcom screenshot from when I don’t eat a Low Glycemic index snack or foods. You can see the crazy spikes which then lead to a rapid decline which just makes my body feel like absolute crap!

Flavors of NuGo Slim Bars

So far, I’ve had a few different flavors:

Crunchy Peanut Butter

Brownie Crunch

Vegan Chocolate Mint

Other Flavors Include

NuGo Slim Sample Pack

NuGo Slim Sample Pack – Vegan

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Low Glycemic Index

As you know, I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. I also do not claim to fully understand how the body works and how exactly the glycemic index works, but I do know the basics. For example, foods with low glycemic index have much less of an effect on blood sugar levels, especially post meal spikes.

NuGo Slim bars have a low glycemic index of 24-29, verified by GI Labs of Toronto.

When I decided to sample and try these products, I wanted to wait until a time where my blood sugar was not jumping all around, up and down, so that I could get a good gauge on what the bar would actually do. As you saw in the Dexcom screen grabs above, my blood sugar did not spike after eating.

Why is that?

Chicory Root Fiber

NuGo Slim bars use a Chicory Root Fiber, which according to the NuGo website;

Has virtually no effect on blood sugar levels because it doesn’t absorb or digest until it reached the large intestine.

Another important reason as to why I have enjoyed the NuGo Slim bars is because I am NOT a fan of sugar substitutes. I try to eliminate any forms of sorbitol, maltitol, or anything else. The sugar substitutes are typically used to help avoid a blood sugar spike, but there are a plethora of other negatives about using them.

NuGo Slim bars contain NO ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS!

Energy, Energy, Energy

I am awake about 18-19 hours a day. I am working on getting a better amount of sleep, but currently, that’s just where my life is at. During these times between meals where I need a snack, I tend to get a bit low on energy as well. That is another reason why I’m loving these bars. With about 16-18g of protein in each bar, they help sustain your energy, and I sure need that!

If you are looking for an in-between meal snack, a protein bar for breakfast, maybe before or after a gym workout, then I highly recommend the NuGo Slim bars.

Where to Buy NuGo – NuGo Store Locator – Find NuGo Nutrition

Find out where you can pick up NuGo protein bars at a location near you! NuGo Nutrition makes the finest, healthiest, most delicious protein bars and snacks available.

COUPON CODE – USE CODE “DIABETES” for 15% off NuGo Slim through June 30, 2019

Companion Medical InPen Review

March 12, 2019April 9, 2019 Chris Stocker 2 Comments

Over the last 15 years of living with Type 1 Diabetes, I have been on Multiple Daily Injections, insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors and have tried a plethora of diabetes products in order to help me find an easier way to manage my diabetes.

In 2018, I went off an insulin pump and went back to MDI because I felt like it was better for my own personal diabetes management. Since then, I have gone back to using an insulin pump, but, I take frequent breaks from my insulin pump and want to use MDI.

The number one thing that I miss when I go back to MDI is tracking of my insulin.

How much insulin did I take last shot?

What time was it when I took my last shot?

How much insulin is still on board?

What was my blood glucose level when I took my last insulin shot?

These are all things that I can easily answer when using an insulin pump, however they have always been difficult to do when using MDI.

Until now.

I heard about Companion Medical’s InPen some time last year and wanted to give them a try, especially for my insulin pump breaks. I thought that this product would help me answer all of those questions above when I’m taking my insulin pump break.

And I was right.

The InPen gave me the same type of data and info I need, just like I was on an insulin pump.

Full Disclosure - Companion Medical sent me an InPen for free and has sponsored this post. The thoughts and opinions in this post are mine and mine only.

What is the Companion Medical InPen?

Directly from the Companion Medical website, the InPen is:

A reusable injector pen plus an intuitive smartphone interface equals smart insulin delivery. Simplify your diabetes care plan.

Basically, the InPen is a smart insulin pen that connects to an app on your phone via Bluetooth and tracks how much insulin you gave during that last shot and will also track your insulin on board. If you are wearing a CGM, it can also grab your Dexcom data or any data shared within your Apple Health app. It is also available on Google Play, but I use an iPhone, so that’s what this review will focus on.

First Impressions of Companion Medical’s InPen

As I just stated above, I’m an Apple user, so when I first saw this box, it made me very happy. I get excited when I see a nice, clean, bright white box. Call it the Apple fanboy in me, but I get a great first impression any time I see that.

Once opening the box, it looked similar to other insulin pens that I have used in the past. It looked very similar to Novo Nordisk’s Echo. There are three colors that you can choose from (Blue, Grey, Pink). I chose the grey one because, well, no reason at all.

The first thing that I noticed about the InPen is that it is a little heavier than a regular insulin pen, but it was lighter than the NovoPen Echo.

Next, just like with any new toy, I had to start playing with it, so I turned the dial where you would dial up your dosage and I loved the way it clicked and easily turned. It’s important to be able to hear the clicks because sometimes I am taking a shot at night and it’s dark and I need to be able to count the clicks.

The last thing I noticed from my initial look was that it dosed in 0.5 units. For me, this isn’t that big of a deal because I use a lot of insulin, but this is huge for anybody who may need very little amounts of insulin or where the difference in 0.5 units can be life threatening.

Setting Up the Companion Medical InPen

The box came with a simple quick setup guide that made it very simple (see images).

The first thing to do was to download and install the InPen app on my phone. So, that’s what I did.

From there, you have to reset the screw which is used to push the insulin out. The hardest part about this was remembering which way is counterclockwise. Also, if you have fat fingers like me, then it was a little tough at the end to twist the screw back in. This would be one of the main things that I would recommend for them to upgrade in a new version is to somehow make this part more automated.

Once that was completed, the app took me through a demo of how the app works and where everything is located. I will add the screenshots below and each image includes a description of what you are looking at directly from within the app.

Some highlights of what I love about this are the following:

My insulin dose appears in two locations. My last dose will be shown in the upper left hand corner along with the time so I know when it was taken. Each dose that I have taken is then located in a timeline so I can see all of the recent doses.

This then calculates the Active Insulin or Insulin on Board. You can see this in two locations as well. It is a big/bold number directly in the middle of the screen, but you can also see a visualization of how much insulin is remaining from your last dose because the circle will turn grey.

companion medical inpen - insulin on board

The setup then required me to input some information that came from my doctor, such as carb ratios, target BG range, correction factor, insulin sensitivity, etc. In order to connect the InPen you also had the remove the cap and the cartridge holder.

Here is the InPen in action with my first shot. (Don’t mind the kid’s rocking chair in the background.)

Here is a screenshot of the logbook feature that the app includes:

I’ve used the InPen for about 3-4 days, which is the amount of time that an insulin cartridge lasts me. I would have done a longer experiment with it, but unfortunately, my insurance doesn’t cover insulin cartridges, so I was not able to obtain more than just one sample cartridge.

One cool feature that I like about the app is that since I prime my pen needle with 2 units every time I put a new needle on, the app tracks the 2.0 units, however, you can click on the dose and select the option to count that dose as a prime and not injection and it will remove the 2.0 units from the insulin on board calculator.

Now THAT is cool.

Reports Tab

Another feature in the app is the Reports tab. In this reports tab you can create a report from the last 7, 14, 30, or 90 days. You can see the screenshot below for a 14 day report (even though I only have a few days of data and some missed data).

I like that the report clearly states my average blood glucose level and my average Total Daily Dosage insulin levels. It also tells you what percentage of the time you used the recommended calculator dosage and how many missed doses. In this report, the missed doses are higher because I didn’t use for the full 14 days, so the data is a bit skewed (no fault to InPen, but of my own).

This report can also be easily emailed, printed, shared, and faxed directly from the app, which is very, very cool.

My Overall Thoughts – Highly Recommend

My overall thoughts and recommendations would be that I highly recommend the InPen. The number one reason why is because it gives you the tracking features of an insulin pump, without having to use an insulin pump. And, it does this all automatically.

I have used apps in the past that require me to input my dose and BG and that last about a day, if that, because it requires me to take extra steps, this does not.

It automatically connected to my phone and the information was right there at my finger tips when I needed it. The whole purpose of using apps for me is to save me time. If I have to open up the app and input any data, I might as well just write it down or not even use an app because it’s not saving me anytime.

Diabetes takes up enough of my time, the tracking of information should be done for me. And Companion Medical’s InPen does just that.

So, final review.

Two thumbs up.

If you want to try or use the Companion Medical InPen, it is a very simple and easy process.

Go to the Companion Medical InPen Website
Complete the short form to request a prescription
Click submit

You’ll then be contacted for a no-obligation verification of your benefits!

Check out their new community – The Insulin Connection on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/myinpen/

Like what you see? Sign up for The Life of a Diabetic Newsletter. Monthly giveaways not announced on the blog or social media!

Sudden Coffee – Product Review

February 6, 2019February 6, 2019 Chris Stocker 2 Comments

If you know me, you know that I drink a lot of coffee.

A lot.

Coffee is actually a very expensive addiction of mine. I work a lot of hours and I drink a lot of coffee to keep me going.

My coffee intake typically looks like this on a normal day.

Make a pot of coffee, typically 8 cups (even though 8 cups only fills up my regular coffee mug 4 times, so I consider it 4 cups).
After lunch coffee. This could be leftover coffee from the morning or something from Starbucks.
If I have meetings or an important project to work on that requires me to be out of the house, I typically stop off at Starbucks.
Once the kid goes to bed at night, some soda, coffee, or hot tea is needed to get me through my late night shift of hustle as I call it.

So, this can get expensive if I’m constantly going to Starbucks or buying Dunkin coffee.

That’s where Sudden Coffee came into play.

Sudden Coffee is an instant coffee.

Now, before you stop reading because I said instant coffee, keep going. I NEVER drink instant coffee, until I tried this.

Sudden Coffee was created by the World’s 9th Best Barista (yes, this is a thing) and a Stanford Engineer.

It is made with 100% Arabica, single origin beans, a revolutionary new brewing method and freeze-dried in small batches.

You can check out their process of creating the coffee here.

When I came across Sudden Coffee, I initially saw their marketing that said people chose their coffee over Starbucks during a blind taste test, so I had to try it.

And I must say, I agree.

So each single serving comes in a nice tube with the grounds included. You can buy an:

You can set these up for auto reorder as well. They will automatically send these to you every month for 1-6 months before you need to renew your subscription.

So, what does this cost?

Sudden Coffee Crystalized Coffee 720x300

Well, it depends on how much you order and if you set up a subscription.

For the 8-cup pack delivered monthly, you can save 20%.

The one-time price if you are just ordering without a subscription is $20 for 8 cups. That’s $2.50 per cup. Compared to a Starbucks cup of coffee, it is worth it.

Keep in mind, that this isn’t your basic coffee or instant coffee. This coffee isn’t meant to be your only coffee you drink.

This is more geared towards being your afternoon pick me up coffee or a late night coffee for studying or finishing off a client proposal before a deadline.

The only way to really know how good this coffee is, is to simply try it.

Try Sudden Coffee for FREE Just Cover the Shipping

*Links above are affiliate links which means I might earn a commission when you purchase. My review of this product is my own personal review and opinions.

initial thoughts on omnipod featured image

My Initial Thoughts on Omnipod – 1 Week of Usage

January 21, 2019January 21, 2019 Chris Stocker 3 Comments

I’ve been using my Omnipod for one week at this point and I wanted to collect and share my initial thoughts on Omnipod after one week of using.

Last Tuesday I had my endo appointment and afterwards had my Omnipod training in order for me to start using the Omnipod. I’ve had the Omnipod box at home for a little over a week and before I went to the appointment, I opened everything up and did a little set up video for you that you can see later this week over on my YouTube Channel.

Going into this endo appointment, I already knew that my A1C was going to be one of the highest it’s been since being diagnosed. How did I know this? Simple, my Dexcom 90 day average glucose report from Clarity told me. I have a full post later this week dedicated to just my A1C.

My weight was actually up 3 pounds since the last time I saw him in August. Not what I was hoping for. Everything else from the appointment went well. My blood pressure was perfect, as were all of my important labs. When I first came into the office, my heart rate was a bit high at 115, however, after the doctor did it again about 10 minutes later, it was down to about 85, which was better.

I do have a problem with high heart rates throughout the day, which is part of the major need to lose weight. Speaking of, I did a search on my site here, which I launched in 2009, and I’ve been talking about losing weight since about 2010 and all I’ve done since then is gain about 60 pounds. I’d say that’s not good.

Directly after my endo appointment, I was scheduled to meet with the nurse to do my Omnipod training.

When it comes to training for insulin pumps, I typically already know how 90% of it works. I don’t typically know the troubleshooting tricks and that’s what I like to learn in these trainings. However, when I go into the trainings, I act like I’ve never seen an insulin pump before and let the trainer do what they need to do. I do tell them that I am pretty advanced with technology and understand diabetes and was on a pump for 13 years. This way, they don’t waste either of our time talking about what a bolus is or temp basal, etc.

I understand it.

I’ve watched videos of people filling their Pods, but I never actually did it myself, so I asked for help to ensure that I was doing it the right way. I went through the setup process and once I was ready to put the Pod on, I decided to go on my left arm. Of course, when I put it on, I couldn’t see the viewing window, so couldn’t tell if the cannula was in properly, but I guess time would tell anyway.

My Unique Omnipod Insulin Management

Something that I have written about since I first started writing is the amount of insulin I use and how much of it I go through. I am on a 1:4 (insulin:carb) ratio and my average basal rate is about 2.5.

That’s a ton of insulin.

In order to not have to change out my pod every single day or every 36 hours, I recommended to my endo that I stay on Tresiba for my basal insulin and just utilize a 0.1 basal rate on my Omnipod. If I see that at certain times I may need an increased basal, then I do that. I don’t see a lot of lows, so the need to decrease my basal is not something that I utilize often.

However, if the Tresiba is already in my system and I’m low, then I correct the low, and if it becomes a pattern, I lower my Tresiba.

As of now, it’s worked pretty damn good.

Big Bolus Injections

I’ve still not cut out all horrible foods, so when I have eaten a high carb meal, I’ve injected insulin from an insulin pen for the extra dosage as opposed to taking the insulin from the Omnipod. I’ve decided to do this, so that I don’t dump too much insulin into the infusion site too fast.

Also, I’ve already had one Pod start to leak insulin because I dosed too much at one single time.

Lesson Learned on First Pod

The Pod that I inserted at the training session only lasted 24 hours. The next night at dinner time, I needed to take about 20 units of insulin. So, I dialed up the 20 units on my Omnipod PDM and hit the bolus button. The PDM started to do its thing and deliver the bolus.

Next thing you know, my arm felt a little wet and I smelled that awful smell of liquid gold, aka insulin.

I did the ole rub the site, then smell (did this far too often with Medtronic, which is one of the primary reasons I ultimately stopped using a pump), and I could smell it. Soon after, my wife said that she could smell it from where she was sitting.

I did the first thing that I always do when something happens, I went straight to Twitter. I wasn’t complaining, I was more looking for a solution, and luckily I found some.

One idea was to extend the bolus of anything over 3.0 units. So, that’s what I’ve been doing and it seems to have been working pretty well so far. I’ve had 2 other Pods on and neither has leaked since extended boluses out over 1 hour, on average.

I have my next follow up appointment already in a little over a week. My endo wanted me back in 2 weeks to look at Dexcom data to determine if we are going to stay with using Tresiba 100% for my basal insulin or if we are going to make it 75% of the basal insulin, plus 25% basal coming from the Omnipod.

Diabetes is all about testing, looking at the data, making an educated guess and testing all over again until you find the perfect management solution for yourself.

Overall, my initial thoughts on the Omnipod are great. I must say, I do hate the PDM. That is my only downside and flaw to the Omnipod system. The buttons are hard when I try to push them, which could be from it being so new and needing to break the buttons in.

Not being able to utilize a touchscreen for me is just brutal. Here’s the looking forward to the Omnipod Dash system.

meds in motion motion pack featured image (1)

MotionPack from Meds in Motion – Solution to Forgeting to Take My Oral Meds

January 2, 2019January 2, 2019 Chris Stocker 2 Comments

As part of my diabetes management I take several oral medications. I take:

Losartan for High Blood Pressure
Atorvastatin for high cholesterol
Fenofibrate for high triglycerides

And that’s it…. for now.

I am currently getting these every 90 days, so I usually have a lot of them in the pill bottle at any given time.

I have, unfortunately, forgotten to take my oral medications plenty of times. I try to take them every night after I eat dinner and clean up the mess that I made while either prepping, cooking, or eating dinner.

I’ve tried plenty of things to help me with making sure that I don’t forget pills.

I’ve used my phone calendar, that annoyed me.

I’ve used a weekly pill box, then I forgot to fill the pill box every Sunday.

I’ve used apps to help remind me, then I downloaded another cool app 20 minutes later and forgot all about that other app.

MotionPack

Use Up Your FSA / HSA Balances Before They Expire

December 19, 2018December 27, 2018 Chris Stocker 3 Comments

It’s that time of the year, open enrollment, driving around looking at Christmas lights and trying to figure out where you are going to spend the remaining balance of your FSA or HSA balances.

To help you figure out where to spend your remaining balance, I have put together the following places that you can use it before you lose it.

One tip to keep in mind is to always ask for a detailed receipt or paid invoice statement for your purchase.

Let’s get into the list.

StayPut Medical

StayPutMedical.com has a line of adhesives that I’ve personally used for my Dexcom to stay on the full duration. I like these because they are not like other adhesives that I’ve used. I can easily trim them and make them the exact size that I want them to be. They bend with my skin, which may not make sense, but when I put them on my arm and I move my arm in different directions, the adhesive doesn’t pull like majority of other brands that I’ve tried in the past.

TotalyDiabetesSupply.com

TotalyDiabetesSupply.com is known as “Your Trusted Source for Discounted Diabetes Supplies”. Located in South Florida, TotalDiabetesSupply.com has a large selection of diabetic and other medical supplies available to ship right to your door. From test strips and pump supplies to syringes and pen needles as well as wound care related items. I recommend them for your extra balance on your FSA card, so why not stock up on your testing essentials at a great value and friendly service.

OrthoFeet

I never really was into wearing socks specifically for people with diabetes, because I just wore regular athletic socks, however, I was given samples one time and I decided to wear them when I knew I was going to be walking a lot (hiking trip).

I don’t know exactly how these work the way that they do, but I know that when my feet get sweaty, they still stay dry, which is important for me when I have socks on all day. I’ve gotten blisters in the past and they are extremely painful. Here is how OrthoFeet describes the bamboo socks on their site:

OrthoFeet’s BioSoft™ innovative bamboo men’s and women’s circulatory and diabetic socks feature a loose and non-constricting fit, unique seam-free design, excellent moisture wicking system along with softness and extra cushioning that provide the ultimate comfort and protection for sensitive feet and for persons with diabetes, neuropathy, arthritis, circulation problems, and edema.
https://www.orthofeet.com/collections/socks

OrthoFeet offers not only socks but insoles and other items to help people with diabetes, neuropathy, arthritis and more. This is another site that you can use your FSA balance on. Just remember to be sure to ask for a detailed receipt in case you need to submit something to your insurance company.

Since I was in high school, I have worn insoles to help with my shin-splints and to help take some of the pounding off of my knees, especially while playing basketball. The technology they have developed intrigued me and once I tried it, I won’t recommend anything else.

The Orth-Cushion System that has built in air pockets to help with the cushioning and impact is a game changer for me. I will not do the technology justice, so I recommend checking them out – https://www.orthofeet.com/pages/reviews

American Medical ID

I used to not wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace or anything until I realized how important they really are and also how cool they can look. I never wanted something that would stand out on just a normal occasion, and then I came across American Medical ID.

A medical ID is recommended to anyone living with medical conditions and you can use your FSA to buy medical alert jewelry. American Medical ID offers stylish medical alert jewelry from bracelets, necklaces, and recently, medical IDs that you can attach to your mobile phone case and Fitbit device. Prices start at $24.99 and they offer unlimited custom engraving.

Did you know? 95% of emergency responders check for medical identification. Make this new year the year you finally wear a medical ID for added safety and peace of mind. Use your FSA or HSA balance to purchase one from American Medical ID.

Glucose Tablets

Everybody has their own favorite brand that they like to use, but go stock up on Glucose Tablets. These may require some sort of detailed receipt for reimbursement, but should be eligible for purchase in most cases.

This is my list of necessities. Obviously you can reach out to your current meter and pump company, but these are a bit more unique ways to utilize your end of the year balance.

All The Best Diabetes Black Friday Deals

November 23, 2018November 23, 2018 Chris Stocker 1 Comment

I use a lot of different products for diabetes, whether it is technology, fashion or food, so I decided to outline all of the Black Friday sales and specials of all the products that I use below. Just click on the images or link with the promo below.

Real Good Foods

Every order today of $50+ will receive a FREE mixed case of enchiladas ($45 value).

mySugr

My friends at mySugr want you to know that their Bundle subscription box is only available at the promotional price for a few more days!

You can get unlimited test strips delivered at your door and a personal diabetes coach at your fingertips.

🔐 Lock-in the promotional price before it goes up on Nov. 27th and #MakeDiabetesSuckLess

Head over to mySugr by click this link now!

StayPut Medical Adhesives

My friend Mike over at StayPut Medical is offering an amazing Black Friday through Cyber Monday sale today.

30% Off All Orders Over $30 PLUS Free Shipping with Coupon Code: FREESHIP

If you haven’t tried StayPut Medical yet, their adhesives are amazing. I haven’t had a single one fall off yet, and they are not just for summer time sweating. I still use mine in the winter. Please check them out and tell Mike I sent ya.

Myabetic

The wonderful people at Myabetic are also giving a great discount on their bags. I used to think that they didn’t really have options for men until I actually tried them and I absolutely love it.

GET 20% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER BY CLICKING HERE NOW AND USING PROMO CODE: CYBERMONDAY

because Diabetes Wine / Whiskey Glasses and Coffee Mugs

Obviously this one is a self-promotion, but it is a Black Friday sale.

Get 15% OFF THE ENTIRE STORE, WHETHER IT’S THE because Diabetes GLASSES OR ANYTHING ELSE.

hint Water

I have written in the past about giving up soda to drink hint water and how it is 100 times better than all its competitors. Well, they are running a great promotion to help you stock up. It may seem expensive at first, but it’s well worth it.

9 Cases of Water. 9 Different Flavors. $99 + FREE SHIPPING

Nectar Sleep

I wrote earlier in the year about switching to a Nectar mattress to help me sleep better which ultimately led to much better morning BGs.

You can’t beat their Black Friday sale. $125 OFF PLUS 2 FREE PILLOWS.

WPEngine

Now, I know this isn’t technically diabetes related, but it is the hosting company that I recommend for anyone that wants to start a blog or website about diabetes and they are offering 5 1/2 months free, so I had to share it.

Take advantage of this year’s Black Friday and Cyber Weekend promotion and get 5 and a half months free off any annual shared plan. Expires 11/26/2018.

MedAngel Insulin Sensor App Review

October 17, 2018October 31, 2018 Chris Stocker 2 Comments

About a month or so ago, I came across a product from an Instagram post that I had never seen before. The product that I saw was called MedAngel.

So, I did what I normally do, reach out and ask if I could demo the product in exchange for writing an honest review of the product. As always, you can check out my full disclosure here.

MedAngel ONE is a wireless thermometer and app for iPhone & Android that constantly monitors the temperature of your medication.

I received the MedAngel in the mail just before I was heading to Florida for a week, so it was perfect timing. I wanted to make sure that my insulin was kept at a safe level while I was out in the hot sun of south Florida.

I set the MedAngel up by following the instructions that were provided. You can check out the video below of me setting it up.

After it was set up, I put the MedAngel in the insulated part of my new Myabetic bag and put my insulin pens in there.

Within minutes, I had an alert that my insulin was too hot.

Hmm..

I just thought maybe it needed to be get acclimated.

But then I kept getting the same alert over and over and over.

At this point, I honestly just closed the app out and forgot about it.

Let’s give this another shot

The next day I was getting ready to go to the airport and I tried the app again and the same thing was happening. It kept saying the insulin was too hot and there was no way because I knew that it was sitting at room temperature in the insulated part of my bag.

I closed out the app again and just forgot about it.

When I landed in Florida and got situated, I just couldn’t figure this thing out.

Finally, I sent in an email to get help and the response made me feel like an idiot.

DUH!

There are TWO settings, in the refrigerated and opened!!!

So, the whole time my setting was on the refrigerated setting and that’s why it kept saying that it was hot every single time.

At this point, I felt a little dumb, but I was finally ready to use it.

I used the MedAngel device for the week that I was in Florida and I did receive a few hot settings, but I didn’t know what I was supposed to do. The insulin pen stays in the insulated part of the Myabetic bag, so it’s supposed to help keep it from high and low temperatures.

I am not too scared of my insulin getting too cold, even with the winter months approaching. I tend to put my insulin pen in my pocket if I have to which helps keep the insulin pen at a temperature that it should be at.

I think that this product is great for those that live in very hot and very cold places.

I would highly recommend it.

MedAngel has decided to give you 20% off your order by using the coupon code – LIFEOFADIABETIC20

Just simply visit https://us.medangel.co/ and use the coupon code.

Check out a few of the MedAngel stock photographs

Why At Home Testing and LetsGetChecked

Convenience

Confidential

Accurate Results

Online Results in 2-5 Business Days

CLIA Approved and CAP-Accredited Laboratories

Steady Blood Sugar Levels

Flavors of NuGo Slim Bars

Low Glycemic Index

Chicory Root Fiber

Energy, Energy, Energy

Where to Buy NuGo – NuGo Store Locator – Find NuGo Nutrition

COUPON CODE – USE CODE “DIABETES” for 15% off NuGo Slim through June 30, 2019

What is the Companion Medical InPen?

First Impressions of Companion Medical’s InPen

Setting Up the Companion Medical InPen

Reports Tab

My Overall Thoughts – Highly Recommend

Signup for The Life of a Diabetic Newsletter

So, what does this cost?

My Unique Omnipod Insulin Management

Big Bolus Injections

Lesson Learned on First Pod

MotionPack

StayPut Medical

TotalyDiabetesSupply.com

OrthoFeet

American Medical ID

Glucose Tablets

Real Good Foods

mySugr

StayPut Medical Adhesives

Myabetic

because Diabetes Wine / Whiskey Glasses and Coffee Mugs

hint Water

Nectar Sleep

WPEngine

Let’s give this another shot

DUH!