InPen smart insulin pen system and Guardian Connect system: Mattie's story

Hi! I am Mattie and I have been living with type one diabetes for 20 years. Learning to accept my diabetes, especially through my adolescent years, was difficult for me. I truly did not understand what it meant to have type 1 diabetes and the importance of taking care of it. As I got older and started having children, I realized the importance of taking care of myself - and my diabetes. One of the greatest tools I now have in my diabetes toolbox is the combination of my InPen^TM smart insulin pen system and the Guardian Connect continuous glucose monitor. 

I came across another person living with type one who was using the InPen^TM on Instagram. I had no clue what the InPen^TM was and messaged her with all my questions. After a few messages back and forth, I knew I had to find out more. I called Medtronic and asked for information about the InPen^TM. On the other end of the phone was a kind voice and an extremely knowledgeable person. She told me all about the InPen^TM and even understood my diabetes slang, like “rage bolus,” which I thought was incredible (and hilarious). I asked her if she lived with type one diabetes and she said she did, which blew me away. Never have I, in 20 years, spoken to someone from a diabetes supply company that had an actual person with diabetes (PWD) working there. I instantly fell in love with Medtronic as I was so pleased to know this company cares enough about its users to realize the value of hiring other PWD’s to work with their company. What is more valuable than a diabetic helping another diabetic? 

Once she shared all the information about the InPen^TM, she told me that they also have a CGM that synchronizes with it. I knew I had to have these products ASAP! After speaking with my doctor and getting both products prescribed, I have seen the benefits of the InPen^TM and Guardian^TM Connect CGM and so has my endocrinologist. I am now having far fewer lows than I was before using the InPen and Guardian Connect CGM. The biggest benefit about the InPen^TM and my Guardian^TM Connect CGM would have to be the confidence it has given me. I sleep better at night, my need to rage bolus is gone and I get all of that without having to be connected to something 24/7.

If I had to share a little piece of advice with other type ones, it would be to keep pushing on. Diabetes is hard, every day. If you are struggling, reach out for help. This is another reason I fell in love with Medtronic - the Ambassador program. It is not only for people who use Medtronic products, but for anyone living with this condition. We are here to help you with your products, talk about tips and tricks that work for us, or just act as a sound board as someone who knows what you go through every day. Diabetes is not easy and having a group of experienced PWD’s on your team goes a long way. 

Important Safety Information - Guardian Connect CGM

The Guardian Connect system requires a prescription and is indicated for continuous or periodic monitoring of glucose levels in the interstitial fluid under the skin, in patients (14 to 75 years of age) with diabetes mellitus. The system is intended to complement, not replace, information obtained from standard blood glucose monitoring devices, and is not recommended for people who are unwilling or unable to perform a minimum of two meter blood glucose tests per day, or for people who are unable or unwilling to maintain contact with their healthcare professional. The system requires a functioning mobile electronic device with correct settings. If the mobile device is not set up or used correctly, you may not receive sensor glucose information or alerts. For complete details of the system and its components, including warnings, contraindications, and precautions, please consult the user guide at http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/support/download-library/user-guides and http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/importantsafetyinformation.

Important Safety Information - InPen Smart Insulin Pen System:

The InPen requires a prescription. It is a home-use reusable pen injector for single-patient use by people with diabetes under the supervision of an adult caregiver, or by a patient aged 7 and older for the self-injection of a desired dose of insulin. The pen injector is compatible with Lilly Humalog® U-100 3.0 mL cartridges, Novo Nordisk Novolog® U-100 3.0 mL cartridges, and Novo Nordisk Fiasp® U-100 3.0 mL cartridges and single-use detachable and disposable pen needles (not included). The pen injector allows the user to dial the desired dose from 0.5 to 30 units in one-half (1/2) unit increments. The InPen dose calculator, a component of the InPen app, is indicated for the management of diabetes by people with diabetes under the supervision of an adult caregiver, or by a patient aged 7 and older for calculating an insulin dose or carbohydrate intake based on user entered data. For an insulin dose based on amount of carbohydrates, a healthcare professional must provide patient-specific target blood glucose, insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio, and insulin sensitivity parameters to be programmed into the software prior to use. For an insulin dose based on fixed/variable meal sizes, a healthcare professional must provide patient-specific fixed doses/meal sizes to be programmed into the software prior to use. To learn more, visit bit.ly/InPenSafety.