Wego is giving Away Scotts Book.

This just hit my email:

WEGO Health is proud to announce the recent publication of Scott Benner's first book - Life is Short, Laundry is Eternal: Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Dad.  Scott is the 2011 winner of the WEGO Health Activist Advocating for Another Award and an engaged member of the WEGO Health network.  In honor of Scott's accomplishment, WEGO Health is giving away three copies of the book to members of our community.Entering the giveaway is easy:

1. Head over to the WEGO Health Facebook Page and like our page

1. Answer our Question of the Day for Scott

1. Enter today (the contest closes tomorrow evening)

Whether you are a D-mom/dad, Diabetes patient, or simply an engaged Health Activist, we think you'll love Scott Benner's new book: Life is Short, Laundry is Eternal. Cheers!

... or just buy a copy. 

Animas Vibe into FDA

J&J earning call is online at Seeking Alpha and for those curious about the Animas Vibe insulin pump coming to the US there was this comment:

And recently, our diabetes care business submitted a premarket approval application for the FDA for the Animas Vibe insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring system. This next generation insulin pump incorporates Animas' color screen and waterproof technology and a Dexcom G4 Platinum sensor, which enables people with diabetes to make more informed decisions to help control their disease.

Join A Study: Driving Safely With Type 1 Diabetes

Sharing a message I received from Glu: 

Join A Study: Driving Safely With Type 1 Diabetes

Research has shown that a few people with Type 1 diabetes are at an increased risk for having traffic accidents due to low blood sugars. Possibly, we can help the diabetes community.
 Researchers at the University of Virginia are conducting a study evaluating internet tools designed to:  

• Anonymously assess risk for ALL drivers with Type 1 diabetes of being in an accident and

• Potentially help reduce the chance of high-risk drivers being in a future collision  

The study is strictly confidential and the data collected will not be shared with any other person or agency. The study is done in your own home at your own convenience (no visits to clinics). Participants may earn up to $270 in internet gift cards.
For more information, please visit www.diabetesdriving.com.
IRB-HSR# 15360

I am Proud to be Associated with Bob.

Bob Pedersen, that is.

Stand up guy.

Maybe more so, if that is possible,  for the courage he shows sharing his post on association.

JDRF Kit to Support Adults with Newly Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes

From JDRF:

New York, NY, April 15, 2013 – JDRF announced today that it has created a new resource for adults newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The Adult Type 1 Pak is a sling-style bag that will include important resources and information to educate, support, and inspire adults newly diagnosed with T1D, age 16 and above. In collaboration with JDRF’s generous sponsors—Bayer Healthcare, Medtronic, and Novo Nordisk—the kit is now available through local JDRF chapters, and is free of charge.

Adult Type 1 Pak Contents

The Adult Type 1 Pak was created as a part of an effort to ensure that all individuals newly diagnosed with T1D receive the information and support necessary to adjust to life with the disease. JDRF has found the Bag of Hope to be extremely beneficial to families of newly-diagnosed children with T1D, and is hopeful that the Adult Type 1 Pak will be just as valuable to newly-diagnosed adults. Each year in the United States alone, more than 15,000 children and 15,000 adults are diagnosed with T1D, and JDRF continues to work to expand its efforts to better support people of all ages, and at all stages of life with the disease.

More: http://jdrf.org/press-releases/jdrf-announces-new-outreach-kit-to-support-adults-newly-diagnosed-with-type-1-diabetes/

The Truth Behind 'Rents

I have the privilege of hosting DSMA Live 'Rents with Lorraine every other Monday. What isn't well know is that while we are hundreds of miles apart, we typically are in a Google hangout when we host the show. Here is a sign I held up to the camera one night.


In a few weeks, for the first time ever, we will both be in the same place doing the show together. Join us for special episode SUNDAY April 28, 9:00 PM eastern. Our guests? Each other.  And - may some special cameo appearances.

Join us.



I may not even need signs but I'll have a dry marker board just incase. ;)

The Bionic Woman. An Inside Peek at and AP Trial

I love finding and sharing a good piece in the DOC. Here is one, well five. The real life experience of being in an AP trial. Anna Floreen shares her recent chaperoned real world experience with an artificial pancreas system. Real wold meaning she was out and about and chaperoned meaning a nurse with teh study was stalking her as she was out and about.

Here are her posts at Glu:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

Diabetes by any other name would still be as sweet.

Living in a family with two T1D teens and a being T2D myself means a I have front row seat to diabetes differences. No two people with diabetes have exactly the same set of struggles. Unfortunatly there is often a desire to use diabetes differences as surrogate for virtue. 

That isn’t how it works.

I get parents of kids with Type 1, who feel frustration.  I have suggested renaming Type 1, “I don't need the D-Day Details I only Need Carb Counts for your Menu and Does Anyone Have a Ouija Board so we can Figure Out Why the Insurance Doesn't Know What is Up With the CGM Because Parents Never Get to Sleepabetes.” This kind of frustration can lead some to less facetiously wanting to rename Type 1 so that their kids don’t get treated like they did something to deserve the chronic condition they have.

Some say, ‘Type 1 is different’ and our kids shouldn’t be stigmatized by association with Type 2. Well, yes, everyone diabetes is different and what works for one Type 1 child may not work for another. Certainly the self care process for Type 1, with daily injections starting the day of diagnosis can be viewed intense right out of the gate. No child with Type 1 is responsible for the genetics that increased their likelihood of getting it and no they shouldn’t be stigmatized by ignorance. 

Much of that holds true for Type 2 as well. No two cases of Type 2 are exactly the same and yes the initial treatment may variy from Type 1 and certainly varies from individual to individual, none the less it is often traumatic. Still, nobody with Type 2 is responsible for the genetics that increase or decrease their likelihood of getting it. Some already disadvantaged ethnic groups are at significantly higher risk for Type 2. Nobody with any type of diabetes should be stigmatized by ignorance and blamed for it. 

I am not jumping on board to the idea of re branding type 1, beyond being careful to be clearer going forward about the type of diabetes I am writing about. I do not wish to react to ignorance and stereotyping of a few without the recognition of the of larger ignorance and stereotyping that is rampant with all diabetes. That ignorance is at the core of all diabetes stigma. I want to avoid promoting false stereotypes and ignorant assumptions about all diabetes including Type 2, particularly for already inappropriately stigmatized populations.  

The most significant thing I have learned from diabetes is to honor others’ struggles without offering a simplistic solutions. In my view the solution to ignorance and stigma is education and empathy, for all people with diabetes. 

That certainly isn’t simple. 

Animas 2020 Recall

From the FDA: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm346788.htm?source=govdelivery

Animas Corporation 2020 Insulin Infusion Pump: Class I Recall - False Alarm or Warning Sound 

[Posted 04/05/2013]
AUDIENCE: Risk Manager, Patient 

ISSUE: Animas identified a component issue affecting Animas 2020 Infusion Insulin Pumps manufactured from March 1, 2012 to November 30, 2012. The component issue may trigger the pumps to sound a false alarm or warning related to one of the following: 

• “Loss of prime”

• “Occlusion”

• “No Cartridge detected” 

If you receive any of these alarms, the pump may prompt you to complete the rewind, load and prime sequence to clear this alarm. Failure to follow the pump’s safety instructions and disconnect your infusion set from your body before the “rewind, load and prime” steps can lead to unintended delivery of insulin, placing you in danger of potential serious health risks, such as hypoglycemia. 

The Animas 2020 Insulin Pump also has a software limitation that will impact the ability of the pump to function past December 31, 2015. After this date, the pump will no linger deliver insulin and will generate a “Call Service Alarm.” 

BACKGROUND: The Animas 2020 Insulin Pumps are used to deliver insulin directly into your blood for the treatment of diabetes. 

RECOMMENDATION: Customers with the device should contact Animas’ Product Fulfillment Center at 877-280-2339 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 12 a.m. EST to schedule shipment of your free replacement pump. Customers with technical questions or who want to report a concern should contact Customer Technical Support Center at 866-793-5253 

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

• Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm

• Download form
 or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

[04/05/2013 - Recall Notice - FDA]

Medtronic Safety Information

From Medtronic:

http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/support/product-updates

IMPORTANT MEDICAL DEVICE SAFETY INFORMATION
Date 4-1-2013 

Download important safety information for Paradigm^® pumps Download > 

At Medtronic, we are committed to continuing to improve our products and services to enable people to manage diabetes. We recently sent a letter to notify U.S. Paradigm users and their healthcare professionals of two potential issues relating to Paradigm insulin pumps. 

We are informing our customers of the potential for a loose drive support cap. In rare cases, the cap may stick out from the side of the insulin pump as a result of impact(s) with a hard surface. The letter also reminds our customers of the existing User Guide instructions that exposure to water can damage the insulin pump's internal electronics.