New Rebif electronic injections

It is now in Canada...but in US yet..


http://www.mscare.org/cmsc/Informs-Merck-Serono-RebiSmart.html

[Lulu54]

That is very interesting Gorlie.  

As the debate about health care spending continues to swirl here in the US,  I can't help but wonder if we really need such a device and what it contributes to the costs/benefits of my treatment?

I'm on copaxone and find that it takes about a minute from start to finish to do my entire injection routine.  Would an electronic system save that much time?

Perhaps patients new to doing injections would be thrilled to have a gizmo like this to help...

Just thinking out loud here,
Lulu

[gorlie]

I think it will help with the persons who are scare of needle, it's not for everyone, like myself I inject manually but I know some are scare s... to give it....

[sllowe]

Thanks, Gorlie.

I prefer straight up injections myself.  Though they give no pictures of this gadget, I wonder if it's an attempt to keep folks injecting.  I know some studies have sought to identify why people do not continue on their schedule and their various reasons., i.e., side affects, like you saythe needles, etc.

Maybe some learned info led them to this as a solution.  I really don't like the auto injector, it's too abrupt.  Wonder how this thing differs.  Maybe there is a picture of it  somewhere.

Thanks again,
shell

[borntolose102]

I am with you Lu, it takes no time for the auto injector or the DIY approach. I think I will skip on the Electronic one. Waste of R&D....and a bigger waste of money. Just my opinion...

[b125]

     I really don't have any complaints with the current Rebiject II, which I use routinely. Although the Rebiject sometimes gives problems firing the needle, if it gets to be too routine I can easily contact the company for a replacement. I did once have to administer an injection without it, and bruised fiercely afterward, but then again I had no formal training on the techniques of injecting without the autoinjector.
     I looked at the Rebismart.com website, and honestly it seems to be more of a pain. Most of the information is only available with some code provided to individuals who have a Rebismart, but I did gather that the medicine cartridge must be changed weekly, while the needle (hidden in a seperate unit??) must be changed daily. There are special care and maintenance steps which don't occur with the present Rebiject. And obviously, as the Rebismart is electronic, it will use up batteries or a/c power from a charging base of some sort.
     I do understand the interests of EMD Serono in wanting to keep many details of the Rebismart hidden for now, as it is rather unique. I hope though, that they will continue to manufacture the regular Rebiject as well. Although the fact the Rebismart "logs" the injections, honestly, I'm not sure of how much value that really will be to patients and medical providers. I use my journal that came with my Rebiject II and that suffices quite well... AND allows the benefit of making additional notations besides time/date/mcg. I took the journal to my first "regular" (non-academic) neuro appt, and the doctor practically laughed at me for bringing it. He clearly had no interest in it, but it has been of great use to me as I can note whether I used heat, cold, any side effects, and any changes in administration or such forth.  Although the Rebismart site repeatedly mentions the "adjustable comfort settings," I can't imagine there are many more than the three already possible with the Rebiject II.... unless they incorporate a feature that automatically instructs new users that their selected depth setting is incorrect, which would be a much more expensive sensor I'm sure, I don't really see the Rebismart being too much of an improvement. It won't lessen most of the common injection site reactions, and firsthand training will still be the best method of developing a starting skill in administartion. Proper training should not be skipped just because the needle is hidden inside a talking and beeping injector device.....

[gorlie]

Hey,  look at www.rebismart.com , you will have info on it, I know you guys (US) 's heath system don't support many TMT but we have in Canada and if it helps people to manage better there ordeal that's what count.., why not ?  

[Lulu54]

Hey gorlie,
this is a good conversation.  I think you're just reading that those of us doing our injuections get the hang of it quickly and don't need further techology advancements. No matter how an injection is done, it is still a pain.  :-0

I can see it being a good gadget for the needle shy patient ....

thanks again for sharing,
Lulu

[msfriss]

I am using the Rebismart - It is  quite the  injector!  its nice  because it does everything for you & keeps track of  your injections.  You don't see ( nor feel!) the  needle at  all~  It also makes it easy to inject in places that normally are harder to get at by yourself.  

[msfriss]

I just read more posts on the Rebismart and will give a bit more info. The  comfort settings are more  than injection depth.It controls how fast the needle goes, how fast you want the medication to be injected, how long you want to wait before taking the needle  out & of course depth. ( there are four different depths to choose from)  

The machine will only inject if skin is touching  it ( there is a skin sensor)  And makes sure that you only inject with 48 hours between shots. ( You can over-ride that..)  It records exactly how much medication you are injecting & has  a  titration schedule that you can program in when starting.  If the rebismart skin sensor is ever removed from the skin the needle immediately retracts.You have the option ( for 5 minutes I think) to continue on with your injection... ( using the same needle) It continues on to complete the whole dose.

If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask~ I will try to answer.

[NiCeeGlover]

This just what I need! I have a high tolerance for pain, but I am so terrified of needles

since the birth of my twin daughters 22 years ago, I  have to force myself to sit still

because I want to run. I feel panic coming on at the sight of a needle. When I had to

have my blood drawn recently, (over&over!) I held the arm of the chair tight, and look

the other way.  I hide it as much as I can, but I feel so worked up inside I want to cry

when it's over. lol I usually try to tell the nurse I'm afraid of needles.

I had an emergency c-section w my twins 22 and their sister 23. The docs tried to get

needles in my veins and they rolled from the pregnancy I guess, but I had 17 pokes

on one arm , 15 on the other and 8 on my feet. I was black and blue for weeks!

Plus both times the shot they tried to put in my back was tried over and over and

they couldn't get it my spine properly. So painful!!!

I'm a small woman who had big babies. Holly was 9lb13oz/twins were 5lbs each.

I had too large of tummy to lean forward enough to place needle properly.

I never experienced such a fear before that.      NiCee