I am currently looking into getting either the Animas vibe or the Medtronic 630g. I have up until this point always used MDI to control my diabetes. Now working full time and having my own private health insurance, and also not being a young teen who is concious of having a device attached to me, I am leaning more and more to getting a pump.
I’m wondering what people currently seem to use the most? What are the benefits they have found between the pumps and would you recommend the pump you are currently on?
I am particularly looking at these two points as I want the ability to have the CGM integrate with my pump. For this reason I am leaning towards the Animas Vibe, as this integrates with G4. I could be wrong but it is my understanding that Dexcom’s CGM is more accurate than the Medtronic version?
Whilst my pump is entirely covered by insurance, the CGM component is not so I will still have to pay for my sensors and transmitters. At this stage getting a stand alone G5 is not an option for me due to costs. Having the pump does actually save me some money on the CGM receiver.
Mostly I’d just like to hear people’s personal experiences and what they’ve liked or disliked about their pumps, even if they aren’t one of the above devices.
I am in the same position and chose the Vibe because of the ability to extend the life of the G4 sensors to over 2 weeks made it the lower cost option. The latest version of the Medtronic Enlite sensors are apparently more easily able to be restarted for extended use over 7 days, but they are still less long-lived than the G4s.
OTOH, we have had the 640G over here for more than a year (I assume that the 630G is similar) and the users have told me that the low-glucose predictive suspend feature really works effectively in greatly reducing the frequency of hypos.
I think the 640 has a different sensor, perhaps better than the 630, but my take is that Medtronic is blowing off the -40 sensors in the US to go full-speed to the 670, skipping a generation for us.
I’ve used Medtronic CGM since 2010, first Sofsensors and then Enlites since 2013 and had a brief (2 sensors, 49ish days…) opportunity to use Dex 4 and Enlites and I found the Dex 4s to be more likely to flip out, get “stuck” high or low, almost like they wanted to bleep at me. I will stick w/ Medtronic and am always interested in better sensors but am not sold on the new pump as it looks a bit bigger than my 530.
Please do not take any offense at what I am about to say, as absolutely no offense is intended.
While I am happy you are experiencing success with Enlites, and I wish you the best of continuing success, I think it is important to note that the majority of people who have used both the Dexcom and Medtronic CGM systems find the Dexcom system superior. My daughter has never tried Enlites, so I can’t say that I have any personal experience comparing the two. But we went with the majority of PWD’s opinions and these odds paid off. But, as always, YDMV…
Lol, no offense taken! If anything, I was shocked at how far off the Dex seemed to run in my short experience with it. I know other Enlite fans but it is impossible to compete with the group wisdom that Dex is way better. It’s certainly possible I’ve tuned my habits to be Enlite-oriented or something too?
I used an Animas Ping with a Dexom sensor eventually upgrading to the G4. My insurance changed and I left the Animas world and went with the Minimed 530G. It was the biggest mistake that I could make. The Enlite sensors have not lasted nearly as long as the Dexcom often not even lasting the 6 days as indicated. Also the Minimed CGM was not accurate at all compared to the Dexcom. I have been using the 530G for the last three yearsLuckily I have a new job with different insurance so I have just gotten approved and will be getting an Animas Vibe next week.
I’m certainly leaning towards the Animas vibe as it stands. My insurance doesn’t cover the CGM component however, so I am unsure if I can fund this consitantly as it stands.
Outside of the CGM component, how do people find the interface of the pumps? From what I’ve read there doesn’t really seem to be a great difference in terms of Basal profiles or the different typs of Bolusing you can do between pumps.
I should also clarify I’ve made a mistake in my title and inital post. The current Medtronic pump available in Aus is the 640G. But this also leads me to ask the question if I was to go medtronic, should I just wait for the 670G. Reading other posts though I can’t say this system would benefit me greatly, given my specific blood glucose targets seem to vary for what this system aims for.
Another alternative in US is T-Slim with G4, but don’t know if that is available for you.
I used MM with the original sof-sensors, and then switched to Dexcom. I found Dexcom to be more accurate, less painful, and less work. I have not used the latest MM Enlites, but have heard many say they have improved. I currently use MM 523 pump with Dexcom G4.
If your insurance does not cover CGMS, you should check if they would even cover the MM 630. Since it is an integrated system, my understanding was Medtronics would only sell it as a combined pump/CGMS package. I recently got a new MM pump, and the 630 was not an option as stand-alone. Even if they allow the 630 only, it would likely be higher price than the 523.
The Tslim really appeals to me. Unfortunately, I contacted Tandem directly and they told me they are currently ‘evaluating’ their international strategy and couldn’t give me any kind of estiamte as to when or even if the T-Slim would be available in Australia.
I’ve come to narrow down that I really would want a waterproof pump, which as far as I know only really leaves me with the Animas as an option. I know that my insurance covers the Animas vibe, which also is part CGM. So I assume they would cover the MM 630/40 as well. It’s only the actual transmitters and sensors for CGM they don’t cover.
I’m interested how do people deal with situations when they have to take off their cgm? I suppose if I got the animas I could wear it swimming and showering…
I may be wrong, but as I understand it, the sensors for the Veo and the 640G are the same, but Medtronic have improved the algorithm in the 640G which makes it more accurate. [quote=“rgcainmd, post:4, topic:55570”]
I think it is important to note that the majority of people who have used both the Dexcom and Medtronic CGM systems find the Dexcom system superior.
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I have only ever used the Dexcom, but know several Enlite users. The Dexcom/Vibe is clearly superior to the Enlite/Veo. Sensors are more accurate, reliable and last longer. I know one 640G/Enlite user well. She says that the sensors are more accurate than with her previous Veo. More importantly, the predictive low glucose suspend can be made to work very effectively. From nearly daily hypos, she can now go over a week between hypos (and they are mild). Apparently it takes a bit of tweaking with the settings to optimize the system, but it does work.
If your primary objective is to track your BG as accurately as possible, the Dexcom still wins. However if your main concern is with hypos, you would probably do better with the 640G.
Hey,
T1x38 years, Pumping for 20 +.
Have had several MM pumps. Their “button” use used to be better, can’t have an opinion now because it’s been years. Switched to the Animas ping because they are water safe. I live in the pool in the summer… and I don’t want to take my pump off. It takes a few more clicks… but I’m confident. Switched to the VIBE to get the integrated CGM. I kept losing my receiver when I was on the ping… and It’s wonderful not to have to look for it. Going to the vibe you loose all remote bolusing features… but you know where your receiver is (in the pump) and don’t have to carry another one around. That being said, I have a G4… but have a receiver tucked in my diabetes drawer “just in case”. I can get 3 weeks out of a sensor almost all the time. And in non-biased users… they prefer dexcom. That’s my 2 cents!
Carolyn
Carolyn a 2nd that as a T1x47, Pumping 20+ I too think the Dexcom system is superior starting with the Plus7. The idea with having a sensor for a minimum of 7 days and some of you a lot longer appeals from a cost stand point. I’m lucky to have full coverage for diabetic supplies through my private insurance. I from the beginning picked I the waterproof Animas pumps and as Dexcom receivers aren’t waterproof (don’t ask me how I know) it was a blessing that the Vibe came out. My exercise regiment consists out of swimming so I’m in the water daily and it is nice to be able to adjust and don’t worry about the pump.
I still keep my Dexcom G4 receiver charged and on my night stand as the alarms are a lot louder than the pump receiver alarms. it is a blessing that I can use both receivers (pump & G4 Dexcom) together.
I found that the Dexcom is always within 3-5% of my calibrating (Bayer&Accu-Chek) meters except when running real high (>325) and those number are within 7-10% of the lab results so I’m very satisfied with the Dexcom and now the Animas Vibe.
Thanks again all for the great comments. Certainly looks like I’ll be leaning towards the Animas Vibe. I go overseas next week, I have an appointment with my Endocrinologist when I get back in October; I will certainly be discussing this with her then and see what she thinks. Though, she has in the past been somewhat against me getting a CGM as she thinks it would be a waste of my money.
I’m still a little ambivalent about getting an insulin pump full stop. I can see its benefits, but I’m unsure if it will overall improve my control (with my last few A1c’s being in the low 5s anyway). And I still am a little concerned about how I’ll deal with having it constantly attached to me.
Though, the thought of just being able to Bolus by clicking a button on something in my pocket is pretty appealing, given I bolus currently over 10 times a day, which ends up being a lot of injections and a few strange looks in public.
I can forsee the CGM providing me invaluable data, so a part of me is leaning to maybe just going with a CGM first and then considering the pump. CGM is totally out of pocket though, where as my insurance will totally cover my pump! The Animas also has the added advantage on saving me money on the CGm receiver.
A question for the Vibe users that may be reading this still.
I know a lot of people here have the CGM component covered by their insurance. That is not the case for me. Have people noticed much difference betweeny accuracty between the G4 and G5. I’m looking at simply using the G4, mostly for cost reasons, but if the G5 was significantly more dependable i may be able to make some adjustments to my finances.
I should state I’m also aware the G5 doesn’t directly integrate with the Vibe.
I just stepped back from using a G5 system to the G4. I like the old system better. The txmtttr lasts 9-12 months and doesn’t drop out like the G5 does. It also has better range. I once had the G4 receiver pick up from my boat that was 50 yards away. I got delayed in a conversation and the G4 didn’t miss a beat.
Yeah, I don’t like the pump/CGM integration that puts a dead-end to any technical upgrades for the at least 4 years, if not longer. I refresh my CGM systems about every 12 months. I like being able to stay up with the stream of improvements over the next few years. I think the G4 is a great system, in some ways superior to the G5. I also like the black background on the G4 receiver. The G5 is too bright at night.
I have not had any serious accuracy problems with the G4. I have not used the G5. As @Terry4 said, the G4’s range and transmitter life is excellent. I have the Animas Vibe and also use a G4 receiver – I don’t notice a lot of difference in accuracy between the two other than the fact that the newer algorithm that the receiver can use (which the Vibe does not) allows it to more closely reflect changing BGs – the lag in response is more noticeable with the Vibe’s built-in receiver. Most of the time, though, the two receivers are within 5points of each other.
I have the Animas vibe, it works fine but it has to be replaced a lot, I just recently (this weekend) had to get a new one, the battery cap would not come off so I can replace the dead battery, I’ve had times where the battery capacity wouldn’t close all the way and times where thereally as a crack in the pump and it had to be replaced. The CGM 4 is ok sometimes, there are times when it says my blood sugar is in an ok range but when I check it, my blood sugar is actually on the low side. And just a couple months ago the CGM sensor burned my stomach and I ended up with a keloid scar. When I called the Animas company all the did was send me a new sensor
Thas, I could have typed the exact same answer as you did and in addition I have checked my readings with reading done by lab and hospital used hand-helds and the G4 has always been spot on (within several points <7)
Finger prick yourself within a minute of the 1st check and you’ll find that difference in any meter.
I’ve not used a G5 but know I’m well covered with the G4 through my house(50 ft).
