HELLO KARLA,WHEN YOU GET THE MM PUMP,I WOULD SUBJECT THAT YOU DISCONNECT YOUR PUMP WHEN YOU ARE IN WATER AND PLACE THE EXTRA CAP THAT COME WITH YOU TUBING PACKAGE EVERYTIME YOU CHANGE IT.I HAVE HAD ONE MM PUMP CHANGE BECAUSE WATER AND THE PUMP WAS A REFURBISHED PUMP.DO NOT KNOW IF THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THAT PROBLEM
Todd …referring to your comment," why you would take a pump into the shower " let me explain better …I take the pump into the shower stall , so I do not have to disconnect …when you get to my age very easy to forget to connect ( easy to forget lots of things ) …actually I have read reports of young folks doing exactly that …several hours later realizing , that pump is still in bathroom and
" they " are elsewhere …stuff happens, correct ?? It is not an issue …just good planning on my part .
I am sure you remember this thread , when you are close to 70 , OK , ha, ha .??
Oh , by the way MM allows you to upgrade …it almost seems I have stock in the company, or work for them , I am working so hard explaining tonight …NO, NO , NO …
HI KARLA,I’M ON MEDICARE AND SOME HELP FROM MEDICAID BECAUSE OF MY DISABILITIES,TRY CALLING THE MEDICAID OFFICE IN YOUR STATE FOR AN APPLICATION.THEY HAVE ALL DIFFERENT TYPE OF PLANS THAN CAN HELP,I AM ON 25MEDICATIONS AND THIS IS A GREAT HELP WITH MY MEDSSMILES//GOOD LUCK//
I hear that the Cozmo is on it’s way out, I have been using the Animas pump for 4 years, support and warranty is great, getting the new Animas Ping next week, love the Animas pump have never had one single problem with it and the battery last a long time
Hi Karla,
Here’s why I chose the Animas 2020 (Ping not yet available in Australia):
The Animas 2020 has a carb database whereas Minimed doesn’t
It has a really bright screen. I wear reading glasses (2.5 strength), and I can read this screen without my glasses… and it’s easy to read in the sunlight.
It’s waterproof, which is a big help in a sub-tropical climate.
I don’t mind all the scrolling and button pushing, for the other advantages.
The rep here is really awesome… she has fielded no end of questions for me. She will also do the pump training and I really like her so far. She’s also T1, and wears the pump herself.
The Animas 2020 has luer locks which mean you can use any other infusion set that also has luer locks (almost all except MiniMed). You can use luer locks with the MiniMed, but you have to use another cartridge which is manufactured by another company. Not a big deal, but until recently, they weren’t yet available in Australia.
I rather like the idea of having one support person rather than a call-centre. That one person knows me and my circumstances which I believe would lead to better service for me.
So while MiniMed is the best selling one, there were many reasons for me not to go with it.
Animas have a virtual pump online which you can play with. It’s here: http://www.animascorp.com/2020-insulin-pump-tour.aspx
Like someone said, most pumps are great because they deliver insulin. The trick is to figure out what’s important to you. A carb database? Continuous monitoring? Big, readable screen? And every pump has its quirks and things that people don’t like about it.
Actually seeing one and being able to play with it will be a huge advantage.
Good luck!
Sue
Hi Karla
Here is my two cents and from what I have read in the replies, much of what I will say has been said but here is my experience. I have been pumping for 6 weeks with the Animas Ping. This is my first pump. I like you feel the company support is of great importance and the reviews on varies websites is what got me to call them. My CDE contacted a MM rep for me at about the same time. Animas had a rep call me and set up an appointment within days and after the meeting continued to call to ask if I had any questions, which of course I did and they easily answered. After waiting to hear from MM for about one month, I decided that if they didn’t want to contact me to sell the pump, what will they do after the purchase. Amazingly, the day after I placed the order with Animas, I got a call from MM and told them they were a day late. My original choice to look into was the Omnipod but my ins co would not approve it as “experimental”
Animas then did all the leg work with the insurance company regarding benefits and with my dr to get test results. They kept me advised regularly. They too were able to answer all my questions and responded quickly. When I was approved, they got in touch with my trainer and she called me and set an appointment even before the pump arrived. Since starting the pump, I have loved the convenience. I have had some inset issues and the sales rep even brought me new sets to my place of work rather than mailing them so that I could try a new type. My trainer has been accesible by phone and meetings for concerns and additional info. The Ping has a computer program to upload your pump and meter info into so that you can easily keep logs for your dr appointments. I could not get mine to work and I called the 24/7 tech support and within 30 mins it was all working. So from a support standpoint, I can’t ask for more.
As for the pump and its features, the things they I liked are the remote meter that ties into the pump to allow you to give yourself doses without pulling out the meter. From reading forums, this appears to be a nice benefit for women as many put the pump in their bra. The meter will insert the reading into the pump and then the pump figures the dosage including any insulin that is still active in you from prior doses(IOB) and then with one push of a button its dispensed. Another feature I love is the food database that allows you to look up foods for their carb counts and then it goes right into the meter. As for it getting wet, the Ping is waterproof not just water resistant. I was able to go to a water park and not take it off. No problems. Finally, the issue of cartridges and tubing and insets is important to find the kind you like. My understanding is that MM can only use MM equipment which does not use a luer lock. Given this, you are limited in the varieties unless you get a different type of sets altogether. The Ping can use any company’s luer lock setup. So overall, I am very happy with my Ping.
Here are two things I wish the Ping had, a 3 ml cartridge as I am on 100ml per day so I have to do a refill of the cartridge before changing my site but hopefully with better readings this will decrease quickly. The other thing is battery life. The remote meter does cause the battery life to be shorter than the battery life on the MM. 30 days for the Ping versus 3 months for the MM, based on my experience and from what I read about the MM. Neither of these would cause me to change my view of the Ping I chose.
So I guess this was more than 2 cents, probably 25 cents. Hope it helps. Good luck
Mitch
Hello Karla,
Have you found a pump yet? I have been on 2 models of the Disetronic now Roche and then on 2 models of the MM and currently on the Deltec that is going out of business. I’m going to go with the OmniPod next b/c I am just ready to lose the tubing. Personally I did NOT like MM (not the pump but the customer service)
I also think it’s important that the pump itself does your blood sugars so there is as little manual entering as possible. It’s all prefrence though. What works for one does not for the next. I have friends that LOVE and swear by MM and then other that hated it. Same with the Disetronic and the Deltec. I would contact the companies and just see if you can trial wear some. Your Endo should be able to set you up. Good luck and hope you find the one you like
I have had no trouble with my MM, but lately I haven’t been doing well with the carb counting, just kinda wingin it. My doctor suggested I switch to the Animas pump with the carb database so I might do that soon, if my insurance covers it.
Hi Sue,
Thanks for taking the time to explain the Animas to me. I’m not sure but I think if I go with them, it will be the Ping but I’m sure they will keep the database because I’ve heard that comment from a couple of others who love that feature. I think it’s something I would like also. I thought all pumps had food databases and also the ability for you to put in your own foods i.e. casseroles or something with a combo of foods. It’s beginning to sound as if the MM does not have this from you and a couple other people. I suppose if I qualify with Medicare for a pump, I will take the time to look as the MM and Animas both to see what works best for me. We all have different lives and what works great for one might not be best for another so I think I’ll try to learn all I can before making my choice. I’ve waited a long time so I want to get what is best for me. I appreciate the feedback and will keep it in mind. I was wondering however, is there ever a problem with keeping the infusion set adhesive part stuck to yourself? At one time, I wore a medication patch that didn’t stick very well so was just wondering. Thanks…Karla
Hi Mitch,
All very good information! I thank you for taking the time. It sounds like a good pump and as for the service, that is real important to me as I live in a very small town where lot’s of things have to be done by phone or they will have to send someone out to see me. I will say that so far, Medtronic is giving me the best service - sort of the opposite of what you got. Of course right now I’m only preparing to go for labs and try to qualify. However, being a T2 and finding out I’m not allowed to be making any more insulin than a T1 in order to qualify, this help with labs if what I was looking for. I didn’t qualify las time out. Medtronic had a man call me to educate me on the best way to prepare for labs and they also have called me weekly to encourage me and check on me to see where I am with going for labs, etc. Animas called once to for original conversation and I told them I was looking for help with labs. They had their distributor call to see if I’d had labs but they offered no help and I haven’t heard from them since. However, I plan to look at both pumps if I qualify. I want to get the pump that best fits my life and will certainly question them about support and what is offered. I do really appreciate the help Medtronic has given me on labs though. It is so important if all you have is Medicare. I now know why I didn’t qualify before and what to do this time to prepare. Thanks for taking the time to give me all the great info. I appreciate it so much.
Karla
Thaks Sandy, but no I don’t have a pump yet. However, Medtronic did give me the help I need for qualifying with my labs for Medicare. It’s kind of tricky but I plan to see my doc the end of this week and go for labs on the 27th. It sounds like you have tried all the top pumps. I hope to be able to really check out 2-3 of them before choosing. I wish Medicare would pay for CGM but they aren’t there yet. I believe that, combined with a pump is what we all need for the best control. Before they went out of business, I had wanted to try a Cozmo but guess that’s moot now. I’m sure with all this great input from all my diabetic buddies here, I will make an educated decision. It’s great to hear from you and thanks,
Karla
Michael, you may have convinced me. The data base is what I’m reading the most about when it comes to choice of pump and like you, don’t know how good I’ll be about the carbs counting. I thought all pumps had that database but have seen the light here. Thanks,
Karla
Jerry,
I hear the battery with the Ping goes faster due to the remote that comes with it. That will be interesting but sounds like the Animas has served you well. I will be so very thankful if I can qualify for a pump. I’ve never been able to maintain any control over more than a couple of weeks due to other health issues that effect my diabetes so any pump at all will be better than the way I’ve been living since 2003. I hope I can have the correct labs then will look at the main pumps and see what feels right along with all the advice I’ve gotten here. I appreciate your taking the time to let me know about the Animas and how it’s served you.
Karla
Kyle, this really did help me. I know you’re angry at Omnipod and I don’t blame you but this really helped me. When I tried for a pump in 2007 (didn’t qualify) I had read about Omnidod and was so disappointed they didn’t service my area at that time. I was going to check and see if they now had my area but you answered all my questions about them. It really looked cool when I checked it out a couple of years ago but doesn’t sound like the perfect pump for you.
Karla
Sandy, read what all the Omnipod wearers are saying. Most of them are not happy. Best of luck
Where did you read Most Omni Pod pump wearers are unhappy with there Pumps. I have talked to several and they Love there Pump. Here is a Quote form Sugarbaby I have had the omnipod for almost 10 months and absolutely love it! 3 main things I love about it: 1. tubeless 2. waterproof 3. no need to disconnect. It has definitely helped me turn my diabetes care around. The pod is one of the most debated pumps out there. Most of the people who “bash” it haven’t even tried it. There are a few people that have tried it, but didn’t like it. It’s all about what fits into your lifestyle. The pod was definitely the choice for me, because it fits right into my lifestyle. It’s the only pump I have tried, so I have nothing to compare to. I could only imagine how many times I would snag the tube on doors or anything, and the fact you have to disconnect. As for sleeping, I do not even know it’s there. I have had it on my stomach, arm, and back…you can roll on it and everything and it won’t move. Best of luck with everything!
From Sam Jones to sugarrbabie
Sent 16 hours ago
How long have you been on the Omni Pod . I have read some very discouraging things about the Pod. But I can’t get away from the tube and having the pump tied to me 24/7 sleeping with it and getting tangled up in it.
Sam Jones
Its a matter of personal opinions. I think you should read about all of them as much of possible, see the pros and cons toward your needs. The positive and negative issues of one persons maybe are not the same for other.
I have had three pumps over the last 14 years. At this time in pump development most of the pumps have the same bells and whistles. Some offer real time blood glucose monitoring and others don’t. That is a different beast altogether. I have a Minimed with a Dexcom CGM. All pumps will do a good job of delivering your insulin. Perhaps more importantly is the initial training and support that you will get from the manufacturers rep in your area and it changes from place to place. It may also vary depending on your Doctor. Some Doctors require more training and local support that others. My Nephew had to take 40 hours of training for the same pump that I only had about 2 hours. It’s best to check with your Doctor and ask to talk to some of their pump users for feedback on training and company support.
Best of luck
TeJay
Karla:
really you cannot go wrong with those on the market right now. I really like my minimed because suplies are plentiful and operation is easy. Now I am not so exctied about using the minimed CGM, and the pump sort of drives the cgm later on.
rick phillips
TeJay,
Thanks for the insightful reply about pumps. I had come to the conclusion that I’d probably make a choice based on support. As you said, many have commented on support and it seems to vary by place. I had a problem a good while ago qualifying for Medicare to buy a pump for me so I called pump companies and asked for help with the labs as I had figured out what they were looking for. The only help I got was from Medtronic. They have been very helpful as I tested and encouraged me throughout so unless I really LOVE another pump over the MM, I will probably go with them due to the support system they seem to have in my area. The other ones called to sell me a pump but never got me any help and haven’t called since. That says a lot about after care to me. Thanks for your reponse.
Karla