Im currently on MDI and I’m considering a pump. I finally decided that I liked the Asante Snap the best, only to discover that it wasn’t available in my area. So the two choices below that are the Omnipod and the t-slim and I can’t decide between the two. I really like the tubeless aspect of the Omnipod, but I’ve read so much about various pod failures that I’m really hesitant. The t-slim looks pretty snazzy, but will I hate the tubing? Will I have a hard time finding an infusion set that works for me (not a lot of body fat)?
Does anyone have any input regarding these two pumps?
I can't provide any useful advice other than to recommend that you try, as best as you can, to do a demo. Even if they only let you pump saline, I think you would still learn a lot about your personal preferences. Could your doctor or his staff (CDE?) help you with that?
People differ. Some, such as myself, don't really mind the tubing. In fact I prefer having it there in some ways. It makes it easy to find the pump if it's shifted to some unknon place while you were sleeping. ;-)
But those who do not like tubing tend to really loath it. So if you try, you'll probably know pretty quick where you stand. And I think women tend to have more problems with it simply because they have different considerations of dress when it comes to figuring out where to carry a pump and route the tubing.
Hi Elena, I actually did a paid research on the t-slim for 3 hours & did testing etc. It looks like a wonderful pump. Does everything but talk to you. Lots of bells and whistles that the omnipod does not have. I think it would be a smarter choice. I've been wearing a mini-med for 6 years now and the tubing is not really that bad. You would get use to it. You will love being on the pump as apposed to multiple shots. Much better control. Good luck with which ever you choose & keep in touch. Let us know how you are doing.
The Animas pump is good. I like the Ping. I am on my second Ping and love it. Am also considering the VIBE with the technology of the G4 built in. Am not quite decided on that as I am not sure how I feel about the two devices being coupled together. I am not sure I want a pump with the CGM built in for various reasons.
My first few pumps were Medtronic. Then I started with the Animas 1250 and worked my way up - so to speak. The Ping with the remote meter allows you to bolus from your meter - which is a huge plus if you conceal your pump.
The tubing really is not a big problem for me. Have thought about the Omipod but then my insurance would not cover it.
Have heard great things about the Tslim. Maybe they can send you one to try out.
I used the T-slim for a couple years and my overall review would be that it seems to do its job (it delivers insulin, but they all do that), it looks "cooler" than any of the other pumps, but the tediously slow loading process drove me bananas! The touch screen worked fine, but for me it was not a selling a point- just a different way to input information. What it did offer that was above average was/is it's watertight rating, which is one of the key reasons why I switched to it in the first place. As to your concern about tubing and infusion sets, the tubing comes with a learning curve, but after a few weeks it becomes second nature and you'll hardly notice it (except when naked). There is also a big selection of infusion sets available (a huge selling point over Medtronic's proprietary stuff), and so while it can take some trial and error it shouldn't be hard to find a set (or sets) that worked well for you, especially if you incorporate other sites- legs, lower back, etc.
I haven't used the Omnipod so I can't offer a fair comparison, but if I knew what I know now, and had a chance to choose between the Tslim and the Omnipod, I would start with the Omnipod and only if I didn't like it would I test the Tslim. My insurance will "buy" a pump only every 4 years (standard), but the Omnipod doesn't count towards that because its... different. (Sorry, I don't know the insurance words, but somehow the Omnipod is considered disposable goods or something because you keep throwing away the pods, so it doesn't trigger the same "4 year" limit that a standard pump does.) Hedging my bets, I would start with the Omnipod since I think if it didn't work well it would be easier to get insurance to cover something else later, versus starting with a traditional pump that would come with the expectation that I used it for 4 years. I can't confirm this for sure, insurance companies being as vague as they are, but this is what I've managed to piece together in a way that the poor insurance agents don't discount as immediately wrong when I call and ask questions.
Hmm, that's an interesting thought! I know my insurance covers the Omnipod, but I don't know that category that they consider it (DME, pharmacy, whatever).
I don't really care about the waterproof-ness of whatever pump I use, I don't swim or do any kind of water sports. But I do care about how I look naked, LOL. I'm just not sure I'd want to deal with the tubing.
OmniPod rocks for exactly this reason. You don’t have to be a swimmer to appreciate not having to disconnect every time you shower/bathe. The “diabetes supply caddy” in my daughter’s closet has 7 drawers and holds EVERYTHING (including Dexcom supplies) because we don’t have to deal with space-hogging infusion sets. The OmniPod isn’t perfect, but neither is any one particular pump.
I just started pumping with the Omnipod this morning so I can't speak to your choices. However, I have known or awhile that if I started pumping and I could get the Omnipod, that would be the way to go. With my Dexcom, the tubing-less option was the most appealing. The choices of insertion sites for the Omnipod was also appealing in that I share my body real estate with the Dex.
Thanks for all the input! The more I think about it, the more I am leaning toward the Omnipod. I think overall either pump would be good for delivering insulin more precisely than the pen, and as a newbie, I can't get over the idea of wearing tubing.
Let me tell you my experience in the 5 hours that I have been pumping...a breeze to put in the crabs in my PDM and the PDM figured out my coverage for the food AND the correction. One button push and insulin is in me. I have been in the 90's the whole morning. THAT is a first!
Linny, I'm happy to hear that you're enjoying your OmniPod! If you encounter any issues/problems, tudiabetes has the most incredibly helpful bunch of Pod People willing and eager to offer advice.
Omnipod here for 5 years and its a fantastic device. Honestly, I haven’t had a pod failure in years. I used to get them when I first got the system but they have came a long way. You will not be disappointed.
I’ve used both tubed pumps (Minimed) and Omnipod extensively. For me, the Omnipod wins hands down. Not having to worry about tubing and connecting, reconnecting etc. makes it all worthwhile. While I think tubed pumps are excellent as well, I just don’t think I could ever go back. I’ve had virtually no issues with my Omnipod and I love the flexibility it gives me as well to wear on the back of my arms, my calves etc. Good luck with your decision!!
Just switched to the Omnipod from t-slim. I was happy with my t-slim but now that I’ve switched, I LOVE the no tubing aspect of the Omnipod. I do miss the iPhone like user interface of the t-slim compared to the almost pager looking Omnipod controller, but I could not go back to tubing. It’s also really nice that the Omnipod controller has a glucose meter included with it. I’ve gone from a Medtronic MiniMed to t-slim to Omnipod and could not be happier.
I am a former Minimed pumper(16 years) switched to omni pod 4 months ago and my rep advised the Dexcom . Well I did my research and decided I would do both. I can’t imagine going back to the long cords and the weight if carrying that pump on my pants again, nothing wrong with the Minimed pump at all other than the cord and their CGM is not even close to accurate, and the pain of incertion. Tried two versions of the CGM no luck for me, have a patient that tried to and his wife found him at home passed out( I’m a RN) . Me and him have different pumps now but both believe in the Dexcom. Omni pods have been great for me. I just last week got my new A1C down from my embarrassing 9.3 to 7.2 and I was not surprised due because omni pod changed my habits. You see when I was wearing the pump I had I wasn’t carrying my BS monitor with me like I should , my bad for sure and no excuses, but omni pod needs you to have your PDM with you at all times, so I now organized myself , the PDM is also your BS machine so no more leaving it in my car or out of my reach. Before you think what a pain it’s easy with Tslim and tube pumps to just give yourself a dose in how you feel or guessing because your eating and not take your blood sugar, but I can’t dose myself without the PDM now and if it’s out minds well take my BS. Hope this makes since, I was lazy about it, again my fault. You either have good plans in place already or try something new , if you are already good with your diabetes then any of the pumps are great. I just had to change myself.
I use the Omnipod and am very happy with it. If you’re worried about failures, you can always try the “tethered” approach, whereby you still inject your basal and use the pod for only bolus and corrections. I’ve been trialing Tresiba and doing this very successfully the last several weeks. I was out of town, and lo and behold, it was 3 AM when my pod failed. Not relying on it for basal allowed me to shut it off, roll over and go back to sleep.
I love the Omnipod but my insurance doesn’t cover it the way they cover tubes pumps, so even at 15% copay, it’s still $75+ a month. The T-Slim is going to cost $50 or less. I’m already paying a lot for my dexcom sensors, so I switched to a tuned pump in order to save money. I’d rather have dexcom data than a tubeless pump
So the two choices below that are the Omnipod and the t-slim and I can’t decide between the two. I really like the tubeless aspect of the Omnipod, but I’ve read so much about various pod failures that I’m really hesitant. The t-slim looks pretty snazzy, but will I hate the tubing? Will I have a hard time finding an infusion set that works for me (not a lot of body fat)?