My one year diaversary is coming up and I am considering celebrating with a new pump. I am 54, type 1/lada and currently 5.9 a1c. I use tujeo 8 units at night and roughly 6 units per day of humalog eating about 100 g carbs per day. I’m looking at t slim and omnipod. Meeting with tandem rep next week. I’ve hit my out of pocket max for the year, so the pump will essentially be free. Any thoughts/input on this decision? I am looking to get more precise dosing on the small tdd that I use. Also, I travel a lot, have business meals and meetings and I’m really sick of shooting up in the bathroom. I’ve had Dexcom G5 pretty much since dx.
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I highly recommend that you try each system before making the four-year commitment. If the pump company does not have a free trial, they will often take a pump back for full credit in the first 30 or 90 days. Whichever pump you choose, you’ll have to live with that decision for four years. At least that’s what most of us face; I have read that one member here can get insurance to pay for a new pump every year, but that’s unusual.
I’ve pumped for a long time and have gone through many different pump brands. I only had to bail on one pump brand in that time. Luckily I was on a $299 upgrade program and did not use insurance to buy the system. That allowed me to stop using the pump that failed me and get a more suitable one.
Especially since this is your first pump, I recommend a trial, even if it’s a purchase with a money back guarantee for a reasonable number of days. I don’t think 30 days is enough, try and get a 90-day money back agreement.
Good luck. You’ll find pumping to easily integrated into your work life. It’s convenient and discreet.
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T-slim is my first pump (37, LADA). I kind of love it partially due to size/looks, and mostly because it has worked so well for me. My A1c dropped from a 6.2 to a 5.6 with it.
I researched the heck out of the pumps I was offered, but really never questioned my decision. I thought about the omnipod, but having the pod on me seemed too bulky. I like that I can tuck the t-slim in my bra and no one can tell it is there. The tubing stays out of the way when it is there as well.
Good luck choosing a system!
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I know it’s not on your list, but I thought I’d share my thoughts on my Animas Ping. My TDD averages around 18 units. I love the Ping’s micro-dosing ability but that’s true of pretty much all pumps these days. However, the one reason I wouldn’t switch from the Ping is the ability to dose with the remote. Sometimes, I hide my pump away in places that can’t be reached in public and when I do, I’m so happy I can dose with the remote. I know the Omnipod is like that as well, but I wasn’t interested in that one, so it wasn’t even on my list.
My Accu-chek Spirit has the remote bolusing option. I only use it when I’m using the bolus calculator, but then, I always wear my pump on my right pocket.
Somehow I’ve never even heard of the Spirit before. Is it waterproof? That’s the other feature I love about the Animas pumps.
no it’s not. I know lots of Ping fans very much like that feature.
funny, when I started pumping over 25 years go, that was the deal breaker for me too! at the time, what has now become Accu-chek was the only waterproof pump. I remember my endo showing me a picture of a pump getting wet. I have no idea why they discarded that feature.
I’ve stayed with them because their customer service has been absolutely stellar. on several occasions, they’ve gone beyond the call of duty imo.
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My son is 13 and has been using the OmniPod system for nine and a half years. The smallest increments for both bolus and units of basal per hour is 0.05. This was a challenge when he started, but he was using less than 2u TDD at that time. Once he reached 4u TDD it became easier. If you are about about 14u, you should have no problem with that unless you are particularly insulin sensitive at certain overnight hours. I don’t know the specifics of the T Slim, but do know other pumps allow basal rates as low as 0.025 per hour.
These two pumps have very unique differences, which I would think make your decision pretty easy. The OmniPod’s biggest advantage is its tubelessness, but it has a somewhat clunky and simplistic controller. The T Slim has a super slick touch screen device, but is tubed. As Terry said, I think a trial run for each is a great idea. I think your personal priorities will make one a clear winner over the other.
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My daughter has had (very nearly) nothing but positive experiences with her OmniPod system. This was the obvious choice because tubing is a deal-breaker for her. (So much so that I doubt I’ll be able to convince her to use an AP until Insulet releases their Omni-version!) And Pods are as waterproof as all get-out, even when snorkeling or soaking in a long, hot bath.
I can’t compare the OmniPod system IRL with any other pumps because the only pump my daughter has ever used is the OmniPod.
If I were to become diagnosed with T1D (and my recent genetic analysis indicates that I have anywhere from a 9-fold to a 15-fold increased risk of developing T1D during my life), I think I’d also go with the OmniPod. I suspect that with a tubed pump, I’d be snagging the tubing on something a bazillion times a day. And priming a Pod doesn’t get any easier.
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@MarieB, the Spirit is actually MORE waterproof than the earlier Accu-Chek (originally Disetronic) models and technically just as waterproof as the Animas (IPX-8, I believe). However, the folks at Roche choose to describe their pump as “watertight”.
FWIW, I have been in pools and the ocean with all my Accu-Chek (originally Disetronic) Pumps and have never had an issue (not always intentionally, BTW, LOL!)
The earlier versions were IPX-7.
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I have always had good success with Medtronic but the truth is all pumps are fairly evenly matched. It’s hard to make a bad decision. If you like a feature then that pump will usually do a good job. I agree with Terry, try it out and see how it feels. If you do not care for it, move on. My bet is the first one you try out will be a keeper. But not always.
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I also have been using the Accu-chek spirit combo and the disetronic before that for about 16 years. Never had an issue and customer service has been great. I believe they say this pump is slightly less expensive if that is an issue. Unfortunately for me, I am going to have to start getting my pump supplies from Edgepark, thanks to the Uhc/Medtronic deal. But that’s another story.
I got the T:Slim G4 in November of last year. I did a lot of research before I talked to my endo. I had it down to the T:Slim or the Aminas Vibe. I have problems with CGM not being agreeing with my meter. My endo insists I wear it, so I knew I’d get a pump that had the CGM in it. I wasn’t going to upgrade to the G5 when she suggested I get a pump.
I didn’t get to try the T:Slim, I just got it. I had a few problems with insets. Once I figured out which one worked for me and how much insulin I needed to put into the cannula I was set.
Unlike most my A1C hasn’t gone down, it was at a number both me and my endo are happy with when I was using the syringe and it hasn’t changed with the pump. But it’s easier letting the pump figure out how much insulin I need to take 
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My exact reasons too for not going with Omnipod. I’ve had both Medtronic and now tSlim, and both of them I just tuck the pump inside my bra, and the tubing is no hassle whatsoever. Nothing bulky at all poking out.
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Any pump can result in difficulties with infusion sets, and taking time to find a set that works well for you. That is the nice thing about tSlim though, its not a proprietary system and there are so many different kinds of infusion sets you can use with it. Medtronic, you can only use their infusion sets and Omnipod well there is no choice at all, its all in the pod.
I don’t understand “The OmniPod is too bulky” statements. I have worn an OmniPod and I have held other brands of pumps in my hands while we were deciding which pump to get. A Pod is clearly smaller than a tubed insulin pump. It is a little thicker, but its “footprint” is definitely smaller.
Not trying to sound defensive; different pumps for different PWDs and all that. I just have never understood why people describe Pods as “bulky” compared to tubed pumps.
Hi @Sweetpee2!
Before I make any suggestions regarding the pump, I just want to say congratulations on making it through your first year with such an healthy attitude and fantastic a1c! Yes! You should definitely “celebrate” and I think that getting an insulin pump an awesome idea.
I’ve been a type 1 for 4.5 years now, and I got my Animas OneTouch Ping pump about a year after my diagnosis. I love pumping and have never looked back. For me, the selling points at that time were the remote bolusing option, and the fact that it was waterproof and I was working as a lifeguard.
Now the t:slim isn’t available in Canada so I’ve never even had the option to see one in person let alone try it out, but after extensive research through their website and user reviews, it looks like a really solid piece of tech 
You said you already use a Dexcom and I know Tandem has the integrated system so that might be a plus for you. And if you’re at all into fancy high tech looking stuff then this is well beyond any other pump on the market right now.
As for the Omnipod, it’s something that I briefly considered but decided against for a few reasons.
1.) I’m a young female and I often wear snug fitting clothing. Once you have put the pod in place, you don’t have the option of moving it elsewhere to better fit with what you’re wearing. This is an option I have with a tubed pump because I didn’t want a large lump protruding from under my clothes.
2.) If for whatever reason you are separated from the PDM meter, you have no control over your insulin dosing. The basal will continue but you cannot execute a food bolus or correct for a high blood sugar.
3.) If the pod fails, then you have wasted upwards of 300 units of insulin. Depending on your insurance, that could be quite a bit of money down the drain.
This being said, I do believe (and correct me if I’m wrong) that the Omnipod is considerably cheaper than other versions. I can see why it is attractive to some people and especially little kids who are very on the go.
Have you looked at any other pumps? I’m due for an upgrade soon but I’m holding out to see what Medtronic comes up with in the next year or so. If you haven’t heard the rumours, they are in the process of releasing a hybrid-closed-loop system which, in my humble opinion would be revolutionary in the world or type 1 diabetes. It may even convince me to leave behind my beloved Animas pump. 
My advice would be to do some really thorough research, weigh the pros and cons, and if possible, try out a few of the different brands.
I really hope that you enjoy pumping and that it works as well for you as it does for me.
-Hanna
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But my Ping isn’t stuck directly to my body. It is attached, but I can move it around and disconnect temporarily.
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I feel like my dexcom sensor is too noticeable under my jeans and leggings (enough so people ask), so having another bump to deal with was just not my cup of tea. My girls are large enough that the tslim clips right in between and you can’t see it.
I don’t correct while I’m teaching, and everyone I work with in the department is used to me reaching inside my shirt at lunch, so it doesn’t bother me. However, it can clip to my skirt/pants if I know we will be out or hosting an outside prof, so I switch it up occasionally.
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oh gee thanks Mike, I am embarrassed to say I didn’t know that. I just remember putting that little red collar on the Disetronic Htron before going swimming or putting it in the “shower bag” back in the 80s, before the advent of infusion sets that could be unhooked.