Hey everyone. I’m not a pumper yet but i am considering getting a pump soon.
i just want to know the different pump brands(?), i know the Minimed of Medtronic, the Deltec Cozmo, the one touch ping & animas 2020 of Animas, and the omnipod. are there any other pumps out there? i need to know about them all to take the right decision.
if its not too much, i want you to answer some questions:
which pump are you using?
have you used any other pumps or is it your first one? if yes can you compare them both?
how long have you been using it?
what are the advantages and disadvantages of it?
You can take the Deltec Cozmo off your short list. The parent company (Smiths Medical) is exiting the diabetes business. (There are plenty of other discussions going on right now about this very topic.)
This is a bummer for me, as I am currently using a Cozmo. I’d be glad to offer my glowing review of the pump, but it hardly seems necessary, given that it’s no longer available. I’ve been pumping for a little over a year, and my Cozmo is the only pump I’ve ever had.
Hi Sara, all insulin pumps do the same. I am T1D since 34 years and use a Minimed paradigm real time (722) since Nov 2008 and I feel very confortable and happy with it. These pump can also work as a continuos blod glucose sensor with an aditional transmiter and also works as an insulin pump. I read a bout COZMO and they anounce that are going to not manufacture COZMO pumps so I be carefull if you plan to use or buy one of those, please see:
I saw this on another list. As of March 25th, Smiths Medical will no longer be
selling Cozmo pumps. They will honor the warranty on all existing pumps and will
continue to make cartridges & infusion sets available.
Make a couple of clicks on google and you can find lots of information see for example here
When you find the pump that you like tray to do a “TEST DRIVE” before buy it, some times selling representatives and endos can help with these, and It would be good to clarify your expectatives regarding the use of the REAL thing !!
Sarah, I’m not sure how many pumps there are out there. But… your list pretty close, if not complete.
I use the Omnipod, and this is the first pump I’ve ever used. When I was searching for the right one, this is the first one I wanted to have a trial of. After my 3 days of wearing it, I told my Endo that i wanted that one, and that I didn’t want to try any other, because I knew that it was the best for me. I have been using it for almost 4 months.
The Omnipod’s advantages: NO TUBES!!! this is the biggest thing, for me. Because I’m not hooked up to a machine or anything, i don’t feel “different”, “sick”, or even like I have a disease. I truly believe that the Omnipod will make you feel the most normal. nothing on your waistband, no tubes under your clothes. it just doesn’t feel like a medical device. plus, despite non-omnipod users believing that the pods are huge and noticeable, i’ve NEVER had anyone notice my pods. i’m able to hide them well. plus, they’re not THAT big. i think i heard that they’re making them even smaller, too. Another advantage = the upfront cost is SOO much cheaper. $800 (omnipod) vs $5,000-$6,000 (other pumps, normally). i was pretty sure that the pods are the same price as the tubing and stuff of the other pumps, but i’ve heard people say that it is more expensive with the omnipod. however… with the huge upfront difference, it will even out over the years, probably (so i’ve heard… my endo seemed to think that the omnipod was cheaper… but i’ll trust the users who know more!).
basically… i just absolutely LOVE the Omnipod. it has changed my life, allowed me to feel like a normal teen, and kept me healthier (my A1c after starting the Omnipod was 5.6).
the no-tubes and smaller upfront cost are just 2 of its benefits. there are so many… but those are probably on the same level as the other pumps. OH! i remembered another one. their costumer service is amazing! they refund you when pods don’t work… and they ship them out without extra cost. that’s awesome!
i hope you are able to find the pump that best fits your lifestyle!
I like my minimed paradigm 722. The pump is fantastic. The CGM ? Well its ok, I recently learned my transmitter may have been funky, so I will wait for my new one before I pass summary judgement.
Minimed 522
First one, for 5 years
Advantages, they are the monster in the industry, they will always have the newest developments (even if they do seem to come very slowly). Another advantage is their local staff of CDE’s and nutritionists who have always been great to work with.
Disadvantages - their Carelink software could be a lot better, and probably will be once CGMS sensors become more common
They’re fine. I have no special loyalty to them, but they’re fine. My pumps have always been very reliable, only only a handful of infusion sets and reservoirs have not worked, out of hundreds.
Hey Sarah…I have been on the Omnipod a month or so. It took me 5 years to commit, but I stuck that bad boy on and have not looked back. I never minded as many MDI’s as my snacking habits needed, but I am finding this to be a lot easier. You do have to test a lot, which conversely, I thought I’d mind, and am finding that I do not. You test and bolus accordingly by playing with a hand held techie thingie…so much more hip than shots, even with a pen. You have to have your PDM with you always which is to me like having your meter and supplies with you. If you’ve already gotten that down, this is not an issue. I was worried also about commiting to the site for 3 days…wearing the pod in the same spot. No one has noticed that I am aware of but you know what?..I find I don’t care as much about that as I thought I would. I even tried on a bathing suit the other day and it showed way less than I think will worry me between the stretch and the print of the fabric. I usually wear mine on my belly at waist height or higher but this time I placed it on my side at my waist and it was fine there as well. I can sleep on my back or tummy or the other side. I love the tubeless feature so for now the Omnipod is the one for me…I have a feeling that the novelty and control one gets (ideally) from pumping makes which ever one suits you at the time you commit perfect for you as well. Do some research on past blogs, but most people seem to love whatever they’ve got. Good luck.
first of all"actually there are other pumps like DEXON and AMIGO and SPIRIT but the ones you said are the leaders and mainly the best
-well,i am not a pumper yet but i well be soon > i red alot about them and i liked ping the most but its not available in my area
-there are comparisons in the site the others have wrote,basiclly the things you would like to look for are the water resistent and others depending on your needs as "(if you are not a swimmer or you are not contacted with water more often you should overlook that feature maybe)
didnt use it yet /, i am DT1 for two months
-the advantages depends on your needs as i said before
i think you really should think about the availabelity of the pumps in your area so you dont get in the same situation i have been in(thinking that any pump is avalable)
Hello Sarah ,
I use the Minimed 722 i have been using this for about a month now and this insulin pump is great .This pump is very easy to use and the company has a very good reputation .Cost wise it is expensive but you have to look at the health advantages good luck .
Hello Sarah,
I’ll answer your questions first. I am not using a pump yet but I too am looking into which one I want to get so I am on here reading stuff that current pumpers are saying so your topic is awesome, so thank you. I have been diabetic for 21.5 years and after years of putting off getting one, am finally going to get a pump. I have tried the omnipod as a trial and it was great but after a few days, I found that the weight of it (although it’s not much) started to bug my attachment site, made that area tender and I seemed to catch it a lot when taking off my shirt or walking in tight areas. I am now trying the Ping (even as I write this) and am finding that I can easily run the tube in my pants to just hang there and am not catching the pump near as much even just clipped on my belt. The other great thing about it I have found is the Calorie King that is on it. I haven’t used it yet like I said but I feel it will be a great asset if I get this one. Also I heard (and will call the rep on this) that you can also add your own foods you like or eat often. Last thing is what S@ya said, make sure it is one you can get a lot of help with if there is problems and also available in your area. Keep us updated on which you choose and good luck.
Tyrell Clark
Chalk up another very satisfied OmniPod user. I’ve been on it a year and I can’t express in words how much of a difference in my life it has made. I’m a 20-year Type I but the tubes of pumps always turned me off (way off). The OmniPod was love at first site.
Some people will report problems with adhesion (keeping it stuck on) or finding a good placement for it, but there are viable solutions to just about all of them. Of coure each person’s body is different so you really just have to try it. They will send you a dummy pod to wear for a few days, and if you go through the approval you have a 45-day trial period. So there is really nothing to lose by trying.
The OmniPod is a game-changing technology; while not for everyone I truly believe its basic design is the future of insulin pumps. I love what it has done for my life!
