I’m a Type 1 (40 yrs.) Currently using Lantus/Humalog regimen and have never pumped.
I count carbs and test and dose as needed.
I experienced a “hypo” episode and awoke to find myself in the hospital.
So that said, I decided to teach the “Old Dog” some “new tricks”.
I have been using the Dexcom Seven+ CGM and am pleased so far. (3 weeks and counting)I’m aware that Omnipod/Insulet and Animas are supposed to be working with Dexcom on an interface for their pumps, but time will tell and see where these associations lead to.
The research I’ve done leads me to the Omnipod (new version) that will ship in June.
The Animas Ping was the other option I’d considered but tubeless was the deal maker/breaker.
I know from my “due diligence” that ultimately each of us are unique and certain features/benefits will be what brings us to our decisions.
So the discussion/question is:
The Omnipod won’t be available until June, so any advice, ideas or concerns that I might have overlooked would be appreciated as I have time to make a change.
Get a Medtronic Minimed pump with tube and then upgrade to there tubeless when it comes out in a year or so. I think their tubeless pump will be much better than the Omnipod and the Omnipod is pretty good.
If you decide on the pod, definitely wait so you can get the new PDM. The color screen is supposed to be great. I have not yet ordered the new PDM. Funds are low.
Have you worn the sample pod yet? I tried one, and I didn’t like it all… the pod itself is almost the size of a regular pump (it is in fact, the same thickness of the Animas Ping!). I found it to be too bulky and uncomfortable to really make it a possibility for me.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the concept is great, and the tubeless aspect is nice for a lot of people, as is the ease of insertion (no sets to worry about, it inserts the catheter automatically), and the start up cost is definitely much better than a traditional pump, but I quickly decided that as the system is right now, it is not for me - it would limit my possible sites too much. When you wear a tubed pump, you can not only choose where to insert the infusion set (which is very tiny) but you can also choose where the pump will "fit"best so it isn’t in the way (clipped at your waist, in a pocket, worn in a belt pack, a thigh thing, etc)… you’re not limited by where you happened to stick the set. You can even take the pump completely off for a little while if you need to.
I am a former pumper and I didn’t quit because I disliked the tubing. I had a ton of trouble getting sites to stay stuck to me… but after 3 years of MDI I’m really starting to miss it I’m pretty sure that I’m going to go with the Animas Ping, but I’m sort of trying to hold out a few months to see if any of the “big” companies make any announcements over the summer, since it may be worth having a better idea of what is coming before deciding.
The “tubeless” feature is what I liked.
Not having pumped (ever) and wearing the Dexcom Seven+ currently seems like it would be simpler and if the dexcom interfaces with the Pod down the round maybe … One PDM device , the pod and the dexcom sensor.
MM is the leader but “newbies” like me have to find their way and if I stay with my choice and it doesn’t work for me, the MM pump and CGM option were approved by my insurance.
I’ll have to second Sarah’s comments about the size of the pod. Or the trial pod, at least. But then, I’m a fairly small boned woman who often wears clothes that are cut close to my frame (as women’s clothes are prone to be designed) so the largeness of the pod was noticeable on me.
I’ve found that with my Animas Ping I can put the infusion set just about anywhere and the pump is small enough to hang out in my pocket. It’s a good little pump, and so far I have no complaints with it.
If you’re looking for tubeless, and arent’ put off by the pod’s size then I would have to say that it is your best bet. You don’t mention it in your post, but have you gone to meet with a diabetes educator/pump trainer yet? My diabetes educator was more than happy to have me come in to test all the pump that are currently on the market and show me what the infusion sets are like before I even made my final pump decision.
I use the Omnipod, for me is an excellent choice. I wear it on the back of my arm, abdomen and you can wear it in other places. Works great for me. You can order a demo kit here:
That way you can test how it feels before buying like Sarah did, it’s all a matter of personal opinion and comfort. Just order the demo, put it on and that will help you decide if its for you or not. It has an integrated freestyle glucometer, so no need to carry additional package for testing.
Sarah-
Thanks for your input.
I have tried the sample- I pretty much forgot it was there.
Not having pumped, my site choices are in relatively good shape and the Ping is on my short list.
.
I don’t have the Pod yet.
Shipment of the new version are scheduled for June
I still have options.
I had tried all of that… even mastisol and skin-tac (not togehter) and using anti-persperant first… I was lucky to get a full 24 hours out of any site. Hypafix (tape) would usually hold them down, but that tape made me itch and get a rash, just like the sets themselves did (I’ve under-taped all my sets since I started pumping for that reason) The root of my issue was just that I was sweating too much (I was nursing at the time, and all that extra prolactin can make you sweat a lot too). Since my youngest has weaned, I’ve noticed it isn’t as bad now… I’ve been using some old infusion sets to inject into and they seem to be sticking just fine… for now. It isn’t super hot yet here, and I am outside a lot, so the real test will be to see how well they stay then.
Tegaderm HP always worked much better for me than the IV-3000 under my sets… plus I found it easier to apply and the rounded shape didn’t peel up around the edges as much… the IV-3000 would begin to peel up after just a few hours.
Thankfully I do “pretty well” on MDI - I really want to get back to pumping since as my kids get older, I find myself with more of an unpredictable schedule, and it would be nice to run temp basals and go play at the park and whatnot when they want to, rather than having to make sure I eat first to hopefully not go low.
I am an “old dog” with new tricks. 55 years with type 1 and a few years ago, before CGM came out went on the pump. Had numerous of lows and went through a “breaking-in” stage…then last year got the CGM. I went with Minimed because the CGM is incorporated within the pump and your meter too, One Touch, also talks to the pump. You only have to wear the pump, which is great. My A1c’s went from above 9% to 6.2%. I never thought I could learn all the new technology but had a wonderful Minimed Rep and the support of the endo. PA. Also the 800 help line and pump school on line is excellent. If your insurance does cover everything, like mine does…you definitely have to go with it. Working on the theory that your body does not only need insulin at mealtimes, the pump replicates a pancreas much better, using infusion of insulin all the time (at rates and levels that you can individualize). Counting carbs is excellent too.
Good luck. it does work !!!
Sheila
Me too…love the MM. Have you tried their CGM - EXCELLENT. I absolutely would hate to be without it. To know where your BG is going at every second of the day and all the alarms when you are going low are wonderful. My A1c went from above 9 to 6.2 since wearing the pump. I am 55 years with type 1 and still working a 10 hour day. The CGM is incorporated in the pump so unlike Dexacon you don;t have to wear another devise. Just a small transmitter.
Check it out
Sheila
Dave, I thought with the MM you had only 1 choice of infusion set??? You mention 2 kinds here or am I not following? When I looked at the set compare charts it shows MM as Proprietary so maybe that is where I thought they had only one kind. Set me straight!
Hi Fred,
I was on the Omnipod from November until February, but then switched to the MM522. I am actually one of a few at my Endo Center who have switched from the Omnipod (at least, according to my Endo and my Research Coordinator).
I didn’t have the best of luck with the Omnipod, however, many people have had good experiences. If I can offer any advice, load up on static guard during the winter! Before I switched to the MM I ended up not only having to wrap my PDM in Dryer Sheets (one of the Insulet Reps told me this trick), but I also had to spray my clothes with static guard. It did seem to help a bit, but I still had a lot of alarms from static. I lost a lot of Pods and insulin from it.
Other then the major static issue, the other thing I did not like was that you could not change the tone of alarms (on the MM you can make the alarms quiet, or vibrate). When a pod alarms, you definitely can’t miss it (it is louuuddd, and screechy). Slightly embarrassing when it goes off in public!
I won’t push the MM or any other pump, as I do believe it is a very personal choice. However, don’t overlook other pumps simply because of the ‘tubing’ aspect. I will be honest, I was nervous about switching from the Omnipod to a ‘tube’ pump. I didn’t know what it would be like. Once I started, I realized how small of an issue the tubing really was. I actually feel like I have less on me now, then I did when I was on the Pod(and I now can do sites in areas I wouldn’t have tried on the Pod).
The other thing I like about the MM is the data keeping. I love Carelink for uploading my pump data. It is really a cool system, and your Endo can view it if you are having issues.
Anyway, I wish you the best of luck with the Omnipod! I like the look of their new PDM, the color screen will be a hit, I am sure!
The Omnipod seems like a good option since it’s tubeless but make sure your insurance covers it first. It now costs $1700 for the PDM and $500 a month for the pods. I just found out my insurance doesn’t cover and that’s too much for me to handle on my own. Will have to try another alternative.
I’m pretty sure that I’m going to go with the Animas Ping, but I’m sort of trying to hold out a few months to see if any of the “big” companies make any announcements over the summer, since it may be worth having a better idea of what is coming before deciding.