Insulin pump upgrade advice

Diabetes Technology Insulin Pumps
21

There is only one pump out currently in the latest generation and that’s the Medtronic 640G (hypo prevention by changing basal to avoid hypo’s). Everything else is just old tech from the previous generation that is due to be upgraded. Thus going for any of the older pumps currently at the moment will if anything just infuriate you more when they get upgraded and you are stuck for 3-4 years on older tech.

CGM wise I have a G4, not interested in the G5 as the sensors are the same. And until it works with the majority of telephone kit it’s of little use to me. Having older tech pumps just so I can get it to talk to the G4 I considered but considered it a backwards step at this point in time.

As it all stands though I’m in the same situation as you are at the moment, my old pump is now out of warranty and I can choose what I like. Issue is there isn’t a pump I want at the moment, although do fancy the 670G (like the 640G but has hyper prevention also) which is what I’m currently holding out for (after discussions with the Medtronic rep), or a competitor which can do what it can do, or what the 640G can do at the very least.

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Thank you for the information, after your post I did more research on the 640G. It does seem like a good option, but not so useful if I can’t wear the sensors. I didn’t look too much into it before because I am pretty set on using the Dexcom CGM. I have had problems with Medtronic’s CGM and am hesitant on choosing Medtronic again when I have the sensors but don’t wear them. My current Medtronic minimed has been out of warranty for over a year so I don’t think I can hold out until 2017 for the 670G either (if I was confident with the CGM). I think I’m going to go with the Dexcom to try something different and hopefully see better results (better accuracy and increased wearability). At least I will be able to compare my personal experiences with each and in another four years there should be some impressive technology to choose from and I’ll be able to make a more informed decision based on my preferences. I meet with my endo tomorrow so I’ll get his input too before deciding for sure. It’s exciting but nerve-wracking! I don’t want my pump to be outdated, but even if I chose Medtronic again it would be outdated in a year. This is life in our world I guess!

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23

Hi Nicole, Are you on disability? I am and my warranty is good for 5 years. I am disability because I have a lot of auto-immune diseases. If you are and have medicare, your warranty is good for 5 years. My warranty will be up this next fall and I will get the next upgraded pump. What is CGM pumps? I have only been on the minimed. I am just curious.

Wendy

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Hi Wendy! I am not on disability, I just had a terrible time with my insurance last year. I switched jobs, and my insurance went from covering everything to practically covering nothing. I had to pay out of pocket to see my specialist, so I only went once last year. Luckily I got a new job and have good insurance again. My warranty was for 4 years, which was up last year. The CGM and the pump are two separate devices, the pump itself and the CGM (continuous glucose monitor). I have only been on Medtronic as well, but am going to give the TSlim a try which is a pump made by Tandem.

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Hi Nicole! Thanks for the information. I haven’t had a CGM. I have heard about them recently with having an Iphone. I do have an Iphone, I just haven’t checked into CGM. Good luck with the TSlim. I am going to have to check that out myself before my warranty runs out. Take care.

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Nicole, my warranty ran out on my minimed back in November and I struggled with similar decision as you. I was thinking of going with integrated CGM from Medtronic, but really had struggled using their CGM in previous years. Ended up just replacing my Medtronic revel with another revel and went with the Dexcom G5 and using my iPhone as the receiver. ABSOLUTELY love it!!! Works so well, easy to calibrate and so accurate. Love it! Best advance for me in years!!

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27

I have been pumping insulin for over 20 years. Started with Medtronic, then Omnipod and now trying Animas Vibe. I would NEVER get the vibe again. I have a stand alone dexcom G4 that I love. I thought I would like having the built in CGM in the pump, but it has not worked out like I thought for the following reasons. 1. The algarhythm (sp?) is older in the pump cgm, causing different readings sometimes. 2. The Vibe beeps/vibrates at me and won’t shut up, especially in the night when I am sleeping (I have treated the bs problem, but it continues to annoy me when I just need more time for bs to get corrected.
It is a lot more inconvenient to look at, clipped on my waistband, than the free standing one.
It also beeps/vibrates when blood sugar is rising or falling too quickly–even though it evens out for me and no action is needed.

I no longer use the CGM feature on the pump now–using only the freestanding Dexcom.

And considering going back to Omnipod–not impressed with Animas like I thought I would be.
Some data (paid for by Animas) showed it to be more reliable on dosing than Omnipod, but I’ve seen no improvement in blood sugars, so not sure that is the problem.

Also, if you mess up your set–accidently catch it on clothing, etc., it doesn’t look like Animas is too prone to replace it–I told them I messed up a set due to new user error on pulling out the introducer needle, and they said they would replace it THIS time…

The Omnipod is more user friendly, IMO, and you can see your corrections to high BS very easily, and your total history for days, by a touch of a button, and that’s not available on the Animas.

I am also finding that there aren’t as many places on my body to apply the Animas sets, due to the difficulty in being able to see the set to pull out introducer needle–on your back, etc. Omnipods can be slapped on anywhere since there is no introducer needle. I’m older, but extremely active. I play competitive tennis 3-4 times a week.

I am trying to be patient and continue with this pump, as there is a learning curve for any new pump, but I’ve never had a new pump experience as frustrating as this has been for me.

On another note, My cousin’s son has had an Animas ping as his first pump and loves it.

I hope the trials and tribulations that I’ve had at least help you make an informed decision. Obviously, there are lots of happy Animas pumpers out there.
And Obviously, the jury is still out for me.

So, I may have a Animas Vibe to sell, if that’s even possible, we will see.
Good luck in your decision. I do love the Dexcom CGM G4–had it for 3 years and can’t
imagine life without it now! The G4 transmitter battery life will die slowly, while the G5 just stops. I confirmed this with the Dexcom rep. I believe the G4 lasts for 6 months and the G5 is
90 days if I recall–price is about half for the G5 vs G4.

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For competitive tennis, I can see how the Vibe could get in the way, where the Pod is just “there” - though in my case (I don’t play tennis), I think I’d sweat enough to make the Pod fall off no matter where it was – did that once cycling. I’m wondering if I would just disconnect for a tennis match, to make things simpler. I found the to feel more like a burden, though, while using it. Infusion sets feel weightless.

I do maintain a calibrated Dexcom receiver in addition to the Vibe. In my experience so far, the Vibe is more ‘off’ than the the receiver with the newer algorithm when m BG is rising or falling; however, there are many times when the Vibe is a lot closer to my meter than the receiver. This morning, for instance, Vibe said 68, receiver was 63 - meter reading was 70; after calibration, Vibe said 67 and receiver said 60! The new algorithm seems to err on the low side,which can be safer, I suppose, but can result in a a lot of false hypo warnings. I still like the receiver for the louder alarms and because it’s the Share receiver so I pair it with a phone and a watch.

I agree with you on the G4 vs G5 question – I am quite pleased with the G4 and do not want the shorter-battery-life iPhone-specific G5 (I have an Android phone). My last G4 transmitter was still going strong when I changed it after a full year. (I was seeing breaks in the traces and suspected a weaker battery – not sure that was it, though.)

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We certainly agree on the G4 V’s G5–I really don’t understand why they have changed it, do you? I’m very unclear on that.

As for the Vibe, I can’t disconnect while playing as I need 40% of my nasal rate and sometimes more because when all the hormones and adrenalin kick in, sometimes I need additional insulin.

Also I think everyone needs to be aware that Animas oumps don’t like cold weather, or really hot weather. It has said “no delivery and reprime” 2 times now while playing in cold weather. I cAlked Animas about it and they said it functions from 40-102 degrees. If it gets outside that parameter, it causes the insulin to back off and then pump senses something is wrong and shuts down. They explained it better than I am, but you get the idea. That means you have to disconnect, drop your drawers, depending on where you have set, and reprime and then refill cannula.
I’m putting a sock over it for tomorrow’s cold match and hoping for the best.
You can see why I’m not getting along too well with this new pump.:smile:
Has anybody else had temp problems with this pump?

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So far, temp issues have not come up for me – and temps were sub-zero here this week. I’d recommend keeping it as close to your body as possible in the cold. I’d probably still disconnect and correct with shots, but you know your needs best.

The G5 only communicates with bluetooth to phone or receiver, so the power requirements are higher than the low-power transmission of the G4. Dexcom was aiming to allow direct-to-phone communications to allow the elimination of the requirement to carry an additional receiver. It’s not much of an inconvenience to me and, in fact, there are times when I WANT a separate receiver and DO NOT want to carry a cell phone at all. Plus I DO NOT want my phone charging next to me bed overnight – it’s too “noisy!” For me, the direct-to-phone option is more of an annoyance than a convenience.

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On the plus side, Dexcom sends you 2 G5 transmitters when you order, so it ends up being close to the same as the G4. (You just can’t open the 2nd transmitter until the 1st one completely dies!)

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Have you decided? It’s funny, I was in the same situation as you at the end of the year last year. When Dec. 31 was drawing near, I decided to have faith my Minimed (Medtronic) pump will keep pumping and just get the Dexcom G5. I am so happy I got the Dexcom! :grinning: 99% of the time I absolutely love it! I actually am hopeful and a little bit excited to see if my hA1c is lower in 2 more months after getting so much more information about my blood sugars and responding so much quicker than before. I too have always worn Minimed pumps and I have a lot of confidence in their company even though they are not exactly at the forefront technology-wise. I also wore the old “harpoon-like” CGM that worked with the Paradigm pump–which is the reason I chose that pump. That CGM was great when it worked, but overall turned out to be a bust for me in reality. I feel like I can continue with the Dexcom G5 for a long time and not dread putting it in my body or waiting for it to “get wet” or warm up. I am so happy about the Dexcom system! I actually bought stock in Dexcom and Minimed last year because I believe in them both. I used to keep my phone with me–now I always have it with me and it’s no big deal!

33

Hello! I have decided to get the TSlim pump and the Dexcom G5. I’m so excited, I just got approved yesterday for the pump and they are working on the CGM. I’m glad to hear you really like it!

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Good luck! I hope you like them both.

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I can’t speak from personal experience about the t-Slim, but I know a slew of happy users.

And what’s not to LOVE about the Dexcom CGM?!?!? :smile:

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I use the Dexcom G5 with Omnipod. Love being tubeless and the Dexcom worked so much better for me…almost tracks exactly w/ my fingersticks. Good luck in making your choice. I empathize, and have experienced, the issues w/ not-so-great insurance coverage. With United now and they have a strict formulary and make you jump through lots of hoops to get even test strips. Good thing is that I have coverage for pump and CGM. Wishing you all the best!

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37

OmniPod + Dexcom FTW!!! :+1:t2:

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38

Hello everyone! I’ve received all my goodies so I thought I’d post an update. I’ve been wearing the Dexcom G5 for two days now and so far I love it! It was so easy to insert and learn how to use. I’ve been using my iPhone as the receiver and it’s going well. I just have to figure out what the best adhesive to use is, as it is starting to peel off already. I just (about half an hour ago) set up the TSlim. The educator never contacted me back and I got antsy so I just did it on my own. I think I’ll have a bit of a learning curve with this new pump, particularly filling it. I didn’t receive any needles to fill it with, so I used a small one I had as backup. Filling it seems like it is going to be a longer process than what I was used to with the Medtronic, but then again I’m sure that was hard at first too. But so far I like the look and navigation of the TSlim. Thanks to all of you for your advice! I tried to explain my excitement about the Dexcom to a few people the last couple days and they just don’t get it, I mean c’mon… I can see my sugar on my watch!!

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39

This is probably something you should first double check on to make sure they aren’t hidden away in some nook of the packaging which you didn’t bother with. When the double check comes up empty call Tandem and talk to them about the mix-up. They should send you the syringes with some level of prioritized shipping.

If you can’t reach them by phone I can forward you the email of a Tandem “Pump Therapy Sales Specialist” who seemed to be very prompt & persistant about talking to me when all I did was ask a question via the “Contact Us” form on their website.

Heck, for that matter you could probably use that form to notify Tandem of your supplies problem. :wink:

Probably just not as pertinent to them as it is to you, no?

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I double checked everything right away and plan on calling tomorrow - thank you! And yes, definitely not relevant to anyone else but I just had to share my excitement anyway :slight_smile: