I was just approved to get a Pump today and am looking at the Animas Ping and Medtronic MiniMed. Does any one have any advise for a newbie? I was only diagnosed Type 1 two months ago and was mis-diagnosed for the last year and a half as type 2. I have been up and down about this whole pumping thing so anything you guys can tell me would be great.
I did shots for almost 25 years and got the pump and realized it was better about 2 hours after I left the doctor’s office having installed it. Re advice, I had sort of been “winging it” for a long time and used the pump as an opportunity to train or retrain myself on what to do. I hadn’t been that far off in what I was doing but was doing a lot of guessing and fixing and found that it was a lot less work to do, or let the pump do a little bit of calculation. I have enjoyed having it a lot.
Congrats, Im so excited for you. I just got approved to and it was so fast and simple. I went with medtronics and so far I’ve been impressed customer service, EVERYONE has been very helpful and it took literally a week to get it approved and shipped, Very fast.
I did shots for around 28 years, and over the years I’ve been back and forth about a pump too, but I really do think it is going to make life much easier as far as having some flexibiltiy too, and Im hoping keep me much more even leveled without all the wicked hypos I get.
Good luck!!!
Congrats! I use the omnipod, so I’m no help in your decision - but I’m sure others can give you the pros and cons of each. The pump worked best for me when I gave myself enough “room” to learn. Don’t worry if the first couple weeks are bumpy, you will get the hang of it in no time!
i’m getting my omnipod on friday, and starting right away on insulin. Kind of scared too! but excited
Hi PCQ: I can’t give advice on the Animas versus the Medtronic insulin pumps, but I can say for sure that pumping is the way to go IMO! Whichever you go with, be sure to spend the time on training (I still remember instructions my excellent Disetronic pump trainer gave me 13+ years ago). Also, the book Pumping Insulin by John Walsh is IMO essential. The key thing is to get your basal rates set correctly–that is more than half of it. Good luck, good choice on getting a pump!
I’m getting a new MM pump Wednesday…very excited.
My word to you after using three different companies over the years: Check them all out.
Have a rep or nurse or someone show you every pump and choose what is best for you.
You may not get it all, but you will have a good idea what you like and want and whatever you do, do not pick one because your doctor or nurse says that is the one to pick.
You wear it all day long, and you need to make the decision.
My first pump…I picked it because it was a pretty color and the doctor’s receptionist had one.
That was a very poor reason.
Best wishes!
I was diagnosed in 1959. I used syringes for more than 40 years–have been using a pump for more than 10 years now.
Being a type one is a challenge, to be sure. Using a pump is so preferable to the syringe/insulin pen alternative.
My suggestion–find a support group, if you can, of diabetics of your own age group. They can really help as younger finding your way.
As far as Animas/Medtronic, there are multiple opinions and ideas. I had a bad experience with Medtronic, but even my bad experience was really much better than using syringes.
Best wishes to you.
i took seven shots a day before getting the Animas Ping. I find it very easy to operate and easy to see and read. The warning tunes are changeable, the infusions sets are comfortable and the customer service, so far, has been second to none. The training was very complete, and the software is easy to use and easy to understand.
Having said all of that, the MiniMed is an equally nice choice. I understand that it also works well and is easy to use. The computer software may be better than the Animas.
I chose Animas for several reasons. First, the colour screen is easy on my old eyes. Second, the meter communicates well with the pump and has a food catalog for counting carbs in it, where the MiniMed doesn’t have that feature. Last, the reps from Animas have been great, where I wasn’t so impressed with the reps, both sales and CDE, from MiniMed.
That is just my experience. YMMV. What I am sure of is that the pump is life-changing. It took some time for me to get my head around not having to always take a shot, and my insulin is always with me. I like the IOB features and the various bolus types. Both pumps have those features.
You’ll love it.
Be well.
Brian Wittman
The pump is awesome. It’s not perfect and it certainly isn’t a cure but, for me, it is a safer, better alternative to MDI. The best thing about the pump is that it’s not a permanent decision. You can go off it at any time or even go off it temporarily. That said, I was hesitant about a pump too and now I feel absolutely naked without it.
There are draw backs - there is tubing to deal with (although that rarely bothers me anymore), you need to adjust your clothes just a little bit to accommodate the pump (just a little), and you have to maintain your sites. The most difficult thing for me has been the constant vigilance it requires - without any basal insulin in your system, you really have to pay attention to your numbers. But you’ve gotta do that anyway with T1D, and at least with the pump you have FAR more control.
The good definitely outweighs the bad - sleeping in, exercising whenever you want, eating more freely, not having to stick to a freaking schedule, less severe lows (for me at least), better control (for most of us on a pump), the ability to correct even the tiniest of highs with really small doses of insulin. I also have been SO MUCH BETTER about logging all my data with the pump. I use a Minimed Revel and absolutely LOVE Carelink. My doctor’s office can look at my data whenever and that has been a huge help in managing things or getting advice quickly.
So, Animas vs. Minimed - I have never used an Animas pump, but I know people generally like them. Regarding Minimed, I love the functionality of the pump (fewer button pushes compared to the Ping), the fact that it’s pretty darn small and easy to hide, and the Carelink software. Have had excellent experiences with Minimed now and in the past. They pretty much take care of the whole process, from getting the paperwork from your doc to dealing with insurance. It was painless for me.
The Ping does have that really nice screen. It is also “waterproof,” although Minimed said that they don’t label their pump as waterproof because of the potential for the pump to develop small cracks (but it is considered water resistant). Personally, I would not wear ANY pump in the water. This is an $8,500 medical device that my life depends on. I’m not taking chances.
The Revel has the built in CGM. I’m not currently using the CGM, but it’s a nice feature to have. I found that I could not get reliably accurate CGM results, and CGMs tend to make me lazy (I do better with finger pricking – it keeps me on my game). If you want to use a CGM, being able to have an all-in-one device is a huge bonus. You will have to carry around extra infusion sets and stuff, so the more room in your purse, the better.
Also, how many units are you using per day? The Ping holds 200 units. The Revel comes in two sizes - a 180 unit and 300 unit reservoir. If you’re using more than 200 units over a 3-4 day period, go with the Revel. I only use about 20-40 units per day, so the smaller revel works for me. It is pretty small and I never have any trouble hiding it under my clothes.
So, my personal recommendation would be to go with the Minimed Revel.
Oh, and make sure to give yourself at least 6 months to adjust. Getting basal rates set and learning how to use all the features (different bolus types, patterns, etc) takes some adjustment to be sure. But if you are adept at using a cell phone, you’ll have no trouble figuring all this out. It just takes patience and a little trial & error.
Congrats, Tom! I’m sure you’ll do great 
Let me know if you have any questions. I’m no pro, but I’d be happy to help if I can!
Thank you EVERYONE!! I love the advise, information and most of all the support. It really makes a differance to know I am not alone in this.
When do you start your training? Now is the hard part had NO problem getting approved and got my pump shipped to me in like a week. NOW to wait on the CDE to get back from her vacation and then have to wait for an availablity…which is the 22 of this month. So my pretty pink pump is just SITTING there. Sigh.
Edit to add, sorry thought I had seen you had decided on which one you are getting. It is a bit overwhelming isn’t it.
Hi:
I am sure by now some of your fear and concern about using the pump have subsided. But most of all I know you are happy about your levels. I too was apprehensive but went forward with it and I am so very happy that I made that decision. You get even mosre comfortable, of course, as time goes on; just stick with it and you’ll be happy.
Medtronic is the more popular, but the animas may be cheaper… If money is not a huge issue i would go with minimed. But i do have a biased view since ive used minimed for 7 years and never used the animus.But even my endo recommends MiniMed. Just FYI.
My daughter was on 5 shots a day for 3 months, after T1 diagnosis and I can’t tell you enough what a relief pumping was for her ! (she’s on an Animas 2020 which is very similar to the Ping – they have GREAT customer service & the slightly smaller reservoir is not a problem for her since she’s never over 15 units a day). Don’t be scared, just excited & happy ! The only tricky thing is that it is so easy & convenient you might just forget your insulin once in a while or might remember to pump only AFTER your meal… but other than that, most people I know who use a pump says it is more comfortable for them, and none of them wanted to switch back to shots. Best Wishes x
Hello and welcome,
I am new my self to the pump 5 days now. the pump is the only way to go I love it. in 5 days i can tell a difference and it has helped lower my sugars too. I was also treated as a type II for over a year. read my blog i just did today.and you will see you are not alone.
check out all the places to go here it is full of info. I am glad I found it.
welcome again
chuck
http://www.tudiabetes.org/profiles/blogs/new-pumper-and-how-i-found-out-i-was-a-type-i?xg_source=activity
I’ve been on both brand pumps, first the Mini Med years ago which did not work out for a number of reasons. The Animas I tried on the other hand I was sold on almost immediately, the waterproof feature is what I was most sold on. Being able to take it almost anywhere is a huge advantage over any non waterproof pump. To me a non waterproof pump is nothing more than a huge limitation imposed on my self, which I will not accept.
After going on the ping, I wont look back to anything I’ve used prior to it, MDI, Pens, or the Minimed. In some ways the two pumps cannot really be compared because of how different they actually are, if waterproofing is of no concern, the minimed should work fine, but if you want a waterproof pump, narrow down to the ping as its pretty much the only option when it comes to that. My ping has also hit the concrete and tile floors below me a number of times, even dropped it into motor oil once by accident, simply cleaned it off and all was well, this thing gets the ■■■■ beaten out of it, but its a little trooper and just keeps on going.
Dexcom intergration in the future will be another big improvement, whenever the FDA stops hanging it up that is.
Research both pumps more and you should be able to make a well informed decision.
Alright, I know you are on pins and needles (pun intended) to know that my new Animas Ping will be arriving tomorrow!!! I am excited and ready to have a little more freedom. I am sure I will be on here a lot asking too many questions. Thank you all for the support, it truly makes a difference!!
Yippee!! What color did you get? (It's the first ? I ask when someone gets a new car too LOL.) Mine is pink,
Pumps are life-changing. Don't get discouraged in the beginning - remember there's a big learning curve :)