Hello all!! I am new to TuDiabetes and have been reading a lot, thank you all for sharing. I just wanted to get some opinions on 2 different pumps. I am leaving my pens behind and looking forward to a pump in hopes of getting off this rollercoaster ride of ups, downs and feeling like I'm 'falling'.(Well the falling feeling really is not that bad, reminds me of how I felt after parties in the late 80's)So I have a choice of any pump that my doctor offers and the office offers all pumps made. I have narrowed it down to the Animas OneTouch ping w/the Dexcom G4 Platinum CGM or the Medtronic MiniMed. Any thoughts would be appreciated, thanks again.
Any chance you could "test drive" each one for a bit? There are some things that just look different once you're in the driver's seat.
I've used the Ping for five years now. It works well and I'm very used to it. It's dependable, can survive the abuse it gets in everyday life, and customer service is very good. It also can use any standard luer-lock infusion set. I think the Medtronic unit must use the Medtronic infusion sets only.
I used Medtronic/MiniMed pumps for many years and I liked them, too. Customer service always treated me well. Medtronic has an integrated CGM but I'm not a fan of displaying CGM data from a pump display. I also don't like the CGM audio alarms being buried under the blankets when I sleep.
I use the Dex G4 and like it a lot. I like the separate receiver that I can position a night so that it can wake me up.
I think that both pumps are of comparable quality but I like the Dex G4 over the Med CGM. The Dex has 7-day wear that can often be extended to 14 or more days. The Medtronic CGM was rated for three days but I think they're coming out with a 6 day model soon.
Doctors' offices should permit a liberal test-drive program. Perhaps you could check the "no questions asked, money back guarantee" policy to, in effect, try it out before you but it.
Terry thanks for your response, I was concerned also about not hearing an alarm for low sugar if it was located under the blankets at night, in ref to the Medtronic. I like the fact that the Dexcom can be worn longer and seeing how I am new game that might be best for me. I am taking a test drive this Thur morning with the Ping, after that I will test out the Medtronic as well. Thanks again, have a great night.
I just got a Ping last week and I am in love with it! Easy to learn how to operate and so far zero issues. Blood sugars are better than ever too! I will start my Dexcom on Thursday, but I have been playing with it and it seems easy enough to use. I did a lot of research on the net-including youtube and learned a lot! Youtube has some great videos about how to use the pumps, the dexcom, and how to insert the sets etc. Look up Diabetic Danica on youtube and the net-she's a college age girl and has some great videos about her Dexcom and her ping with good examples of how to use them.
I can't speak for both pumps, but I can vouch that the Dexcom CGM beats the pants off the Minimed version, and I've heard that even the new "enlite" system isn't on par with the Dex G4 yet. I used MM for years, and finally switched out because I was fed up with the lack of waterproofness of the pump; but the best part by far was that by trading pumps, I got to switch to the Dexcom CGM. Honestly, I can't say enough fabulous things about it, especially in comparison to the other one!
I understand for most people it isn't an issue, but I killed 4 MM pumps by accidentally flipping a kayak, running a marathon in the rain, hopping in a lake while babysitting (clearly while focusing on the kid, not on my pump) and once just from plain too much sweat (I was running in the winter so pump was shoved into deepest layers and got too wet). I haven't met anyone else with such a track record though, so its possibly extremely uncommon to actually 'break' one with water? While to their credit on every occasion MM replaced my pump within 3 days, I learned that for me, ability to withstand water is not negotiable.
Happy choosing!
Hi Andrew: I would recommend the Animas Ping and the Dexcom. As Skye mentions, the Ping is waterproof, and if you live an active lifestyle that is preferable. Then, the Dexcom CGM is SO superior to the Minimed. There is no comparison, and I have used them both. Love my Dexcom, hated the inaccuracy of the Minimed.
I would also suggest that "Pumping Insulin" by John Walsh is a great book to use to help you get off the rollercoaster. IMO, good basal rates = excellent control, and the basal rate testing described by John Walsh is great. It's a lot of work initially, but so worth it.
Best of luck, keep asking questions!