I was on a Minimed / MiniMed Medtronic pump for 20 years and made the switch to the OmniPod last summer. I would never go back for all of these reasons:
You do not appreciate just how wonderful tubeless pumping is until you try it. I felt like I was missing something (in a good way) for months after the switch. I could just hop in the shower, leap in the pool, change clothes, or go for a jog without messing with a pump. Sleeping without the literal “ball and chain” of the pump and its tubing is also wonderful. I always got snagged in the pump tubing at night. I also love no longer having that pump in my pocket after two decades. The liberation of tubeless pumping cannot be oversold.
I love the variety of locations that I can place the pod - the arm and leg become realistic options.
The interface is so much better than the MiniMed pump. It is so much more intuitive and user friendly.
I love the automated cannula insertion. It is virtually painless and you don’t need to carry around a cannula insertion tool any more.
And speaking of fewer parts, it’s a lot easier to travel with the OmniPod. The PDM and glucose meter are integrated, and the pod packaging contains everything you need - no need to carry around spare infusion sets, reservoir syringes, and the infusion set tool. It makes pod changes away from home (even at work or school) easier, too.
My only complaint is that I am definitely experiencing more occlusions with the OmniPod. I am finding that more aggressive site rotation has really helped though. Regardless, it is nothing that would make me even consider a return to Medtronic.
Has anyone noticed a difference in their overall insulin usage while on the pod? On avg I use between 60-70 units a day, which at times feels a bit much. I know daily totals are dependent upon the individual, but I was curious to see if the constant insulin (meaning not having to disconnect for showers, etc) makes a difference? Or possibly the omission of tubing, which I occasionally find air bubbles in, affects the amount of insulin used.
While I was on my Minimed pump for 8 years I would always have a 200-300 high about an hour after I took off my pump in the am for a shower and sometimes after swimming. It is from leaving the pump off for maybe a half hour with no insulin. Then your chasing your sugar all the rest of the day. With the pod I’m not doing this and my levels stay even and are not causing as much damage. I have been type 1.5 for 38 years and (knock on wood) am still only type 1.5 with out any side effects. Yeah the teen years seemed harder but it does level off later in life. Back in the dark ages when I started the syringes were glass and there were not even glucometers. I love technology!
I switched about 8 months ago because I had so many failed sites and hoped the automatic insertion of the pod would help with that. Hard to say if it is better in that area but it’s certainly not worse. I wasn’t really that concerned about the tubing. Now that I’m on the pod, I feel like I’ve been freed from bondage or something! Went to Jamaica this spring and could jump in the pool without removing the pump and figuring out where to keep it safe. I can wear dresses again without hanging a pump from it. And many more situations in which I realize how nice it is not to have a tube attached. The site changes are much simpler and quicker. I would never go back to the minimed system.
Thanks mwags I have encountered failed sites on numerous occasions too, and its been occurring more frequently. I do not know of minimed replacing infusion sets because of this, but knowing that Insulet will makes me feel so much more comfortable in choosing them. I can only imagine what life without tubing would be like, if all goes well I’ll soon find out!
I wouldn’t worry about it. I ripped off the dummy pod (without infusion site) AND the demo pod (with saline) but have only ripped off a few pods that actually had insulin in them…you can always ask for another demo from your Endo!
I switched to Omnipod in 2008 after using Minimed for 10 years and I havent looked back. I had many issues with Minimed and have had almost none with Omnipod. The automatic insertion has been a god send for me and I have only had a few small issues with pods failing to prime (2), coming off of their adhesive (2), or failing for no reason (1). All have been replaced quickly. My A1c with minimed was in the 8’s and I could never, try as I might get it down. After 6 months on Omnipod it was 7.2 add in the dexcom and it is now always between 6-6.5. Hope that helps!
Would you be willing to share your experience with the dexcom. I’d love to get my a1c below 7 which rarely happens and avoiding lows would be nice etc.
So I spoke to Insulet regarding insurance, about three weeks ago on a Friday. I was supposed to receive a phone call that Monday with an update, but did not hear anything. The issue is with finding out if I can get coverage through Edgepark, so my case is being sent to those who deal with outside suppliers. I finally called this past Thursday to get an update and the rep admitted she forgot to push through my information. I was supposed to hear from her on Friday, and yet again no call. Do I need to be more on top of the situation? Or just give it time?? I don’t want to see too pushy, yet I don’t want to be “forgotten” again!
oh, I’d call everybody everyday…be very sweet and nice and just say you’re checking because you can’t wait to switch to Omnipod. If that doesn’t work in a few days, ask to speak to a manager or supervisor or call the local rep to intervene for you.
Yeah, stay on top of your rep until the paperwork is sent to you endo, or doctor who treats your diabetes. Getting the go ahead from your insurance to proceed with your claim is just one sticking point that you have to keep track of. Ultimately, it will be your doc’s responsibility to make sure the paperwork is filled out and sent to your insurance company for final approval. So, once it’s out of your Insulet rep’s hands, it will be up to your doc, then your insurance.
I had actually called my insurance company first to see if I even had the possibility of being approved. They assured me that it was just a matter of getting the appropriate paperwork from my endo.
Maybe you can call Edgepark and see if there is anything you can do from your end to speed things up?
I say be your own advocate and call, call, call. My rule of thumb is if someone tells me they will call me ___ I call them the next morning if I have not heard back from them.
When my insurance changed Aug 1st, I called anyone and everyone that would talk to me to find out about my new coverage. My new insurance company requires a 3rd party billing company and it look over a month to find out about my coverage. I called or e-mailed my Omnipod and Dexcom contacts every 3-4 days to get updates. (Good thing I was calling in advance, otherwise I would have possibly had a lapse in supplies or been a bit panicked. Sept 1st was when I needed to order my 3 month supply.)
I’m having my training tomorrow. I’ve tried dang near ALL of the pumps available. Last month my Dr suggested a cgm, and since I have new insurance I wanted to get an “all in one system” I called MM and they were to say the least rude as heck and had no idea what they were talking about. It seemed to me to be more of a money issue for them. I researched who seems to be the next one to have an all in one system and it looks like Animas and OmniPod are neck & neck. Since I haven’t tried tubeless and I have the Ping now and get to keep it, I’ve decided to try the OmniPod with the Dex. (A little further in the FDA process than Animas) Plus, Insurance paid for 90% of it. The sales reps and people at Insulet have been more than accomodating and have addressed all of my concerns, from billing to customer service to sales. pod/test strip issues… etc… But I won’t know the verdict on the OmniPod for atleast a couple of days. Weird, I ordered my system on the 7th, got it on the 14th. Maybe the sales rep is new or something. It moved real fast for me though. Maybe you can ask for another sales rep who’s willing to work for the money. Can’t be that busy there. All they have to do is call your insurance and verify your benis. You might even want to call and verify them before you call Insulet so you don’t get pawned off on someone else.
Good Luck,
I’ll post tomorrow on my first day on the pod.
That’s great, Kati! Wish you the best! I talked to an Omnipod rep last week; got a bad pod in my order that was beeping when it arrived. They will replace it. The rep said their cgm/pod is going thru FDA approval now. How great will that be!! It will also be a smaller, slimmer version of the current pod!!! I asked them to make it a more fun color; the icky grey it is now is a little depressing. But that’s the only thing depressing about it; I changed mine out earlier this evening and my post dinner bs was 143.
I have encountered failed sites on numerous occasions too, and its been occurring more frequently. I do not know of minimed replacing infusion sets because of this, but knowing that Insulet will makes me feel so much more comfortable in choosing them. I can only imagine what life without tubing would be like, if all goes well I’ll soon find out!