Nah.
Certainly a learning curve compared to whatever you do now.
But after you do it half a dozen times - it really should be no big deal.
It takes me five minutes. And I focus completely on it. And don’t rush. With so many things that can go wrong over a three day period that can cause BG problems, the last thing I want to worry about is whether I messed up the cartridge change because I was rushing or not focusing.
BTW - The Basal-IQ does not do this. Basal-IQ only helps with the low BG. And it is not 100%. It “helps” but is not magic and does not do everything.
The Control-IQ is intended to help with both high and low BG. But the data from the clinical trial on that has not even been released yet. So that is still a bit down the road. Estimated USA launch for Control-IQ is Q4 this year.
I started on the 670g last year for Medtronic and have hated it this past year. Now I’m VERY wary to hop on board any company with closed loop until it’s been out for a while I can troll forums and facebook and blogs or whatever to see the frustrations and experiences people have had with them. My last a1c doing it all myself (ie- not using the closed loop feature of my pump) was 5.9. I’m just DONE with this pump and while I’m excited to for what Tandem has done (and kicking myself for not going with that pump to begin with) I really want to see what ALL the companies have to offer. I want to be able to compare Bigfoot/Tidepool/BetaBionics/Tandem/Omnipod. So maybe I’ll wait it out another year or two before getting rid of this crap Medtronic pump/cgm combo.
I have heard about alot of people who hated the 670. My diabetes educator has it and her cgm numbers are really good. It keeps her blood sugars level. I hated their enlit sensors. They only went 6 days, the 5th day accuracy is decreased. It only told you if you were rising or falling quickly. There was no arrow for slowly rising or falling. My endocrinologist says they have improved it.
Yes they have improved. I was on the Enlite sensors for two years and had some issues, but mostly good success. I got a new transmitter for my 670 and since then I’ve had better luck staying in AM but it cannot handle high bs. Also, the pump itself is super annoying. If you had higher a1c’s then the 670 might be a good option, but I’m ready for a true closed-loop system that manages my bs throughout the day and night FOR me. Not a system that is MORE work than my old Paradigm pump and semi-accurate sensors.
Do you have better success with the closed loop basal iq than the other pumps?
I wouldn’t call Basal-IQ “closed loop”.
In any event, we have found the Basal-IQ algorithm extremely effective. For what it does.
The only other pump we used was the Ping. Before the Ping we were on MDI.
The pump won’t cause you to have higher bg. It’s a great pump in many ways but it has issues just like others do I am sure.
I chose it because I was concerned about overdose and Tandem, as far as I know, is the only pump maker to address this, designing a system that prevents overdose, other than user errors etc. I also chose it due to my insulin sensitivity, needing small doses and basal rates etc. And I liked that it is small and had a touch screen system etc.
The fill cartridge process is a problem. It takes a long time to fill the tube,( they made it faster now which is good) and also to bolus, which can actually be a good thing, but sometimes it is annoying. However when they made the tube faster it created another problem, the new cartridge and tubes have a different connection so older cartridges won’t fit on new tubes. I ended up with a lot of older cartridges I can’t use with the new tandem tubes. The older tubes do fit the new tru steel inset which my ins switced me too without asking. I was using contact detach before that.
Tandem made the fill process worse by changing the way air is removed from the cartridge , the pump used to do it- it took 37 seconds. People complained that it took too long and said they wanted to do it by hand. It now takes me at least 2-3 minutes to do the same thing with my syringe etc. a real pita. On top of that, Tandem did not explain this to me when I first had to deal with it and it ended up in a nightmarish, long phone call. Now I fill the cartridge before I start the change cartridge menu in case I run into issues and then I am not disconnected for too long.
The real problem though, which is a major problem which should have been fixed, is that you can get stuck in the fill cartridge menu and there is no way to get out of it without filling 10 units through tubing etc. if you don’t have enough insulin left in your cartridge after that fill (50 units) you are going to waste that cartridge etc. unless you want to start adding/removing insulin with a syringe etc. which I won’t do for various reasons.
On another nightmare phone call a rep told me to put an old cartridge on to fool the pump into thinking it went through the whole menu. I am not sure if I remember how to do it now though.
Really there should be a less complicated way to do all of this. But it is doable and the benefits of this pump outway its flaws for me. I think it would be nice to see how much insulin is in the cartridge as well.
My Tslim shipped today - the upgrade cost was $999. I have really disliked the Medtronic 670. The CGM wasn’t working for me so I switched to the Dexcom g6 which is integrated with the Tslim. My 670 is under warranty until 2022 so it’s a great deal for me. You are essentially “leasing” the pump until your current pump’s warranty runs out. At that time, you return the leased pump and purchase a new one (that insurance should help cover). Thus far, Tandem customer service has been awesome.
Yeah, I was going to do that too but I decided to wait. I am using the 630. I got switched to a medtronic pump after Animas left the pump market. I didn’t like the cgm on my 630. The enlite sensors only lasted 6 days with the 5th day accuracy was off. They are so expensive! I went back to using my dexcom cgm. I am not getting the full benefit from this pump as it won’t suspend when I go low. I am really anxious for the tslim basal iq. It’s not in Ontario yet. I have until Feb. 2021 to wait for my next pump.
I continue to wait for the Alberta Pump Program to approve the t-slim. Any Albertans have any updates? I was told most likely this year but man it’s hard to wait!
Hi. I don’t have any updates but I am from Ontario and I am waiting patiently like you to get the tslimwith basal iq. The Assisted Devices Program pays for a new pump every 5 years. My five years won’t be up until February 2021. The basal iq hasn’t been approved yet but I heard that it will be by then.
Hi @JuliaS8 - I’m in Calgary and inquired 6 months ago about the X2 (with control IQ)
Here was Tandem’s (western rep’s) response:
We have submitted for approval to the Alberta Pump Program, and they are reviewing our application. Tandem is also discussing a switch program for pumpers who are still mid-warranty, if you do not want to wait for provincial approval. Regardless, I have you on my list now, so I will keep you posted as soon as I have any new information. We are expecting to be ready to ship sometime in late January – mid-February.
I am copying Kate Stephen on this email, as she is the Territory Manager for your area. She can also help answer any questions you may have about the pump.
Needless to say, Alberta gov’t has not yet approved the pump for coverage under Ab Pump Program
The Basal IQ version won’t be submitted to Health Canada until late 2019, after approval they’ll need to submit to each province for approval(s)
Contact are:
Liam Gerussi
Pump Therapy Sales Specialist - Canada
BenefitsCanada@tandemdiabetes.com
Kate Stephen
Western Rep
KStephen@tandemdiabetes.com
thanks Jim_in_Calgary. I have talked to Kate previously. I cant remember who had suggested to me that the Alberta Pump Program possibly might look at the application in early fall. I was hoping that it would be sooner. I am not in warranty right now. I am currently using an omnipod which I like (accessed it with the cut the cord promo), however, I am very interested in the t-slim. I have been told by the Alberta Pump Program that I can access pods or infusion sets, and hold off getting a pump until I am ready to make the decision. So that gives me a chance to wait for the t-slim to get approved for the program. Such a hard wait…lol
July 2019 Update (Alberta)
July 09: Kate: Has the Alberta Government / Alberta Health given Tandem any signs the province is ready to include Tandem pump in the approved Alberta Pump Program?
Hi Jim,
We are still waiting but remain hopeful. I have been given a contact for patients to call and express their concern.
Pharmaceutical Health Benefits Branch at Alberta Blue Cross
780-427-2653
Feel free to contact them.
Thank you
Kate Stephen
Territory Manager
Thank you Jim_in_Calgary!