Been a diabetic for about 20 years. 46 yr old male. AIC usually under 7. last one 6.7. I think i want to try a pump system. Doc wants me to try the medtronics - says it is the best. But i really dont want a tube and i looked at the omni pad a few years ago and it intrigued me cause of its small size and all in one unit. New to this web site. Was hoping i could get some input on Pros and Cons of the Omni Pad and what everyone thought.
Thanks
Scot
welcome scot to tudiabetes
i use the medtronic 522 & love it
Welcome Scot! I've had type 1 diabetes for more than 32 years. I started using the OmniPod about 6 years ago while I was pregnant. I love it. I would not have gotten a pump had the OmniPod not existed. I never liked the idea of tubing or having to wear a unit in/on my clothing. So I'm sorry I cannot give you any comparative input, as it is the only pump I've ever used.
I have been on the omnipod for a year now. I absolutely love it. I have been a Type 1 diabetic for 16 years and this is my first pump. My A1C is so much better now that I use the omnipod and no tubes is excellent. Sometimes a have some bad pods but I wouldn’t give them up for nothing. Good luck on finding a pump that fits you!!!
I’m 21 yrs old, have been diabetic for a little under a year. I go to a practice that for some reason did not want me to use omnipod. After looking into different pumps I decided to go with omnipod. So far I am extremely happy with my decision. Pros : no tubing, meter is built into controller, automatic insertion, waterproof (I worked as a lifeguard over the summer and swam every day w/o any issues), easier to use different sites (legs, arms, abdomen, lower back), pdm looks more like a cell phone than a medical device, no need to disconnect for showers,
Cons: some people complain about frequent pod failures(not many by me), only holds 200 units, it beeps 1.5 hours after insertion to remind you to test (only a problem if you change sites at night)
Overall it’s an amazing device that works really well. It’s a shame that some practices can’t see how for some people the omnipod is the way to go. It’s nice to swim, bike, shower, use the bathroom, and do anything else w/o being attached to a tube.
Good Luck pumping!!!
(Speak to users of the other pumps as well, they can tell you the pros and cons of the pumps they use)
Hi S Lew!
I'm a 40 year Type 1. And, wish I'd started pumping a LONG time ago. Been on the Omnipod system for about 1 year now and love it.
Medtronics is definitely one of the best, but there are not really any bad pumps these days. They all do good in some form or fashion. Like you I was drawn to the tubeless style, if not that I refused to be on a tubed style pump. So I waited until I was ready for the Omnipod style pumps. The only real con is that Omnipod does have a history of issues. But in the past year, I've not seen them myself. So I can't say that the "issues" are really a problem from my viewpoint.
Bottom line in my honest opinion: Get a pump. Doesn't matter which one. Just do it.
Hey S Lew - welcome to TuD! I was dx'd in '96 when I was in high school. I got on an old minimed (now medtronics) pump before heading off to college at my mom's request. I didn't choose that pump, my mom did. And I fought it most of the time I wore it.
After college, I went back to MDI for about 8 years or so. My current endo encouraged me to reconsider a pump. I chose the omnipod because of the self insertion features (one of my big hangups with the other pump I used).
I went on the pod about 2.5 years ago and have had minimal issues. There is a learning curve at the beginning, but that is likely true with any change in D management (including the tubed pumps).
There are pros and cons with each of the pumps. I hope you find the one that works best for you. The omnipod is definitely the right one for me :) Don't let anyone (no matter how well meaning) try to talk you into or out of whatever system is for you!
Hey Scot....welcome. There has been a lot of discussion about this. Research past posts. Good luck finding what is best for you. It sounds as though you are knowledgeable and well controlled and will do well with whatever program you chose to follow. I love my OPod but have no experience with other pumps to offer.
My endo pushed Medtronic as well, because they have been in the game a long time. After my success with Omni, he now pushes the pod as well! A1C reduced from 8.7 to 5.7 in under a year for me! I love tubeless, and I would never go to tubed. I don’t want to figure out how to sleep, swim, or shower with a “cord”. Pods make my diabetes feel more normal.
Decide on the "tube" issue - that *is* the only factor if it is an issue. If it isn't an issue, or isn't much of an issue, then the tubed pumps like medtronics are a possibility. Regardless you need to consider:
If you are active and any encumbrance will be a problem you have no choice; Omnipod or MDI (personally, having used Omnipod for a while, I don't consider that a choice ;-)
If a small dangly bit might be ok you may want to look at the OneTouch Ping, however your ability to get wet is limited. The Ping won't allow you to snorkel (you have to take it off first), but it will allow you to wash.
If you don't care too much about the tubes but you still want to wash you need to consider the issues of disconnecting your pump whenever water approaches (never an issue with MDI!) If that's not an issue then take a look at the very wide range that are available. Medtronic aren't the only guys in this business, but they are good at marketing and patents.
Apart from the water and tube issue the main distinguishing factor seems to be the bolus algorithm. This isn't something you every encounter with MDI; the issue with pumps is that the computer that controls them makes some judgment about how much insulin you still have unconsumed in your body. The quality of the math it uses to work this out affects the accuracy of subsequent boluses. The Omnipod algorithm sucks (but not anywhere near as much as MDI), I don't know about other pumps; they may suck too.
John Bowler
My 15 year old son has been on the Omnipod for about six months. He is extremely active and we all LOVE the Omnipod! We highly recommend it. The company support team is amazing,always very helpful.
Ive been on the pod for 1 1/2 yrs now and couldn't be happier with it! I would suggest doing a trial run with several different pumps before making your decision. I tried the minimed and omnipod and it wasn't even close:
-comfort. the minimed infusion site was very uncomfortable and ended up tearing it off after a day. don't even feel the pod.
-ease of use. no priming or insertion, just stick the pod on and it does everything else.
-no tubing. like most other people that commented, this was a big one for me.
The only con for the pod:
-the controller is not connected to you like it is w/ tubed pumps, so you can lose it. I lost mine on vacation once and it was a bad situation..good thing I had backup pens along. not a deal breaker by any means for me, I just have to keep my head on straight and make sure I have everything at all times.
a lot of people have had issues w/ pod failures and customer service, ive had very few pods fail and great customer support so cant comment on that.
thanks~~!
Hi Scot
When I started on the pump about 9 years ago I was on Medtronic. I have found that most doctors suggest Medtronic since it has been around the longest. I am currently on Omnipod. I made the switch when Omnipod made the pods 25% smaller and the PDM now uses insulin on board in its calculation. But my favorite feature is no tubing! I feel that not having tubing gives me more freedom. I could go on and on about Omnipod so feel free to message me with any questions you have.
Scot
I've been diabetic 59 years. On Medtronic for 9 and was first customer on OmniPod. 2 main reasons I wouldn't go back to tubed pump. Most Important to me is auto inject! Second is o tube. Also just Google how many times Medtronic has gotten into trouble supplying trips etc. to doctors. Andy
I have used the pod system now, and have used Minimed years ago. I can tell you that even with the various frustrations with ordering pods, and the darn alarms that you can not get rid of, that the pod system is better than the tube system from Minimed by miles and miles. Damn tubes, being physically hooked to a rather large device (device is smaller now, but still fairly large to be physically connected to.)
I never used the larger pod system but these small ones seem to be working fairly well, I have only had 3 failed pods in 5 months... now going on 6 months.
So, to repeat... POD is definitely better than TUBE systems by miles.
If you are active you will love the tubeless system. Especially with the new pods, they are so small you will barely notice it on. I can't imagine having a tube attached to me.
I've been a T2 for 12yrs, had been on every combination of pills possible and still had an A1c above 8, finally ASKED my GP, if I could use insulin as I wanted to forestall complications. I am very resistant and was using massive amounts of Humalog and Levimeir, plus Metformin and still had above 8 A1c. Moved and my current Endo asked me why I wasn't on a pump and gave me the standard Metronic pitch. I never do anything without research and chose Omnipod. I started in April and lose being 'leash free', great CS, no real 'fails' as long as I follow 'the book'. Try a tester Pod and enjoy no insertion trauma, no tangled tubes, water strong and me are faulty equipment, some are usage failures, it is a Forum to share information and experiences and trouble shoot. Not many people post just to say how happy they are and are sure they want this pump above all. My first A1c after starting the Pod was 7.2.
Hi Scot
I was very anti pump because of the tubing and the not knowing where to clip the pump! However MDI have been getting less effective and when I saw the wireless Omnipod, I was sure it was for me. Have had it now for just over 2 months and find it great. Pros: easy to attach and remove (you need to change the pod every three days), easy to follow the instructions on the PDM, able to add preset carbs for favourite meals, fabulous software (Diabass (I'm in the UK, so not sure what system is available in the US), very comfortable to wear and several choices of sites, waterproof for up to an hour (I've swum in the sea and in the pool with mine), built-in Glucose testing meter. Cons: PDM and associated supplies is fairly bulky, it's possible to forget the necessary PDM when leaving the house, since it's not attached to the body, inputting words for the pre-sets is very 'clunky', it's like a very, very old mobile phone set-up. Overall, it's a fantastic device and i would thoroughly recommend it. Hope this helps you decide :)
Take care
Pam
Welcome.
Used Medtronic pump for about 10 years then switched to OmniPod and would never go back. Not saying that the Medtronic pump isn't good (because it is) I just couldn't imagine going back to the tubing. The Auto-inject feature is very nice as well. Plus, I like the flexibility to wear my Omnipod in different spots like the backs of my arm, my calf etc.
Good luck with your decision.