Hello, I was just diagnosed less than a year ago and it was a shock to me! No one in my family has type 1 diabetes so I couldn't go to any one for advice or support, all I had were my doctors and online research. Since July my edno has asked me if I would like to try using an insulin pump but I have always said no until now. I have heard stories about things going wrong with pumps so I figured I was just fine with daily injections. Now I am more confident in wanting to try one. My two options at the moment, or at least the two I am most interested in, are the ACCU CHEK combo system and the Minimed with the enlite. I am having a very hard time deciding between the two. Can anyone provide pros and cons for both? I have looked at other blogs in this community blog and it seems more people use the Minimed Medtronic insulin pump. I would like to decide soon but I think I am leaning more towards the ACCU CHEK. Your help is greatly appreciated! My A1C is great according to my doctor so having to control that is not the issue, it just has to do with convenience.
Have both vendors demonstrate their respective devices to you... and dont be pushed into signing anything... Its like buying a car, you really need to kick the tires and see how they work to see which one you want to live with...
That said.. The pro with the MDT device, is the CGMS is integrated with the pump... Though its not the bleeding barb the original sensor was, its not quite as accurate at detecting lows and fluctuations as the Dexcom G4.. And there isnt a remote, though you can connect the Bayer meter wirelessly....
The pro with the Accu Chek combo, is that you can do practically everything from the Meter... And I like the way it handles bolus calculations.. it seems a bit more "smart" than the MDT.... Con with the combo.. You have to use the built in meter to calculate boluses... Insulin on board isnt on the initial screen when powered on.. and cgms is not built into it... But the remote is BT... but it has a shorter range than most BT devices... The pump is very similar to their older device.. Not very frilly or high tech display.. but they really moved using it to the meter.. similar to an Omnipod PDM.. Also I think its a little more rugged than the MDT devices.. even though both have the same water resistance rating.. It feels like it has a higher quality fit and finish to it.. Also it holds roughly 300u... and uses Luer-Lock infusion sets, not the proprietary medtronic connector...
As I said.. have one of their reps demo their device to you.. But be careful..do NOT sign anything unless you want that pump... Had a problem with one of the two companies where they tried to order a pump for me and I didn't approve it.. fortunately i signed for the device i wanted already and it was correctly declined
Hello Cmcardenas
i agree with jake on letting the stuff being demonstrated. maybe you can even test the pump for free for a month. i am currently on mm 722 (getting the VEO this afternoon, yay :) i can tell you i am happy with it, they have a great customer service (at least here in switzerland)
i also know akku check from dcamp, its a swiss pump ;) and i cant say anything bad about it. they dont have an integrated cgm service, but they do have the meter which is connected via bluetooth to the pump, so you can hide your pump and still do everything without getting it out everytime. but the meter is huge (in my opinion) and needs a lot of batteries to work with all the bluetooth stuff.
at the end its all about what you like, both are technically great pumps i think.
what i would also take into the whole consideration is the different sets they have. you can not use minimed sets on an akku check pump and vice versa. of course they both offer similar sets, but they are not the same. maybe you are allergic to one set and not the other, or maybe you just like one better than the other.
good luck with your decision, i think you are gonna love your pump whichever you choose!
SC
I have chosen to go with the ACCU CHEK pump and so far I really like it. It has only been 5 days but so far nothing bad to report. Thank you for your advice!
Happy Pumping!
Are you aware that the Animas folks have the Vibe which has been submitted to FDA for approval? It has the Dexcom G4 integrated with the pump. If you lived in UK, you could already be using it, but I have not heard that the FDA has completed approval.
Good luck with your choice.