It makes a little more sense, but I'm still going to search for a YOu TUbe video about it to see how much longer than the Ping's 5 second priming takes. Thanks so much for taking time to explain!
Denise,
I want to correct your mistaken concept about the T-Slim. It is 100% watertight:
"The t:slim Insulin Pump is ultra-strong and built to last. The aluminum case is very durable and light. The touch screen is made of high-grade, shatter-resistant glass. Plus, the t:slim Pump is watertight, so you don’t have to worry about getting it wet. But rest assured that if anything should happen, your insulin pump is covered by a four-year warranty, which includes our 24-hour Product Replacement Program".
I do not plan on swimming with the T-Slim attached. However, I can attest to it's durability. I've dropped it in a bathroom. I was paniced when it hit the floor but no problem. The gorilla glass held up great. This is reassuring especially considering I can be a clutz. My husband tells me that I should have been a Good Housekeeping product testor since I can break anything.
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Thanks…good to know!
I switched from the Ping to the T:Slim about a month ago; the meter remote was a big deal for me...I never took the pump out AT ALL. It was weird, at the time, I thought I was the only one who used it! A lot of other people (here) who switched from Amimas said they didn't care about it at all.
I do miss it, but it's not the most horrible thing. All in all I miss it less than I thought I would.
Overall, I don't think the T:Slim is horrible, but I think if I had to do it again I'd stay with Animas. In general, I think that the user interface on the T:Slim is much, much better, but insulin delivery doesn't work as well for me. I have to change out the whole cartridge and tubing each time I change my set or I start running high (I didn't have to do this on the Animas). Filling the tubing with insulin takes waaayyyy too long, and I'm not getting used to it: it's continuing to be a pain. I don't like that there's no easy way to just bolus a couple units (unless you use the audio bolus, you have to either enter grams or a BG), and there are too many button presses to confirm a bolus (which probably is the FDA's fault) and sometimes I accidentally miss the last step and so my bolus isn't delivered. Then I don't feel it vibrate and end up high...
I will stay with my beloved Ping for now, and wait until T:Slim gets some of the kinks enhanced or corrected. The meter remote means A TON to me--I never take it out either!
Will your insurance company allow you to keep your pump once it's out of warranty? Mine would not support it beyond 3 years, 4 max and my doctor didn't want it after 3 years. either new vibe and no remote with small screen for Dexcom or Tslim.
Leata,
humm.... This stinks. It sounds like you are getting air in your line. There is no other reason why this could happen that I can come up with. Have you worked with your local Tandem clinical rep? I think this is fixable.
I'm pretty sure it's operating as it's supposed to...and technically, you they don't recommend you re-use cartridges, I just always could with the Animas. I just feel kind of ho-hum about it in general; but to be fair I felt very ho-hum that the Animas hardware/software basically hasn't changed in the 8 years since I started using it. I guess what I want is a Animas type mechanism with a T:Slim touch screen and interface!
Leata--you hit the nail on the head. That's what I want--everything the Ping has: fully waterproof, remote meter, excellent calculator, quick priming with the T:Slim tounch screen.
I want all of that too. I would never reuse a cartridge due to infection possibilities. If you are re-using them then yes you have issues due to air and high BS.
I have been type 1 for 29 years and just started the Tslim (no pump before). I did not find it hard to use or learn. Another pump, however, might be easier, but this was pretty easy. Learning how to use the bolus features and setting the ratios was much easier than (a) carb counting I had to do before and (b) the inconsistency of Levemir for me (and my quantities of levemir were 3 units in AM and 5 units in pm).
You keep posting about the adjustments hard set to 70. Since I am a new pumper, can you (or someone) explain what that means?
Thanks.
That's a good question. I am on Medicare that allows trade in at 4 years. However, my current tslim will be is paid for after 13 months of rental and is mine at that point.
Update after a few months. I am so glad I made the change!
I really like the TSILM and I have no regrets at all. Customer service is beyond fabulous the few times I have had to use it. The pump works like a charm and is really very easy. At first I really missed the Z BG feature on Ping but I have found another way to do it on the TSILM. My only compliant is the lack of the adjustable correction and of course I want the Dexcom integrated like yesterday. There are time when I miss my remote but the new Vibe won't have it either. As far as the USB I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The pump has gotten to 75% at the lowest and I charge it a few times a week for 5-10 minutes while I am showering. I love the fact that I don't have to buy expensive batteries.
One important note, I have changed meters to the One Touch VerioIQ. I really like the USB meter. It stays charged a long time and I test 10 times a day. I charge it like every 10 days for 30 minutes. I really like how the sofwatre merges with my pump so all teh data is togteher and provides a more accurate picture of what is going on. http://www.onetouch.com/verio
Could you explain further the manually deducting insulin from your bolus? I'm currently on Ping and 1 thing I do like is that it calulates my bolus based on carbs and blood sugar/target and insulin on board. I don't know if I could calculate how much insulin to deduct. Unless it's easier than I'm imagining, this could be a deal breaker for me--which is really too bad because I'm no fan of Annimus.
Hi Sherry. Yes it's probably easier than you imagine. Also this is something that they will be changing based on what I have been told by some TSLIM people. I still don't like it but I like the pump so much better that frankly it's just one part I don't like vs. many issues on the other side. Also I use Dexcom and I can't wait until the two are merged it will be light years beyond the Vibe, if only based on being able to see the screen. Finally the fact that I don't have any batteries is awesome. All my diabetes devices are USB. They hold a charge for a very long time and only take a few minutes to charge.
I am going to explain the auto calculate based on my numbers.
My target is 120. The TSLIM calculates my bolus based on blood sugar, IOB and carbs automatically except when I am under 120. The calculation also available on "view calculation". This is because some "old age thinking" people/person/etc... (I am not sure who or why since the pump is so technology driven) decided that the old hard set low is still 70 and that people don't need auto calculate between your target and 70. My understanding is that this will be changing so it adjustable by the user like the Ping and Medtronic. My doctors office staff agree with me that this is nuts and very "old school" but............
Kerri Joy Anderson Orr is my contact at Tandem. She is a Pump Therapy Specialist II & t:slim user. She has given me permission to post her info and have people call her about the TSLIM. Her number is 858-255-6283. I found her to be very helpful, willing to listen to my concerns and try to help make sure my input was directed to the right department. I also want to note that she is less interested in pushing you into their pump and more interested in making sure that the pump is right for you. This was important to me. I also got to play with a pump before I bought it.
Please let me know if you have any more questions.
I am curious as to why the battery cap and cartridge cap was changed every 30 days on your PING. Usually twice a year is enough...I have Animas pumps for years and this is the first time I have heard they had to be changed every 30 days. Twice a year or as needed is what I was told.
Tigger,
I love you. Thanks for doing such an in depth review and updating it along the way. Considering pumps for my daughter who is 12 and will be a first time pumper. She may surprise me and only want an omnipod. We’ll see soon enough I guess. Thanks again for the review. Yet another reason tudiabetes rocks.