Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kate on April 6, 2011 at 10:35am

I agree that the waste produced with diabetes can be substantial - regardless of what management system is used! OmniPod offers a recycling program where they take the pods and strip the metals/batteries for recycling and pulverize the rest so that it does not take up as much landfill space. While perhaps less than perfect, I think it's a step in the right direction.

You are also correct that there are lots of posts on the OmniPod page about people who are having issues. I have had a few issues (many of them were user error/learning curve related, some were not). However, I think that Insulet's CS reps are fantastic and often go above and beyond the call of duty. My local reps are also great and have let me know that if I ever have any issues, all I have to do is call. I love being tubeless and insertion is a breeze!

All that being said, I also understand other people's love for their own pumps. Are any completely ideal? nope. :)

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Permalink Reply by DogLady on April 6, 2011 at 10:41am

I think your last comment sums it up perfectly - ironically, I've seen quite a few posts today from people who have switched from pumps back to MDIs. To be honest, the MDIs don't bother me that much. My ONLY significant complaint is that I can't give myself fractions of a unit. I personally like the idea of not being connected to something 24/7. Carrying pens around isn't that big of a deal for me and the shots themselves don't bother me. Another concern I have about the pump is the amount of "stuff" I'll have to carry around with me. Because I have a long commute and am frequently away from the house for long periods of time, I'm guessing I would have to carry around an extra infusion set, as well as back-up humalog pens, just in case my pump conks out. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I don't see any other way around it.

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Permalink Reply by DiabeticRadio.com on April 6, 2011 at 11:13am

I felt the same way at first DogLady, but it boils down to lifestyle changes.. One thing that helped me is that I started wearing pajamas. Pajamas allowed my to conceal the tubes so that they don't get caught on anything. The Animas is small enough that I don't even notice it's there when I sleep.

And no your not being paranoid, you should always have a backup system. I have insulin, syringes, infusion sets at my job and home. Its called being smart..




Yogi

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Permalink Reply by Kate on April 6, 2011 at 11:25am

I want to start out by saying I really don't know what I am talking about, but aren't there pens for "kids" that have smaller increments (half units?)? Maybe it's the novolog one? googling it didn't help...

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Permalink Reply by DiabeticRadio.com on April 6, 2011 at 11:35am

You know more than you realize... LOL... Yes there is, it's called NovoPen Junior


http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_06_367.htm


yogi

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Permalink Reply by Kate on April 6, 2011 at 11:59am

whew! thanks for bailing me out! :)

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Permalink Reply by Kate on April 6, 2011 at 12:07pm

haha! I just clicked on the link - I wish all d-supplies looked that fun! The blue and green one makes me think of Buzz Lightyear...."I won't let your blood sugar go to infinity...and beyond!"

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Permalink Reply by SPRITE'S MOM on July 26, 2011 at 2:38pm

Yes - it is called the NovoPen Junior and does 1/2 unit dosing. I could not find it online either. My diabetic educator got one free from the Novolog rep and gave it to me, I just got it today. Insurance changes made me switch from Humalog (I love love love the Luxura 1/2 unit pen for Humalog) to Novolog.
Enjoy!

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Permalink Reply by Zoe on April 6, 2011 at 12:03pm

As far as carrying things around, I'm retired now so only carry my meter-remote and glucose which is always in my purse. I did take a set change and insulin when I went away. I think if I were still working, though, rather than having to pack things daily I would just leave a set change in my desk at work and a vial of insulin in the refridgerator in the office there (after telling people about it, so it wouldn't get tossed when someone did a fridge clean!

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Permalink Reply by Kelly WPA on April 6, 2011 at 12:08pm

Yes, you need a backup plan. My first pump broke around midnight. The 2nd one broke 4 AM Sunday morning & I did not get the replacement until 4 PM on Tuesday. Actually, I decided to stay on MDI, my BS is much better on MDI than the pump.

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Permalink Reply by Annabella on April 6, 2011 at 10:42am

The Diabetes Mall web site has a lot of good information comparing Insulin Pumps.

site is: www.diabetesnet.com

Select Diabetes Technology & then Insulin Pumps.

Another consideration is what your insurance will pay for, do they have a set list of pump manufacturers or suppliers.

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Permalink Reply by Kelly WPA on April 6, 2011 at 12:14pm

I went the Ping because it was waterproof. Like everyone said, it is a matter of which features you like better. I would suggest asking the different companies to do a saline trial so you can actually get a feel for what it is like and see what you have to go thru to bolus & stuff with the different pumps.

One thing that I did not know when I got my pump last summer was that if your pump breaks, they have the option of replacing it with a refurbished one. I know a lot of people don’t care about that, but I do. I had 2 new pumps break in 8 months and they shipped me a refurbished one. Had I known that is what would happen, I never would have bought one. My insurance company paid $6k for my pump. Animas will sell them refurbished for $900 – so they gave me a $900 pump for a $6k one.

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