Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Stemwinder on February 18, 2013 at 5:38pm

I chose the Medtronic for the larger reservoir. The funny thing is that after I started pumping my TDD dropped low enough that a Ping would work for me. Not saying that would be the case for you. I probably would have still chosen the MiniMed and I like the Contour Next link meter that came with it. Haven't used the Verio so I can't compare.

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Permalink Reply by rick phillips on February 18, 2013 at 5:41pm

First of all please know you cannot go wrong. I really like my medtronic and would choose it again in a heart beat. Now i have never had the alternatives, but they are fine I am told and I would suggest talking to or trying both and then making the decision.

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Permalink Reply by deathjamm on February 18, 2013 at 6:06pm

hmm i wonder if i can test drive them both. That would be a huge help. The one touch ping representative did tell me that when i start on the pump, they usually start me at 20% less insulin then my current daily intake. so that'd be roughly 64-80 units a day. If it's around 70, then I might be able to get away with a 3rd day.

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Permalink Reply by MegaMinxX on February 18, 2013 at 9:09pm

I use MM, but last year wanted to check out the Animas Ping. I met with the local rep for a demo, and she let me keep it for a couple days, although not with insulin. It gave me more time to play with the pump and meter-remote menu.
You should definitely try to get hands-on with both.

Personally, I felt the menus on Animas Ping to be more 'button pressing', and annoying, since I was used to the MM menus. So I decided to stick with MM.

The Animas Vibe is awaiting FDA approval, and from what I've seen online (UK), the menus will be easier, and more like MM. If you get Ping, there will be an upgrade available once the Vibe is FDA approved. The Vibe will not have meter remote, and could be used with or without integration with Dexcom CGMS. But reps can't talk about it yet, due to pending FDA.

Also, keep in mind that a 200 unit reservoir will likely only have 175-185 once filled and tubing is primed. Most folks will refill when it gets down to 10-20, and more likely to change at home / a convenient time and not let it 'run dry'. But I agree, you will likely take less on the pump than what you're doing now.

If you are taking large bolus, another thing to consider is the speed. I have heard the Animas Ping will deliver bolus faster than MM.

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Permalink Reply by acidrock23 on February 18, 2013 at 6:17pm

I don't think the Paradigm is available any more as it's been replaced by the Revel pumps, at least in the USA, and the Veo, in more civilized, FDA-free countries.

The Revel isn't too much different but has some extra alerts w/ the CGM interface that can be handy. I think the Medtronics also have a meter remote option but I've never used it. I like Medtronic a lot but haven't ever played with the other flavors. You don't have to use the meter that comes with the pump, there's a "manual" mode that you can use to input the numbers without the "beaming" feature. When I first got my pump, I thought it was really cool and was sort of bummed to get the CGM, which= back to manual mode but now I don't even think anything of it. I know the Verio has data features. I had a One Touch Ultra Smart a few years ago that also had those but the Medtronic Carelink reports are pretty detailed and I've found them to be both tactically and strategically useful for working to beat up diabetes and recommend them too although, again, I haven't seen anything from the Pings. Good luck with your search!! If you can d/l manuals online, they might help evaluate using it but I've found those will have like 20 pages about changing sites vs. 10 pages on actually using the sucker. There's no substitute for going live!

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Permalink Reply by Amy on February 18, 2013 at 8:07pm

I've been an off again on again pumper since I was first diagnosed T1 13 years ago. My previous two pumps were minimed (the REALLY old one and then the paradigm) and this time around I chose the Ping. As I already use the one touch ultra strips, the meter remote wasn't a difficult switch and I generally manyally use my dexcom readings anyway, so it's not like it would have been a big deal for me anyway.

Your doctor's office should have a diabetes educator who can set you up with saline trials of both of the pumps, so test driving is easy. One thing here, though, is you won't know how your body reacts to the actual infusion of insulin until you commit. This isn't an issue for everyone, but no matter which pump I picked I knew I was in for a long adjustment time as we searched for the right infusion set.

Short version:
- the manual input on the ping isn't irritating at all if you don't mind scrolling
- you should be able to try out all of the pumps with saline trials before hand so you can see if the smaller reservoir is actually a problem.

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Permalink Reply by deathjamm on February 18, 2013 at 8:37pm

Unfortunately my insurance won't cover a session with the diabetes educator through my endo's office. They claim since they offer diabetes education they won't pay for the session :/

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Permalink Reply by Amy on February 18, 2013 at 9:09pm

Then I would take the plunge and go with minimed. You can always load less than the reservoir fits if your insulin needs decreased.

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Permalink Reply by deathjamm on February 19, 2013 at 5:59am

I'm kind of leaning in that direction. For those in the knowing, if I currently take 40 units lantus and about 40-60 units apidra, what does that translate to roughly with a pump?

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Permalink Reply by Zoe on February 19, 2013 at 8:09am

You often start with about a 25% reduction in basal, but it changes for everyone after you tweak doses. I was on 16 on shots and now am on 12, so that figure held. My I:C ratios didn't really change when I went on a pump. Also you must remember that everytime you prime you lose about 17-20 units.

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Permalink Reply by deathjamm on February 19, 2013 at 9:05am

While googling around, I came across this video which provided some more information:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M0KeIqdYro

I think I'm going to go with the medtronic. Thank you all for the advice, every bit of it helped and it also helped just to write out my thoughts on the pumps. The reason I decided on the medtronic is:
bigger reservoir
looks like it's easier to debubble the reservoir
the option to be able to add the CGM as needed

I will miss not having it be water proof but since it'll be covered by a warranty, I'm sure I'll be able to adapt.

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Permalink Reply by Spock on February 19, 2013 at 10:58am

I am also a MM paradigm user. I love it. As far as discretion goes, I wear it in my pocket, can pull it out under a table, input a bolus, and back in the pocket. Testing the blood glucose is less discrete as far as I am concerned. The Carelink feature is also a helpful tool--you can download data from the pump to review or take to the doc.

It is easy to use, pretty self explanatory, and I have been happy with it. Check with your salesperson--you should get a MM pump coach and you get a certainn number of hours (I seem to remember 10) that you can contatc that person for assistance. With my first pump, that was an extraordinarily helpful part of the pump. I have also had good interactions with their telephone helpline.

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