Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Trudy on November 30, 2012 at 4:32pm

Hi Lathump. I'm thinking that if you plan to use your old pump as a backup, it would be prudent to put in a new battery once a month to keep it ready to go as well as keeping a print-out of the settings. The print-out you mentioned will come in handy to program your new pump.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Laddie on November 30, 2012 at 5:16pm

I don't feel that I need to keep the settings current, because for me it's really easy to program the pump. I'm more concerned with keeping the pump in working condition. I can't imagine why a working battery is necessary until I need to use the pump, but I'm just curious if anything degrades if you don't keep a battery in it. I can't remember if a new pump is sent to you with a battery it in. I know that Medtronic has a red plastic insert where the reservoir goes.

I have to admit that if I have to change the battery once a month, there is no way in the world that I will do this. I'd be good for a month or two, then....

I'll probably give Medtronic a call, but I bet they'll recommend keeping an updated battery in it.

Everyone talks about Medtronic's aggressive marketing. I've actually been surprised that when my pump went out of warranty that I never got a call from anyone at Medtronic.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by MaryMary on December 1, 2012 at 6:53am

Lathump, It took Medtronic at least two years to realize that Melissa's pump was out of warranty. When they called me I just laughed. As if I would have her using a pump that was 6 years old! We kept her pump for at least 3 years, and it was still working when I gave it to Michael to take apart. I knew that she would never use it because we had 2 Omnipod PDMs and the Cozmo for backup. I never kept a battery in it and it worked just fine the couple of times that we had to use it during the first year or so on the Cozmo. I think it would probably last longer without running.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Trudy on November 30, 2012 at 6:09pm

I'd be interested in Medtronic's answer. I'm not using my pump right now, not sure that I ever will again, but just maybe... So I put in a new battery on the first of every month. Let us know!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by acidrock23 on November 30, 2012 at 8:58pm

I replaced my pump recently but they offered like $500 price to keep my old one so I gave it to them. Part of me wanted a pump but, given how smoothly the replacement process had worked, I figured I was ok to give it up.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Laddie on December 1, 2012 at 7:07am

AR-If I had been paying a deductible, Animas would have given me whatever the going rate is against my deductible ($500 I assume). However, my insurance is covering my pump at 100%. This is the first time that I have ever kept an old pump. Always traded them in before. My guess is that I will never use it again, but you never know.

MaryMary-I'm with you that I will just take batteries and reservoir out.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by MegaMinxX on December 1, 2012 at 8:50am

I had an old 508 pump, and took out the battery. But I put in a clean, empty reservoir and kept it in a plastic baggie to help keep dust out.
Couple times I tested it, for example when traveling, to see if a adding the battery back would work, and it did. I brought it with me on trips for backup.
(I think MM will provide a loaner backup for travel, but was easier to use my own, for short trips.)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ruth on December 3, 2012 at 9:14pm

Lathump, I think your assumption is correct. I've done that myself...saved my old pump, taken out the reservoir and battery, and store it in a box. When I want to use it (i.e., going on vacation and wanting a back-up with me), I just insert a battery and program the pump, and it's ready to go.

Ruth

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JohnG on December 4, 2012 at 5:25am

My spare pump is in the box that my new one came out of, I rewound it, removed the battery and placed the red plug back in the reservoir port. Note: Medtronic pumps store user data in Volatile memory so some of your data will be lost after a extended amount of time without power. I also placed a printout of my old pump settings in the box just in case the Zombie's have destroyed my ability to access the internet and retrieve my current settings from CareLink...

If you try to keep your spare pump running it will just wear out the motor over time, and other parts. The stepper motor is always powered up, the battery power is holding the motor in it's current position with a electromagnetic brake.

• ▶ Reply