Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michael Watson on February 8, 2013 at 3:33pm

I tried OmniPod, but found that having that large "bump" on my arm or hip was kind of a pain. I know several folks who love it, though, so it's clearly an individual choice. I went Animas, and I've loved it for nearly two years. I've traveled with it all over the world and haven't had any problems with it. The tube is very surprisingly not a problem. During the day, the excess is tucked into my pants/waistband, and I hang the pump in a little pouch from my jeans pocket.

At night, I just lay the pump next to me in the bed. I toss and turn, but the worst that has ever happened is occasionally waking up wondering why I seem to be sleeping on a rock. But that's not often, whereas it was all the time with the OmniPod.

I disconnect the pump briefly for showers and other activities where it's clearly not convenient idea to wear it. But I swim with it, run with it, etc...

The vendors let me try wearing the different pumps for a week with saline, so I had a chance to try both. I simply could not get used to the OmniPod. I sleep on my side and toss and turn from one side to the other all night, and I simply couldn't do it with the OmniPod, with it on my hip or thigh or arm. It was like trying to sleep on a large rock. I really thought I wanted the tubeless OmniPod, so I asked for a second week to try to get used to it. No joy, I was really disappointed. Then I tried the Animas and went, "oh...well, that was sure easy." I can sleep laying right on the infusion set and don't even know it.

Hope this helps...

Michael

Permalink Reply by Zoe on February 8, 2013 at 3:43pm

It's really ironic because many people get the Omnipod because they hate the idea of the tubing. But then people who end up getting tubed pumps find out that it is no big deal at all, and one of the easiest adjustments.

Permalink Reply by Michael Watson on February 8, 2013 at 3:48pm

Exactly. I rarely notice the tubing at all. Interestingly, almost no one else does either. Twice in two years my dog has caught it with her paws while jumping up to greet me and pulled it uncomfortably. Three or four times I've caught it on a gate or something like that. I do a lot of work in the garage, around the house, in a machine shop, etc..., and have never had any real problem with it.

Permalink Reply by Joey on February 9, 2013 at 7:02pm

Thanks for the picture! It seems you have a system worked out quite well. My son is 11 and sleeps like a rock, so I'm not sure if rolling over onto a rock would phase him! We will also have a try out period with saline with the pump we choose, so I guess that will be the litmus test. I will also wear a pump with saline (although I am not diabetic) so I will also get a feel for it, whichever pump we choose. If we aren't happy with our choice, there is a grace period to allow us to change our minds. I know many people feel the tube is a non-issue, but it seems like more bits and pieces to deal with compared to the pod. Honestly, I wish my son's endo would chime in with an opinion. It is a big decision to make and I feel like the professional team has left it all up to us.

Permalink Reply by DianaS on February 9, 2013 at 9:39pm

Unless there is a strong clinical indication for a certain pump your endo is wise for staying out of it and staying neutral. A sales pump's rep's job is to sell pumps and your Dr needs to avoid commercial bias. It's actually good that your endo allows you choice.

That being said at their root all pumps do the same thing and what works best for one largely boils down to personal preference. I've been pumping for about 11 years now, 8 with Medtronic, 3 now with Animas and I have trialed Omnipod a couple of times.

Tubing is a non issue for many users who actually use or have tried a tubed pump. I actually hated the pod plus I had a severe skin reaction to it. I've heard of several other people who have had similar adverse reactions also. I don't know what percentage overall this occurs but to me that would be one disadvantage even if it only occurs to a small minority because you really have no options in terms of alternative infusion sets.

With a tubed pump you have multiple types of infusion sets available as well as tubing lengths. If you have problems with one type of infusion set you can switch to another. The infusion set itself is low profile on the body which means more real estate vs the pod (for me). If the pump gets in the way I have the option of moving it. You can't do that with a pod you're stuck with one type of cannula and one site.

Also while it seems like a tubed pump has more parts it also means less waste when a site fails. On the rare occasions I accidentally pull a site out all I need to replace is the site, I don't have to change the insulin or cartridge. With Omnipod you lose everything although some try and retrieve the insulin.

I had trouble remembering the PDM on occasion during my Omnipod trial so no way to suspend insulin from the pod. I too had trouble sleeping on it or banging the pod into the door jam, or hitting it with the barbell during bent over rows all of which I'm sure I wouldn't do if I was wearing long term. But with my Animas it was much easier to just shift the pump out of the way at the time.

Animas can deliver basal and bolus I believe in smaller increments than Omnipod can. Not sure if this will still be true about the new pods. Animas I believe also delivers basal every 3 minutes no matter how small the dose is. This may not be an issue for you. I do know that very young people successfully use Omnipod.

All I can really advise is to continue to meet with reps, get your hands on them and play with them. Pick one, then a second runner up in case your insurance has other ideas. Good luck with your decision.

Permalink Reply by Joey on February 10, 2013 at 9:09pm

Thank you so much for all that information. I kind of feel like no matter which pump we choose, we will always have a complaint or issue with it since no system is perfect. You do bring up a good point about the infusion sets. If we end up with the OmniPod and it turns out that my son has a sensitivity to the adhesive, I guess we'll have to deal with that somehow. But isn't the adhesive the same on the different infusion sets? I know the cannulas and angles are different but is the adhesive different too? As for the infusion rate, I guess if it was an issue for my son, the endo would have said something about avoiding OmniPod. At least I hope she would have. We've met all the reps, seen all the stuff on offer and now we are in the final run up to the decision. I really do appreciate your thoughtful input.

Permalink Reply by MF44SRQ on February 12, 2013 at 12:14pm

If you really want a cool idea for your son, this is what I do. My wife sews a button hole into the inner pocket of my pants (shorts, pants, swim suit, any pants with pockets) and I thread the tubing through the hole to my infusion set, which I wear on my lower back, but could be anywhere. The tubing never gets caught or hung up on anything, I keep my pump in my pocket and I'm not banging it into door ways and such, and the tubing is more than long enough for me to access the pump for dosing.

Permalink Reply by Joey on February 12, 2013 at 1:02pm

I cannot sew! I don't iron either : )

Permalink Reply by MF44SRQ on February 12, 2013 at 1:32pm

Can't help you there...