Help. Tubed verses Wireless.
Hello. I am posting this in both the pod forums and the Animas forums.
This is a lengthy post. What I am looking for our people, or parents of kids, who have switched from one system to another and what their views are. I have done plenty of reading, so I really want to get opinions from people who have had both and the arguments for each.
My son was diagnosed 1 week after his 10th birthday. He's an intelligent child who has taken the whole diabetes thing in stride. Probably better than I have. We are far ahead of schedule in his understanding of how all the gears click with this thing. The moment he realized in the hospital that he was going to be giving himself shots forever, he wouldn't let anyone else touch him. We never got the chance to give a pillow or an orange a shot. I was the first person to give him a shot other than the medical staff. He "got it" right then and there and that was it. The hospital staff had to convince him that he wasn't leaving until Mom gave him a shot. He finally conceded on the last day.
So here we are, 2 months later. We've met our deductible for the year. Our Endo, who once said we wouldn't be pumping until summer has green lighted us and told Nick he would be pumping by Christmas. We need to make a decision now to get everything in before end of year to get the pump covered 100%.
We went online and did our research. Mom, Nick and I had pretty much settled on the Pod. Then came the pump class. The other guys put enough doubt in our heads to start questioning the decision to go with the Pod. Then, after the class, we went in and met with the Rep. She wasn't sales. She was filling in. She knew she had the "coolest gadget" at the class and didn't really sell it. The first pod she tried to demo for us error-ed out. Oops! She gave us a few demos to take home.
Day one. On the play ground, he knocks the pod off of his stomach. Something to do with monkey bars... etc. The school nurse tried to tape it back on but to no avail. :) Anyway, we put the second pod on him . Next day was swim practice. 20 minutes into his class, the pod starts beeping! After we take off the water filled demo and a few phone calls later, we are told that there must have been a mix up at the factory. Mix up? If this is a real pod, then why is it filled with water? Rejected Pod that got mixed in with the demo pods is the answer we get.
2 days, 2 pods, no luck.
The Animas rep comes a few days later and gets him all set up with the pump and tubes. That's a lot of stuff. Grandma has come over today to see how things go. When it's all said and done, she's shaking her head. The phrase, "that's a lot of stuff" is heard a few times during the setup. I cringe at what seems to be an archaic way to insert the cannula. Cock and load, FIRE! So he's now hooked. Connected. Tubed. I have promised to keep an open mind.
When breakfast rolls around, the expected complaints of rolling over on it come up. Ok, it's what I expected, but both units probably have some of the same problems at bedtime. He went to swim class that day and I convinced my wife to disconnect the system and leave the pump in the locker. Yes, I know, it is water proof, but really? He's 10, swimming with a group of peers. Does he need to be hooked up for this? After class he reconnects the system. There were a few instances through out the day where he walked away with the pump on the counter and other silly mishaps. And so the experiments continue.
Our Omnipod rep lives in CO. We do not have a local rep in UT. So when we initially called about the 2 failures, we had to set up an appointment to meet with her when she was here in town. It just so happened to be one day after the Animas pump was "installed" on Nick. He was happy to get rid of the pump but had some lingering feelings for the camouflage cover and the bright lights of the Animas Unit.
After some brief introductions, we got going. Now THIS is a sales Rep. We get an earful and I am suddenly confident that despite the problems of the past, this is the way to go. We decide that Nick needed to feel what it's like to "activate" the pod while it's attached. Full working pod sans the insulin. We pick the back of the arm. After much anticipation and the assurance that he wont feel a thing, the pod injects him. After about 3 seconds, you could see tears in his eyes. Something had gone wrong. We ask him if he wants to take it out and he shakes his head no. This is the one he wants. He is being brave. After 15 seconds, it was obvious, something was wrong. He was trying so hard not to cry and was not very successful. He was in pain. Even with her pinching his arm, I can only assume that she got muscle. When we removed the pod, there was some bleeding from the spot.
Wow. We are suddenly going backwards in the decision making.
So we try a second pod. Nick was still visually distraught over the the pain from the last pod. He reluctantly lets us do a second pod. This time, we chose the stomach. Our walking skeleton has a bit of chub there and we are crossing our fingers that this will work. The second pod goes in with much less discomfort. We are on our way. As we are messing around with the hand-held device, she informs us that she will not be leaving it with us. What? We bolused and calculated carbs with our 1 day Animas test. Nope, not happening. Sorry. Another step backwards.
So, there's been lot's of discussion about the systems. We are "on the clock" and need to figure out what we are doing. Nick has done a complete 180 on the pod and would rather have the tube system. Grandma pointed out the fact that the pod was so much easier. He stated pretty bluntly, "I don't need easy. I need something that doesn't hurt." He says that whenever he bumps the pod, it hurts. He can't sleep. Etc. How much of this is from the one bad experience?
Up until now, he has made all of the major decisions about his diabetes himself. We have a lancet from a different company than the tester is. His choice. He conducted his own tests in the hospital about which meter was the most accurate with the blood draws the nurses were doing. He has been incredibly independent about the decision making when it come to diabetes. He is 80% set on the tube pump and I am 100% set on the pod system. I don't want to force him to do something he doesn't want to.
I need advice. Pro's and Con's. If you've made it this far, thanks. I needed to blow off some steam. Haven't really had the chance since we've gotten home from the hospital.
This is a lengthy post. What I am looking for our people, or parents of kids, who have switched from one system to another and what their views are. I have done plenty of reading, so I really want to get opinions from people who have had both and the arguments for each.
My son was diagnosed 1 week after his 10th birthday. He's an intelligent child who has taken the whole diabetes thing in stride. Probably better than I have. We are far ahead of schedule in his understanding of how all the gears click with this thing. The moment he realized in the hospital that he was going to be giving himself shots forever, he wouldn't let anyone else touch him. We never got the chance to give a pillow or an orange a shot. I was the first person to give him a shot other than the medical staff. He "got it" right then and there and that was it. The hospital staff had to convince him that he wasn't leaving until Mom gave him a shot. He finally conceded on the last day.
So here we are, 2 months later. We've met our deductible for the year. Our Endo, who once said we wouldn't be pumping until summer has green lighted us and told Nick he would be pumping by Christmas. We need to make a decision now to get everything in before end of year to get the pump covered 100%.
We went online and did our research. Mom, Nick and I had pretty much settled on the Pod. Then came the pump class. The other guys put enough doubt in our heads to start questioning the decision to go with the Pod. Then, after the class, we went in and met with the Rep. She wasn't sales. She was filling in. She knew she had the "coolest gadget" at the class and didn't really sell it. The first pod she tried to demo for us error-ed out. Oops! She gave us a few demos to take home.
Day one. On the play ground, he knocks the pod off of his stomach. Something to do with monkey bars... etc. The school nurse tried to tape it back on but to no avail. :) Anyway, we put the second pod on him . Next day was swim practice. 20 minutes into his class, the pod starts beeping! After we take off the water filled demo and a few phone calls later, we are told that there must have been a mix up at the factory. Mix up? If this is a real pod, then why is it filled with water? Rejected Pod that got mixed in with the demo pods is the answer we get.
2 days, 2 pods, no luck.
The Animas rep comes a few days later and gets him all set up with the pump and tubes. That's a lot of stuff. Grandma has come over today to see how things go. When it's all said and done, she's shaking her head. The phrase, "that's a lot of stuff" is heard a few times during the setup. I cringe at what seems to be an archaic way to insert the cannula. Cock and load, FIRE! So he's now hooked. Connected. Tubed. I have promised to keep an open mind.
When breakfast rolls around, the expected complaints of rolling over on it come up. Ok, it's what I expected, but both units probably have some of the same problems at bedtime. He went to swim class that day and I convinced my wife to disconnect the system and leave the pump in the locker. Yes, I know, it is water proof, but really? He's 10, swimming with a group of peers. Does he need to be hooked up for this? After class he reconnects the system. There were a few instances through out the day where he walked away with the pump on the counter and other silly mishaps. And so the experiments continue.
Our Omnipod rep lives in CO. We do not have a local rep in UT. So when we initially called about the 2 failures, we had to set up an appointment to meet with her when she was here in town. It just so happened to be one day after the Animas pump was "installed" on Nick. He was happy to get rid of the pump but had some lingering feelings for the camouflage cover and the bright lights of the Animas Unit.
After some brief introductions, we got going. Now THIS is a sales Rep. We get an earful and I am suddenly confident that despite the problems of the past, this is the way to go. We decide that Nick needed to feel what it's like to "activate" the pod while it's attached. Full working pod sans the insulin. We pick the back of the arm. After much anticipation and the assurance that he wont feel a thing, the pod injects him. After about 3 seconds, you could see tears in his eyes. Something had gone wrong. We ask him if he wants to take it out and he shakes his head no. This is the one he wants. He is being brave. After 15 seconds, it was obvious, something was wrong. He was trying so hard not to cry and was not very successful. He was in pain. Even with her pinching his arm, I can only assume that she got muscle. When we removed the pod, there was some bleeding from the spot.
Wow. We are suddenly going backwards in the decision making.
So we try a second pod. Nick was still visually distraught over the the pain from the last pod. He reluctantly lets us do a second pod. This time, we chose the stomach. Our walking skeleton has a bit of chub there and we are crossing our fingers that this will work. The second pod goes in with much less discomfort. We are on our way. As we are messing around with the hand-held device, she informs us that she will not be leaving it with us. What? We bolused and calculated carbs with our 1 day Animas test. Nope, not happening. Sorry. Another step backwards.
So, there's been lot's of discussion about the systems. We are "on the clock" and need to figure out what we are doing. Nick has done a complete 180 on the pod and would rather have the tube system. Grandma pointed out the fact that the pod was so much easier. He stated pretty bluntly, "I don't need easy. I need something that doesn't hurt." He says that whenever he bumps the pod, it hurts. He can't sleep. Etc. How much of this is from the one bad experience?
Up until now, he has made all of the major decisions about his diabetes himself. We have a lancet from a different company than the tester is. His choice. He conducted his own tests in the hospital about which meter was the most accurate with the blood draws the nurses were doing. He has been incredibly independent about the decision making when it come to diabetes. He is 80% set on the tube pump and I am 100% set on the pod system. I don't want to force him to do something he doesn't want to.
I need advice. Pro's and Con's. If you've made it this far, thanks. I needed to blow off some steam. Haven't really had the chance since we've gotten home from the hospital.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jacky Del Hoyo on -
I've never used an omnipod, so my opinion is pretty biased : ) I have used an older model Animas (IR1000) and a cozmo. I chose last year the animas ping over the omni-pod for myself and my 2 daughters (also type 1) mostly due to fears of them ripping the pods off or one of them losing the PDM, which would make the omni pod system useless. I think you've already gotten a lot of advice over on the omni pod discussion group that both systems are very good, and it really is just a matter of preference. That being said, if your son is still saying he perfers the animas, I think that is the system I would go with. If it doesn't work out, I think he would have 30 days to send it back and you can see if he is willing to give the omnipod a second chance.
It's a tough thing though, I understand. To this day, I cannot get my 19 year old to use a 30° angled infusion set. She had a really bad experience with them at a young age, and since the 90° sets seem to work, although I know a 30° set would give her more site options, she is a skinny minny, I have to respect her wishes, this is her body, and ultimately, this is her disease.
I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. Omnipod is the newer pump, and tubeless is definitely a neat thing, but either option is going to get the job done for him.
Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Susi on -
This is your son who seems to be an intelligent, independent young man. There are advantages and disadvantages to both systems, but I'm an Animas convert and I love it. I'd have hated a pod for all the reasons you've already experienced, and more, and I still would. I love my Animas and find it really easy to use and to wear. Plus there are a whole range of infusion systems that can be used with the Animas luer-lock system. Your son can easily change which one he uses according to his likes and dislikes.
As for sleeping, I'd think it'd be so much easier with the Animas. Just clip it to PJ pants, have it float around the bed or put it in a pump pack. I always end up sleeping on mine and it's no problem, but if it is I've even learned to move where it's clipped to to another place, in my sleep! You can't do that with a pod, you're stuck with where you put it.
You said it yourself: "I don't want to force him to do something he doesn't want to."
Doesn't that give you the most definitive answer?
It sounds like your son wants to be totally responsible for his diabetes. He ought to be congratulated for his mature outlook and for his capabilites! You've done a fine job as a parents!
If he wants the Animas, he's the one wearing it and managing it. Shouldn't he be the one given the majority vote as to which one he's more comfortable with?
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Permalink Reply by Suzanne Young on -
I just got officially plugged in to my Ping two days ago and I LOVE IT! I have bcbs insurance and Animas took a whole two days to process my paperwork/negotiated fees w/ them after they had received the last A1C and order form from my doctor. Every singles sales rep, cases manager, trainer has been exremely supported, as well as timely. throughout the decession process until I 'officialy" plugged in. I had all my supplies two weeks prior to training -- so of course I had to give it a go! :) The video that comes with does an excellent job in showing each step. Yes, it is extremely overwhelming when you receive the first shipment, but it's just gobs of the same stuff (3-4 months worth). I like that I don't have to go back for more every two weeks. I took my 11 year daughter as my support person to my training and let her do alot of the button pushin'. I warned her on the obnoxious sound that the infusion set makes. We simply say Ready- Aim-Fire! I bought some athletic wrist sweat bands and hook it on that when I shower. She had no problem once she knew the buzzwords; carbs,basal, bolus and most important to me IOB (insulin on board). She and I have found that I primarily use 3 screens--Bolus ezcarb, ezBG, and the status screen #2. My sugars bounced high in the AM and low low low in the PM on day one but after using these three screens from, in just two days I have almost flatlined my sugars -- 148 151 184 159 118 Whoot Whoot!
I also teach 5th grade and they have been able to correctly suggest what buttons I need to push. (most of the time :)
In a syringe -- Here's why I think Animas Ping is a good choice for your son....
1. Any pump is an added appendage and is gonna' get snagged/bumped. You can easily protect the tube under your shirt or slipped in the waistband. Animas' clip for the pump is metal, strong and easily secures to the pocket or waistband. Or shove it in your pocket.
2. The support/services from Animas is fantastic, both online and phone.
3. (probably most important in the eyes of a kid) The One Touch Ping is just plain COOL to look at! It can be customized with so many cool colors! Which makes it FUN to take care of. The Omnipod is just plain -- a bump!
4. Most important for your child -- The Ping WORKS WELL!
5. Oh -- and when you travel, they'll send you a backup to take with at no charge!
Hope this helps ya'!
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Permalink Reply by Karen on -
Great post. This may seem like a tough decision but once it's done you'll all move on and your son will get used to life on a pump (whichever you decide on). My 9 year old had a hand in the decision making process (no omnipod option in Canada) and we went with the Animas last month. Is it perfect? - no way but it has greatly increased her ability/desire for independence with her diabetes management which is awesome. I thought sleeping would be a big problem but no, she just clips the pump to the front of her PJ pants and saws logs. A non issue. The tubing she tucks into her pants and has 'caught it' on something or dropped her pump a few times, but the site hasn't yet pulled out - thankfully. She is very active and has had to come up with some creative solutions to problems such as "loose gym shorts won't cut it - pump jiggles too much", "where to clip the pump while nordic skiing?", " how can you swing on the tire swing on your stomach with the infusion set there?", "how can I find a way to recycle the plastic from the infusion sets - needlenose pliers to pull out the needle", etc. Anyway, she's adjusting and pretty happy with pumping, tubing, infusion set and all. Recently she said to me that she'd like to start putting in the infusion sets herself - alright! Maybe your son can meet a few people on pumps to see what they think. The learning curve is steep but you will all get to the top and become comfortable with the technical end. I agree with other posters - you can't really go wrong with either choice and your son sounds like he is very capable and motivated and going with his choice will work out just fine.
A note about service - I've been impressed with Animas service from sales (a sales rep drove 250km one way to our house in rural British Columbia to talk to us about the pump!) through to ordering and telephone support.
Best of luck with your decision. It will work out great.
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