Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by nel on July 18, 2011 at 7:59pm

I am a Medtronic gal since August 2001 ...I have upgraded as I was able to and be using the CGMS since it became available in Canada . I was diagnosed in 1983 ...fortunately I have never ended up at the Emerg because of D. ...poke at least 9-12 times . My last pump ( 522 ) lasted well over 6 years ...likely with any pump system there is room for improvement and most importantly , how the user uses the technology ,...I need to download on MM's CareLink soon ...one of my best buddies!! I presently use a Veo
I am glad to read, that you are " back in control "
PS July 25 ...71 years of age ..and could be called your Granny, ha, ha :)

Permalink Reply by mikey on July 19, 2011 at 4:21am

Thanks for posting Sweetblooded. I've glanced at the omnipod system and read a little about people's experiences here and although it looks appealing I just don't think it's the right system for me. I'm also hearing people are having issues with faulty pods. I'm sure it's a great pump just not for me.

Nel, have you had any issues with your pump or with medtronic? Also when you were choosing the Veo did you give any consideration to the other pumps on the market?

Permalink Reply by nel on July 21, 2011 at 11:08am

mikey ...I have in the 10 years of pumping never had " unresolvable " pump issues ...I have an excellent Pump Nurse . I have called MM Canada and MM USA , always had a good report with those on the phone . Over time I have tried all the different infusion sets ...have been using the Sure-T's for several years. . I have asked Medtronic via several contacts to make longer tubing available ...this has not happened yet . However I am " getting used to " the 60 cm tubing .No to the question of researching other pumps prior to choosing the Veo . I am not a techy and what info the pump provides I can handle ...am from the KISS generation :)
For the record : CGMS today : 8.40 am : 4.8 , finger poke 5.2 , 10.26 am 4.9 , finger poke 4.6 ...hubby says/thinks I have a low pain threshold ...however the sensor needle has never been a concern for me ....today I am a happy camper , after I changed some basal numbers , after reading MM's CareLink report .
The situation may prevent it self soon to trial an Omnipod through my Pump Nurse ...the only reason I would do this is to " broaden my horizon " just a bit .

Permalink Reply by Sheila on July 19, 2011 at 6:12am

I live in Ontario too. I've been diabetic for 50 years now. I use a MM Paradigm 550 and love it. My blood sugars have never been so stable. Are you buying the pump or getting it through ADP? I would love the new MM pump, but we can't afford it right now and MiniMed just replaced the pump I'm using (the warranty was about to expire, but the pump malfunctioned before then). I had the new (older, but same model)pump within 2 hours. I looked at all the pumps and did research before I picked mine. MM just seemed to be more up to date. The MM has a bolus wizard, which takes the guessing (of how much) out of the question. You will need to bolus when you eat. You also need to do regular blood checks. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but it is well worth it. It was a hypoglycemic incident which finally decided me on using the pump. My diabetic specialist had been nagging me for years... I LOVE my pump!

Permalink Reply by Loke on July 19, 2011 at 10:13am

First, you will need to use the bolus on a regular basis.

My daughter is using the MM and so are many other people we know. It seems to be quite good. However, I have found it extremely painful to get supplies from Bayer (for the meter). Quick and easy turnaround if we find a fault with any of the supplies though (a box with an open infusion set).

We didn't get the CGM either since it is expensive and we couldn't find any professional who would say it would be worthwhile, though some people swear by it.

For the person interested in the Omnipod, this is not available in Canada yet.

Permalink Reply by mikey on July 19, 2011 at 11:04am

Loke,

I'm using a Bayer USB meter right now and have no problems ordering strips and lancets from my pharmacy. Are you ordering meter supplies from Medtronic or somewhere else?

I seem to leaning toward the MM or Accu-Chek. I was initially leaning toward the Animas but after having an opportunity to play with the menu and meter system I was a little disappointed as to how much information you have to re-input (the BG and and the recommended bolus). As for the Accu-Chek I find myself wondering why the pump isn't as popular as the others. It really does seem like a solid system.

Permalink Reply by Loke on July 19, 2011 at 2:35pm

This is with ordering supplies from BayerCare. The free batteries are rarely in stock, took over 3 months to get them delivered finally, an additional meter took 3 months, orders from website got stuck in queue, etc...
Getting strips or other supplies from the pharmacy have never been a problem.

If you are ordering pump supplies you do need to shop around to see who has inventory. Safeway here has lots of pump users (due to airmiles) so they always have supplies on hand, however LD and smaller pharmacies order on a per need basis so it can take 1 to 3 weeks to get supplies in.

Remember, the meter and pump are seperate and created by different companies in the case of the MM. Big difference.

The MM is nice that the meter and pump are wirelessly connected so that you don't have to re-enter data. Also they have a USB stick that let's you upload the meter data to a website to help in tracking.

I also wondered about the Accu-Chek pump as the hospitals here push the accu-chek meter but push the MM for a pump.

The biggest issue I have been able to find is for children or insulin sensitive people. The MM can be adjusted per .025 (new model) /.05 older model. The AC can only be adjusted per .1. I know several people who are buying the new pump just for the .025 adjustment.
Similar issues with programming Basal.

From a customer support side I keep hearing that MM is better. 5 year warranty, almost immediate replacement if failure. Loaner spare pump if you go on trip. A local kid had his stolen (looks like pager and left in pool washroom) and gave him loaner for 90 days. Our experience has been very good on the MM side, one infusion set was open in the box and they paid for return and sent us two replacement infusion sets within 48 hours.

Permalink Reply by SiggyB on July 20, 2011 at 2:54pm

I just went through an exhaustive 3 month search for a new pump.

I have been a MM pump user for over 12 years, I thought it was time to check around with the other manufacturers, as I said I did this. I got my new Animas PING pump 2 months ago and after thinking MM was the "only" company, I cannot tell you how pleased I am with Animas. The pump itself does have its quirks, a few more buttom pushes than the MM, but I absolutly love it. I love the way it calculates and informs you on all the information IOB, Carb Bolus BG Bolus. The only dissappointment for me is theior reporting software. MM and "Carelink" is absolutley awesome, so do not expect much from the reporting software. I have actually set up an Excel Spreadsheet that I use for myself and Doctor.

As well keep in mind the new Animas Vibe will be in Canada next year, this also has the Dexcom CGM, now I was able to purchas the latest Dexcom from the US, and let me tell you hands down, this CGM kicks the MM one in the butt. Not painful at all, I wear the sensors for 2 weeks (people use them longer, I am just not comfortable with that) and the accuracy is second to none.

I looked at the Omnipod, MM, and Animas and I am extremely happy with my decision. Oh yes, one last thing. The Animas customer support is out of this world compared to MM, you are treated like a human with Animas.

Sorry for the long winded response, if you have any questions I would love to answer any for you.

Cheers and good luck !!!

Permalink Reply by mikey on July 20, 2011 at 3:36pm

Thanks for the responses guys! Keep 'em coming!

Loke,
I tried to order a few things from Bayer website as well and still have not received anything, so I feel your pain on that one. Have you tried to see if MM has any of the meter supplies you're looking for? And as for the AC pump, I'm not sure if you were looking at the older model Spirit but the new Combo can make adjustments of 0.01, so actually much smaller adjustments then the MM. And if I'm not mistaken MM has a 4 year warranty where the AC has a 5.

Siggyb,
Thanks for your input as well! Glad you're liking your Ping. Since you're coming from MM to Animas I was wondering if you found the extra button pushes tedious at all? I mean you are working with the pump (or meter) several times a day; do you find yourself wishing that the information was populated for you? I ask beacuase I'm not always the most patient person.
I'm also curious did you take a look at the Accu-Chek pump at all?

Permalink Reply by SiggyB on July 20, 2011 at 3:45pm

Hey Mikey,

I am also just like you, i cannot stand tedious things, I guess the best way I can say it to you is, no it doesnt bother me, I got used to it very quickly. To me the customer support, they make ordering the infusion sets a breeze, and their overall support. I forgot to mention, this is how good their customer service is, I get all of my supplies covered under my works extended medical (yes extremely fortunate), it usually takes the insurance company 3 weeks to get me my money back. Well the Animas Customer Support rep had me send in 10 signed claim forms, they fill them out, they send them directly to my insurance company, AND, they give me 30 days from the time I place the order. As well, I guess because the claim is coming diorectly from Animas, Empire Life processes the claim within 4 days of me ordering the supplies. So no more dishing money out of pocket.

1 great factor as well with the PING is if youget fussy like I am, you can fine tune your Basils down to .025. Absolutly awesome !!!

I never did check Accu-Chek, just because of the negative responses I read here, for me it was either MM, Animas, or Omnipod.

Cheers.

Permalink Reply by Loke on July 20, 2011 at 4:53pm

Haven't checked with MM for supplies due to issues with my stupid medical insurance.
I think I was looking at the specs for the Spirit.
MM is five years warranty according to my material.

Permalink Reply by mikey on July 20, 2011 at 6:49pm

Really 5 years? The rep told me 4, but did say that they would provide a loaner pump between years 4 and 5. Strange to be hearing different info...

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