Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Matt on January 18, 2013 at 6:20pm

I was on Omnipod for 3 years with no major issues and had great control. As with any pump you have to give a little bolus after putting a new pod on or filling a new infusion set. The advantage with the pod is it gives so much more freedom for children and teens. Can play sports, swim, shower without removing. I loved it but my new ins won't cover it so it's a medtronic pump for me.

Best of luck, Matt

Permalink Reply by Mom 2 Kyle on January 20, 2013 at 9:15am

Thank you. He REALLY wants to go with Omnipod and I know it should be his decision. I just heard (even from our endo) that about one in ten of the pods malfunction. Also heard that you can get a bad box of them - YIKES!

Matt, if your insurance covered the Omnipod would you switch back??

Permalink Reply by Kate's Mom on January 20, 2013 at 10:33am

We have a friend who tried the pods and didn't like them....reasons similar to Natalie's below. You can try a sample pod..my daughter didn't have any problems with the sample--wore it for a volleyball game, swimming, bathing, sleeping...but in the end the other features that Medtronic offers were more important than the tubeless. but I wish medtronic had a tubeless option!

Permalink Reply by Natalie ._c- on January 18, 2013 at 7:33pm

I've used the Medtronic for almost 14 years. And NEVER had a problem with it that they didn't jump on the case and solve for me as quickly as possible. The tubing absolutely doesn't bother me, and for showering, I just disconnect (been pumping long enough to remember the days when you COULDN'T disconnect, and had to wear the pump in a shower bag around your neck), and reconnect when I'm done. Some people take a small bolus to make up for the insulin they missed while in the shower, but I don't need to.

For swimming, it's similar, depending on how long he would be in the water. If he's very active in the water, he may not need any additional insulin during that time. I'm sure someone who's been into water sports will come on with an answer. For dry sports, he can just keep the pump on, although again, he may not even need the insulin during activity -- a lot of people turn down their basals or turn them off.

As far as the Omnipod, I tried fake ones twice, and hated them. I put one on the back of my arm, and it was almost impossible to get off (I wore it for 2 days), and left a big bruise when I finally did get it off. The other one, I wore on my belly, and it was a big lump, and got in the way when I dressed or undressed. But they have come out with a smaller pod, which might not be so much trouble. And again, some people just love the pod, and I might just be a party pooper.

There's also the Animas, which some people like a lot, but I can't speak about it because I've never used one. And there are a few other companies that make pumps, like the Accuchek Spirit, and MAYBE Dana Diabecare, but I really don't know anyone who's using them.

So what it boils down to is what your son's preferences are -- the best thing to do would be to get a couple of sample pods that he could wear to see if he liked it, and also, maybe a trial with a tubed pump -- I don't know if the companies allow that or not, but your endo would know.

Good luck! :-)

Permalink Reply by Kate's Mom on January 18, 2013 at 7:55pm

My almost 13 year old is on her second year with with the Minimed. Very few issues--only two no delivery alerts in all that time. We also use a cgm and actually think that is more important than the pump as it warns us of highs and lows. I spent the money on the mySentry ($2400) which is a remote cgm monitor that goes next to my bed to wake me up if she goes high or low. Couldn't live without it! I've written about it here http://kcandcompany.wordpress.com/2012/01/13/oh-mysentry/

Gary Scheiner (author of Think Like a Pancreas) has a good pro/con page http://www.integrateddiabetes.com/p_compar.shtml which I think is really helpful. Most people seem to love whatever pump they have....and all have their pros and cons. You need to figure out which features are most important to you and your son. Pumping has really improved my daughter's life and I strongly recommend it! Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Mom 2 Kyle on January 20, 2013 at 9:17am

When you get a no delivery alert does that just mean you need to change the infusion site/set (sorry, I don't know all the lingo of the pumps)?

Permalink Reply by Kate's Mom on January 20, 2013 at 10:30am

yep...both times it was easily corrected by changing site. We use her abdomen and fleshy area above hips on the rear. She is very thin and muscular.

Permalink Reply by Stemwinder on January 20, 2013 at 10:30am

A no delivery is a good indication of a site or a set problem. I'm not sure what other causes there might be but would say those are the most common. I have had two no delivery alarms since starting pumping a month ago and both were caused by a bent cannula.

Permalink Reply by Kate's Mom on January 20, 2013 at 10:35am

And you will learn the best areas on your body to avoide bent cannulas

Permalink Reply by mary on January 18, 2013 at 11:26pm

I had a Medtronic Revel pump. Still using Bolus Wizard and CGM, but back on MDI. Had problems with bubbles forming in the reservoir then obstructing the entry into the tubing. Flushing bubbles out 2-3x daily while trying to keep my bg under 300. No way to determine exactly how much insulin I was receiving so also over-correcting and going low. Did not give No Delivery alarm because the pump thought it had given me insulin even though it hadn't. I take very low doses which may have contributed to the problem. I tried to work with Medtronic for 3 months. They replaced the pump several times and kept asking if I was using cold insulin. NO. Finally told me to carry the plunger with me and that they couldn't fix problem without going back through FDA.

Permalink Reply by Dlrdon on January 19, 2013 at 7:38am

The new One Touch Ping is waterproof and pump control thru the Meter.My wife saw someone with one and they liked it. Pretty new not much reviews or info on it yet, not sure what infusion sets work with it.

Permalink Reply by Nori on January 19, 2013 at 9:03am

I have been minimed since March. I LOVE it! Especially since you can set your basal rates at different times and doses. It has really helped with my dawn phenomenon. I am too klutzy for pod. I tried a Dexcom before starting my pump but found it too difficult to have 2 devices. Just started mm CGM, I think it's going to be great!

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