Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Trudy on July 28, 2011 at 11:09am

Hi krisver. It has been written on this site that insulin degrades when stored in plastic. I have noticed that my Apidra begins to lose it's strength (in the cartridge) after 24 hours, in fact quits for me at 36 hours. Conceivably it has to do with my body heat or something else, but I myself wouldn't want to risk filling cartridges in advance of using them for fear of wasting the insulin as well as the cartridges.

Permalink Reply by Scott E on July 27, 2011 at 5:43am

I've used only the Medtronic pumps, now the Revel, and before that, an earlier model. And for the most part, I'm fine with it. The pump stays in my pocket when I sleep, I disconnect when I shower, and wear it on my belt in a cell-phone case during the day, tucking the excess tubing inside my pants. I could go on, but I'm sure you'll hear a lot of positives about it. Then again, I don't sleep with dogs, don't kickbox, and don't wear dresses!

But let's back up a bit: why does your doctor want you to switch? You say it's "worked on and off", which could be a big concern. What is the problem? If you're getting no delivery, perhaps your technique of starting a pod is wrong, and all you need to do is re-evaluate the process. If it's anything else that regards using it (how to program, when to change sites), then switching pumps won't make a bit of difference. If it's because the Medtronic rep is a very assertive (and generous) salesperson, then that's not a reason to switch. [Note that I'm not accusing Medtronic of being unethical, I just wonder why she wants you to switch without a reason].

Medtronic Minimed DOES offer some benefits over the Omnipod. First, if the infusion site goes bad, you can replace it without wasting a whole pod of insulin. Second, and this applies mostly to the Sihouette infusion sets, you can see where the cannula goes through the skin and can tell if it's in right, if it's turning red, or whatever. With the Omnipod, the site is covered by the pod and you can't see anything. If you're forgetful or clumsy, you're not as likely to lose or forget the tubed pump as you might be a PDM.

As an aside, I'm surprised you said your doc has "started the paperwork". She shouldn't do that without your approval, and even so, the two times I began on a Medtronic pump, *I* had to call Medtronic to initiate the process, then they called my doctor and insurance company.

Permalink Reply by Brooklyn on July 27, 2011 at 7:20am

My doctor is writing the letter of necessity to get the ball rolling. My insurance told me the doctor takes the first step when switching. She is an amazing physician and educator and sees how hard I try and how I do the right things in the right ways and yet the technology is failing me so the results aren't there that I "deserve".

The problems have been with quality control and basic design flaws. I have had 6 out of 10 pods fail before I even put them on. I have to now carry 3-4 extras in my purse because I have had 2 back ups and both go bad on priming. The pods error message out of nowhere. The PDM freezes up and the meter in the PDM will malfunction. Sometimes I will put one on and it seems fine only to go bad two hours later. Then there are the occlusions. Heavy exercise almost always either occludes the pod or damages it somehow where it slowly stops working- maybe slightly bends the cannula not enough to occlude but slows the flow. Then theres the knocking the pod off even with expensive Suresite windows (basically shrink wrap bandages I buy to keep it on) It tears between the plastic body and the adhesive tape.

I managed to work out where to put it and train myself to be careful and cut down on the knocking the pods completely off. But I can't do anything about the high rate of failures right out of the box- before they are even on my body. Omnipod says they expect a 5% failure rate. The lowest I have ever had is 10% and that wasn't the norm. 5% still seems high to me when it refers to a life sustaining device. But if it was 5% I'd stay on the pod. If it were 10% I would stay. The failures were prevalent 3 years ago when I started on it. Then I had about a year where there was one here and there but mostly it worked. Then every few months I'd get a "bad batch" and the 30-40% failure on priming would start. This year since January it's been a consistent 30-70% failure. That's 7 pods failing on priming ( just filling them) out of a box of 10. No one at the company has any answers. This week a higher up told me it must be a problem with shipping. Then the department that send them out said that in no way could that be the case. I save the defective ones to send back if requested and would just love to know what they determine when they take them apart.

Thank you for a thoughtful reply. I truly appreciate it. I feel a bit overwhelmed going forward but really just want to get back on track and have a system I can rely on.
Thanks again.

Permalink Reply by Jean Leonard on July 27, 2011 at 10:10am

I was using the OmniPod for a year and LOVED it. (I didn't have the problem you are experiencing) but then I became allergic to the adhesive. After about a year of trying everything I could to overcome the allergy (even accupuncture!) I finally switched to a Medtronic MiniMed last October. I had similar reservations as you... I never wanted to have to deal with the tubing. While I have to say, I like the concept of the Omnipod a lot better, I've adjusted to the Minimed just fine. Usually I just keep everything tucked into a pocket. I'll have to check out the "leg thingy" for dresses, since I've avoided them since I've using the Minimed. I also keep my pump under my pillow at night. I toss and turn a bit and sometime wake up and move the pump from side to side, but it hasn't been a big deal. As far as exercize, I will sometimes remove the pump for an hour or so while I exercize. (I tend to go low anyway.) And check and correct as soon as I'm done. I'm hoping that someday another company will introduce a pod type pump that i won't be allergic to, but until then, the tubed pump is way better than injecting 6 times a day!

Permalink Reply by Brooklyn on July 27, 2011 at 10:20am

Thanks Jean. This was so helpful. I have had times where the adhesive drove me nuts and I had to take the pod off. Usually if it was wet fro ma shower. luckily it wasn't a big issue though for me. That must have been horrible.

Permalink Reply by Scott E on July 27, 2011 at 11:10am

That sounds like reason enough to switch. Have your doc's other patients had problems with reliability? Any research here on Tu?

I should say that in my 5 years of pumping with Medtronic, I only had one faulty device - it was the reservoir that wouldn't allow me to connect the tubing. Fortunately, I could easily figure that out before connecting it to myself. Also, once in 5 years of pumping with Medtronic, the tubing became crimped and delivery stopped (without my knowing). The tube was bent backwards right off of the pump inside of the case and must have become torn, so insulin went into the air instead of in to me. That was my fault, though. Overall, I'd say their quality and their consistency is very good.

Permalink Reply by Brooklyn on July 28, 2011 at 9:10am

I think she only has a handful of other patients still on it and refuses to allow any new ones to try it.

Permalink Reply by katzz1 on July 27, 2011 at 10:14am

i have been on a minimed paradigm for 6 years now. i had a problem earlier in the year with some malfunctions, but the people at medtronic are wonderful. the second my pump crapped out i called them, and they sent me a new one OVENIGHT.. i'd say that is the best. i wanted to go to the omnipod but my doc did not recommend it at all. i have a problem with the tubing getting caught on doorknobs, but i deal with it. before the pump by A1Cwas as high as 16%, and my blood sugars were all over the place. i have been in DKA 8 times so believe me.. these pumps work. i have a very active life and the pump alowws me to be spontanious and flexible.. good luck...

Permalink Reply by Brooklyn on July 27, 2011 at 10:22am

Thanks. I have heard the doorknob thing from quite a few people. Is the tubing always the same length? or can it be cut?

Permalink Reply by Scott E on July 27, 2011 at 11:05am

It cannot be cut. It has a special connector on both ends - one to the reservoir and the other to the infusion set (Which is what allows you to disconnect at will). The are available in varying lengths, but me and my short (5'7") frame prefers the long 48" tubing. I've tried the shorter one, and when dressing, using the bathroom, etc, the shorter one presents a problem. With the longer, I can leave it in my pocket, on my belt, etc. without a problem. During the day, I keep the pump in a cell-phone belt-clip and tuck the tubing inside of my pants and it's never a problem. At night when I don't wear a belt, I put it in my pajama pants pocket, and that's when tubing sometimes gets snagged -- for me, it's on kitchen cabinet handles -- but with the longer tubing, there's opportunity to catch it before it yanks on the infusion site.

Permalink Reply by Jean Leonard on July 27, 2011 at 1:05pm

That's where I most often get caught too...kitchen cabinet handles!

Permalink Reply by Brooklyn on July 28, 2011 at 8:55am

That's where I knock the omnipod off my leg all the time!

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page