Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by A. Kelsey Metcalf on October 30, 2012 at 6:35pm

Hi Cindy,

I've been pumping for 12 years with only tubed pumps (minimed, then cozmo, now minimed and soon switching to animas.)

When I first went on the pump the tubing was hard to get used to. But they started me on the super long tube length and I got it caught on everything it felt like. I quickly switched to a shorter tube length which helped a lot. I'm absolutely used to it now and don't even think about it any longer. But of course, I've been doing this awhile. I would imagine though that it's not dissimilar to how you feel about having a ginormous pod stuck to your skin. You probably don't think about that too often, but to me it seems insurmountable.

There are also a lot of options on where to wear the pump. You'll find lots of posts of tips and tricks on tudiabetes and I always recommend this site: www.pumpwearinc.com

Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Brooklyn on October 30, 2012 at 6:43pm

I made the switch about 14 months ago from the Omnipod to the Revel and I felt just like you. I have had diabetes for 26 years and the Omnipod was my first pump. I resisted a pump because of the tubing and didn't want to feel like a robot. I was afraid I'd feel like I was a patient all the time. I was on the Omnipod for 3.5 years and it was awful. I hated it but was determined to make it work because a tubed pump freaked me out. It was a waste of money and hurt my health and I felt the thing on me every second I wore it.

I can't fully describe how wrong I was. The tubed pump is SO easy. It is nothing and I forget I even have it on. I have to pat myself down sometimes to see where it is. In 14 months I have pulled it off once!! That was pulling my jeans up and caught the waist band on the cannula. I have 4 dogs that sleep in bed with me and an 8 year old kid who climbs all over me. I used to knock the pod off 2-3x a week. I wear the pump in my bra every day without the belt clip on it. I do Muay Thai kickboxing and have never had an issue. I have had one tubing set that was defective. I used to have 3 defective Omnipods in every box of 10.

I was worried about sleeping with the Revel and I have come up with a couple of solutions. I wear men's boxer briefs and put the pump in the "trap door". I buy the ones that have two layers to the front pocket. I also wear tight workout shorts and just tuck the pump into the small of my back. Sometimes I wake up and it's just floating around the bed and it isn't a problem. It sounds crazy but it doesn't get pulled out.

I tell my doctor every 3 months when I see her that I feel like such a fool for not trying the tubed pump sooner. That I should have listened to her and got off the Omnipod immediately. I am sooooooooooooooooooooo much happier it is unbelievable.

Permalink Reply by suz on November 26, 2012 at 4:04pm

So glad to read your post from 10-30. I am researching right now whether to get the Revel or Ping. I cring to think of the tubing. I had been on OmniPod for 2 1/2 yrs. Loved it. Medicare won't pay for it, so I'm hoping to hear from Revel users on TuDiabetes to help me decide.

Permalink Reply by Unicornzzz on November 27, 2012 at 12:51pm

I love my Revel! I do know that they are coming out with a new sensor insertion device hopefully right after the new year. I talked with a rep and she told me only to order 1 months worth of sensors the next time I order. She also said then new pump is supposed to be coming out real soon but was not privy to that date.

I would contact both Animas and MM to actually play with the pumps. Each pump works just a little different than the next. If you need more than about 175 units every three days you should go with the Revel.

Permalink Reply by Kate's Mom on October 30, 2012 at 6:51pm

My daughter uses the Revel. She would love to Pod but we rely on the cgm/mySentry (she's only 12). She doesn't complain about the tubes and usually wears the pump hooked on her waistband or in her pocket. She uses a Spibelt pouch for sports. I would ask your Medtronic rep to let you try the Revel...it is such a personal decision, you won't know until you try!

Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Unicornzzz on October 30, 2012 at 7:27pm

I have to be honest and say the omnipod scared the heck out of me when I first looked at pumps. I have been on the Cozmo, Animas and now the Revel. I like the idea of being able to place my pump in different locations depending on my clothing. All you do with the tubing is stick it into your clothing after you get dressed and away you go. I would suggest you contact the pump companies and have a sales rep. show you their pump because each pump is slightly different than the next. It is like comparing apples an oranges. You need to decide what features you want with your pump.

Permalink Reply by Natalie ._c- on October 30, 2012 at 7:58pm

Tubing doesn't bother me one bit. I usually wear jeans (the pleasure of being retired!) and the pump is in my pocket, and the tubing coiled up inside my waistband. I use the long tubing, so the pump can stay in my pocket when I go to the bathroom, and can wander around my bed at night. Even when I wear a dress, I can figure out ways to wear the pump -- in a pocket, with the tubing going through a small hole I cut in the inside seam of the pocket, or in the side of my bra, or in a leg pouch. I don't really like the latter two as much, but it's really OK, just an inconvenience.

Incidentally, I tried 2 fake Omnipods and hated them, because they were big, uncomfortable on the hip because of the need to beware when pulling pants up or down, and the one on my arm left a big bruise because the adhesive was so hard to remove. So I decided not to even try the real one. I much prefer my little Medtronic, tubing and all.

Permalink Reply by Cindy on October 31, 2012 at 4:14pm

Thanks for sharing the long tube/bathroom bit. That is one thing I was actually worried about but unsure how to handle. I will most likely wear it on the waist of my pants or in a pocket, so that will be an issue. I liked all of the suggestions about sleeping, too!

Thanks to EVERYONE who responded. You have all provided a great deal of reassurance about tubing. I needed to hear that. I really appreciate it. I remain a little scared, but I really do think this change is for the best. I have a love/hate relationship with the pod. When it's good, it's really good. When it's bad, it's terrible.

Permalink Reply by jrtpup on November 27, 2012 at 1:28pm

One of my favorite tricks is a baby sock. Tuck the pump in it, and safety pin wherever is convenient (inside seams of dresses/skirts, underwear, etc.)

Permalink Reply by Janice L Cotton on October 30, 2012 at 8:50pm

Hi...glad to see this discussion. I recently switched from the OmniPod to the t:slim by Tandem. Yesterday was my first day; so, I'm a newbie. I actually asked a friend here ;-) for some pointers. I also sleep with a fluffy baby and was afraid that she would get tangled in the tubing. That didn't happen. I like the idea of workout shorts/bike shorts, heck...controlled-type body garments would work as well, I suppose. Thanks Brooklyn. I slept with it tucked under my pillow; and it was still there when I awoke. Question...with the pump in your under garments, how can you retrieve it discretely when you go out for a meal? Also... I tried removing the clip and putting it in my bra--wasn't a good look and the pump is fairly small (size of a credit card). I do very much like being able to disconnect if necessary. I never noticed the pod. I never worried about it falling in the toilet for example or falling off of where ever it is that I have it clipped. Perhaps I just too new at this to be at the "unaware of it stage".

Permalink Reply by Kate's Mom on October 31, 2012 at 4:01am

my daughter wears bike shorts and just lifts her dress up a little to find the pump and then pulls it out. We also try to find dresses with pockets like Natalie or skirts. When my daughter was in a play, we had her costume made with an opening in the seam so she could reach her pump at any time without drawing attention to it. You just have to be creative!

Permalink Reply by Erika on October 31, 2012 at 8:19am

I switched from the Omnipod about two years ago. Before that I had the Cozmo (another tubed pump). I am also a T1 diagnosed in my early 20s. Like you I love the integrated CGM. The Omnipod gave much such horrible rashes it was either go back to a tubed pump or go back on shots. The rashes itched so much I just wanted to scratch off the pods. Not every pod worked. After six months on the Omnipod the rest of the time was horrible, I was always wrestling with something on a daily basis. I tried everything to get the skin problems to go away. The reservoir was small for me too. But after switching back to a tubed pump I in general felt safer. Eventually my skin cleared up from all the rashes I got from the Omnipod. The Revel is truly reliable. The mio and the quick set are pretty easy to insert, like pressing a button, you don't really see the needle but you see just enough (the insulin going through the tubing) to have some sense of security. With tubing I wouldn't really put a new set on my arm like I did the Omnipod, it gets tricky. But I am learning to try out some other areas. The Revel in general is stress-free. I generally don't worry about anything pump related on a daily basis.

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