Pump reminders/alarms

[MamaCat]

Too often I get busy and just tune out my pump when it gives me a bG reminder. And, if it's under the covers when I'm asleep I won't hear it when it gives a low-battery or low reservoir alarm. My 10-year-old neighbor is on the same pump, and she never hears her reminders. Whenever we're together, I'm always saying to her, "is that yours or mine (making the alarm)"?

Anyone else have this problem? I've tried the alarm sound options, but none of them seems obvious, and no one can hear them if there is enough ambient noise. Is it just the Minimeds? Any suggestions?

[JediSkipdogg]

I was going to tell you that after it alarms for a bit the pump starts to vibrate and then alternates between vibrate and alarm. However, I believe that is only an Animas function. I can't find anything that says what a Minimed pump does if you don't answer the alarm. Minimed pumpers, here's your time. And while we're at it, any Cosmo users want to chime in on their pumps?

[kidvid]

I'm starting to sleep through my vibe alarms now. It concerns me, but I don't know what to do. I asked my Animas rep, and a person can program their own tune - maybe that would work?!?!?

Joe

[JediSkipdogg]

kidvid, only the 1200+ (see the +) or the 1250 you can program different "tunes" into the pump. So maybe if you found a loud sound to add to it it would be better than the pumps default sounds.

[Dewey]

I was going to tell you that after it alarms for a bit the pump starts to vibrate and then alternates between vibrate and alarm. However, I believe that is only an Animas function. I can't find anything that says what a Minimed pump does if you don't answer the alarm. Minimed pumpers, here's your time. And while we're at it, any Cosmo users want to chime in on their pumps?
Cozmores get louder after a few, if the alarm is not tended to - it will also alarm/vibrate in short bursts, depending on the setup. If memory serves, I thought MM was similar (I had a 512), but it does take a bit for it to start vibrating. Animas also does, but I think it starts vibrating more quickly than the other pumps. That said, All pumps will alarm per the user's setup, according to how loud they set it, how long the beep is (on Cozmo you can set the tone/beep length) or whether or not the vibrate feature is enabled.

[notme]

MiniMed pumps also have the vibrate mode, although I never use it. I cannot hear the alarms either unless it is just under my shirt. The serious alarms do get louder and insistant like like for "No Delivery" or if you suspend and don't take it off suspend. Those you can definitely hear.

I think they should make the option of having the alarms louder.

[Dewey]

I think they should make the option of having the alarms louder.
I agree that they should allow alarms to be set even louder (i.e. for those with hearing problems). Some of the pump alarms, even at their loudest settings, aren't loud enough for those with hearing impairments (or even, for those without! :eek: ).

On the Cozmore, you can set the alarm to low, medium or high, and you can choose whether or not you want to hear beeps when keys are pressed. :D It's been a while since I had my MM 512, but nowadays, most pumps have similar features to this..

[MamaCat]

MiniMed pumps also have the vibrate mode, although I never use it. I cannot hear the alarms either unless it is just under my shirt. The serious alarms do get louder and insistant like like for "No Delivery" or if you suspend and don't take it off suspend. Those you can definitely hear.

I think they should make the option of having the alarms louder.

It sounds like the Cosmos might be better than the Minimed in this regard. Yes, we have the vibrate or vibrate/alarm options on the Minimed, but at night I don't wake to the vibration especially if the pump if not lying directly against my skin. I've found, too, that (just as the manual says) using the vibrate option really chews up the battery. Yes, I wish we had the option to set it to the volume of the Suspend/No Delivery alarms...or even a good strong beep,beep,beep like a pager. Those three little notes on the MM just don't get the job done.

[spike]

Too often I get busy and just tune out my pump when it gives me a bG reminder. And, if it's under the covers when I'm asleep I won't hear it when it gives a low-battery or low reservoir alarm. My 10-year-old neighbor is on the same pump, and she never hears her reminders. Whenever we're together, I'm always saying to her, "is that yours or mine (making the alarm)"?

Anyone else have this problem? I've tried the alarm sound options, but none of them seems obvious, and no one can hear them if there is enough ambient noise. Is it just the Minimeds? Any suggestions?


My MM pump is hard for me to hear, esp when it's under the covers. If it alarms at night, my wife might hear it, but I don't. When one of our pumps alarms, our conversation goes like this: "was that your pump or mine?".

[MamaCat]

My MM pump is hard for me to hear, esp when it's under the covers. If it alarms at night, my wife might hear it, but I don't. When one of our pumps alarms, our conversation goes like this: "was that your pump or mine?".

Gosh, are you and your wife both on pumps? And I thought my husband and I were sympatico because we are both lefthanded!

[spike]

Gosh, are you and your wife both on pumps? And I thought my husband and I were sympatico because we are both lefthanded!

LOL! The family that pumps together, stays together. <g>

My previous wife of 26 years and I had a difficult time dealing with my DM. I find it much easier to relate to a spouse with DM (besides which, we're more alike in many ways, besides just being DM)

[dgrilli]

I wear hearing Aides in both Ears. So I have my Animas 1250 set on Vibrate and Sound.

Pumping is Great Why doesn't everyone Pump? Imean if your Injecting Why not do it only once every three days instead of 4 to 5 times every Day?

Yeah sometimes the Bolus burns and Stings? I found that if my Insulin is cold it does. I would set over my Air Conditioning Vent and couldn't Understand why it smarted.

Being Tethered is a weird argument against yeah the money is a biggy

[MamaCat]

I find it much easier to relate to a spouse with DM (besides which, we're more alike in many ways, besides just being DM)

Good for you, Spike!

[spike]

Good for you, Spike!


<g> I consider myself VERY, VERY lucky considering everything. I think about how my life has turned around in the last 10 years, every day. I take nothing for granted!