New to the idea of pumping

[Jibbi]

Hi there. Been cruising this site for a number of days and am pretty sure I've read every post several times. I don't know about you guys, but it's hard to find a forum or other that has this kind of information - So, thank you in advance for the informative postings.

The quick: Type I since 1980 when I was 8, now 34 yrs old. No major complications until last fall when retinopathy stung me. I've had multiple laser treatments and next step is vitrectomy - So I say...Gotta do what I gotta do!

To the business at hand. Doc has been pushing me to a pump for quite a while and I've been hesitant. Last A1C a few weeks ago was 8.4. Now I'm asking myself if this is a "I gotta do what I gotta do" situation too?? I'm not a great controller and very much like the idea of freedom to eat, play, forget, etc when I want to. I believe the pump will allow me to do so.

I'm not sure what answers or opinions I'm looking for by posting this, other than to just spit it out and get some feedback from informed persons - any feedback at all - pump related or not. My hesitancy on the pump is that I would always be connected, but now the Omnipod takes that out of the equation. Now I ask myself if the pod is too large of a vessel on me (I know the size; I've watched the YouTube videos - thanks to whomever that is; etc).

The Animas pump is intriguing due to size and waterproof and screen detail. MiniMed seems most tech advanced but bigger than Animas and not waterproof? I know, just be careful around water, but that isn't something that I want to have in the back of my head. Last week while fishing a bass tournament, I dropped a rod in the water and without hesitation, jumped out of the boat and went in after it. OK, an isolated circumstance, but nonetheless...Also, I understand that Animas is coming out with the Micro Pump? Where does this stand?

Anyway, thanks for listening to me. I believe my decision has come down to Animas or OmniPod - but open to other considerations. To be tethered or not to be tethered, I guess that is the real question.

[JediSkipdogg]

The Omnipod is great but keep in mind that you have to remember to take the controller with you. Otherwise, no controller = no food. How many times have you left your cell phone somehwere? How about your BG meter? (I know, I know, go ahead, bash away at me podders, but that's a HUGE problem that I would have.)

As for the Minimed and Animas. I think they are close in terms of basic functionality. If you check out the sticky post on here you can see more pros and cons on each. I'll say I'm more Animas, but then again, I own one and think the added features it has are a better benefit.

[sleepy_hound]

About the issue of being tethered, I used to think I would hate it. It seemed like I'd be "doomed" to the pump (sounds corny, but it was real concern!). But now, after six weeks of being "tethered" I feel like it's always been a part of me. I imagine this is what it's like for men who wear their cell phones or pagers on their waist...and then go home and change into jammies, you absentmindedly check your waistband! I find myself checking it on my waist at home, if nothing else, for the time?? Weird, but it's an automatic thing for me to move it around my waist depending on whether I'm sleeping on my stomach or my back, etc.

Sorry, this sounds like a rant...

[trishagarth94]

To the business at hand. Doc has been pushing me to a pump for quite a while and I've been hesitant. Last A1C a few weeks ago was 8.4. Now I'm asking myself if this is a "I gotta do what I gotta do" situation too?? I'm not a great controller and very much like the idea of freedom to eat, play, forget, etc when I want to. I believe the pump will allow me to do so.


I was diagnose type 1 a little over a year ago and my doc has been after me for almost 6 months to start, my problem was I had no insurance, but now I have been approved and they are going to cover my prexisting condition, thank god. I have been going back and forth between MiniMed and Cozmo and think I have decided to go with MiniMed. but as to forget, my doc has told me several times within the last week you CAN NOT forget. My last A1C was 8.8 which was June 8th. It had been running a whole lot higher but I have also lost 75 pounds in the last 6 months and that has helped a whole lot, I go this afternoon to do all paperwork for the pump and get it sent in.
Even if the doc has been pushing you, you need to make sure that that's what you want and not just what s/he wants. That was one of the reasons I was hesitant because she kept pushing but I also couldn't afford it without insurance.

[VinceF]

It took me five years to decide on getting a pump because of the tether thing. I was also afraid of the infusion set. I wish I had done this long ago. It's nothing to worry about. I like my animas pump and don't have any experience with other pumps. Good Luck!

[Jibbi]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Regarding the Omnipod - I understand Jediskipdogg's suggestion that if you forget the PDM, you are out of luck. I'd like to hear why others chose a tethered pump (Animas, Minimed or Cozmo or other) over a pod? Would any of you change over to an Omnipod if you did not already have another style of pump?

Omnipod is what I am leaning towards, and am waiting for Insulet to send me a sample pod to "feel, touch, try". If I don't like the size of the pod or don't think I could get used to it, the Animas 2020 is a close 2nd. I like it for it's waterproof nature, the screen, and overall size.

[thomasb]

Just started with the minimed 522. Looking back i think i should have gone with the animas. It seems it has everything the minimed does and a little more. Totally waterporrf is good, but i dont think they recommend having it underwater anyway. but maybe just in case. the minimed seems to withstand the occasional splash of water though.

Im haning onto the minimed for a while. maybe animas next time.

[andypoo]

Now see, I'm one for the mdi(multiple daily injections),but your hearing this from someone who likes things the way they are ,I've been a diabetic almost 40 yrs. and am used to the injections and I feel I have better control,since every time I inject,I test bgs. I am on other meds which thin my blood,so I'm leary about having a needle being stuck in my body for any length of time,especially when I change it. I'm scared of these "gushers' I've heard mentioned on this forum. And I'm not trying to scare you at all,these are "my "reasons and I'm probably being too paranoid. I also move around too much at bedtime in my sleep and I'm afraid I'd disengage it. But almost everyone on here who has the pumps say they love them.

[panda1076]

The Omnipod is great but keep in mind that you have to remember to take the controller with you. Otherwise, no controller = no food. How many times have you left your cell phone somehwere? How about your BG meter? (I know, I know, go ahead, bash away at me podders, but that's a HUGE problem that I would have.)


I won't bash too much... I've been on the OmniPod for over 7 months now, and I love it. Only once did I almost forget my PDM at home (but I didn't). I don't know about others, but I always check that I have my wallet, PDM, and cell phone before I go anywhere.

By the way, if you forget your PDM, you are still getting your basal insulin since it's programmed into the pod when you activate it. And if you carry backups supplies then you can just bolus for the meal with a syringe until you get your PDM. I always carry a pouch with backup supplies including syringes and insulin in my pocketbook as backup. So I am never out of luck.

[VinceF]

I've had D 40 years...it was only after I got married and my wife got pregnant that she convinced me to try a pump. Prior to that I took 2 injections of strait NPH a day. I will never go back to that and wish I had switched much earlier. I don't have experience with a Omnipod. I like my animas 1250.

[sleepy_hound]

I went with the Animas because I like the food inventory...and it's userability. I know I could have gone with the MiniMed and been fine, but for some reason, though it may sound vain or insignificant in the long run, I thought the home screen for the MiniMed was very overstimulating...the waves, the blah grey screen. Also, the waterproof issue was an issue for me...I am not the most graceful person in the world.

I didn't go with Omnipod because, quite frankly, until I got on this forum, didn't know it existed!? The endo's office didn't give me any of their merchandise info...

[w5wjp]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Regarding the Omnipod - I understand Jediskipdogg's suggestion that if you forget the PDM, you are out of luck. I'd like to hear why others chose a tethered pump (Animas, Minimed or Cozmo or other) over a pod? Would any of you change over to an Omnipod if you did not already have another style of pump?

Omnipod is what I am leaning towards, and am waiting for Insulet to send me a sample pod to "feel, touch, try". If I don't like the size of the pod or don't think I could get used to it, the Animas 2020 is a close 2nd. I like it for it's waterproof nature, the screen, and overall size.

No, I would not choose an Omnipod. The cartridge is too small for me. Although I am not a tree hugger, I think the Omnipod is extremely wasteful, the electronics could be used for longer than just a few days. My Cozmo is doing just fine and as to being "tethered"......I am not "tethered", my pump just happens to follow me everywhere.

[jenet]

I would not choose the OmniPod because I do regularly lose things - several times a week. Some of these things are very important, like losing my ATM bank card last Saturday. Sometimes I find them, sometimes I don't. (Fortunately, there was no cost to replace the bank card, just a nuisance factor with no access to an ATM and no debit card purchases for a week to 10 days.) Probably most people don't have serious short term and long term memory problems, but I do. (And believe me, it's bad enough that folks notice and call me on it regularly. ;) )

I love my Animas, but would be sorely tempted if a new version of the Cozmo comes out that is integrated with the Navigator CGMS, and Animas doesn't have something comparable. Even then, it would be difficult to give up the Animas. Not everyone needs the ability to adjust their basal rates by .025 units/hour, but it makes a big difference for me in being high, low or stable when I wake up in the morning. :D

Choosing a new pump is a moot point for me until 2010, however, as my Animas is early in its 4 year warrenty, and I don't plan on changing jobs (or insurance) for another 8+ years. So I have an Animas pump (covered by insurance) and the MM standalone CGMS (paid for out of pocket) - this combo works fine for now.

Good luck with whatever you decide. :)
cheers,
j