Pumping

[Tricia452008]

HI guys i got good news for a change. I have wanted to pump for a while but have been scared mainly for financial reasons. I knew i could never afford a $6,000 pump. But i just called my insurance who said they have all pump makers available and they would pay over 90% of it for me. I am in between the MM 720 and the Animas 2020. What would you guys prefer? I am Type 1 on tons of insulin right now hoping to change that with the pump. So since i have many options now what would you guys reccomend?

[JediSkipdogg]

When you say tons what do you mean? Although I'm not a fan of Minimed (mainly the company) if you need more than say 60 units a day total then Animas may be out. Although some don't mind changing the cartridge more often for the added features. And wouldn't it be the 722 by Minimed?

May I ask why you cut Cozmo out already?

[Tricia452008]

By tons i mean around 80-90 units a day of both pens and my lantus. So i was just wondering what pump would work better. Also i meant 722 sorry. I don't know numbers too well

[jimbob]

I have the minimed 722 and I like it, but I also kind wish I had looked into the cozmo more. I really would like a water proof pump and the food database would be great, I'm a creature of habit and seem to go out to eat at the same places so being able to program the carb count into your pump would be great. The linked meter is kinda nice but not nessacary, and the b-d meter isn't all that great, but not bad either. If you're taking more than 60u a day like Kev said I wouldn't look at the Animas because one of the great things about a pump is less sticks with a needle. Yeah once every 2 days would still be better than what your on, but once every 3 is even better. They're all great pumps that do the job great, it's really just what fit's you best.

[duck]

I have a Cozmo and I complain a lot about it hear...it's not been a bad pump for me, but in my experience it's shape, etc., has made it not as convenient or comfortable as my old MM 508.

Animas makes a good pump, but with MM's built-in CGMS on the 722, that would sway me that way. As a matter of fact, I am about *this* close to getting myself a MM Guardian (the CGMS that is not built into a pump).

[Dewey]

If you have to use a great deal of insulin each day, then I'm with Jedi in that it would be better to go with a pump that has a larger reservoir, or you'll be changing/adding insulin (i.e. to the Animas 2020 or MM 522) daily.

The two main pumps that offer a larger reservoir are the MM722 (as you have mentioned) and the Cozmo. The Cozmo is awesome and offers many features. The MM 722 is great & has the CGMS option if one chooses to wear it. It's solely up to the user which pump he or she wants to go with. You can also check this thread (http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/pumping-insulin/13323-pump-comparisons-all-about.html) for more info on each pump, and this (http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/pumping-insulin/16144-about-infusions-sets.html) one for the different types of infusion sets that can be used.

Lastly, jimbob mentioned "waterproof" and I just want to say that I've been swimming with my Cozmo almost daily. I've used it at the beach (swam with it in the ocean), in fresh water (ponds/lakes/rivers) and in pools. :D

[RLK]

If you're using that much insulin, I would rule out the Animas simply because of the smaller reservoir. I would look further at the MM 722 or the Cozmo.
I like my 512, but am intrigued by the Cozmo and it's definitely on the short list when I replace my pump next year.

[duck]

I haven't been in a pool since...since...Hmmmmmm.

Anyway, I don't swim a lot, obviously, so the whole waterproof issue has never entered my pump-selection equation. And with the Cozmore, if you add the blood glucose monitor to it, the monitor is not waterproof, so you've taken that benefit away.

BUT, the attached Cozmonitor is an incredible idea, and is VERY convenient. It's what sold me on the Cozmo, but ironically it is also what makes the shape very uncomfortable as well.

[Dewey]

Anyway, I don't swim a lot, obviously, so the whole waterproof issue has never entered my pump-selection equation. And with the Cozmore, if you add the blood glucose monitor to it, the monitor is not waterproof, so you've taken that benefit away.

BUT, the attached Cozmonitor is an incredible idea, and is VERY convenient. It's what sold me on the Cozmo, but ironically it is also what makes the shape very uncomfortable as well.
The meter is very convenient, if you use it. However, I'd like to see a plastic hard clip to accommodate both the pump & meter, rather than that leather thing. :s:

You're right about the Cozmo Not being waterproof if the meter's attached....but it's easy to remove the meter & replace the appropriate cap for swimming (Rikki did that & used her Flash meter to check while we swam). Likewise, if the pool's near the home/apartment/hotel, one could disconnect for a time.

I don't use the attachable meter (currently use the One Touch UltraSmart), so I often forget to mention that. :o

[Funnygrl]

I love my Cozmo. I got it for the waterproofness (which I do use), the easy to use menus, the huge amount of customizablilty, the free upgrades, the meal maker, and the custom text you can add to screens. The carb database and hypo manager are also nice. It's easily the most customizable of all pumps.

[jimbob]

I love my Cozmo. I got it for the waterproofness (which I do use), the easy to use menus, the huge amount of customizablilty, the free upgrades, the meal maker, and the custom text you can add to screens. The carb database and hypo manager are also nice. It's easily the most customizable of all pumps.

That's a huge plus in my eyes as well. I forgot that in my earlier post.

[Tricia452008]

Thank you all for your help. I think the MM and the Cozmo are both great choices and I would gladly go with one or the other. Thank you all for your tips and advice. I know if anyone can help me it is other diabetics! And thank you Dewey for the links i am looking at them right now! Thank you!!

[Keezheekoni]

Yep, I love my Cozmo and do exactly what Dewey said that I did...it's not that hard to change the battery cap and just use my Flash separately to check while swimming. The only real reason I have the Cozmonitor attached right now is because one of my kids took off with my plastic holster...I only have the leather one right now. Otherwise, I usually just use the plastic holster, and when I need to check, just hold the Cozmonitor next to the IR on the pump...

Anyhow, I've never used the MM, except for a 3 day trial, and honestly I didn't like some of the programming steps. Other than that, it was a good pump too.

[NoelD]

I have the MM722 with the Minilink CGMS. I love it. Waterproofness isn't a big deal to me, but it might be to some. I pump between 65 and 125 units a day, averaging about 75.

[Cyborg]

The smaller reservoir size is the main thing that bugs me about the Animas. It is a good pump and it's very small (and waterproof).

Many people, including myself, have ended up using less TDD of insulin than while on MDI.

[Dee]

Once you go on the pump you will use less insulin generally.

Don't rule out the onmipod, it holds 200 units per 3 days and it has a food database and a built in BG meter. It is also very simple to use, cannula insertion is automatic and it is tubeless in that the contoller is not wired to the infusion site.

The omnipod is not 6 thousand dollars, its around two thousand and if your insurance is paying 90% then your startup is around 200 dollars instead of 600.

I am very happy with my pod, my levels have never been lower.

[JediSkipdogg]

The omnipod is not 6 thousand dollars, its around two thousand and if your insurance is paying 90% then your startup is around 200 dollars instead of 600..

But if you use 125 in a day that's will be about 230 pods to use a year. Not only is that extremely wasteful, but just plain stupid in my book as that will cost more in the long run than a traditional pump.

[kgm0612]

Meet with a rep from both Mini Med & Cozmo so that you can actually see for yourself which one you prefer.

I went with a MM-515 because my younger brother was using a MM pump and I figured if I had any problems, he could help me out.

Good luck!

Karen

[ubergeek]

I have the 722 also. I pump upwards of 80 - 110 units a day with it and it works great.

I don't use the CGMS as my insurance will not pay for it at this point. Some day they will and I'm sure I'll go that route.

[Tricia452008]

Meet with a rep from both Mini Med & Cozmo so that you can actually see for yourself which one you prefer.

I went with a MM-515 because my younger brother was using a MM pump and I figured if I had any problems, he could help me out.

Good luck!

Karen

Thank you! I am looking into both the MM and the Cozmo...I will take all this info to my doctor when i see him in Sept and take it from there thank you all for your help!!