choosing an insulin pump

[Joan]

We are currently researching an insulin pump for our 9 year old boy. We have narrowed it down to either the Animas IR1200 or the Deltec Cozmo. We don't know anyone using one of these pumps and would like to hear first hand about them (likes or dislikes) :rolleyes:

[Rose Hoover]

I have had a Deltec Cozmo for about a month. I did a lot of research and narrowed it down to the Animas and the Deltec. The only reason I did not choose the 1200 was because my educator didn't have it yet so I couldn't see it up close. So far I like the Deltec although it is bigger than the 1200 which I did get to see and hold at a recent Expo. Good luck with your choice. Maybe someone whose has child about the same age will weigh in. I am 49 so my choice may not may be the right one for a 9 year old.

[nantomsuethom]

My son, Thomas, has been using the Animas 1200 (the 1000 since December) for about 2 months now. He really likes it. He is 11 years old and has no problem (feels comfortable) bolusing himself. The staff at Animas has been wonderful. The features on the pump are great.
And we recieved a palm pilot and one touch ultrasmart free! He loves getting free stuff. He got to choose a peronalized cover free of charge also.

[koblenz]

Hi Joan and WELCOME.

I am not on a pump yet, but I am also researching getting a pump. I have also narrowed it down to the Animas IR1200 and Deltec Cosmo. I think I like the Cosmo better (I like all the bells and whisles), but I may have to choose the IR1200 because I am so insulin sensative (smaller basal rate in the IR1200).

If you have not already done so, call both companies and ask to have the sales rep in your area schedule a visit with you. I did this for four different companies. They bring along an actual working pump and you can play with it, ask questions, etc.

I have found the following sources very valuable:

1. This forum (of course it's No. 1)

2. A book called "Pumping Insulin". After I read this, I understood A LOT more of what I was researching and why.

3. Hand on demo by the sales rep.

If you have any questions, e-mail or PM me. You should also check out the history in the Pumping Insulin thread, as I received a lot of good advice there.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[lgvincent]

So, have you picked a pump yet?

[David]

I recently replaced my old Minimed 508 with a new pump and faced a similar decision as you: Animas or Deltec?
First go to both of their websites and see if anything stands out about either of them. You can also go to these websites for comparisons.
http://integrateddiabetes.com/
http://diabetesnet.com/diabetes_technology/insulinpumps_animas.php?PHPSESSID=30b6c90779694697 cea7edd69eb62f37
http://diabetesnet.com/diabetes_technology/insulin_pump_models.php
Again, look for anything that may be important to you like size, screen and display size, basal rates, BG input, anything that stands out.
Meet with both of their reps and play with the bottons and see how easy it it to bolus a set amount and do other functions with both of the pumps. Are the screens easy to read? Are the menus easy to navigate? Which seems most intuitive to you?
I chose the Cozmo over the Animas. Both are great pumps, I don't think you'd really go wrong with either of them. I chose Cozmo because of its larger reservoir. Animas has a smaller reservoir, but that may be a good thing to you since that also means a smaller pump. Cozmo is also bulkier because of it's attachable meter, something Animas doesn't have (for good or bad)
David

[BeckieLynn55]

I recently replaced my old Minimed 508 with a new pump and faced a similar decision as you: Animas or Deltec?
David

I will soon be replacing my MiniMed 508. I just assumed that I would stay with MiniMed. Minimed is heavily pushed at my doctor's office, I believe. When chosing to get a new pump, It ws never which brand I wanted, but how long I want to wait out to get the newest MiniMed model. I believe they gave me another option to look at when choosing my first pump, also... but I dont believe it was either Deltec or Animas. It seems that everyone I meet in Western PA has minimed. Maybe there are a lot of sales reps in this area... but not too many on this forum seem to be using Minimed. What made you not stay with the newer MiniMed options?? I am now rethinking my decision. I will look into companies

[David]

I see nothing wrong with staying with Minimed if that's what you want, but the reverse is also true. Your doctor's office may or may not have a good reason for preferring Minimed. That may have a bearing on your choice: You may want them to be familiar with both you and your pump. Maybe you could ask your docs if they have other patients who use Animas or Cozmos and what they think of them. Contact your area Animas and Cozmo reps too.
I find it curious that there's not more Animas users in your area. Animas is based in PA. I guess I thought they'd have the market locked in their home state.
I chose to not stay with Minimed mostly because the Paradigm series of pumps use proprietary infusion set connections at the pump end of the tubing. That's in contrast with all of the other pump companies, which use the previously universal luer lock connection. Your 508 uses the luer lock too. Why Minimed decided to change, I don't know. The luer lock has a long history of dependability. The problem with Minimed's change is that it severely limits my choice in infusion sets. I like to have a choice, even if I don't always make use of it. If there's a problem with any Paradigm sets (like there was last year), I'd have no other alternative except to keep using what's Paradigm compatible. By choosing another pump, I can use any set from any company I want to. I can also experiment with other sets to find what I like best. That's just my personal view, it may not apply to you or anyone else.
David

[archimeech]

Because of the lack of customer service and the down right rude salesman from Minimed, it sealed my decision to leave my MM508 pump in the dust and switch to the Animas IR1250. I'm actually going for training on it today.

Also, especially good for active kids, it's water proof in 12 foot of water for 24 hours! What could be better for the summer time.

[duck]

I keep saying over and over that I feel no love from MM since I passed up the Paradigm upgrade (is that Happy Pumper's footsteps I hear?). And from the pumpers here who have newer MM's, it seems like every other day someone is asking something like "Hey, when the pump catches on fire inexplicably, what do I do?"

Okay, I'm exaggerating. I would recommend my 508 to anyone looking to start pumping--It has been solid for me. But as diabetics, we live in something of a wonderful time where there are at least three good companies making pumps, but from what I can tell hear MiniMed is bringing up the rear of that pack nowadays. I wonder if that has anything to do with MedTronic's acquisition of them a few years ago? In any case, I will be using another company's pump sometime in the next three or four months...

[happypumper]

I fully appreciate your assessment of MM's poor support. There are quite a few incidents that have been reported to the FDA. I truncated a file to fit the limits of this website (2.0GB). You might find it VERY INTERESTING READING! There are approx a dozen more files of similar nature on an FDA website with detailed complaints regarding medical devices.

WHERE IS MY ATTACHMENT? I CLICKED ON "MANAGE ATTACHMENTS" AND UPLOADED A FILE. I DON'T SEE IT WITHIN THIS MESSAGE.


Dave

[dixiepixie64]

I "Hey, when the pump catches on fire inexplicably, what do I do?"

good one, duck. People are prairie-doggin my cubicle to see why I am giggling alone in here..... :D

[happypumper]

I tried to upload the file again. this time i get a mess. that files must be under 100k. the first time I tried to send the file, the error was that the file exceed a 2GB limit.

Here's a link to the website instead.

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/maude.html

Look at the files that are described as "narrative data".


Some of you should find this very, very interesting reading!

Enjoy.

Dave

[daddyo]

I beleive and I'm not positive on this but they may have changed their luer lock system because they are working with novo nordisk to make pre filled resorvoirs so you dont have to fill each time you change your set out just plug in and play as the saying goes

[BeckieLynn55]

Because of the lack of customer service and the down right rude salesman from Minimed


I really have found that the customer support is my favorite thing about MiniMed. They have always been more than accomodating to me. I always love how soothing their voice are, too! They must audition. Maybe I'm just asking the right questions!

Thanks for the imput for me also...

[happypumper]

Soothing voices?? That's rich!! LOL! Exactly how many times have you spoken to MiniMed personnel? I've had more than 100 conversations over the past 8 years; soothing is NOT a word that comes to mind when dealing with MiniMed. Some of their people are reasonably helpful, but by and far they are hiring inept, rude, and untrained personnel to man the phones. I'd say on average, I get a well trained rep about every 5th time.

I could go on and on with specifics, but I'd get carpal tunnel typing so much.
Dave

[duck]

Soothing voices?? That's rich!! LOL! Exactly how many times have you spoken to MiniMed personnel? I've had more than 100 conversations over the past 8 years; soothing is NOT a word that comes to mind when dealing with MiniMed. Some of their people are reasonably helpful, but by and far they are hiring inept, rude, and untrained personnel to man the phones. I'd say on average, I get a well trained rep about every 5th time.

I could go on and on with specifics, but I'd get carpal tunnel typing so much.
Dave

Dude, seriously...I feel like I don't know you anymore...

:p

[archimeech]

I really have found that the customer support is my favorite thing about MiniMed. They have always been more than accomodating to me. I always love how soothing their voice are, too! They must audition. Maybe I'm just asking the right questions!

Thanks for the imput for me also...

That's because your dialing 1-900-minimed! LMAO, sorry I couldn't reisist. :smartass:

[happypumper]

Dude, seriously...I feel like I don't know you anymore...

:p

Gee, I'm only letting you know that I haven't had a fantastic, warm and fuzzy experience such as you've related (soothing voices...), over the course of doing business with them since '96.

oh, I'm still a very "happypumper". But not 100% happy with MM (the company)

Dave

[daddyo]

I beleive and I'm not positive on this but they may have changed their luer lock system because they are working with novo nordisk to make pre filled resorvoirs so you dont have to fill each time you change your set out just plug in and play as the saying goes

Talked to minimed today does'nt look like the prefilled resorvoirs will be any time soon the lubrication on the plunger only last for 3 to 4 days thats one of the reasons they want you to change the sets after 3 days of use. I think the insulin breaks down the lube

[happypumper]

It isn't good to leave sets too long due to tissue damage. rotate your site every 3-4 days.