Pump choices....

[sneetch]

Hello - I have been dealing with Type 1 for 4 months now and I'm thinking about pumps. But not sure really which one is best for me. I am very thin - and not excited about all the gear that comes with the pump - any advice?

[Sneezer]

Get a copy and read Pumping Insulin by John Walsh. Only available from Amazon. Get 4th edition - well worth the expense. It is the bible for pumpers. A lot of good information. Find out from your Endocrinologost or CDE what pumps they recommend. Research them on the web, contact the companies and their representatives can give you information. From there it is a personal preference. Animas has a nicer color screen with larger print (my choice). Medtronic has somewhat better or fewer button pushes to get things done. Omnipod has no tubing. Each has plusses and minuses. Boils down to your reference.

[Subby]

Seconded about pumping insulin, well worth getting.

As for thin issues, I would suggest you consider traditional pumping that allows you to try a variety of different type and different length cannulas. The ones that use a "luer lock" type fitting, the Animas, have the biggest range, the mini meds have a slightly smaller range due to their own connection needs. On the pod you are I believe, stuck with one type. It's a risk.

[telizas]

Get the book and have your CDE show you all the pumps. Go to each company's website and request their info packets.

And there *is* a way to use a Luer lock infusion set with a Minimed pump. You have to buy a 3rd party reservoir (Fifty50 Medical carries them) that have a Luer lock, but fit the Minimed. So if you like the Minimed, but want a set with a Luer connection, you can. (You can't go the other way).

[Subby]

That's true telizas. I did check them out at one stage (be expensive to get for me though) but the 5 or so sets that mm do offer (a lot of them have luer lock counterparts as well) have given me the range to find sets that work for me.

[Lizzy]

I chose the Animas pump because it has the .025 basal capability which I do need. So if you are very insulin sensitive that is something to consider. And be sure to pick the pump that YOU like best. I got the book Pumping Insulin from my local Borders book store. They ordered it for me.

[poodlebone]

As for thin issues, I would suggest you consider traditional pumping that allows you to try a variety of different type and different length cannulas. The ones that use a "luer lock" type fitting, the Animas, have the biggest range, the mini meds have a slightly smaller range due to their own connection needs. On the pod you are I believe, stuck with one type. It's a risk.

I agree that a traditional (tubed) pump might be the best option. Not only is the OmniPod a one-size-fits-all (or some) pump when it comes to infusion sets/cannulas, it's also somewhat bulky and would probably be very noticeable, especially if you don't want to wear baggy clothes. I think the OmniPod's cannula is inserted at an angle and angled sets are supposed to work better for thin people, so don't discount the Pod completely.

Right now there are 3 tubed pumps on the market: Minimed, Animas & Accu-Chek Spirit. Most people in the USA don't even consider the Spirit for various reasons. It is somewhat behind the other pumps as far as features go. Supposedly next year there will be another tubeless pump on the market called the Solo but there's no definite date yet. Similar to the OmniPod but with several features that the Pod lacks.

[Cramster]

Thanks for the helpful info. I just started up on insulin and I think I may be making a move toward a pump in the near future, but I'm trying to get a better understanding on how to make it work. I just ordered the Pumping Insulin book, so that should help. I hope I can at least find a pump that offers a patient assistance program since I don't make much money.

[yanki01]

I love my PING pump! A co-worker got her Animas PING pump about 2 months ago and she got a $1100 grant if you make under a certain about of $$$. When i called, Animas didnt mention it, only the out of pocket for me. I asked and they said yes they do offer a grant to qualified users. I qualified aswell and only had to pay less than $700 for the pump in which im glad. better than the original amount was around $1800 out of pocket.