I have the OmniPod and I love it. Been on it for 3+ yrs. I love not being tethered to something. I tested a minimed and couldn't wrap my head around having something dangling off of me. Or having to remove it when I showered or went in the pool. With the omnipod, you can wear it water.
I have the Animas 2020 (the Ping is not yet available in Canada). It is also waterproof for 24 hours to a depth of 12 feet, so you can wear it while you're swimming. If you are going any deeper than 12 feet, generally, you will be wearing a wetsuit, so it would be inside of your suit, I guess.
I'm on the 722 and love it. I just like having all of the options that goes with it - alarms, basal patterns, temp basals, the Onetouch UltraLink that talks to it and most importantly for me, the ability to download all my info on my computer and shoot it over to my doc. I like to see all my info right there and the ability to break it down as I need (times, before/after exercise etc) That has been the biggest benefit to me. I tried to switch to the OmniPod a couple years ago but had problems when I would switch out the Pod - if the old pod wasn't far enough away, the pda would get confused. It also didn't keep all the data that I wanted and the ability to download it all. I could do 3 days and 14/30 day averages but that was it. That very well may have changed now - I don't know. The PDA also got error messages 3 or 4 times and I would have to reset it after calling their tech support which wasn't as good as I was used to. Oddly enough, I felt like I had more freedom with the Minimed. I was using the 30 day trial period and after 25 days, it was enough for me. When I said that was enough, the rep basically hung up on me instead of trying to find out why I didn't like it so I doubt I'll ever go back. Having said that - there are a ton of people who swear by and love the OmniPod and don't like Minimed. All a personal preference - As long as the person likes what their using, that's the most important thing.
MY GRANDSON, WHO WAS JUST RECENTLY DIAGNOSED IS TAKING JUST 2 SHOTS A DAY AND IS DOING FINE, HE IS STILL ON THE "HONEYMOON STAGE". HE IS 10 YEARS OLD AND IS VERY INTERESTED IN THE OMNIPOD..HIS QUESTION IS, AND MINE TOO, IS THAT IT SEEMS THE OMNIPOD IS THE EASIEST TO USE, WHY ISN'T EVERYONE USING IT..SINCE YOU DON'T NEED TO BE ATTACHED TO ANYTHING..HE IS VERY ATHLETIC..WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE ANSWER TO THIS..THANK YOU, RONNIE (MATTHEW'S GRANDMA)
Ronnie:
As an Omnipod user, I've often asked myself the same question. It seemed like a no brainer to me, when choosing one. But some people seem to really LOVE their tethered ones. I've found the Omnipod really easy to use, and the customer support people have been fantastic whenever I've needed their help. I've never had a bad experience with mine.
I'm able to set several different basal rates, so it's really flexible in that regard. Same goes for boluses. I have several different calculations set for different meals & times of day.
I love my Paradigm 722 from Minimed, it really does offer a lot of freedom and thr various basal patterns and such really do make a difference. It is also nice to have the Ultra Link meter which sends all the information over to the pump and being able to download data. The ability to use the CGM as part of an integrated unit is also very nice. I have had great freedom and numbers that have kept me very happy.
That being said, I am currently in the process of switching over to the Animas Ping. I have nothing against the Minimed pump, but it seems that Animas is moving forward in leaps and bounds over the past two years where as Minimed has not really done much as of late productwise. I like the fact that you can have the meter as a remote as well that can control your pump, the fact that the pump is pc/mac compatible, the ability to program a database of commonly used foods and such is also really nice.
The being tethered to your pump part though is really a non-issue, I am a failry active person running, playing frisbee, soccer, and the like and have never run into any major issues with my pump.
The Omipod is a great piece of technology with so much to offer. The no tubing part is really killer and the water proofing is nice. The new PDA that they are supposed to be releasing should alleviate some of the problems people have been having with the PDA in the past, but what it offers fully I have yet to realize. There are still issues with the omnipod with delivery and sometimes the pods don't stay attached. But the same can be said for the infusion sites with normal pumps. The only other major complaint I had heard tends to deal with the size of the pod being a little bulky. In the end though it comes to a personal choice and everyone needs to find what suits them.
I just started using my Minimed 722 a few weeks ago. I love it! I choose it because the company is the longest in the business. I did NOT choose the Omnipod because of the bulkiness. It might be different for a guy, not I don't wear alot of loose clothes.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INFO..
i wear the Minimed 722 and my daughter has the 522. I love all the extra's especially the ability to load all of the info onto the computer and have my doctor look at it. I find that the most useful part. I guess as far as feeling like I am always hooked up to something, that has never been as issue. I hook it to my pants or wherever and go. i quite often forget that I am wearing it. My daughter is 4 and has only caught the tubing once while playing. As far as why I preferred the Minimed there wasn't really one reason. my Endo prefers them and convinced me to go with it and I have had 3 of them so far plus my daughters. There reputation and customer service has kept me satisfied all of these years and that is why I have never looked into any other brands out there. Like some others said, it really just is personal preference more than anything.
I agree with everyone else that has already replied to your post, it is a matter of personal preference and I am currently wearing the Minimed 722 as well. I didn't hear of any other pump companies when I 1st got onto one, but now that I have been on the minmed 712 and 722 I'm more than happy with it. I do love all of the features that come with the pump: the different basal rates and the CGMS and the fact that my medical team can see where I am at all times. But another thing that impressed me was that when I had to travel the company helped me with finding out what information I should be giving to the airline to go through customs and then they also gave me a phone # to call incase customs gave me any problems(I've never had to use it)but it's nice knowing that there is someone there is you do encounter those problems.
I've always been happy with the pump and being attached to it really doesn't bother me and I don't even notice I'm wearing it alot of the time now.
CJ
I just want to thank everyone for their posts... you told me exactly what I need to know... I feel sure that I want to try the Ping. I've had my eye on it, now to find out if my insurance will pay for it for me *grin*. I don't know if I could do the Omnipod of not, I think the bulkiness would bother me. Once again, thanks for the comments... greatly appreciated ~ Kristi