Hello. Reaching out to see if i could get some input from any other parents with a t1d toddler about insulin pumps.
My son was diagnosed recently. We have been doing injections (no issues so far) and using a Dexcom g6 CGM. Now our medical team would like us to move to an insulin pump for tighter control.
We are deciding between the Insulet Omnipod and the tandem t:slim x2. The doctors we have spoken with seem more impressed with the Tandem pump - due to some of the advanced technology (low bg detection coming next month that would suspend insulin, more precise dosing, updatable software). We are more impressed with the Omnipod (no tubing, wireless dosing - despite the tech being a little behind).
Has anyone else with a toddler successfully used a tubed pump with a toddler? Is it a struggle? My kid loves phones - so I’m worried he might try to play with the pump. Anyone have any specific experience with the t:slim x2?
Has anyone had good/bad experience with the Omnipod? I’ve read a little bit about pod malfunctions from static electricity but not sure if this a common problem.
We tested a set and a pod. Neither seemed to bother him.
I am only familiar with medtronic, the pump offers a lock so that you cannot do anything if your son “plays” with the pump, it offers a remote control so you can bolus/correct from across the room (like the pod controller) , and there are creative slings so that you can put the pump part in the middle of his back so he can’t exactly reach it. I am sure Tandem has similar features.
if he’s already wearing a CGM it’s very likely that an infusion set or the pod will be very distracting.
pod failures and infusion set failures are always something you have to watch out for. some people are sensitive to occlusion, adhesives, and some are even prone to site infection. the other serious negative is that without long lasting insulin, his risk for DKA is higher. being said, pump failures are rare.
all pumps on the market can bolus fractions of a unit, and all of them have bolus clocks so both bolus and basal delivery is very exact. some argue about 0.05 units but I do not think it’s relevant.
check in with insurance in case they “prefer” (they pay more for) one over another.
I’ve been pumping since 2005 - it’s been very good for me.