Hi there -
Our daughter is six and is getting close to being ready for a pump. She was diagnosed in March of 2014 and the doctor had us attend an insulin pump class today at Seattle Children’s. We are deciding between the Minimed 530g and the Omnipod. Pros and cons to both and we are looking for feedback/experience from folks on these two options.
Thanks,
–Dan
I do not have any experience with Omnipod and have been a Minimed customer for about 15 years now. I’ve been wearing the 530G for a year. I think your real decision here is whether you want the integrated sensor system or not. Most insulin pumps on the market today have the same features in some form or another. Omnipod’s claim to fame is their tubeless “patch pump” design. Again, I can’t comment on this but it’s not a product that appeals to me personally.
I have chosen to stay with Minimed for so long BECAUSE of their integrated pump/sensor system. My understanding is that Dexcom is more accurate, but I can’t bring myself to carry around ANOTHER device on top of my pump, meter, and other supplies. My sensor graph is right on my pump screen and shows when boluses were taken, which helps with interpreting the graph. Minimed’s Carelink software downloads my sensor, pump, and meter in one easy step to one location. Minimed also offers the MySentry system, allowing you to view your daughter’s sensor graphs from another room (such as leaving it next to your bed so you can check on her at night without disturbing her).
My only warning is this–whether you go with Minimed or not, do not expect miracles from any sensor (Dexcom included). No sensor is ever completely accurate 100% of the time. People who are new to sensors are often disappointed because they don’t understand this right off the bat. Also, at least at first a sensor can give you “data overload” and it’s easy to become obsessed with checking the graphs. Just try not to react to every little change in her BG if you have a sensor. You’ll learn soon enough that it’s not a good idea.
All in all I am happy with my 530G system and would recommend it to others.
I’ve been a MM customer since 1998 and participated in the clinical trial for the MM 530G. As the above person commented, the integrated pump and sensor is nice because your daughter will only have one device to keep track of. About a year ago I investigated other pumps/sensors and was sent a demo Omnipod. I’m a small woman (5’1" tall and 130lbs) and the Omnipod was just too big for me. In that, I mean that the distance that the Omnipod stuck out from my skin was too much. I would have been forced to wear the pod on my arm, because it would have interfered with any pants that I would wear. Because I knew that the dimensions weren’t a good fit for me, I didn’t try to give it a test-wear, but my husband did. We followed the directions as best we could, and the pod was dislodged from my husband in less than an hour.
If you can, I highly suggest making contact with Omnipod to get a demo version. It won’t be the same as wearing the pod 100% of the time, but at least you’ll be able to see the pod and get a feel for the dimensions and look at possible placement of the pod on your daughter. Also, if you can, it would be great to contact your local MM rep to see if you could do the same with the 530G.
My input: Dexcom 4G much more accurate than Medtronic CGM and is now integrated with Animas pump. Dexcom is working on integration with T-slim and should be out by January 2016. I am keeping my old Minimed 522 pump, but using the Dexcom CGM, so have to carry the receiver with me. When I switch to either Animas or T-slim, will have all my data in the pump and will not have to carry the Dexcom receiver.