I am hoping for some recommendations for a new insulin pump. I was on the Animas/One Touch Ping system for nearly 6 years but switched over to the Omnipod so I could be tubeless. Well, no matter what I did, my skin just could not tolerate the change in adhesive. I started breaking out into these horribly painful, itchy rashes no matter where I put the pods. I talked with my CDE and she said that because of my intolerance that it would be a medical reason to get another insulin pump (my insurance company only allows me to get a new pump whenever the old one would go out of warranty so I’d be stuck with the Omnipod for 4-5 years) so now I am looking into either going back to Animas/One Touch or going with the T-Slim. I don’t know much about Medtronic anymore but that was the first ever pump I was on back in high school, 17 years ago!
What would you recommend? What do you like/dislike about each and why?
Hi, I may not be the best with providing you with comparisons as I have only used three models of Medtronic Minimed.
I like the features of my pump and I’ve not had any problems with infusion set adhesions since the “glue” was improved several years ago- I use Quick Set. I suggest that you get samples of a few different infusion sets and try them even without using a pump and see if they bother you. The latest Medtronic pumps have the added “threshold suspend” feature which is a plus and a pump soon to be released has the automatic basal adjustment feature used in conjunction with the latest CGM.
I’m on the minimed 530G for almost 2 years now. I’ve only used Minimed pumps since I started pumping 16 years ago so i can’t comment on the others. I stick with Minimed because I like having my pump and CGM in one device. I have heard that Dexcom is a superior CGM to Medtronic’s (and they recently released the Animas Vibe, which incorporates a dexcom into the Animas pump), but again I’ve never tried it personally. If you’re looking to integrate a CGM I’d got with either of those options.
I’ve only used Minimed pumps for the last 13 years. I hear terrible things about Animas, but their linked Dexcom CGM gets pretty good reviews. I love the MM pumps and their customer service is excellent, but am struggling with the Enlite sensors. I can’t imagine dealing with two devices that don’t even link together, so I haven’t looked into the Dexcom, still trying to make the Enlite work consistently. Pumpwise, I would recommend Minimed anytime.
I’ve been using the T-slim for two years and love the touch screen and that it can be recharged on my computer or in my car, as well as with a wall plug. It is very user-friendly.
I had a Minimed Medtronic insulin pump for 4 years. About a month ago I switched to the Tandem T:Slim insulin pump and I honestly love it. It is so easy to use. The Tandem T:Slim reps are so nice. I liked the Dexcom continuous glucose monitor. I use it all the time and I used to be pricking my fingers 10-15 times a day now I am only 2-5 times a day.
Hi!
I’ve been using MiniMed pumps since I first started pumping 15 years ago. When I first went on the pump, there weren’t many choices, and at the time I picked MiniMed since they were around longer than the other company who’s name I can’t remember. I have stayed with them due to their great customer support. I’ve been using the 530G with Enlite for the last year really like it. I do encourage everyone to go for training on the new system, even if it’s not your first pump/cgm. The information provided with the pump is great, but for me hearing the information, and working with someone hands on to guide me through was great. I also love the Threshold Suspend feature - which works with the Enlite CGM.
In short, Threshold Suspend, once the system is set up and your blood sugar reaches a low value (that you determine usually with your health care provider) the pump will stop delivering insulin for up to 2 hours, or until you cancel it. You can find more information on the MiniMed website: Medtronic: Diabetes Products And Therapy Options
Feel free to reach out to my directly with questions - happy to share more of my experiences!
My son has had the tslim for just over 2 years, and we love it. It is so easy to use. I was tempted by the medtronic because of the suspend feature, but honestly, if he hits 70, he doesn’t just need basal cut, he needs carbs, so I didn’t see that as a solution to close monitoring and checking him regularly at night.
He also uses the dexcom g5 which we also love.
As for the tslim, I don’t think you can go wrong, on every level it has exceeded our expectations. Their support is excellent too, I have called at all hours and have always gotten someone extremely knowledgable.
Hello. I started using a pump in 1998 and have been with Medtronic always. They have everything I need and are a big company, so getting one thru insurance isn’t a big hassle. I have the Paradigm 722 and use the Quick set ports that are 90 degrees to the skin. I use the shorter cannula because it works fine and I can’t feel it. Inserting it is pretty easy using a Sofserter, I think that’s the name, and I don’t feel it going in. It’s great. I also use the 43" long tubing on the Quick sets because that gives me more room to move my pump around going to the bathroom or changing clothes, etx. When I go out in public, I put the pump in my back pocket like a wallet and tuck the tubing under my belt and in my pants or shorts and no one knows the difference. It works great. As far as sleeping with it, I just sleep in a t-shirt or polo shirt with a front pocket on it and put the pump and tubing held in place with a rubber band in the pocket and I have no problem with it. Also, I don’t have the CGM as I don’t want another hole in my skin along with the Quick set. I’ve used syringes before the pump and my skin is getting worn out. Using the pump is alot less hassle than using syringes and I’m not putting as many holes in my skin. I wish I could have used it sooner. Over all, I’m glad I’m using the pump and the flexibility I now have with it.
18 years ago I got my first Medtronic Minimed Pump, and I have not found a reason to change. I am beginning to have an issue with the adhesive tape on the CGM however. This began about 6 weeks ago and I have been using the CGM for several years. Previously, I used it much less frequently, (once every two months.) Now, I have a new sensor on every six days.
The skin appears red and irritated for about three days after I remove the sensor. There is no pain or itching.
The pump has been great. I have no irritation at the inside location. The commands are easy to follow. And like you, my insurance will replace it once it is out of warranty, and I have always returned to Medtronic.
I hope this helps. Maybe you can ask your endocrinologist for some samples of the adhesives from different pumps, to see how they react on your skin.
First, let me start out by saying that I have had the opportunity to wear each and every one of the insulin pumps currently on the market in the US. I can honestly say that there is no perfect insulin pump so each of us has to individually decide which one has the features that most conform to our habits/lifestyle.I am not sure whether your concern is related to the irritation present following the removal of the infusion set, (which could happen with any one of the insulin pumps), or with just choosing an alternative to the Omnipod? If you had no problem with the Animas Ping, which is what I just chose again, then why not go back to it?
I was on the OP for 7 years before I had to drop it for something else. I loved loved loved the original OP. Like LOVED it. As soon as they redesigned it, problems started popping up, almost immediately. I started having really nasty reactions to either the adhesive or tape they used. My skin would literally blister and itch. It was disgusting. It’s like the cannula couldn’t get deep enough into my subcutaneous tissue and the insulin would just ‘blister’ under my skin. That cut off two of my more favorite sites… Both sides of my lower back. I had to stop using my abdomen once the new OP arrived because after 10+ years of MDI and pumping, I had a huge build up of scar tissue and the cannula just could NOT get through it. Absorption was a big problem. I essentially only used the OP on my arms, but still often had leaky pods, occluded pods, pods that just didn’t work.
After a lot of soul searching and writing down a legitimate pros/cons list, I decided to try the Animas Vibe. It was great! The only thing I had to get reacquainted with was being on a tubed pump (I had been on a MiniMed 508 and a Deltec Cosmo previously). My A1c is 6.8, I have no skin issues, I am able to utilize more sites (now I use my abdomen and thighs).
I use the Inset infusion set and get great absorption with it. I tried the inset30, but had issues with absorption, so I’ve realized angled sets just don’t work for me. The fact that I could just switch from the inset30 to the inset without needing a new script from my doctor was an unexpected perk. I LOVE the DexCom CGM integration. OP didn’t have that during the time I used it, so that was another plus for the Vibe.
I do miss the concept of the OP, but I don’t miss the actual product
I’ve been using insulin pumps for the last 23 years. First pump was a MiniMed, but I changed to the Animas 1250 when my new endo recommended it. I had had a few problems getting supplies from MiniMed so thought a change was due anyway. Since I started with Animas I’ve had no problems and always got supplies and support easily. Last spring I started using the Vibe, which replaced my Ping. Really loved using the CGM for the first 3 months, but then went on Medicare and they don’t support paying for the sensors, so back to just using the Vibe alon.
The main thing about the Vibe is that it has a Dexcom system receiver built into it. The Dexcom sensors are MUCH better than the MiniMed ones, since they are rated for 1 week use, are thinner AND more responsive. In the 3 months I used them my A1c went down to 6.0 for the first time in my (not quite) 60 years of diabetes.