I'm thinking about getting a pump.
Just diagnosed in May.. and I'm currently with a childrens endo... so in December I am switching (hopefully) to an adult endo then I can pursue looking into getting a pump.
Anyone have suggestions as to what I should research or look into? I hardly know anything except that it will give me so much more freedom with my crazy and never organized days. lol
Thanks for any input!
*Melissa
Melissa,
I would suggest looking at all of them and thinking about which ones work best with your lifestyle. For me - I'm a klutz who is terrified of needles, has a two-year old in his household and likes to go swimming - the Omnipod was a pretty natural fit. That said, I found a lot to like about the Medtronics and Cozmo pumps. I would learn as much as I could about each, try more than one and then decide. They all give better ways to give insulin. The rest is about finding a good match... You may decide that a dual wave bolus is a must have or that you need a .025 increment... something will likely become a scale tipper...
I'm not sure I was much help, huh? Good luck!
A-D
hi Melissa, I completely agree with A-D
there's a great book called Pumping Insulin by John Walsh - it has been referred to over at http://www.insulin-pumpers.org/ as a bible. IMO, all pumps are good, they accomplish the same thing - variable basal rates - that mean so much to those of us with crazy and varied schedules, or a natural tendency to require different basal rates at different tines of the day. Switching between a POD and a Cozmo (for example) is EASY. Switching from MDI to a (any) pump is a trick. took me 7 months. maybe 'cause I am so stubborn!!
hey, i just saw ur post so i thought i'd reply to you about the pump
i HIGHLY recommend the Omnipod...it is the best pump ever!!
it has changed soooo much for me, seriously, i could NEVER go back to injections or any other pump
basically....it is wireless, meaning no tubing!
it has 2 parts,
1. an adhesive slightly raised piece which holds the insulin
2. the pump part (called a PDM) that isn't attacthed to u and can go in a purse, or anywhere....you only need the PDM when giving insulin or chaning basal rates, so i've left it at home before and been miles away, but the part on you still delivers insulin
anyways, the adhesive part is waterproof, so i can shower, swim, etc. freely without worrying about disconnecting
also, you never deal with needles....when you put the adhesive on, it appears to be just a sticker...then, u click start on ur PDM to change the pod (the adhesive part), and it inserts the needle for you
the insertion is much less painful than when i do it myself, and it is very comparable to an injection..one thing i can say is...if u get the Omnipod...dont flex when it inserts--thats the only time it ever hurt (the 1st one when i was scared so i accidentally flexed)
the omnipod is very lightweight (1.2 ounces, i think), so it isnt really visible...i mean, i still wear tons of tight fitting things and all...jeans, tanks, tees....i just wear outfits now depending on where my pod is if i dont want it to show...for instance, in T-shirts, it totally cant b seen if its on my stomach...if its on my leg, jeans and jean skirts completely cover it...this also allows me to wear dresses without worrying about where to put the pump, because Omnipod is the only pump w/o tubing
the customer service is 24/7 and great..they answer all the ?'s...i haven't really had any problems with the pump...it was disconnected once, but it alerts you right away
another benefit is that the PDM is a blood glucose meter, too...it takes FreeStyle test strips...which means there is less to carry around..
i now hardly (if ever) even notice my pod on me..i can wear it anywhere where i inject..i do stomach, thigh, arm, etc.
its the best thing ever, so i thought i would let u know before u decide on the pump
their site is
www.myomnipod.com
but u can ask me any questions...good luck if u get one!
Caroling
Caroline,
I think everyone feels pretty passionate about their pump choices. It is great that you have had a wonderful experience with your pod. Y
ou can also use your lower back which is an area that is hard to inject but it is easy enough to swab off and slap down a pod...
Still, I have to admit that if it wasn't for my fear of needles, I'd have probably gone a different way...
I guess I am taking a long winding road to say to Melissa - find one that YOU are excited about! :)
Cheers!
A-D
Hey Caroline!
I have a question for you about the Omnipod. (Sorry to hijakc your post Melissa!) I've been thinking about trying the pump again and if I did, I would only consider the Omnipod. I hated all the supplies I used to use with my other pump and I was constantly pulling out my sites with the tubing.
1 - Do you have any issues with alarms? I remember my old pump was contantly alarming about something.
2 - What about visibility under clothing? I know people say you can't see it under clothes but it looks huge! It seems like you could definitely see it under a shirt if you wear it on your stomach. And I can't imagine wearing it on my thigh and not being able to see it through pants! And if I wear it on my arm, wouldn't I roll all over it when I sleep at night?
3 - Do you ever have issues with it getting snagged on clothing or whatever and getting ripped out? It looks really bulky. I bet I could protect easily enough if it were on my stomach. But it seems like if I wanted to wear it on my thigh or arm it would get easily snagged on pants or sleeves.
Thanks!
~Layne
1- no, not at all...its gone off only when necessary, none other times...and the time it was disconnected, it alerted me right away too..plus the alarms directly say whats wrong, they dont have codes and all
2-it does look huge, and at first i thought so, but once i got it, i didnt...mine is rarely visible...cant be seen under any t-shirts, sweatshirts...jean skirts...dresses...then, with jeans, it loooks like u have something in ur pocket...all other shirts vary, but still, its pretty hidden...it just got some taken used too..but its never been much of an issue (althought that was originally my biggest concern!)
i roll a ton at night, and although i am aware its there, its not like its uncomfortable, although i thought it might be...i sometimes just put a pillow under it if its in a reallly bad spot (like my back)..and the issue is solved...but i think personally its still better than dealing with tubing during the night
3-nope, i havent had those issues...it has come out before...but it was from a TON of water pressure (attempting to barefoot)...and it was in a bad spot on my leg...also, it really stays on well..the adhesive is stong, and they sell wipes to make it stick even better...usually my problem is getting it off...lol...i think u'd be surprised at how well it stays on...i change a lot, and never have gotten it snagged...
i wear it alllll over...arms, thighs, back, stomach, even butt...and as long as ur doing relatively common activities (sports, swimming, showering, changing), u'lll be fine...at first i was very protective of my site, but now im not, as there is no need to be
its not as bulky as it looks, really...u can order a free one from omnipod
hope this helps, and ask if u have ?'s
Caroline
I recently was at the young voices event and felt like I'm out of the loop, as I do not use a pump....that beng said I am really interested in getting one, as my diabetes is out of control.......
I was not aware that there were more pumps out there than the minmed paradign pump.... I guess this is the one pump that my Dr. pushes......
I spoke with Steve fromOmnipod and he was extrememly helpful....... Omnipod is sending me a pod to try (without the insulin) so i can test it.....
Does anyone know if any other companies will let you try a pump?
[quote user="Kristy"]
I recently was at the young voices event and felt like I'm out of the loop, as I do not use a pump....that beng said I am really interested in getting one, as my diabetes is out of control.......
I was not aware that there were more pumps out there than the minmed paradign pump.... I guess this is the one pump that my Dr. pushes......
I spoke with Steve fromOmnipod and he was extrememly helpful....... Omnipod is sending me a pod to try (without the insulin) so i can test it.....
Does anyone know if any other companies will let you try a pump?
[/quote]
This was 9 years ago but when I first considered going on a pump minimed let me use theirs for a week with saline before i actually chose. I ended up going with minimed because I really like how the pump works (I still use minimed) and my parents were in love with the customer service which as i have gotten older I have found increasingly helpful. I will also say that at the time there were not many other pumps available. I would suggest asking your endo about trying out pumps because sometimes hospitals get extra supplies sent to them from companies.
[quote user="Kristy"]
Does anyone know if any other companies will let you try a pump?
[/quote]
hi Kristy,
regarding iother manufacturers - ask and see =)
Sooil USA Home PageNipro Amigo home page
cheers
Hello Melissa
I was on an Animus pump about 4-5 years ago and i really liked it! It's the old pump with a garunteed water proof feature (so if you drop it in the toilet in the middle of the night its ok! haha and believe me... it happens haha) which means you can swim with it, shower with and all sorts of stuff!
however now I have recently switched to the Accu-check spirit for its convinece. the system comes with the pump, a back- up emergency pump, a palm pilot for all your log booking, it has a calendar, calculator, and all sorts of really great everyday helpfull programs as well as you can upgrade your phone to the palm treo and have it all in one as long as it works with your cell phone provider which is GREAT feature! you can also get a piece of software (and i forget the name atm) that transfers all your info from your pump, blood meter and palm onto the computer to back it up as well as offers you to print out different spread sheets to see how you have been doing! (did i mention that the whole system talks to eachother through little infra-red sensors? neat huh!)
I also looked into the medtronic pumps when i was looking and although they offer a continuous blood glucose monitoring system I found, personally, the accu-check worked best for me and I've only been on it a few weeks but I'm very pleased with my progress :D
I hope this helps you in your search for a pump and remember you can always call the companys or talk to your local CDA or ADA for more info! <3
Sin: Michelle
Hi there this is Chris and I have been taking insulin for well over 50 years so it was a bit before pumps where available I am no longer young but still too active for a pump. I don’t use doctors either. (by the way for non pump or pen insulin a prescription is not and has never been necessary) I don’t know what your particular situation is but if your diet is controlled and you have a reasonable handle on what you can get away with I would suggest trying to go without and adapt. As you have probably found out the pump scam is quite expensive. I am not insured so do not have that option and wouldn’t use it if i did. Good Luck and stay active.