I have been on a Medtronic pump for 8 years now, but am considering moving over to the Accu-chek combo shortly, as I'm due 'an upgrade'. I've loved being on a pump and my HbA1C has improved a lot as a result - plus I've been able to lead a more active and healthy lifestyle as a result.
For the upgrade, my clinic (Chelsea & Westminster) offered me a choice of five - accu-chek combo, animas vibe, medtronic, omnipod and Dana Diabecare (apparently they have no patients on that one!). I chose the Omnipod but my PCT came back today to say that they won't fund it - it's a lot more expensive.
So I now am torn between staying with what I know - the Medtronic - or moving to the Accu-chek. My reasons for wanting to make the move are twofold:
1. the remote. When wearing a dress I keep my pump in my knickers and this gets a bit embarrassing when I eat and have to give insulin... you can only be so subtle about pressing buttons in your crotch. Yes, the medtronic has a remote, but it has no screen so it's hard to be sure if it's worked.
2. waterproofing. The medtronic is only splash-proof, which I learned the hard way last night: I got caught out in monsoon-type rain on a run last night and got drenched, and it killed my pump. Disaster. The Accu-chek is waterproof to 2.5m, apparently. Amazing.
The main drawback to the Accu-chek is that it looks really un-user friendly. How easy is it to navigate and use? (I should add that website usability is a large part of my job, so I'm going to be picky!)
And its ugly. I know that seems really superficial, but when you have to wear this thing all day every day, it matters. I don't understand why these manufacturers don't spend a little more time and money on design...
Appreciate any thoughts,
Thanks
Hermione