Which new pump as a 4 year replacement

[NicoleC1971]

I was also using the 640g and am now using Tandem Slim with Control IQ which is linked to the G6, it has been an eye opener using this pump, simply because it does my basal adjustments automatically, and since using this pump my levels during the night have improved massively, so I stay in range during sleep now, no hypos, good quality sleep impacts on mood and daily glucose control, so of great benefit. Only downside is that I like running and I find even in exercise mode which I set an hour before heading out, that I can often go hypo so am having to eat carbs before evening runs, minor issue but I run with others so hate slowing others down if going low.

I am also experimenting using sleep mode 24 hours a day which keeps a tighter range and this has again improved my daily time in range by 10-15%.

In your shoes i'd take the tandem slim and if you can self fund then get the Dexcom G6 at £159 a month, for me it's been the best switch in all my time as a t1 which is about 9 years now.

That's really useful info for me as I've gone for the same system. Thank you. I do a lot of exercise so I'll be interested to see how the exercise mode goes too. I think I am going to be a guinea pig for the CCG who are funding the whole combo thus I need to make sure I show improvements!

 

[Chas C]

Out of interest do you have nay top tips for tslim plus dexcom? I have managed to get both funded by my CCG and am looking forward to getting going mid July having heard good things from an acquaintance.

If your pumping already, be prepared to change your basal settings and re-do your meal free ranges.

Also and this I found the hardest, if you correct on the t:slim (with CIQ running) then the pump see's this higher IOB (insulin on board) it corrects less or not itself. So the old way of sugar surfing, checking BG's and correcting throughout the day needs to be stopped and that's quite difficult if its been a normal way of life for few years or more. Now of course if you miscalculate carbs or are unwell then you may need to correct if its beyond the pumps correction levels.

I charge my pump daily over breakfast, I find it drops between 20-30% each day so should worst case last 3 or maybe 4 days.

Its a great pump, most others are now following the "looping" method for new pumps so in a year or two they will all be similar or better.

 

[NicoleC1971]

If your pumping already, be prepared to change your basal settings and re-do your meal free ranges.

Also and this I found the hardest, if you correct on the t:slim (with CIQ running) then the pump see's this higher IOB (insulin on board) it corrects less or not itself. So the old way of sugar surfing, checking BG's and correcting throughout the day needs to be stopped and that's quite difficult if its been a normal way of life for few years or more. Now of course if you miscalculate carbs or are unwell then you may need to correct if its beyond the pumps correction levels.

I charge my pump daily over breakfast, I find it drops between 20-30% each day so should worst case last 3 or maybe 4 days.

Its a great pump, most others are now following the "looping" method for new pumps so in a year or two they will all be similar or better.

Thank you . That's so useful.
I am on a pump but don't use much insulin but I gather I can underfill the reservoir here (on 160ml cartridges now) but as you say every 3 days or so would be a better habit to get used to.
I will try and get my head around getting the basal right with minimal meal time bolus. I always find correction dosage really difficult given the time it takes for them to work.
Hoping that my low carb diet will help me with the carb miscalculation problem in any case. I am getting this funded to help with early morn hypos that turn into hyper s on some days when I change the basal profile.

 

[Chas C]

Thank you . That's so useful.
I am on a pump but don't use much insulin but I gather I can underfill the reservoir here (on 160ml cartridges now) but as you say every 3 days or so would be a better habit to get used to.

Yes indeed, you need to fill for the prime which takes me 14 units (I have the longer lead), then pump alarms at 20 units to let you know its going empty, it won't allow you to prime less than 20. I fill about 180 to last me 2.5 days, if you fill 160 or less it should be fine. Please remember to draw out any excess air from the cartridge with your empty/full syringe before you inject the insulin in. Are you going for the needle or teflon cannula's ?, if teflon then I have other tips for use too.

 

[NicoleC1971]

Yes indeed, you need to fill for the prime which takes me 14 units (I have the longer lead), then pump alarms at 20 units to let you know its going empty, it won't allow you to prime less than 20. I fill about 180 to last me 2.5 days, if you fill 160 or less it should be fine. Please remember to draw out any excess air from the cartridge with your empty/full syringe before you inject the insulin in. Are you going for the needle or teflon cannula's ?, if teflon then I have other tips for use too.

Thanks. TBH I can't recall what I requested but I use teflon now do I suspect this is what's been ordered.
Going from pre filled cartridges to self fill is a little daunting (I am partially sighted) but I feel this pump offers benefits that outweigh that downside.
If you have any tips on the teflon I'd love to hear them as I am going to have a deep dive into all of this this weekend...

 

[searley]

I'm not going from funded on Libre2 to self funded.

how did you get support? I've looked at the current guidelines and it only says about loss of hypo warnings, pregnancy and kids.
I've got issues with eyes so I'm hoping my eye specialist will help.

It’s your choice but if you want the benefits the system offer you will consider it.. at the end of the day it’s your health.

I was supported by my pump nurse and they now fund my Dexcom because I was self funding and I was able to demonstrate the positive results

Either way the tandem is a great pump

 

[Chas C]

Thanks. TBH I can't recall what I requested but I use teflon now do I suspect this is what's been ordered.
Going from pre filled cartridges to self fill is a little daunting (I am partially sighted) but I feel this pump offers benefits that outweigh that downside.
If you have any tips on the teflon I'd love to hear them as I am going to have a deep dive into all of this this weekend...

I use the auto soft 90 teflon infusion sets, with 9mm teflon needles but have used the 6mm too. You need to be careful using these as if you use them incorrectly or in a rush you can end up with them bent. When you pull them back to set them up there are two area's opposite each other with horizontal ridges, pressing these when you pull back the spring loading mechanism ensures that both side locks are engaged. Press flat onto skin then press the two indented finger locations to fire the infusion set into place. Its much easier to see once you have one in your hands. If you don't pull back so both locks are engaged its far easier to end up with an angled/bent cannula. In doing the above I don't get any bent ones, I did have one or two before I started doing this.