Choosing next pump

[alohanicky2009]

Hi , I am lucky to be given a choice for my next pump (closed loop) , I have been using the Ypsomed for last 4 years great pump , but I have the choice of Medtronic 780 or t slim , what are peoples views the positives and negatives of each pump? I like the t slim but there are no reps in my area but I could do a virtual start , but my hospital can start me sooner on Medtronic, I also have working dogs , so having a robust pump , and will be wearing outside in cold wet winter weather is also a consideration.

 

[searley]

I have the tslim it’s a great pump and worked well for the nearly 4 years I’ve had it…. But at renewal I’m going for the 780.. on the 780 you can set lower targets.. you can set a shorter insulin activity time and it can auto bolus every 5 minutes.. all of this should give slightly better control, Also the 780 can use the mio advance which is a 7 day cannula

There worst thing is the cgm but this will change when the new Medtronic sensor is released

 

[alohanicky]

I have the tslim it’s a great pump and worked well for the nearly 4 years I’ve had it…. But at renewal I’m going for the 780.. on the 780 you can set lower targets.. you can set a shorter insulin activity time and it can auto bolus every 5 minutes.. all of this should give slightly better control, Also the 780 can use the mio advance which is a 7 day cannula

There worst thing is the cgm but this will change when the new Medtronic sensor is released

Thank you , what are the problems you find with the cgm ? i will be using Dexcom ,

 

[EllieM]

Thank you , what are the problems you find with the cgm ? i will be using Dexcom ,

Dexcom (g6 and g7) are compatible with the tslim but not with the medtronic. (At least they weren't 6 months ago when I was making the same decision).

You currently have to use the medtronic guardian, which generates some complaints, though there are also happy users.

The medtronic and tslim algorithms are very different. The medtronic learns from your history with the pump, while the tandem relies on the profiles you give it.
So if you have a very varied life style you might be better off with the tandem, but you'll have to tweak the profiles yourself.

They are both good pumps, you have to play off the pros and cons between them. I would expect both the medtronic and tandem reps to be willing to talk to you and answer your questions. There are also some excellent resources online.

I will be very interested to hear @searley 's comparison when he changes to the medtronic, because I suspect I will be making the same choice again in 3.5 years.

 

[Nicola M]

I’ve been on Medtronic for years (even before I got HCL) so I’d say I’m pretty biased towards Medtronic. I know a lot of people do have issues with keeping their sensors going on the Guardian 4 although personally that has never been an issue for me.

Reading what @EllieM has said above the way the tandem algorithm works does put me off ever having one, I don’t think I’d have as good sugars as I do now if it weren’t for the fact Medtronic works your basal out for you, I don’t really have a varied lifestyle so it’s what works best for me.

My one annoyance with the Medtronic HCL is that the corrections can be extremely aggressive sometimes, I have to turn mine off every lunch time due to this after exhausting all other options with my diabetes team and a Medtronic rep.

 

[searley]

Thank you , what are the problems you find with the cgm ? i will be using Dexcom ,

I’ve not got it yet but

1 it’s only 7 days
2 difficult to install
3 tends to fail early

 

[searley]

Dexcom (g6 and g7) are compatible with the tslim but not with the medtronic. (At least they weren't 6 months ago when I was making the same decision).

You currently have to use the medtronic guardian, which generates some complaints, though there are also happy users.

The medtronic and tslim algorithms are very different. The medtronic learns from your history with the pump, while the tandem relies on the profiles you give it.
So if you have a very varied life style you might be better off with the tandem, but you'll have to tweak the profiles yourself.

They are both good pumps, you have to play off the pros and cons between them. I would expect both the medtronic and tandem reps to be willing to talk to you and answer your questions. There are also some excellent resources online.

I will be very interested to hear @searley 's comparison when he changes to the medtronic, because I suspect I will be making the same choice again in 3.5 years.

Technically mine is due September so I’m keen to compare

 

[eventhorizon]

I went from a Medtronic 640g to the Tslim with the Dexcom G6 in November and I love it! Hitting 85 to 90% TIR with relative ease. My pros from the Tslim: most people tend to get on better with Dexcom, as I do. The Tslim is quite a bit smaller and smarter looking. My pros for the Medtronic, more robust, better system for refilling the reservoirs, bigger choice of infusion sets. If I had to choose again right now I would get the Tslim.

 

[searley]

I’ve been on Medtronic for years (even before I got HCL) so I’d say I’m pretty biased towards Medtronic. I know a lot of people do have issues with keeping their sensors going on the Guardian 4 although personally that has never been an issue for me.

Reading what @EllieM has said above the way the tandem algorithm works does put me off ever having one, I don’t think I’d have as good sugars as I do now if it weren’t for the fact Medtronic works your basal out for you, I don’t really have a varied lifestyle so it’s what works best for me.

My one annoyance with the Medtronic HCL is that the corrections can be extremely aggressive sometimes, I have to turn mine off every lunch time due to this after exhausting all other options with my diabetes team and a Medtronic rep.

The tandem algorithm is ok, but you have to get your profiles right.. there is no learning.. the one thing I hate is when it’s in control if the insulin activity time is fixed at 5 hours, for me 2 would be better

Another big plus for the Medtronic (for me) is the use of regular aa batteries

 

[vic hill]

NOW WEEK 3 ON NEW MYLIFE PUMP Getting use to the styles and needle changes using phone to give bolus lost blue tooth but one help person replace batt only 2 bars now back all good not sure if need use 160 units of insulin per month to change LINE AND NEEDLE S 15 A MONTH BUT GREAT PUMP NOW AM USE TO IT
NICE TO CHANGED CATRIDGE NOT SO MANY PROBLEMS WTH AIR BUBBLES THE TEAM ARE VERY UNDERSTAND NG ALL GOOD VIC

 

[alohanicky2009]

Got a date to start on Medtronic 780g in august , a;though I had a choice of 4 pumps , I want to be attached , I am currently using Ypsomed and it great , but going to start closed loop , I use IOS and Ypsomed is android , so then t,slim or Medtronic , , leaning towards T Slim them hospital said they did not have a rep so could not give a date , and also that there was / is a strong possibility that there will be no funding to continue closed loop at moment , but DSN called and said if I had not completely ruled out Medtronic I could start , not wanting to risk or having no future date I am going to start on Medtronic and the new simplera . Fingers crossed .