If I have a choice...

If you're thinking about an omnipod it looks like you cand order a free non functioning one herehttps://www.myomnipod.com/DemoPodConditionsAgreement/?ctoken=70150000000DYhr
You could possibly ring them to get it sent to you fast. Definitely do as much research as poss on the differences and try and handle them physically as well is my recommendation. The nurses should have them to show you as well.

Most pumps are shower proof - sorry but don't have link, think Meditronic is the only one that has to be removed in the shower.

-Artemis- said:

Really helpful info, thanks @Chas C

@chrisopher - that link is brill, thank you! It's a US one, but I'll see if they do the same in the UK.... are you in the US?

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No I'm in london, didnt realise that so good luck!

-Artemis- said:

Just rang them and they're sending me one. Wouldn't have thought to do that so thanks for the heads up!

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It's my pleasure. Keep us posted.

-Artemis- said:

Ah, ok - good to know... Would you think a girl could get away with something slinky with the new pod...? And, does it dig into you...?

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Yes you could. I am wearing the Omnipod since July last year and I actually mainly wear it on my arms. It's easier to have it in some rather "wobbly" part of your body (of which I have enough lol). I was wearing a lacy black dress for my hubby's work Xmas party last year and you were able to see it through the lace sleeves but to be honest I wasn't bothered in the slightest and nobody asked so don't think anyone noticed. When I started wearing it in summer in the school I work lots of the kids asked what it was and I explained it and that was it. I only ever knocked it once on a door frame which hurt a wee bit but the pod itself carried on working as normal. I LOVE my Omnipod and wouldn't want to change to a tubed pump but I have never worn one. It's good that you're getting the trial one sent - I had a saline one from our local rep for a few days and liked it and got it a few weeks later! Any questions just shout. Good luck for your assessment

Any time, no problem

A warning about Animas. I have had two of these pumps and they both developed faults. I have a friend who has also had to have a replacement Animas. They will only do this once and do not provide a new warranty for the replacement. The parent company - Johnson & Johnson- are in trouble in the States. Amongst other things, the FDA has sent them a warning letter after they were found to be continuing to sell a batch that was known to be faulty! My hospital clinic no longer recommends Animas pumps. I am now getting the new Roche Insight pump.

I'm sounding a bit keen on the Omnipod as I've just been raving about it in another post but as a user of 3 years now, I think it's ideal for anyone who doesn't want it to show badly under clothes. I wore it in the summer on lower back/ bum by bikini bottom and impossible to see really. I looked at Cell Novo as an alternative too when choosing a pump but it wasn't available but that could be worth a look at too. By the way, the PDM that controls the Omnipod pod is a bit bulky like an old phone but I hear it's being upgraded later in the year to look more IPhone-ish. The cannula installation is also automatic and pain free which is something I forget about but hear that wired pump users sometimes have a problem with installing, I guess though that whichever you choose you'll love, most of us pump users rave about our own so look carefully at as many as you can.

Hi,I have Medtronic pump. I find good. Didn't get a choice of pumps but I am happy with this as my diabetes has improved.

A warning about Animas. I have had two of these pumps and they both developed faults. I have a friend who has also had to have a replacement Animas. They will only do this once and do not provide a new warranty for the replacement.

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This is not correct the pump is under warranty for 4 years. Any problems and it's replaced within 24 hours.

Carbsrok, my first pump developed a fault after 3 years. The pump was replaced within 24 hours, as you say, but did not come with a new warranty. When the original warranty ran out after a further year, the replacement pump was then out of warranty. It developed a fault just after one year, therefore was not replaceable. My point is that Animas pumps seem to be particularly prone to developing faults, so that the replacement seems likely to fail and may then not be replaced. I would not trust another Animas pump for this reason.

crystal said:

Carbsrok, my first pump developed a fault after 3 years. The pump was replaced within 24 hours, as you say, but did not come with a new warranty. When the original warranty ran out after a further year, the replacement pump was then out of warranty. It developed a fault just after one year, therefore was not replaceable. My point is that Animas pumps seem to be particularly prone to developing faults, so that the replacement seems likely to fail and may then not be replaced. I would not trust another Animas pump for this reason.

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What were you expecting another 4 year warranty?
You had a warranty for 4 years so the replacement pump continued with the original warranty. Once the 4 years is up then your ccg needs to replace the pump or cough up for more warranty.
It doesn't matter who you go with the same warranty applies and other pump companies have bad batches of pumps as well. I know someone with a Medtronic pump who has 6 pumps in 3 years. I hear plenty of reports about Roache pumps going t*ts up. So on that bases they all about the same

I use a pump with tubing. I'd be in the running for Clumsiest Person in the World, but I've never caught my tubing on anything. I tuck it away and its out of sight and virtually impossible to snag. I like the fact that I can move my pump around according to what I wear (I'm female). If I wear a dress, I either hang my pump under my arm in a bra bag, or put it in a tubigrip on my inner thigh. If I'm wearing trousers, I put in on my belt or in a pocket.

The cannulas I use are almost smooth to the skin. They only stick up a couple of millimetres or so and so aren't at all visible under tight clothes. I decided against the Omnipod as I didn't want it visible through my clothes or 'stuck' in one place. I did look at the new smaller one recently, but it's still too bulky for me as I'm quite petite.

I put my cannulas in by hand and I've never had a problem doing that. I like to be able to control what I'm doing. My pump doesn't have a remote control but I don't find that a problem. On the rare occasions I can't or dont want to access it when it's under clothes, I simply do my bolus with a pen.

My advice is to read as much as you can online. If you google each pump you can find reviews. That's what I did when I chose mine. I've had it more than ten years and have never regretted my choice.

Good luck!

CarbsRok said:

What were you expecting another 4 year warranty?
You had a warranty for 4 years so the replacement pump continued with the original warranty. Once the 4 years is up then your ccg needs to replace the pump or cough up for more warranty.
It doesn't matter who you go with the same warranty applies and other pump companies have bad batches of pumps as well. I know someone with a Medtronic pump who has 6 pumps in 3 years. I hear plenty of reports about Roache pumps going t*ts up. So on that bases they all about the same

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If a pump develops a fault and you have had it for 3 years they normally send a replacement with 1 years warranty on it, and normally they do this by checking the days left on the countdown timer on the pump, totally agree with you CarbsRok

@-Artemis- Good luck! Let us know if you get the Medtronic. I'm sure you'll like it if you do