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Insulin Pumps in Oz

kitedoc

kitedoc

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,785
Location
Adelaide, South Australia
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
black jelly beans
After 46 years on insulin injections and the occurrence of troubling night-time hypos despite 6 to 8 insulins of NovoRapid and Levemir in basal-bolus regime I switched to an insulin pump in 2011. In Oz there were only three options, Medtronic, Animas and Roche. I chose the Animas has to had an easy-to-read screen and CGM was due for the next model. So it was with some disappointment that I now find that Animas is leaving the insulin pump scene. My next pump change is due in about 18 months.
Choices for a replacement pump here in Oz are now the Medtronic, Roche or Tandem. Tandem is being phased in as Animas phases out. Apparently their Dexcom CGMs are interchangeable.
The Medtronic model is likely to be 640G, The Roche - Combo and the Tandem T slim. So far the Medtronic appeals most to me. The Tandem website frustrates me as I could not find an cartridge or reservoir item and thus what capacity of insulin it carries. I have heard that the Roche pump ( but unsure if it is the combo or another one their pumps) cannot detect whether the cartridge is filled with fluid or air.
Please can anyone inform me on the pros and cons of each brand of pump?. Thanking you very very muchly.
 
On the Tandem web site it states up to 480 unit capacity.

It has a built in rechargeable battery that lasts for max 4 days fully charged, on the up side in the USA they will loan you a pump when travelling, my concern is that over 4 yrs this will degrade and its charge life will reduce.
 
Tipetoo said:
Scroll down to the purple section at the link below, then look for "Small pump. Big features." and to the right hand size it says "300-unit reservoir"

I hope that makes sense.

https://www.tandemdiabetes.com/products/t-slim-x2-insulin-pump
Click to expand...
Tipetoo said:
Scroll down to the purple section at the link below, then look for "Small pump. Big features." and to the right hand size it says "300-unit reservoir"

I hope that makes sense.

https://www.tandemdiabetes.com/products/t-slim-x2-insulin-pump
Click to expand...
Thank you Tipetoo. There is just too much choice !!
 
Chas C said:
On the Tandem web site it states up to 480 unit capacity.

It has a built in rechargeable battery that lasts for max 4 days fully charged, on the up side in the USA they will loan you a pump when travelling, my concern is that over 4 yrs this will degrade and its charge life will reduce.
Click to expand...
Thanks Chas. I shall keep that in mind. Hopefully they might make that easy to replace !
 
Chas C said:
On the Tandem web site it states up to 480 unit capacity.

It has a built in rechargeable battery that lasts for max 4 days fully charged, on the up side in the USA they will loan you a pump when travelling, my concern is that over 4 yrs this will degrade and its charge life will reduce.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I have visions of charging it up with a device powered by an exercise bike !
 
Hi kitedoc. The very first post I’ve ever made as I’ve just signed up to this forum. I’ve recently started on the Medtronic 640g after 22 years on insulin injections. First pump I’ve had but it’s very user friendly for the non tech savvy. I also chose it as it has a replaceable AA battery so it’s easy to carry a spare with your meter. It also seems pretty durable, and it had to be as being on a cattle farm it wouldn’t get treated with the utmost care. As far as cannulas go, don’t be intimidated by the sure t steel ones as they are painless and sure fire. All the best in choosing the right one for you.
 
Thank you for the information @Justin04 . And good to hear that it has a rugged design !
Another challenge for me is that, with all or any of them, when wearing my new rucksack the waist 'wings' compress a pump worn on my trouser's belt. So I going to have to come up with a new way of wearing the pump for those times.
All the best !
 
@kitedoc if I’m wearing mine where there is a chance it could be damaged or laid on such as repairs on the ground etc I just put it on a lanyard around my neck and tuck it under my shirt. The first few times will be uncomfortable but after that you really don’t notice. When all is done and good it just goes back on the belt. I have the shortest line available and it still provides enough length. Cheers.
 
In 18 months I'm certain it won't be the Medtronic 640g. Medtronic are currently offering a priority upgrade for an additional fee (if you are subscribed to enlite it's $50pm for 12 months, $600) to get access to the new pump once it gets government regulator approval of which it's well into the process. Medtronic are being very coy about what pump it is, however it's the 670g (maybe given another number for release in Australia). This is the much touted Artificial Pancreas.
I have only had Medtronic so I can't give you any comparison, but if the 670g is as good as the claims bring it on.
 
Justin04 said:
@kitedoc if I’m wearing mine where there is a chance it could be damaged or laid on such as repairs on the ground etc I just put it on a lanyard around my neck and tuck it under my shirt. The first few times will be uncomfortable but after that you really don’t notice. When all is done and good it just goes back on the belt. I have the shortest line available and it still provides enough length. Cheers.
Click to expand...
Thank you @Justin04 . I shall experiment !!
 
Chowie said:
In 18 months I'm certain it won't be the Medtronic 640g. Medtronic are currently offering a priority upgrade for an additional fee (if you are subscribed to enlite it's $50pm for 12 months, $600) to get access to the new pump once it gets government regulator approval of which it's well into the process. Medtronic are being very coy about what pump it is, however it's the 670g (maybe given another number for release in Australia). This is the much touted Artificial Pancreas.
I have only had Medtronic so I can't give you any comparison, but if the 670g is as good as the claims bring it on.
Click to expand...
Thank @Chowie, I shall check it out. My main comparison is probably going to be accuracy of Enlite vs Dexcom but the Medtronic 670 closed loop option sounds intriguing.
 
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