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More Pump Recommendations......

S

SecretSquig

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
First time posting here. I’m down to get a pump in the next few months, I’ve been offered the Medtronic 640G, Animas Vibe, Roche Insight. I’ve never used a pump before and so have no experiences with them. At the moment I am going through alarming rates of insulin, +100 Background a day, with fast acting can be anything from 10 to 50, depending on what I’m eating and which ratio I’m using. Even with this, I’m still hitting +20 Levels daily. We’ve tried everything, and now the consensus is to move me onto a pump. Even going Carb Free I can still go into the 20’s in the mornings!

So can people give me their thoughts on any of the above 3? Research suggests they are all waterproof (a big plus for me). But I think I’ll be still using high amounts of insulin, so reservoir size may play a part in the choice. Don’t know the size of the tanks or how long one would last me. For years I’ve used an Accu-Check Mobile for testing. It’s quick, easy, simple, it works and I trust it. For this reason the Insight Pump becomes first choice as it’s the same manufacturer as my trusted test meter.

More recently though, I’ve been self-funding the Freestyle Libre system, and I love this. I now only use the Accu-Check before driving and as a calibration on the Libre. Research shows the Animas and Medtronic both work with their own CGM systems, but the cost of these are more than double the Libre, and to be honest, I struggle to fund this. So it’s still the Insight that’s winning. Reading some of the reviews on this site though, the Insight seems to have the most negative comments against it?

Any insights or thoughts on what I need to be considering before making a choice would be appreciated.
 
Had an accuchek pump/roche before...hated it....am now using the 640g and absolutely love it!! So much easier than the accuchek, I get everyone has different opinions, but roche pumps are poo in my eyes!

I too am on alot of insulin as well! good luck
 
From what I understand, most people who get their first pump are generally reasonably happy with it, regardless of the whistles and bells. As long as it is doing what you need it to, it comes down to how you feel about the lump of plastic you'll be spending your life with!
 
I had Medtronic and I hate them. Many because for me I found so many problems with them it was untrue. Although I've not used them the vibe is meant to be very good. I use the libre too and it's awesome!

If I can encourage you to think of the following when choosing the pump:

What is your lifestyle? Active? Non?
Think of what comes with it? I.e easy to wear? Heavy? Not? Fit in clothing?

Which one would you feel more comfortable explaining if someone sees it? I know that sounds odd but I hated explaining my Medtronic but I use omi pod now and I'll explain to anyone! The Medtronic was mainly because it was heavy, difficult to conceal and challenging.

Is it easy to understand? And explain to love ones?

Basically what I'm saying is take all three and look at your entire life and see what one is better or worse for you.

I know when I first went on the pump I was so great full I didn't care. This is something I've regretted deeply so the second time I really hunted what I needed. Thinking its Hoyt's work with me as well as me with it good luck
 
Love my Insight but it's the only pump I've ever met, and it's still very new! Like you I also have a Libre, which is brilliant too,

I think what @tim2000s said above would apply to me - it's my first pump and it's absolutely fine.

The water resistance thing is irrelevant to me in the way I use it - I disconnect completely to shower, and to swim, both of which I do daily, and almost daily, respectively, so it never has cause to be underwater.

The cartridge size is only 1.6ml rather than the 3ml pens I used to use, so that might be an issue. A cartridge lasts me 5-6 days, and I'm on 14u basal daily.

Hope your research proves fruitful, @SecretSquig - pumping after 29.5 years of diabetes management with injections has proved life-changing for me.

:)
 
Hi @SecretSquig - I got my Insight pump last week & so far I love it. Like @Snapsy it's my first pump & I also use the Freestyle Libre. I swim twice a week & disconnect it so not been underwater with it. All the best with the decision making & let us know how you get on.
 
I have the Medtronic 640 g for nearly 12 months and it suits my situation.Its my first pump and I use it with the Medtronic CGM and I have not had a day problem with them.Its very much a personal choice,so do plenty of research before deciding.Good luck with which ever you choose.
 
Thanks for the inputs. Until I speak with the people at the hospital setting up the pump, I don’t know my expected insulin usage, which may give the reservoir size the casting vote. I’m leaning towards the Insight as it’s Roche, and I personally have a lot of confidence in their products. I also like the idea of a remote as I think I will be wearing it on my arm under my clothes.


Does anyone know if the Insight is waterproof? Can I take it into the swimming pool?


To be honest, the Insight was my 3rd choice as self funding the libre monitoring sensors, I really like the idea of CGM which I can do with the Medtronic and Animas. But then you find out the cost of the sensors, and very quickly this becomes a non option.
 
I was told it was waterproof but not sure I'd wanna take as it's so easy to just unclip it. It holds 165 units so I change it on day 6 when I change the whole infusion set. HTH
 
SecretSquig said:
Thanks for the inputs. Until I speak with the people at the hospital setting up the pump, I don’t know my expected insulin usage, which may give the reservoir size the casting vote. I’m leaning towards the Insight as it’s Roche, and I personally have a lot of confidence in their products. I also like the idea of a remote as I think I will be wearing it on my arm under my clothes.


Does anyone know if the Insight is waterproof? Can I take it into the swimming pool?


To be honest, the Insight was my 3rd choice as self funding the libre monitoring sensors, I really like the idea of CGM which I can do with the Medtronic and Animas. But then you find out the cost of the sensors, and very quickly this becomes a non option.
Click to expand...

I have an Animas Vibe which is waterproof. I had an Insight and hated it (for other reasons) The possibility of using CGM with my Vibe was also an attraction. I can't afford it at the moment, but it's certainly something I'd consider in future. I'd probably only use it every so often to get a picture of my blood sugar at various times.

I've been using a pump for approximately 12 years and had the same model for 11 of those years until it was discontinued. I did a lot of research before choosing my pump as I was very worried about changing to the right one and not picking a 'dud'!

I've had my Vibe since last year and haven't regretted my choice at all :)
 
If you need >150u daily, as long as you're happy changing the reservoir daily, you could use the vibe or insight. Otherwise you're basically left with the Medtronic and Accu-Chek Combo as they are the only pumps on the UK market that hold 300u of insulin.
 
SecretSquig said:
Does anyone know if the Insight is waterproof? Can I take it into the swimming pool?
Click to expand...
I haven't looked it up in the blurb but I think I recall it is 'splash proof' but not waterproof - but in any case, I drop like a stone when I'm swimming and then climb afterwards, so even if I did want to wear it in the pool I would want to have it not dispensing any basal anyway, i.e. switched off - so I unclip it to swim, and I clip it back on in the changing room (much less of a big deal than I'd feared) and off I go.

I know that doesn't answer the question - but perhaps it's still useful!

:)
 
Ah, cool @Medusa41 - that saves me looking through all my blurb I was given when I started - I recall now that I felt that if would be more faff to dry it out as described, if that became necessary, than it would to just get into the habit of us clipping it for showering and swimming!

It's good that it's an option to keep it on though, if some feel more comfortable keeping it on.

:)
 
So after much deliberations, it came down to a 1 simple factor. Tank size. Medtronic 640G has the largest tank, so that's what I've been recommended and ordered. 3 weeks to go!

I'm looking at self funding the CGM (currently use the Freestyle Libre). I've read about that you are able to extend the sensor life beyond the 6 days advertised by the manufacurer. Anyone shed any light on this?
 
Yes, I use the Dexcom G4 cgm and you can trick the sensor into continuing after the the six days have expired simply by starting the sensor again. I usually get about fourteen days or more, best to add more tape round the transmitter/sensor so it is secure. My last transmitter lasted fourteen months, they are guaranteed for six months. If you have an Animas pump you can get supplies cheaper from Animas.
 
So I've started on the Medtronic Pump, and already having very positive results after 2 days use. Today though, walking past a door, my cannula wrapped around the door handle, and it ripped it out! Much pain later..........................

So I was looking to wear this on my arm with an arm strap and pouch, similar to people with their Walkman's or IPods. Looking online, the arm straps don't seem to be a popular choice. Anyone got any recommendations or experience in wearing their pump in one of these straps?
 
I tend to use a variety of sets for different areas on my body. I sometimes insert a set at the top of my arm.........steel needle 6mm and place a small rectangle piece of Mefix tape over the set to stop it from coming out accidentally. I then use a 90 cm tube and thread it through my bra and then to the pump which is sometimes in the centre of my bra vertical or tucked in the top of my lycra knickers. Of course accidents will happen now and again where the tube occasionally overhangs the waistband and before you know it, the tube catches on a handle and the sets comes out which is the reminder to tuck the tube inside clothes so that it doesn't happen again.

Good luck with the 640G :)
 
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