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Thinking of going onto insulin pump tandem t:slim

K

KimL

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi my diabetic team are pushing me to go onto above insulin pump but I have some reservations.
Firstly being tethered to a machine and tubes and secondly, the time it takes to get used to it.
Can anyone share their experiences please as know hearing from those who are using this are different to what healthcare say.
Many thanks
KimL
 
Hi, I am being encouraged by my diabetic consultant to go into the Tandem T:slimx2. But I have reservations, one, bring tethered to a machine & tubes and two, how log it takes to get use to it.
Would love to hear about others experiences so I can make a decision.
Thanks Kim
 
Hi Kim I'm a relatively new tandem tslim user (18 months). As a female I don't find the tethering an issue (bra or pocket, I have invested in some gorgeous leggings with pockets, though some people use special pump waistbands.) If it falls out of my pocket it doesn't get pulled out of my body, it just hangs there looking stupid.

Water sports are a bit of a pain. I generally disconnect and then give myself more insulin every couple of hours.

I got used to it pretty quickly though it's important to keep your basal rates up to date and I'm still learning.

I love my pump and honestly couldn't imagine life without it now.

Disadvantages : more gear when travelling, watersports issue.

Tagging @Juicyj who is more experienced.
 
EllieM said:
Hi Kim I'm a relatively new tandem tslim user (18 months). As a female I don't find the tethering an issue (bra or pocket, I have invested in some gorgeous leggings with pockets, though some people use special pump waistbands.) If it falls out of my pocket it doesn't get pulled out of my body, it just hangs there looking stupid.

Water sports are a bit of a pain. I generally disconnect and then give myself more insulin every couple of hours.

I got used to it pretty quickly though it's important to keep your basal rates up to date and I'm still learning.

I love my pump and honestly couldn't imagine life without it now.

Disadvantages : more gear when travelling, watersports issue.

Tagging @Juicyj who is more experienced.
Click to expand...
 
Hi @KimL

Like anything in life - a new device takes some getting used to, so be prepared to adjust.

With that out of the way I love my T Slim, I didn't for around a year but that was my fault entirely, i'd got used to adjusting and correcting on my previous pump the medtronic, I needed to let the algorithm settle in and had to ease up on trying to control it. The tethering doesn't bother me, I have the shortest sets available and I wear a pump belt or it goes into a pocket and after a while you don't even know it's there.

The T Slim for a t1d is a game changer of a system, it allow you to live you life without constant worry, it helps you sleep better and it improves your stability with control, so minimises the highs/lows, I should be on commission, go for it, it's the best decision in regards to your t1d you can make.
 
Thanks Antje,
Appreciate you sharing your experience. More food for thought.
Have a great day
 
Mod edit of thread to move to more appropriate forum.
 
I've been on the t:slim since is first came out in the UK, 6-7 yrs ?. I've found it really good. Easy to use and not hard to learn how to use (however had been pumping before). As for water sports, swimming - I take it off and top up as needed (or if not easy to keep pump nearby use a back up pen), snorkelling - same as swimming, kayaking - in the winter keep pump under dry top (use phone to bolus if needed) - in summer wear in neck sling and don't worry about it getting wet (its waterproof). Caving (includes getting wet) - wear is under wet suit in neck sling. Keep a phone on me in a dry pack for bolusing (now its available), easy to operate phone through dry pack screen. Have fun whatever pump you choose.
 
Last edited:
Chas C said:
I've been on the t:slim since is first came out in the UK, 6-7 yrs ?. I've found it really good. Easy to use and not hard to learn how to use (however had been pumping before). As for water sports, swimming - I take it off and top up as needed (or if not easy to keep pump nearby use a back up pen), snorkelling - same as swimming, kayaking - in the winter keep pump under dry top (use phone to bolus if needed) - in summer wear in neck sling and don't worry about it getting wet (its waterproof). Caving (includes getting wet) - wear is under dry suit in neck sling. Keep a phone on me in a dry pack for bolusing (now its available), easy to operate phone through dry pack screen. Have fun whatever pump you choose.
Click to expand...
Thanks Chas, all good information and tips.
Have a great day
 
KimL said:
Hi my diabetic team are pushing me to go onto above insulin pump but I have some reservations.
Firstly being tethered to a machine and tubes and secondly, the time it takes to get used to it.
Can anyone share their experiences please as know hearing from those who are using this are different to what healthcare say.
Many thanks
KimL
Click to expand...
I’ve been on a pump (Now on Medtronic 780, G 4 cgm) for about 8 years after many years on injections. It’s improved my management a lot. I can’t imagine life without a pump. It’s a lot of work, but worth it. I’d read a lot about the options before deciding. There is an adjustment to being tubed. If I had it to do over, I’d probably try tubeless first (Omnipod). Tubed is ok, but no tube would be preferred for me, as I’m quite active, i’d like to swim laps, but the tubed pump makes it challenging. Good luck with everything.
 
KimL said:
Hi my diabetic team are pushing me to go onto above insulin pump but I have some reservations.
Firstly being tethered to a machine and tubes and secondly, the time it takes to get used to it.
Can anyone share their experiences please as know hearing from those who are using this are different to what healthcare say.
Many thanks
KimL
Click to expand...
Morning KimL

I am an Omnipod 5 Closed Loop user. I use the Libre 2+ sensor. I have not been on a pump for 5/6 years. I would agree with the others it does take a quite a bit of getting used to. For me it has been well worth it and I would not want to go back to pens. I did use a Medtronic pump for a short time before to Omnipod. I did not find the tubing difficult. For me it was filling the tubing and reservoir. I have arthritic hans and found this very challenging.

It would be useful to find out what pumps are on offer for you. Locally Medtronic,Omnipod, Tandem are on offer

Good luck with your decision making.
 
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