Here we go - which pump?

trophywench

trophywench

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Received letter this morning telling me what choice I have.

Verbatim quote:

We would like to invite you to the Diabetes Centre, St Cross on Friday 29th November at 1.30pm

This will be a group session with a diabetes specialist nurse who will provide you with information on the
different pump options. You will be able to see some of these pump options and we can answer any questions you may have.

(if can't go held monthly so will get invited to next one , how to arrange that)

List of pump options currently available within Coventry and Rugby:-

Omnipod 5 - used with Freestyle Libre 2 PLUS
Tandem T-slim
Medtronic
Ypsopump
DANA I

Please be aware that some of these pump's link to to continuous glucose monitors (CGMS) such as Dexcom.
CGMS is NOT currently funded in our area so if you choose a pump with this facility, please be aware
that CGMS will not be provided unless self-funded.

If you would prefer to do your own research into the available pumps. Kindly let me know what you have
chosen and we will start the ordering process.

Yours truly
The insulin Pump Team

So let's swiftly dismiss the Omnipod please, and also the T-slim - I have difficulty these days filling a Roche pump cannula as never had the strength to 'flick' air bubbles out, so I hated the T-slim one the minute I saw it demonstrated. Plus the T-slim rep told me, it's useless without Dexcom, so forget one of those too.

Seems a bit weird anyway cos if one opts for Omnipod, it presumably means you can't have Libre 2+ on the NHS any more anyway.

Tell me anything anyone knows about the 3 other pumps - what's great, what's not so, what's awful, what do you wish 'it' had that it hasn't. eg variety of cannulas, quite fancied the DANA I 360 degree one, does any other brand have such a thing, is there a choice of tubing length, which CGM is the 'natural partner of the pump and what do they cost to self fund?
 
trophywench said:
Seems a bit weird anyway cos if one opts for Omnipod, it presumably means you can't have Libre 2+ on the NHS any more anyway.
Click to expand...
I read it as saying that other CGMs (like G6) aren't funded, but Libre 2+ was. If they really are going further, that seems very much against my understanding of the NICE guidance recommending that all people with Type 1 should be offered a CGM. And generally denying CGMs like Dexcom G6 seems against the agreement I thought had been made with NHS England to offer HCL to all pump users.

I wonder what's going on?
 
trophywench said:
Seems a bit weird anyway cos if one opts for Omnipod, it presumably means you can't have Libre 2+ on the NHS any more anyway.
Click to expand...
I think it says you can have libre2+ funded, that’s what all libre 2 are switching to anyway. But you can’t have the cgm that talks to other pumps.
 
That seems as if you can only have an Omnipod 5 or you have to pay for a CGM yourself - that is so wrong! I have a Libre 2+ but they won't give me a pump!! Ludicrous!!
 
T-Slim is NOT useless without Dexcom, it works quite happily as a basic pump, wonder why on earth the rep would tell you that?!
However you don’t want that one so I guess my wondering is a bit pointless! :rofl:
 
I have the Dana i and love it @trophywench It’s a brilliant little pump 😎 It’s also tough and has a nice feel to it. It can be controlled by phone or on the pump itself. The phone app allows you to do most things - bolus, change basals, edit basal rates, put a temp basal on, bolus (3 different types of boluses), etc.

It has a very good choice of sets and cannulas. I generally use the O sets (360 ones) but have tried 3 other types just to see what they’re like. The quality of the cannula and tubing is excellent too. I know that sounds a trivial thing but it makes it easier to see bubbles, and makes the tubing ‘lie’ really nicely.

The only con is a trivial one: I wish they had colours like the previous model (Dana RS). The Dana i only comes in black. I seriously can’t think of any more cons.
 
Also have Dana I and I agree with @helli, I like it a lot. I do find set changes a bit fiddly still sometimes- usually when I’m in a hurry- but it is loopable with G6 and camAPS (you would need to check funding for both of these). I believe ypsopump insulin comes in cartridges which you may wish to look at if this would make refilling easier for you.
 
my libre 2 + is funded by my local surgery, actually I told my gp about the upgrade and she immediately changed my script and then made a note to ask all T1s as she speaks to them if they want it changing to.
But that’s slightly off the subject.

I like the Omnipod dash, it’s my first pump so only comparing to MDI.
In my opinion it’s not blucky, hardly notice it, it’s comfortable. I would go for another patch pump again as they are quite freeing, and don’t always need to be out on display, no pockets needed etc.
it’s good if your active but take a bag. As the controls are on the PDM.

Having an extra device with the PDM isn’t ideal, and it’s a weak and not very user friendly device. You have to look after it, not waterproof, or very strong, already had a huge crack in one, it still worked and they quickly sent another (I think they know about the lack of quality) . And it loves to loose its mind over random things, not notice you’ve read a notification and keep alarming about things.
Sites are limited compared to others due to its size and shape but I get by and I’m small ( I do wonder how kids get on) there’s just enough sites and space for rotation.
If the cannula comes loose or there’s a site issue it’s really not obvious until your levels go sky high. Because you can’t really see it or the site around it, it’s only when you take it off, or if it’s really leaking you might eventually notice insulin near the site.
They don’t seem to be the best quality, I’ve had 5 or 6 faults since late August, 3 actually yesterday. First leaked with about 8 hours left, the replacement went onto my skin and then immediately came off (nothing about my skin or application was wrong) and third had been on for about 5 hours went to the loo, pulled off my loose leggings and it just fell off my leg, I didn’t knock it or pull it (and it was a bleeder 🙄). Some just aren’t sticky and they did give me 2 boxes (20 patch covers) but have now said I must for these or ask my DSN to add onto the order. So I think I will just buy some pretty ones, I don’t need the patches every time but again I’ve used all 20 since March, when the pump hasn’t seemed to stick as it should.
The call centres for replacements are none uk based ( i believe), I do struggle with the accents, it’s not their fault but it is a challenge for me and I would note it, and again I’ve had them not do things right, maybe 3 out of 20 contacts. Changing my address was a nightmare, I had to ask her to email me the address to confirm. She didn’t know the phonetic alphabet, she just heard Hyde and thought London, not Tameside and wouldn’t take my postcode at all. It took over half an hour and I was so worried about my reorder even after the email confirmation.

It seems like more negatives, but I do love it, it is so handy, I just wish the quality was a little better.

This quality point does take some planning, if I go out for certain time frames or distance from home I take spares, not how I did with MDI, I’ve had faults hours from home and pre journey while camping and had to change in cars, trains, rugby pitches, work, beach, hiking (hills) and my favourite a random street near a church in Sheffield.

It’s not the same for all omnipod users on here, others have no or very limited issues.

@Tom1982 little one has had site issues with the adhesive, I know that’s been an issue even though the Omnipod seems to work for her pretty well otherwise.
 
PhoebeC said:
my libre 2 + is funded by my local surgery, actually I told my gp about the upgrade and she immediately changed my script and then made a note to ask all T1s as she speaks to them if they want it changing to.
But that’s slightly off the subject.

I like the Omnipod dash, it’s my first pump so only comparing to MDI.
In my opinion it’s not blucky, hardly notice it, it’s comfortable. I would go for another patch pump again as they are quite freeing, and don’t always need to be out on display, no pockets needed etc.
it’s good if your active but take a bag. As the controls are on the PDM.

Having an extra device with the PDM isn’t ideal, and it’s a weak and not very user friendly device. You have to look after it, not waterproof, or very strong, already had a huge crack in one, it still worked and they quickly sent another (I think they know about the lack of quality) . And it loves to loose its mind over random things, not notice you’ve read a notification and keep alarming about things.
Sites are limited compared to others due to its size and shape but I get by and I’m small ( I do wonder how kids get on) there’s just enough sites and space for rotation.
If the cannula comes loose or there’s a site issue it’s really not obvious until your levels go sky high. Because you can’t really see it or the site around it, it’s only when you take it off, or if it’s really leaking you might eventually notice insulin near the site.
They don’t seem to be the best quality, I’ve had 5 or 6 faults since late August, 3 actually yesterday. First leaked with about 8 hours left, the replacement went onto my skin and then immediately came off (nothing about my skin or application was wrong) and third had been on for about 5 hours went to the loo, pulled off my loose leggings and it just fell off my leg, I didn’t knock it or pull it (and it was a bleeder 🙄). Some just aren’t sticky and they did give me 2 boxes (20 patch covers) but have now said I must for these or ask my DSN to add onto the order. So I think I will just buy some pretty ones, I don’t need the patches every time but again I’ve used all 20 since March, when the pump hasn’t seemed to stick as it should.
The call centres for replacements are none uk based ( i believe), I do struggle with the accents, it’s not their fault but it is a challenge for me and I would note it, and again I’ve had them not do things right, maybe 3 out of 20 contacts. Changing my address was a nightmare, I had to ask her to email me the address to confirm. She didn’t know the phonetic alphabet, she just heard Hyde and thought London, not Tameside and wouldn’t take my postcode at all. It took over half an hour and I was so worried about my reorder even after the email confirmation.

It seems like more negatives, but I do love it, it is so handy, I just wish the quality was a little better.

This quality point does take some planning, if I go out for certain time frames or distance from home I take spares, not how I did with MDI, I’ve had faults hours from home and pre journey while camping and had to change in cars, trains, rugby pitches, work, beach, hiking (hills) and my favourite a random street near a church in Sheffield.

It’s not the same for all omnipod users on here, others have no or very limited issues.

@Tom1982 little one has had site issues with the adhesive, I know that’s been an issue even though the Omnipod seems to work for her pretty well otherwise.
Click to expand...
Oh yes and it’s refilled from vails, not penfills do this might not work for you. It’s not awful to set up a new one, but yes bubbles in a syringe.
 
FWIW I get rid of air bubbles my tapping the base of the syringe against the edge of the table. Any agitation works it doesn’t have to be a flick.
 
I had used the accuchek pumps for years then they withdrew it and I had to swap to something else. After looking at the features of the pumps offered I decided on the ypsopump. The reason really is that it takes novorapid pumpcarts like the previous pump...
There are many other features that appealed eg the small size and the app on phone to control it as well as now being able to loop with it, but the main reason was the pumpcarts. There are things that it does not have that I missed when I first started on it eg I could put a lag on the bolus delivery on the accuchek and this does not do that. Also the use of diagrams only on the pump took a while to get sorted, but any new pump is unfamiliar at first.
Hope that is of use.
 
Saoirse said:
Also have Dana I and I agree with @helli, I like it a lot. I do find set changes a bit fiddly still sometimes- usually when I’m in a hurry- but it is loopable with G6 and camAPS (you would need to check funding for both of these). I believe ypsopump insulin comes in cartridges which you may wish to look at if this would make refilling easier for you.
Click to expand...

I think you mean me @Saoirse although I’ll take it as a compliment you thought I was @helli 🙂 I’m ok with the set changes. I think the Easy Setter thing makes it a lot easier. I also find the pump reservoir ‘syringe’ easy to draw insulin up into. Comparing that with drawing up insulin into one of the old disposable insulin syringes @trophywench i find drawing up insulin into the reservoir much easier as the reservoir is shorter and chunkier. As I said, the EasySetter (a little gadget you put the syringe in when you’ve drawn up the insulin) does the ‘setting’ - ie twirls the reservoir round until it’s set right to put in the pump (to put in, you simply drop it in) and automatically reads the amount of insulin you have in the cartridge then sends that reading to the pump via bluetooth. It’s very nifty.

Another thing I’d say about the Dana, having had two now, is that it’s extremely accurate. Even at the end of its four year life, there was no change swapping to the new pump whereas with the Animas Vibe, I think my old pump had become ‘slack’ and I saw a change when I put the new pump on. In addition, my Dana looked exactly the same after 4 years as the day I first wore it.

I forgot to say that for the sets/cannulas, there’s a choice of Teflon or steel, depending on the set type you choose. The O set (360 one) is Teflon.
 
Inka said:
I think you mean me @Saoirse although I’ll take it as a compliment you thought I was @helli 🙂 I’m ok with the set changes. I think the Easy Setter thing makes it a lot easier. I also find the pump reservoir ‘syringe’ easy to draw insulin up into. Comparing that with drawing up insulin into one of the old disposable insulin syringes @trophywench i find drawing up insulin into the reservoir much easier as the reservoir is shorter and chunkier. As I said, the EasySetter (a little gadget you put the syringe in when you’ve drawn up the insulin) does the ‘setting’ - ie twirls the reservoir round until it’s set right to put in the pump (to put in, you simply drop it in) and automatically reads the amount of insulin you have in the cartridge then sends that reading to the pump via bluetooth. It’s very nifty.

Another thing I’d say about the Dana, having had two now, is that it’s extremely accurate. Even at the end of its four year life, there was no change swapping to the new pump whereas with the Animas Vibe, I think my old pump had become ‘slack’ and I saw a change when I put the new pump on. In addition, my Dana looked exactly the same after 4 years as the day I first wore it.

I forgot to say that for the sets/cannulas, there’s a choice of Teflon or steel, depending on the set type you choose. The O set (360 one) is Teflon.
Click to expand...
The dangers of typing bleary eyed without glasses :rofl:Your posts really helped me when I was choosing my pump @Inka , and I can’t be the only person who hugely values both your and @helli contributions on this forum
 
@curlygirl - yeah, you're 100% correct about pumpcarts - cos I had the Insight too as my second pump and loved it! The teeny tiny (3 decimal places!) adjustments to hourly basal rates, cos when there isn't very much of you, you are just so very sensitive to amounts of insulin, was brill. The only snag with it was having to plug the handset in every single night to ensure the battery would work for the entire next day - and patiently wait until the pump got around to accepting what you'd instructed it to do - I remember sitting next to @PattiEvans at a DSF dinner years ago - she using a Combo - and my Insight taking a fair bit longer than her Combo to calculate and then deliver my bolus. Oh - and it destroyed 2 or 3 rechargeable lithium batteries before I got one that would hold the charge - but assumed this was me rather than the Insight, doesn't matter now.

When you say 'delay on bolus' do you mean 'multiwave' ie say 2.5u immediately with balance dripped in over the next 75 mins or if not, what? Presumably they all do 'extended' so whole amount dripped in over however long - or do they? - cos I find both of those very useful indeed.
Thebearcametoo said:
FWIW I get rid of air bubbles my tapping the base of the syringe against the edge of the table. Any agitation works it doesn’t have to be a flick.
Click to expand...

Never thought of trying that, a bit late now, though it might not be if I went for a DANA I instead.

Oh - I can't get there on the 29th Nov - quite a long standing appointment to have some work done on our Motorhome - in Telford. Takes ages to get a slot and is miles away in the diametrically opposite direction on the M6, so will be at least December, if not the new year before another appt slot at Rugby but until I can contact them on Monday, just don't know.
 
trophywench said:
When you say 'delay on bolus' do you mean 'multiwave' ie say 2.5u immediately with balance dripped in over the next 75 mins or if not, what? Presumably they all do 'extended' so whole amount dripped in over however long - or do they? - cos I find both of those very useful
Click to expand...
It was a lag feature that was really good if you needed to delay giving the bolus but wanted to set it up... selected multiwave and put carbs and got bolus etc then said put lag on and picked 15 mins or 30 mins and it would give you the insulin in that length of time. It was a feature I used a lot as sometimes go hypo if bolus before eating, but did not have to remember to bolus after. If you did not use that then that is fine, but I was disappointed to find not available on new one. All usual options eg immediate, multiwave etc are available.
 
Isn’t that an extended bolus @curlygirl ? Each pump seems to give the boluses different names! I don’t even remember the names on the Dana i as I just call them by the old names from previous pumps :D
 
Inka said:
Isn’t that an extended bolus @curlygirl ? Each pump seems to give the boluses different names! I don’t even remember the names on the Dana i as I just call them by the old names from previous pumps :D
Click to expand...
It is difficult to explain as I do not think many pumps have it. You chose the type of bolus and then it was like putting a delay on it actually being delivered. It worked with any kind of bolus but just delayed the actual delivery of insulin by however long you chose. It was the same idea as bolusing after eating if blood low but without having to actually sort it after eating. I only used the delay of 15 min most of the time, but you could put the delay for much longer. I have not seen it on any other make and not many people have heard of the feature... I liked it as it was an easy way of deciding how much and over what period but then delaying it being started until a later time if needed. Hope that explains it... now I do not have the lag feature that the accuchek had I set an alarm on phone to remind me to bolus after food if think hypo is going to happen if I bolus before eating. If you have never had the option with pump then that is fine, only cos I had got used to it that I found it strange without it when I first switched to this one.
 
Ah - years ago I had used to go hypo before any food actually got there despite never ever 'pre bolusing' but haven't now for some years. The effect of AD I should think, but don't know for a fact. Sounds like an extended bolus to me too, anyway. What I've always needed and still sometimes do, but still not so far found any way of doing it automatically, is to have an actual time gap either before the start of a bolus entirely or in the middle of a multiwave, a time gap between the first bit and the extended part.
 
So what pump was it - a later Insight that I didn't have or a Solo which was tubeless, again never had.
 
Ok so I remember having a thread about the lag feature years ago when I was on the insight and have searched for that... it was 2017.

curlygirl

Post in thread 'Extended bolus'

trophywench said:
There is no 'Lag Time' on my meter ???? - I was saying this yesterday - I need that ! I have literally never seen that appear. As I am self taught on the Insight, maybe there are some instructions in the manual - I'll have to try and find it.

Otherwise I'll ring either DSN or Roche and query!
Click to expand...

I have found out how to do it. I looked on the handset first as I thought it would be on there, but it is not. It is on the pump. You go to 'settings' then 'bolus settings' then 'therapy settings' and then down to 'lag time'. You can then chose to have it on or not.

Hope this helps...

I thought the best thing might be to photograph my handset when I was doing my lunch bolus today. This way I can illustrate what I mean.

If my blood is low before bolusing and I want to set up the bolus before my food, but not have it delivered until after my food then I use the 'lag time facility'.
The photos show that nothing was delivered for 15 minutes (you can increase this in 15min sections).
After those 15 minutes have passed with no insulin delivered that is when the multiwave bolus begins, on this occasion with 1 unit straight away and then 1.95 throughout the next 30 minutes.
Like I said maybe extended is different, but this lag time works on standard and multiwave for sure and is very useful.

I have not uploaded a photo on here so hope this works ok...apologies for the reflections, they should still be ok to read.
20170601_123052.jpg

20170601_123045.jpg

]


The interesting part looking at thread from years ago is that you said you had followed instructions and now had it on yours too...
 
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