Here we go - which pump?

[SB2015]

Going back to your original list @trophywench
I use the Medtronic 780. It is very similar to the Combo apart from having to bolus on the pump rather than through a handset. Sounds a small thing but it was very irritating at the start. I accept that now as I wanted to loop. As you say to do this you have to use the Medtronic sensors.

It sounds like you will need to choose one that can loop with the Libre or self fund. I definitely recommend looping. For me I was glad I was able to self fund, because of the positive impact looping has had: far fewer hypos, loads of sleep and a lot less effort on my part. Even more delighted to now have funding.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

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.

Good luck with your choice @trophywench

I am sure that if you went Omnipod you’d be able to keep Libre2+ (the other sensors need a different funding set-up, but Libre2+ could just continue as-is).

One possibility you might consider, is to give Omnipod a trial run. there’s no 4-year tie in with Omnipod according to my clinic. they would have been happy for me to try it out for some months, to see how I got on with it.

Might be worth trying them out if your clinic runs the same system with pods?

 

[Natalie123]

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?

This is crazy! I think we live in the same town except I attend Warwick hospital (personal choice) not St Cross but it's the same NHS Trust. Hybrid closed loop is definitely funded so saying that you can't have the accompanying CGM seems odd to me. If you want a closed loop system, it might be worth you looking around other hospitals near you and getting a second opinion. On the other hand, I have been given the option of ypsomed or omnipod only.

 

[PhoebeC]

One possibility you might consider, is to give Omnipod a trial run. there’s no 4-year tie in with Omnipod according to my clinic. they would have been happy for me to try it out for some months, to see how I got on with it.

Might be worth trying them out if your clinic runs the same system with pods?

Yes, there is no tie in at all. Or so I was told last week by my diabetes consultant, on either the dash or 5.

Maybe order the sample pod off them and stick it on. That gives a good idea of the wearability of it at least

 

[trophywench]

There is seriously no way I could use an Omnipod, due to my own body and I'm stuck with that ! This is mainly because of 3 features of it being
1. I have ever so many areas of my lower torso (inc belly and bum) and upper thighs which are non absorbent of insulin which does not become apparent until, at the very least several hours if not may hours after starting to deliver insulin and
2. shedloads of moles and seborrheic keratoses and because I have in the past had many of them removed either by excision or freezing, where they were which are now invisible, also now don't absorb insulin properly. The ruddy things, some of which are 1cm across in any or all directions and any new ones have the potential to grow and have their own network if internal small veins so bleed like stink if punctured, literally bleed like a tap that needs a new washer. Nightmare when they get dehydrated cos the surface flakes off/gets caught on clothing, and itch like stink. I have them literally from head to toe so amongst my hair anywhere hair can grow (and come on, being covered in hair is one of the characteristics of a mammal) and certain of em are in such places that I've literally never seen them! even though husbands have told me they are there, usually by saying blimey Jen and asking me did I know I had one right by my xxxxxx? (or my zzzzz if it's a bit more to the back, front or side !) (Only last week when asking GP about a couple of ?moles that have grown 'extra loose flappy bits' on them for proper mole mapping I said Oh yes please - the sooner the better! - but goodness only knows how very long I might have to wait for that.)
3. If anything sticky be it sticking plaster, the adhesive on a sticking plaster, pump cannula or micropore tape happens to overlap onto the surface of any of these brown things for more than an hour ish, it dehydrates them ......

Because of the non absorbency issue, no way Pedro dare I leave a nicely absorbent cannula in place for longer than 2 days, just not worth the risk of making any more of me non absorbent. (plus such a potential waste of insulin cos there's a minimum amount you can put in them, far greater than even a whole 48hrs-worth for me)

So - please, please, stop suggesting I try the Omnipod !

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

So - please, please, stop suggesting I try the Omnipod !

So Jen! Just an idle thought, hadn’t realised it was so much more than my general low-level-pod-aversion.

Hope I didn’t cause upset

 

[trophywench]

Just got fed up of folk who don't know my reasons keeping suggesting I really ought to try the ruddy things, Mike. I didn't honestly want to set all out but if people didn't know already that I am more graphic than most in calling a spade a spade - well now they do and I'm not apologising for that because it was actually the sanitised version I posted!

Off the back of a meeting of our local prostate cancer charity when we had to insist to our 80+ year old Chair that in writing to a large business to seek a donation to help us with funding for an event that would cost over £5,000 we need to be completely upfront about the cost, not pussyfoot around saying things that could be interpreted a different way than 'Give us a substantial amount of yer dosh!'