How to choose a pump?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Casper

Casper

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
I had meeting with my dsn today to run through the pumps available, and to make a choice after we'd discussed each ones pros and - didn't seem to be any cons!
I just don't know how to choose!:confused: Each one appeals, all seem to do pretty much the same things, found it hard to differentiate between them. They are the Animas Vibe, Medtronic minimed veo and Roche Combo (the only one with separate handset for bluetooth connectivity.

Please, please advise! I have a desk job parttime, not excessively active, don't swim much so waterproof not essential, don't mind if people notice it or not, generally wear trousers not dresses, arrgh.....I do know I'm lucky to have the choice but I keep changing my mind, indecisive? Hmmm, not sure!
 
I don't think there is a 'bad' choice among them. Whichever you choose you are likely to love (with a few things about it that drive you crackers!)

Veo and Vibe have (different) CGM options if you are ever likely to self-fund.

Vibe is waterproof and colour screen

Combo has full 'remote' handset, others have optional and (certainly in the case of Veo, not so fully-functioning) remotes.

Veo is the older of the models I think, but I really like mine - not that I have used another to compare!

Combo is the largest I think?

Does your DSN have the same level of experience with them all? Even if not there are forum peeps who use each, so tech advice/tips should be easy enough.

Good luck with your choice!
 
Love my Roche Combo; have reduced my insulin dose - was just over 30u a day on MDI, now just over 20u so the 315ml reservoir lasts me at least 10 days. Cos you use up to 15u to prime the tubing (every 6 days) depending on what length tubing you use (60cm for me) and 1u or under that to prime each cannula (every 2 or 3 days, depending on which sets you use and how long they remain stable for YOU - I'm a 2-day girl) Which is handy - that's (give or take) just the one vial of insulin per month!

So the bigger vial may mean less messing about changing reservoirs, and it's only messing about cos you have to remember to take the insulin out of the fridge a while before you want to fill the new one, but the pump tells you when it's getting low anyway! - all of em do that.
 
Medtronic advise 3-day max for reservoirs as well as cannulas. Some people do use them longer though, but I've stuck with the guidelines. Something to do with the insulin being in contact with the plastic. Maybe Roche use a different material?!
 
Hi Casper, if you have a large insulin usage look at the amount the cartridge holds. Vibe only holds 200 units and at least 30 of that disappears with loading and priming the cartridge so at most to start fresh you have 176 units in the cartridge. Only software available is online as in diasend! Personally I object strongly to having my personal medical records online so have no software for use.
 
i love my roche combo (only 2 weeks on & i cant find any faults with it).

my cartridges are 315u & the cannulas dont hurt to insert as there is a inserter for them

the only problem is, it doesnt come in funky colours but you can buy skins

plus the customer service people & the support people are lovely 🙂

would you like to borrow my training dvd for the combo?
 
They're all good! We wouldn't have opted for the AccuChek for my son specifically because of the separate handset, which he would be liable to mislay! For others the separate handset is a positive thing, as you can bolus insulin without pulling out the pump from its hiding place. He has the Veo, which incidentally does have a remote control device for optional use (we have never used it ourselves). It's great. For us it came down to two options when he renewed his pump last year, the Veo or the Animas Vibe. Both have the option for CGMS. The Vibe is waterproof, which really tempted us. But the clincher for us was the "low suspend" feature on the Veo (when used with CGMS), which could literally be life-saving in the event of a severe nighttime hypo - it suspends basal delivery if it detects a low and the pump wearer doesn't respond to the pump alarm. The sensors are expensive and I can only afford them occasionally, but I make sure he is wearing one for things like residential trips, exam week, nights when he's had a gruelling sports session, etc. I'd love him to wear them full time!
 
Hi all, thank you for your replies. I have thoroughly researched online, and have decided to stick with my original choice of..........................wait for it ..........................................
Animas vibe 🙂

My insulin requirements are low, TDD is around 25 units, I like having more than one blood meter around for use, don't intend using software to computer, it felt 'right' in my hand, oooooh, sooooo excited 😱
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top