Hi, I have had IDDM since 1980 and been on the accu-chek Roche Spirit Combo pump for 4 years. I have just been informed that it is time to upgrade and the Combo is being discontinued. I’ve been given quite a choice of pumps but am completely confused by the differences and wonder if anyone can give me any wise words or advice? My choices are Roche Insight; Roche Solo; Medtronic 640G; Medtronic 780G or Ypsopump. Can anyone tell me what experience they have had with any of these or what they would recommend. I’d like either negative or positive comments please! Many thanks in advance....Bevs
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Insulin pump choices
- Thread starter Bevs
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SB2015
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- Type 1
Welcome to the forum @Bevs
There is experience of a variety of pumps to tap Into on here.
like you I had a Combo, and was happy with that for eight years before switching to a 780G.
I used it alongside the Libre, but was not able to use the Sensor readings in place of BGs at meals, or do corrections without putting a Bg in (I know that that is a good safety feature, but there were times when I did not feel I needed a BG)
I was advised that there was no advantage in using a 640 since if I had a 780 and used it in manual mode with or without the sensors, it acted in the same way as a 640. However in addition the 780 gave me the option of the autocorrections by the pump every 5 minutes in a closed loop. I chose that option and self fund my sensors to run the closed loop system.
I found the change over very difficult with a variety of factors making it a bit of a bumpy ride (Illness, Brexit delays, COVID vaccines, kidney stones, ....), but I think I would have found any change over quite difficult. Now I am finding it has reduced the amount that I have to think about. If I get the carbs a bit out, the pump will sort it out, I sleep really well knowing that I will have a good flat line overnight. I still need to do a BG at each meal and before bed to calibrate the sensor, but in doing that I avoid most interruptions/alarms apart from those when I go low. However I used to have a couple of hypos each day. I now have one or two each week, and my time in range is usually in the 80s or 90s. There are still those weird days when things just don’t make sense, but they seem to settle quite quickly.
I hope that helps
There is experience of a variety of pumps to tap Into on here.
like you I had a Combo, and was happy with that for eight years before switching to a 780G.
I used it alongside the Libre, but was not able to use the Sensor readings in place of BGs at meals, or do corrections without putting a Bg in (I know that that is a good safety feature, but there were times when I did not feel I needed a BG)
I was advised that there was no advantage in using a 640 since if I had a 780 and used it in manual mode with or without the sensors, it acted in the same way as a 640. However in addition the 780 gave me the option of the autocorrections by the pump every 5 minutes in a closed loop. I chose that option and self fund my sensors to run the closed loop system.
I found the change over very difficult with a variety of factors making it a bit of a bumpy ride (Illness, Brexit delays, COVID vaccines, kidney stones, ....), but I think I would have found any change over quite difficult. Now I am finding it has reduced the amount that I have to think about. If I get the carbs a bit out, the pump will sort it out, I sleep really well knowing that I will have a good flat line overnight. I still need to do a BG at each meal and before bed to calibrate the sensor, but in doing that I avoid most interruptions/alarms apart from those when I go low. However I used to have a couple of hypos each day. I now have one or two each week, and my time in range is usually in the 80s or 90s. There are still those weird days when things just don’t make sense, but they seem to settle quite quickly.
I hope that helps
trophywench
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- Type 1
According to the Roche pump group on FB - a lot of folk have trouble with the Solo. There again I couldn't get another Insight cos people have had trouble with them too. Bloody thing is a lot slower than the Combo but I was told they aren't stopping the Combo so I went back to another Combo in January. My other choices were a Tslim (where the Tslim Rep told me herself that it was only any good if used with a Dexcom - she saw I had a Libre and told me they're utterly useless too) (when I repeated her advice to my DSN she was NOT best pleased .....) or I could have a Medronic 640g (NOT the 780) or an Omnipod. (NOT the Omnipod Dash) My CCG only do inexpensive ....... pumps had been pretty common on the NHS for years before they deigned to allow us to have one, when we had no choice at all - either a Combo or nowt.
Then I swapped to an Insight and well remember sitting next to @Pattidevans at a 'do' one night and she was eating her dinner already with her Combo before my Insight had even finished calculating my bolus .... but changing the cartridge was sooooooooooo easy. And of course using the matched meter as the remote control for the pump with both of them, is an advantage.
Ypsomed used to make B good pen needles - no idea whatever about their pumps.
Then I swapped to an Insight and well remember sitting next to @Pattidevans at a 'do' one night and she was eating her dinner already with her Combo before my Insight had even finished calculating my bolus .... but changing the cartridge was sooooooooooo easy. And of course using the matched meter as the remote control for the pump with both of them, is an advantage.
Ypsomed used to make B good pen needles - no idea whatever about their pumps.
Pumper_Sue
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- Type 1
You can do a meal bolus without BG's on the 640 all you do is use the bolus wizard as normal but ignore the request for a BG reading. Pump then just calculates insulin on your carb ratio and what ever your ideal blood sugar should be. So if you have it set for 6 then the pump automatically calculates as if your blood sugar is 6.
Inka
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- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I’d avoid the Insight - I hated it and it’s the only pump I’ve ever given back. I wouldn’t be keen on the Solo either, although I haven’t used it personally.
The best thing to do IMO, is narrow your choice down to two or three, then research each of those thoroughly, highlighting extra-good things and also extra-bad about each pump. Your good and bad might differ from other people’s. Then try YouTube for videos of each pump, and Google for reviews.
Remember too that the infusion sets are a crucial part of things so research them too. It’s no good having a great pump if the sets fail or don’t suit you. Look at customer service and supply of consumables too. It was comments about Medtronic that put me off their pumps.
There is no right answer - just what’s right for you as an individual.
The best thing to do IMO, is narrow your choice down to two or three, then research each of those thoroughly, highlighting extra-good things and also extra-bad about each pump. Your good and bad might differ from other people’s. Then try YouTube for videos of each pump, and Google for reviews.
Remember too that the infusion sets are a crucial part of things so research them too. It’s no good having a great pump if the sets fail or don’t suit you. Look at customer service and supply of consumables too. It was comments about Medtronic that put me off their pumps.
There is no right answer - just what’s right for you as an individual.
SB2015
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Thanks Sue for clarifying that. It is a benefit of my switch to the Medtronics.
On the Combo this was one of my frustrations. I am not sure whether it is true of the Insight. @trophywench would know as she has used both Combo and Insight.
SB2015
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I second @Inka ‘s suggestion of start a pros and cons list of the pumps, as well as an essentials list from your point of view. Whatever you choose it is only for four years each time, and that passes so quickly. Also changes are happening at a fast rate. My current pump wasn’t even available when I started drawing up my list!!
trophywench
Well-Known Member
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- Type 1
Yeah - just enter the carbs, tell it to calculate, it says 'Do you want to test your BG?' you click 'No' and it calculates the bolus including taking the IOB into consideration and tells you the answer - both the Combo and the Insight meter/handsets do it. Or don't use the meter at all and just tell the pump to do a Standard Bolus of X amount of insulin, and it does. So when you happen to be walking along the cliff top at Lulworth and suddenly come across an ice cream van you can bolus for the 99 whilst in the queue!
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