Medtrum a6 or omnipod

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banditbilly

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Type 2
Hi all
I have been offered a pump on NHS. I have a choice of a few, but think I’ve narrowed it down to a patch pump..so my choices in this category are Medtrum A6 or Omnipod. I’ve never had a pump before so looking for general advice or any words of wisdom..is one better than the other? I currently have Libre and MM which links up to my Fitbit Versa watch (using xdrip) ..will I be able to do the same with either of the pumps mentioned?

I’m excited about a pump, but a little scared too! Has anyone found a pump does not suit and gone back to injections?
 
Hi, I can't comment on the Medtrum A6, but am coming up to 3 years on the omnipod. I am very happy with it. Positives are the freedom it gives in terms of wearing it swimming, in the shower or bath etc. I like the fact that I have a wide range of places I can stick it. Negatives are that if you forget your PDM, then you can't administer any insulin.
I don't notice it is stuck on and often forget where it is. I asked at my hospital and the pump DSN said in 15 years she could probably count on one hand people who went back to injections.
Any questions, do ask
 
Having forcibly wrenched a 2 day old Libre sensor off the arm on the doorframe into the bathroom in our motorhome which hurt so much it left a bruise after the bright red patch had subsided (which took a few days itself) having anything bigger physically stuck to me makes me shudder!

There again I have always been clumsy and my mother's mantra whenever we went anywhere at all once I could walk was '.... and a clean pair of socks for Jennifer' for the simple reason that whether we went into Birmingham shopping or a days walking over the Clent hills or anywhere - I would ALWAYS find a puddle and get my feet wet even in a heatwave. (Funny how in summer 1976 I couldn't though!)
 
Medtrum are newcomers to the market, so I’ve not heard so many accounts from their users.

Omnipod is a well known brand though, and their new version with a smarter handset looks very smart.

I also get the impression and some sort of Omnipod / Libre integration may be on the cards in the future - though that could well be years away!
 
Do all the Pods require a PDM to be carried around..or is there one that uses a phone app for the control? I understand there may be problems with that ..does the phone need to be signed off as a medical device etc, but worth asking!
 
I recently saw the New patch pump from Accu Chek. It was not on general offer to us, but it did have the facility to administer a Bolus without the PDM. Most of the newer pumps seem to be heading towards being controlled by phone apps.
 
Dunno anything about a patch pump from Accu Chek but I do know their revised Insight tubed pump will have a phone App cos my own DSN told me that earlier this week. The original Insight I still have can do that without the handset anyway if you haven't got it. What you can't do though is tell it a BG from elsewhere to use in it's Bolus/correction calculation cos the handset/meter Bluetooths the info it has to the pump in which case when you accept that calculation, you also tell the pump to deliver it via the handset. When users are using a CGM whether a Flash or the conventional type, then a phone App would probably be useful - BUT how you communicate the BG reading from wherever else you got it, to the App, I haven't the slightest.
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Is that the Solo @SB2015?
Click to expand...
Yes it is Mike. Slightly flatter than the omnipod, and the pump clicks into a stuck on base cannula. If the pump get knocked off you can just clip it back in. It also has a means of delivering insulin without the PDM.
I was very slightly tempted, but still seems a bit of a lump to have attached in one place.
 
Omnipod's new dash system uses a mobile phone as a PDM, but it is only for using with the devise, not an app on your own phone
 
I think Dexcom and Omnipod have announced a partnership for CGM integration. I read somewhere that Omnipod will bring out a system (Omnipod Horizon?) later this year.
 
At present all the companies are saying that they are ‘nearly there’ with linking with sensors, and that ‘it is a priority’. Things are changing so rapidly, we just have to choose from what is available now and wait and see what is there next time.
 
m1dnc said:
I think Dexcom and Omnipod have announced a partnership for CGM integration. I read somewhere that Omnipod will bring out a system (Omnipod Horizon?) later this year.
Click to expand...

Looks like the Horizon will be fairly ‘device agnostic’ And support Dex options as well as Libre. I find this ‘interoperability’ an exciting development in the world of diabetes tech as it will allow different people to choose options that combine to suit them.

diatribe.org

Omnipod Horizon System to Integrate Freestyle Libre 2, G6, and G7 CGMs

Insulet partners with Abbott and Dexcom to develop Omnipod Horizon systems
diatribe.org diatribe.org
 
I am probably a bit late to this discussion but have been using the Medtrum A6 for about 18 months.
It is not my first pump but is my first patch pump.
I was not offered OmniPod because my CCG consider it too expensive. So I was their Medtrum guinea pig.

I have found it pretty good although I have experienced more occlusion errors than I did with my previous, tubey, pump but I think this is common - patches are more likely to have occlusion errors.
The pump is small and discrete (my biggest motivation for a patch pump - I never caught the tube it was just too big, always on show and got in the way in the gym). It is easy to change a set. The supplies come in recyclable packaging and the needle is removable so my sharps bin does not need replacing often.

I see discussions above about the PDM. My PDM was put in my drawer about 2 months ago when Medtrum bought out their EasyPump phone app. I find this as easy to use as the PDM (very), directly uploads for my diabetes team to see and means one less thing to carry around with me (or potentially lose). I find it easier to adjust basal patterns (you can have up to 7 basal patterns), set combo/extended boluses and suspend than my previous pump.

When I agreed to trial the Medtrum, I was concerned about the small market in the UK. I certainly would not have taken the risk on knowing no one with it had it been my first ever pump. But, based on my experience, I would not let this put off a new pumper now. The service from Medtrum has been amazing. They are still a small set up in the UK. For me, this is an advantage - I know the trainer and rep, both are happy to answer emails and phone calls and keen to maintain/build the Medtrum reputation so will go that step further.

I use a Libre (with MiaoMiao) but Medtrum also have a sensor which can be connected to the pump. My CCG would not fund that although the costs are competitive.
 
I have just started on Medtrum I was on Omnipod so this is a trial I think so far I think I will swop to Medtrum as I think the control is better due to he steel needle as with Omnipod it was a plastic needle one side of my body was great alas the other useless except on my arm also if it was on my leg it constantly fell off
You mentioned you can get the needle out is that the one on the patch I disposed the patch into my sharps container is that correct
I found filling not as easy as Omnipod as PDM does everything for you with Omnipod and with Medtrum I made a bit of a hash with the filling but hey it’s working ok so far I am pleased also next year it will be smaller and everyone will get the new model where as Omnipod did not do that with the dash and it was only the PDM that changed
The other plus is it is cheaper for our centre which is great news as a they are amazing especially as they want all T1 on a sensor our DSN also tries all the pumps herself which is great too and she is not even diabetic she assured me I could stick with Omnipod if I wished
Have you got the telephone number to contact Medtrum? Alas I can’t find it
 
Hey @christine.h nice to read another Medtrum pump
user.
christine.h said:
You mentioned you can get the needle out is that the one on the patch I disposed the patch into my sharps container is that correct
Click to expand...
When you take off your patch, you flick the switch at the bottom which retracts the needle. On the front of the patch, the other end sticks out. (This is the bit that you push down when you apply the patch.) If you grab this and twist, the needle will come out and you only need to put the needle into your sharps box.
Sometimes, a small spring also comes out. This is no problem unless you lose it and, when your partner finds it, he spends the next 24 hours trying to work out what it comes out of that he can fix until he gets frustrated, gives up and asks you!
If you can't get the needle out, it is fine to put the whole patch in the sharps box as you did; it just fills the box quickly.

christine.h said:
Have you got the telephone number to contact Medtrum? Alas I can’t find it
Click to expand...
I used to have a piece of paper with phone numbers on but seem to have lost it.
No problem as they are on their website - https://www.medtrum.co.uk/About.html

I also have contact details for their Trainer and Regional Manager who are very helpful but I won't share these on the public forum as you may have different contacts.

I am happy if you want to PM me with any other questions.
 
helli said:
Hey @christine.h nice to read another Medtrum pump
user.

When you take off your patch, you flick the switch at the bottom which retracts the needle. On the front of the patch, the other end sticks out. (This is the bit that you push down when you apply the patch.) If you grab this and twist, the needle will come out and you only need to put the needle into your sharps box.
Sometimes, a small spring also comes out. This is no problem unless you lose it and, when your partner finds it, he spends the next 24 hours trying to work out what it comes out of that he can fix until he gets frustrated, gives up and asks you!
If you can't get the needle out, it is fine to put the whole patch in the sharps box as you did; it just fills the box quickly.


I used to have a piece of paper with phone numbers on but seem to have lost it.
No problem as they are on their website - https://www.medtrum.co.uk/About.html

I also have contact details for their Trainer and Regional Manager who are very helpful but I won't share these on the public forum as you may have different contacts.

I am happy if you want to PM me with any other questions.
Click to expand...
Just seen this thank you so much for the information alas my wrists are not strong enough to twist it so yes will put into sharps container
I found the 24 hour help line on the info pages that I have been given only just looked at it I accidentally suspended delivery it was to easy to see the resume button whilst I was on the phone found it but the assistant said they will call me tomorrow to check on me but to my surprise I got a text to check I was ok as well so good
Thank you for your offer of help much appreciated
 
Hello
My ten yr old daughter uses the Medtrum A6. She moved from the animas vibe tethered pump about a year and a half ago. She manages the set change herself every three days and is just about to transfer to using her phone instead of the PDA (although the pda is really great) Therefore she will only need her phone for her libre2 and her pump. The staff at Medtrum could not be more helpful and We highly recommend Medtrum🙂) they are launching an even smaller version later this year and we can’t wait to use it!!
 
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