Medtrum a6 or omnipod

[helli]

@Happy I migrated to the Medtrum phone app June last year.
It is great only having to keep my phone with me.
The app is easy to use. Occasionally, I find it will not connect to my pump if I have been away from the phone for too long but if I turn Bluetooth on and off again (I just go into airplane mode .. it's the only chance I get to use airplane mode at the moment), it will reconnect.

I have seen pictures of the new nano pump and really looking forward to that coming out in a few months.

 

[NayNay]

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.

Hi Helli,
I'm currently using the Accu Chek Insight pump but due to renew and I'm looking at the Medtrum A6 (upgrading to the new nano when released) and I was wondering what it's like to sleep with the patch pump? Is it easy to knock off? Over the many years of being on a tethered pump I've disconnected/ripped out the cannula many times as I move about a lot in my sleep. Does it feel like you're laying on a brick or is it something you get used to over time? Do you feel the steel cannula much? I really hope you don't mind my questions.

 

[helli]

Hi Helli,
I'm currently using the Accu Chek Insight pump but due to renew and I'm looking at the Medtrum A6 (upgrading to the new nano when released) and I was wondering what it's like to sleep with the patch pump? Is it easy to knock off? Over the many years of being on a tethered pump I've disconnected/ripped out the cannula many times as I move about a lot in my sleep. Does it feel like you're laying on a brick or is it something you get used to over time? Do you feel the steel cannula much? I really hope you don't mind my questions.

Hi @NayNay i definitely do not mind the questions. Ask away as much as you want. Feel free to PM me if you want to go into more detail than you think most members would like.

As far as sleeping, most of the time, I am completely unaware of my pump. I place it around my waist - below my waist and on the front and above the waistband at the back. I used to have a tethered Animas pump and, even when I strapped it to my leg, it would get in the way. The patch pump is more comfortable as it is smaller and easy to keep away from my honey bits which are when you think you have turned onto a brick.

I have never knocked it off. The current version uses double-sided tape to attach the pump part to the backing/plaster part. This often peels off because, unlike the pump, I am not flat. But the pump and patch remain attached. I understand the nano will do away with the double-sided tape.

I do not feel the steel cannula if I stick it into a fatty enough part of me. My back has little fat and sometimes I can feel it when it goes in but soon forget about it.
This was a concern because I had inset 30 cannula with my Animas. These went in at a 30 degree angle because I could feel the ones that went in at 90 degrees (being slim is not an advantage with any pump). But the Medtronic cannula is fine.
Once I placed it in correctly and tried to insert the needle into my hip bone. I felt that and learned never ever ever to do that again.

The current pump is far more discrete than my Animas but I am looking forward to to Nano. I have seen photos and it looks proper cute.

You get a choice of colours for the pump. As this is the part that does not get changed (apart from when upgraded) you are stuck with whatever colour you choose at the start. I am not a girly girl. I possess very few pink items. But my pump is pink. This is because it is the most neutral colour for me so less obvious through a thin white shirt.

I have experienced more pump/path errors with the Medtrum than I did with the Animas but the support from Medtrum has been fantastic. And the errors have been far less this year. I don’t know if it is due to improved quality or because my lifestyle has changed due to covid - I wear more comfy clothes which cannot press on the pump.

Sorry, I have got a bit carried away.
But, as I said at the start, feel free to ask more questions if I have missed anything.

 

[trophywench]

@helli - first time I've noticed anyone saying that patch pumps get more occlusions than tubed ones. Why?

 

[NayNay]

Hi @NayNay i definitely do not mind the questions. Ask away as much as you want. Feel free to PM me if you want to go into more detail than you think most members would like.

As far as sleeping, most of the time, I am completely unaware of my pump. I place it around my waist - below my waist and on the front and above the waistband at the back. I used to have a tethered Animas pump and, even when I strapped it to my leg, it would get in the way. The patch pump is more comfortable as it is smaller and easy to keep away from my honey bits which are when you think you have turned onto a brick.

I have never knocked it off. The current version uses double-sided tape to attach the pump part to the backing/plaster part. This often peels off because, unlike the pump, I am not flat. But the pump and patch remain attached. I understand the nano will do away with the double-sided tape.

I do not feel the steel cannula if I stick it into a fatty enough part of me. My back has little fat and sometimes I can feel it when it goes in but soon forget about it.
This was a concern because I had inset 30 cannula with my Animas. These went in at a 30 degree angle because I could feel the ones that went in at 90 degrees (being slim is not an advantage with any pump). But the Medtronic cannula is fine.
Once I placed it in correctly and tried to insert the needle into my hip bone. I felt that and learned never ever ever to do that again.

The current pump is far more discrete than my Animas but I am looking forward to to Nano. I have seen photos and it looks proper cute.

You get a choice of colours for the pump. As this is the part that does not get changed (apart from when upgraded) you are stuck with whatever colour you choose at the start. I am not a girly girl. I possess very few pink items. But my pump is pink. This is because it is the most neutral colour for me so less obvious through a thin white shirt.

I have experienced more pump/path errors with the Medtrum than I did with the Animas but the support from Medtrum has been fantastic. And the errors have been far less this year. I don’t know if it is due to improved quality or because my lifestyle has changed due to covid - I wear more comfy clothes which cannot press on the pump.

Sorry, I have got a bit carried away.
But, as I said at the start, feel free to ask more questions if I have missed anything.

Thanks for that. How do you private message?

 

[helli]

Thanks for that. How do you private message?

At the top right of the page is an envelope. This is next to the bell that shows if you have any notifications.
Click on the envelope to start a pm.

 

[helli]

@helli - first time I've noticed anyone saying that patch pumps get more occlusions than tubed ones. Why?

I did not say patch pumps get more occlusion alerts. I said I experienced more patch/pump alerts compared to the Animas. Not all of these were occlusion alerts and I may have been lucky with the Animas.
I am a sample of one so not necessarily representative.

However, I believe some of the errors I experienced were due to my skinny jeans applying pressure to the pump. This is greater than the kind of pressure that would be applied to the cannula for a tubed pump.
As I am slim, I have less places I can apply my pump. Given the area of a patch pump is greater than that of a cannula for a tubey pump, the choice of areas is less. As a result, I may have applied the pump closer to a scar which can cause problems. I have learned to place it further from my scar now which may also be a reason why I am seeing less alerts in the last year.
Finally, as I mentioned, I believe there were some quality issues with a few patches.

But, please bear in mind, I have no idea whether I am typical. My experience has not put me off patch pumps. For me, it has been far far far more convenient than a larger tubey pump.

 

[NayNay]

At the top right of the page is an envelope. This is next to the bell that shows if you have any notifications.
Click on the envelope to start a pm.

Nope, still can't see an option even in the envelope bit. Do you ever find that it hurts when you insert the cannula like if you hit a blood vessel (happens quite a lot to me with my cannula) and you have to take it out straight away? If so, do you have to throw away the entire lot and fill a new reservoir?

 

[helli]

Nope, still can't see an option even in the envelope bit. Do you ever find that it hurts when you insert the cannula like if you hit a blood vessel (happens quite a lot to me with my cannula) and you have to take it out straight away? If so, do you have to throw away the entire lot and fill a new reservoir?

For me, if I click on the envelope, I get two options

• You have no private messages
• Show all. Start a new message

Not to worry.

I have had very few patches I have throw away before priming and none of these are due to hitting a painful blood vessel.
When I tried to insert one into my hip bone, I was able to move it and use it in a different position. On this ocassion, the needle was unable to click into place which is why I could move it.
But, if you do have a problem with a patch before it expires, you will need to throw it away. Only the patch. I have managed to decant most of the insulin out of a patch. This is useful if a patch fails whilst out - you just need a syringe to keep you going until you can do a set change.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Nope, still can't see an option even in the envelope bit

Hello

Just checking if you are still having problems accessing the Private Messages section - your account should have been enabled overnight.

 

[NayNay]

Hello

Just checking if you are still having problems accessing the Private Messages section - your account should have been enabled overnight.

Hi, thanks. I have just seen the start new private message button. It definitely wasn't there before but is now. Thank you

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi, thanks. I have just seen the start new private message button. It definitely wasn't there before but is now. Thank you

Yes PMs are not enabled for brand new members until they have passed the special secret threshold 😛

 

[christine.h]

@Happy I migrated to the Medtrum phone app June last year.
It is great only having to keep my phone with me.
The app is easy to use. Occasionally, I find it will not connect to my pump if I have been away from the phone for too long but if I turn Bluetooth on and off again (I just go into airplane mode .. it's the only chance I get to use airplane mode at the moment), it will reconnect.

I have seen pictures of the new nano pump and really looking forward to that coming out in a few months.

I have had the Medtrum for several months I think it is more secure than the other patch pump the times I have knocked it is unbelievable and hey it has not fallen off it is amazing and far better control guess it is because of the steel cannula

 

[helli]

@NayNay I was just on the Medtrum site and notice you can try a free demo patch.
This has no brains but you get an idea whether it feels like having a brick attached.
IYT maybe useful for you to ask if you are concerned about sleeping, etc. with one attached.

 

[NayNay]

@NayNay I was just on the Medtrum site and notice you can try a free demo patch.
This has no brains but you get an idea whether it feels like having a brick attached.
IYT maybe useful for you to ask if you are concerned about sleeping, etc. with one attached.

Hi @helli,

Thanks for that. I've actually just received 2 test patches that have a cannula as well unlike the omnipod which is just the pod and sticky so I will try that. I was going to ask you which sites you find the most comfortable? I was thinking that the lower back/top of bottom would get caught on things like jeans

 

[helli]

Hi @helli,

Thanks for that. I've actually just received 2 test patches that have a cannula as well unlike the omnipod which is just the pod and sticky so I will try that. I was going to ask you which sites you find the most comfortable? I was thinking that the lower back/top of bottom would get caught on things like jeans

I usually place it an my abdomen - below my waistband.
I have been also using my lower back (above my waistband) but recently decided I need more fat there as I have experienced some absorption problems.

I have also used my "upper abdomen" (above my waistband) but this is currently sporting a nifty, free Dexcom.

I am looking forward to the nano pump as I am slight so have less sites than most people - my flat surface area is not large enough, especially with enough fat.

 

[NayNay]

I usually place it an my abdomen - below my waistband.
I have been also using my lower back (above my waistband) but recently decided I need more fat there as I have experienced some absorption problems.

I have also used my "upper abdomen" (above my waistband) but this is currently sporting a nifty, free Dexcom.

I am looking forward to the nano pump as I am slight so have less sites than most people - my flat surface area is not large enough, especially with enough fat.

Hmm, I would call myself curvy with plenty of fat for absorption without being overweight. I'm also not as toned as I could be so I worry that if I put it on my abdomen, when i sit down and my spare tyre appears, it will bunch up but I guess the only way to find out is to actually try it. I also have a definite "mummy tummy" from 2 C- sections lower down and plenty of stretch Mark's (remarkably similar to an Aa road map lol) so I don't know if that area is suitable? I definitely think the nano will probably be more comfortable and less noticable (for me) and have been told that if I do choose the medtrum I will automatically be upgraded to the new pump when it comes out so I think it will probably be worth the wait.

 

[hague151]

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?

I use the Medtrum nano. The only problem is that the adhesive they use is not skin friendly. I see other users on this forum don't complain about this, so maybe they don't find this problem. I'd like to try the omnipod and will discuss with my DN.

 

[hague151]

Hi Helli,
I'm currently using the Accu Chek Insight pump but due to renew and I'm looking at the Medtrum A6 (upgrading to the new nano when released) and I was wondering what it's like to sleep with the patch pump? Is it easy to knock off? Over the many years of being on a tethered pump I've disconnected/ripped out the cannula many times as I move about a lot in my sleep. Does it feel like you're laying on a brick or is it something you get used to over time? Do you feel the steel cannula much? I really hope you don't mind my questions.

Sleeping with Medtrum nano, no problem. You don't feel the cannula at all. But I do suffer pretty extreme skin irritation. Does anyone find that with the omnipod?

 

[helli]

Sleeping with Medtrum nano, no problem. You don't feel the cannula at all. But I do suffer pretty extreme skin irritation. Does anyone find that with the omnipod?

I use HyperFlex under my Medtrum pump.
I've been told they are changing the glue