Is there anyone here with diabetes who uses an insulin pump?

[Jen_in_NH]

I'm looking at all the info I can get my hands on about getting my son started with an insulin pump. We've spent hours looking at different varieties and trying to work out which one would work best for a toddler.

Is there anyone in DISland who uses one, or has a child who does? Which brand do you use? Do you like it, or would you choose a different one? Do you have the integrated CGMS, or is that too much for us to try at once with him?

I've been looking on the children with diabetes website, but I thought maybe the DIS would have some advice too.

Thanks! Jen

 

[gymboqueenkaylee]

I am interested too. My dad is going on one on the 28th and sadly even as a medical professional, I know very little about them. I do know that they work wonderfully at helping control the blood sugars. I have friend on one and he's very pleased with it.

 

[Pooh Crew]

My ds8 uses one. We just recently switched from Cozmo (which we loved) to Omnipod (which we are very excited about) because they have discontinued the Cozmo.

Regardless of which pump you choose, you will LOVE it. Honestly. They are all great and all have their little differences. The best thing to do is to call each company and have them send out a rep so you can touch, feel, play with, explore, etc. each pump. We had narrowed our search down to the big three (Minimed, Animas, and Cozmo) and had an idea of the ranking of how we liked them--Cozmo was dead last on our list. Then we met with the reps and Cozmo soared to the top. I didn't like Minimed because all their rep did was put down the other pumps, he didn't tell me why his was best. Animas was our second choice and seemed to be a good fit for what we were looking for, but Cozmo had several benefits that were exactly what we needed since ds was only 5 at that time.

At that time, I had no interest whatsoever in the Omnipod, but after living with disconnecting for swimming for two years, I'm ready to NOT have to deal with that. Even though a pump claims to be waterproof, I wasn't willing to risk putting it in a pool for two hours. I love that there's no tubing to get pulled, caught, or kinked. The pod itself does look big on a child, but the smaller ones will be available in about a year. Ds has worn a demo and it doesn't bother him at all...much better than his old pump hanging off his pants. Finally, the absolute BEST thing about the Omnipod was the site change. Ds pushed the buttons himself and said he did not even feel it. That's huge since we have been using the Emla cream to numb the site for all of his previous site changes. That makes the process sooooooo long!

Sorry to have gone on for so long! Bottom line: meet with the pump reps and handle each one you are interested in. That's the only way you are truly going to know what you like. You can't go wrong! You will love pumping. We sure do!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going over to the disABILITIES Community Board, which is a subforum of disABILITIES. It is a fairly common topic of conversation.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

My ds8 uses one. We just recently switched from Cozmo (which we loved) to Omnipod (which we are very excited about) because they have discontinued the Cozmo.

Regardless of which pump you choose, you will LOVE it. Honestly. They are all great and all have their little differences. The best thing to do is to call each company and have them send out a rep so you can touch, feel, play with, explore, etc. each pump. We had narrowed our search down to the big three (Minimed, Animas, and Cozmo) and had an idea of the ranking of how we liked them--Cozmo was dead last on our list. Then we met with the reps and Cozmo soared to the top. I didn't like Minimed because all their rep did was put down the other pumps, he didn't tell me why his was best. Animas was our second choice and seemed to be a good fit for what we were looking for, but Cozmo had several benefits that were exactly what we needed since ds was only 5 at that time.

At that time, I had no interest whatsoever in the Omnipod, but after living with disconnecting for swimming for two years, I'm ready to NOT have to deal with that. Even though a pump claims to be waterproof, I wasn't willing to risk putting it in a pool for two hours. I love that there's no tubing to get pulled, caught, or kinked. The pod itself does look big on a child, but the smaller ones will be available in about a year. Ds has worn a demo and it doesn't bother him at all...much better than his old pump hanging off his pants. Finally, the absolute BEST thing about the Omnipod was the site change. Ds pushed the buttons himself and said he did not even feel it. That's huge since we have been using the Emla cream to numb the site for all of his previous site changes. That makes the process sooooooo long!

Sorry to have gone on for so long! Bottom line: meet with the pump reps and handle each one you are interested in. That's the only way you are truly going to know what you like. You can't go wrong! You will love pumping. We sure do!

We've met with both Medtronic and Omnipod. I think I'm leaning towards the pods, especially considering his age. I can't imagine how I would keep a 2 year old from playing with the pump, yanking on the tubing, etc My only holdup with the pod is the size. We have a few demos to try, so I'm going to stick one on him tonight and see how it goes.

Thanks for all your thoughts.

I'll head to teh diabilities board and see what they all have to say too!

 

[wdhinn89]

My son wears an insulin pump (Cozmo) and it is a life saver in more ways than one.

I do know that the Animas pump gives a very small amount of insulin (.025)which is very helpful for babies and toddlers since they need a much smaller amount of insulin.

Here is a pump comparison chart but it still shows the Cozmo on it which has been discontinued

http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_technology/insulin_pump_models.php.




http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/pumps/

a

 

[dizneefamily5]

I have two girls with diabetes (14 and 7). The 7 y/o has had it since she was 4. They are both on the Minimed pump with CGMS and we wouoldn't have it any other way! We love Minimed! Both of my brothers are Type 1 and my niece and all are pumping with Minimed. We couldn't be happier. Please feel free to PM me with any questions or just to "chat". Good luck!