Pump wishes
Hi everyone. I have a question. I have a Minimed 507c pump. My dilema is
that its not waterproof. I wish when I was investigating pumps I had bought
a waterproof model of whatever company. Now that its hot etc we spend alot
of time at the pool. I hate the waterproof "box" thing that Minimed has.
Its a pain in the butt!! You put it in this box, put some vaseline on the
seal and have to wear it on this big huge belt. ANNOYING!!! Also one time I
used it and it leaked. So I returned it. It wasnt worth it. I didnt know
if anyone is on the disetronics one or any other waterproof one. I’m so mad
at myself. I cant go to any waterparks cause I cant be off my pump ALL
DAY!!!! AARRGGHH!!!!! My warranty isnt up yet so I dont think I can switch
to another kind of pump. I’m sure my insurance company wouldnt OK it. So
now Im stuck w/a pump thats not waterproof. I HATE IT!!! Oh well I needed
to vent. Any ideas/imput would be appreciated. Chrissy
September 28th, 2006 at 1:27 pm
Hi Chrissy,
I’m using a Disetronic but they gave me an extra info sheet in which they
say that the pump was supposed to be waterproof, but now they don’t
guarantee this feature anymore.
Didn’t they tell you that you can disconnect for a hour or two just to swim?
My doctor for example told me that I can disconnect and (if needed) inject
some insulin with a Pen-device (or whatever you call it down there)
A short introduction: I’m new in the list and I live in Rome, Italy - I’ve
been using a pump for only two weeks and I’m still on the learning phase !
Cheers
Stefania
September 28th, 2006 at 7:38 pm
<< I’m using a Disetronic but they gave me an extra info sheet in which they
say that the pump was supposed to be waterproof, but now they don’t
guarantee this feature anymore.
Thanks. Man I would be mad. That is not right. Thanks for responding.
Where are you from? Chrissy
October 1st, 2006 at 3:20 pm
The animas pump is waterproof with no extra attachments and that is one of the
reasons I am switching to it.
Hi Chrissy,
I’m using a Disetronic but they gave me an extra info sheet in which they
say that the pump was supposed to be waterproof, but now they don’t
guarantee this feature anymore.
Didn’t they tell you that you can disconnect for a hour or two just to swim?
My doctor for example told me that I can disconnect and (if needed) inject
some insulin with a Pen-device (or whatever you call it down there)
A short introduction: I’m new in the list and I live in Rome, Italy - I’ve
been using a pump for only two weeks and I’m still on the learning phase !
Cheers
Stefania
October 6th, 2006 at 5:48 pm
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
October 7th, 2006 at 2:01 am
This pump will NOT be the 511 - it will be the Paradigm (par-a-dime). It is
scheduled for release Feb. 2002 and you should receive a certificate to mail
in for the upgrade trade with your paperwork. If not, go to their website and
print it off and mail it in. It will have proprietary infusion sets and
deliver much faster. Those two features TURN ME OFF. I hope some of us can
still have the choice of the 508 after the release of the Paradigm. ;(
Jan (~_^)
October 7th, 2006 at 11:06 am
My understanding is if you purchased your mini-med in March of this
year you can trade in your pump for the new Paradigm. Here I go again
out of luck I purchased my pump in Dec. went on the pump in late Jan.
and know they come out with a pump that is water proof to 8 ft for 30
mins. I am also under the impression that the infusion sets are
interchangeable - but of course I cannot find the article at this
moment that I got this information from. Since I am still new at this
J why would the proprietary infusion set and deliver much faster TURN
YOU OFF?
October 7th, 2006 at 2:58 pm
<< I also have used the waterproof case before. For all the trouble you go
through to get the pump in the case. Why go swimming. So I haven’t. I hope
the 511 is just what I need. Good Luck, Kristen
>>
Thanks for the info Kristen. Chrissy
October 8th, 2006 at 4:17 am
J Hughey wrote:
Jan,
The delivery rate will be the same. I received a brochure on it in the mail a
few
days ago and under it’s list of features it states, "Slow bolus (1.5
units/minute)
allows time to change your mind (cancel a meal bolus)". The 2 items directly
under that are, "Pumps without Bio-PULSE may bolus in a rapid, injection like
manner (up to 30 units/minute)" and "Insulin injections can lead to injection
site
leakage, may be painful and can also lead to insulin pooling".
The proprietary infusion sets don’t bother me one way or the other since I use
the
MM infusion sets with my MM pump. The only people who will have a problem are
those with a large supply (maybe MM will take them back?) and those who use
infusion sets from a different pump manufacturer. From what I understand, the
change in luer lock makes the new pump waterproof without the use of clips,
tappets, etc.
The feature I’m not real thrilled about is the limit of 180 units in the
reservoir. I fill with 230-240u to last 3 1/2 days with a couple units left
over. But once the u200 insulin is approved/available, it won’t be a problem.
I’m just hoping the insulin is available by the time I get my Paradigm.
Connie & Dot
October 8th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
> J why would the proprietary infusion set and deliver much faster TURN
> YOU OFF?
Mary,
Since the infusion sets are not interchangeable with what I now have (enough
for 2 more years) MM would not take them back (too old for MM, not me) and I’d
have to buy all new ones. IF I ran into a problem needing an infusion set it
would be difficult to get one from a friend if they had another kind of pump.
I had fast delivery for 10 years and couldn’t tolerate the speed (pain) at a
site that would eventually end up with 150 units. It hurt too much and I had
to break up 6u into 3u, wait 3 min. and infuse the other 3u. I love the 0.1u
clicking delivery of my 507C.
I copied the following two statements from MM’s website:
* Automatic venting for watertight operation (no extra parts) .
* Watertight down to 8 feet for up to 30 minutes.
Now, my question: - is it a matter of careful wording or does waterTIGHT mean
the same as waterPROOF?
Furthermore, I don’t like all my choices taken away if they actually phase out
all the 50* series of pumps like I have read. Some people still like/use the
steel needles (not I). They have a choice - so do I. I want the choice to have
the slower delivery and interchangeable sets with any other pump. The Paradigm
will not have the leur lock-type infusion sets to use the watertight feature.
To each his own (~_^)
I am including a post from another list about the Paradigm:
========
With the newly active discussion about the Paradigm I decided to ask MiniMed
the questions I had directly. Below is the response I received. I going to
treat this as their FINAL ANSWER.
Note - Mark Estes responded to my note by embedding his answers as colored
text. Since this will not show up on the list I have added " **[ … ]** "
around his answers.
—– Original Message —–
From: Ray Hoese
To: ‘pgj
Cc: Mark Estes
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2001 12:34 PM
Subject: FW: Paradigm Features
P,
I had Mark Estes (product manager who was also on that chat) reply to your
email within the body of the text below. Bottom line is that we’ll have
Quick Sets, Sof Sets and Silhouettes for the Paradigm at the same price –
however you can’t use these Paradigm sets with our other pumps. BUT we will
still sell those same infusion sets for use with our other pumps — because
about 145,000 people will still be using our other pumps!
The cost will be the same — example: a Paradigm Quick Set will cost the
same as a 508 Quickset.
Read Mark’s additional comments below and email Mark directly if you need
more clarification.
Thanks
-Ray
Hello Mr. Hoese,
I am writing you because you were so helpful and informative when you
participated in a Chat concerning the Paradigm pump back
on March 21. I do not know if you routinely follow the mail
List but the features of the Paradigm have again become an active item of
discussion - AND - It would be nice to have some authoritive facts to
complement the speculation.
A specific issue is the infusion sets the Paradigm will use. Are the
infusion sets proprietary? **[ [Mark Estes] The 10+ sets (Quick Set, Sof
Set and Silhouette) that will be available for the paradigm are unique to
the Paradigm, but will be widely available for the same price as current
sets (no price premium despite our higher costs) ]** Will the pump use a
standard Luer-lok set? **[ [Mark Estes] No, it is unique. ]** Is it possible
to use a standard Luer-lok but sacrifice the waterproofness? **[ [Mark
Estes] No . Other pumps require adaptors to seal the pump and connect the
infusion set. these adaptors must be changed with every reservoir and add
considerable costs (approx $6.00 each). We consider the unique connector on
the Paradigm sets to be a "no cost" adaptor. ]**
Is there any update on when the Paradigm will be available? **[ [Mark Estes]
No, still targeting this year. ]**
If you are willing to answer any of the questions I, and others, would
certainly be very appreciative.
Once again, thanks for your help and thanks for great products.
October 9th, 2006 at 3:08 pm
If the proprietary infusion sets are an option, fine. I am sold on the bent
needle and would not want to go to any of the fancy insertion schemes that are
around. They have been total failures with me, and are excessively
complicated, and to my way of thinking, unnecessary. Also, the fancy insertion
schemes are more a panacea for the squeamish. I understand that problem, but
got over it years ago.
As far as faster delivery is concerned, I see no problem with that, assuming
that the square wave basal is available to control delivery rate as an option.
David
October 10th, 2006 at 6:43 pm
> and to my way of thinking, unnecessary. Also, the fancy insertion schemes
> are more a panacea for the squeamish. I understand that problem, but got
>
WRONG! For many of us the insertion devices (and no, not schemes, a scheme is
a plan to deceive somebody) ARE necessary. In my particular case, I have
severe arthritis in my hands, and have trouble manually inserting. I found it
necessary to start using an injection device the last few years I took shots
(and this was after manually injecting for years, so I certainly wasn’t
squeamish) because I could no longer push in the plunger. Without my
Sof-serter, there are some mornings I physically would be unable to put in a
new set. I imagine this would also be true with a lot of diabetics who have
nueropathy.
I think it does not speak very well of us to make inflammatory comments such
as the above without considering all the circumstances where an insertion
device may be necessary. Your "way of thinking" is way off base!
Patrick
October 11th, 2006 at 8:22 am
<< The animas pump is waterproof with no extra attachments and that is one of
the reasons I am switching to it.
>>
Did you have to meet certain criteria to switch? How long were you on the
other pump? I am finding that alot of pumps that are supposedly waterproof
(disetronic) now are not considered waterproof. Also from what Ive been
hearing about the paradigm its only waterproof for 30min. I still dont get
that. Why only 30 min. and how long would you have to wait before
submerging it again? So can you tell me anything about the animas? I guess
I should go to there website but sometimes its nice hearing about it from
someone who is using it. Thanks, Chrissy
October 12th, 2006 at 12:01 am
Patrick,
Your point is well taken, and I accept it as a valid criticism of my
observation. There certainly are many exceptions to my generalization.
But, my experience in observing many diabetics over the years (particularly
those in several group training classes at UCSF) suggests that a large majority
are very squeamish, and looking for a panacea. Of course this is an anecdotal
observation, and cannot be proven. In several conversations I have had with
the CDE’s and other professionals at UCSF, they tend to support my conclusion.
I am very much a pragmatist; you must play with the cards you are dealt. Your
cards were certainly lousy, and you have extra problems that I tend to ignore
since I don’t have those specific ones. If you can make those insertion
devices work properly, my hat is off to you. I admit that I don’t have much
patience with people who cannot, for what ever reason, deal with their problems
when there is a valid and demonstrable solution. This undoubtedly colors my
view on the matter, unjustly, in the eyes of the victim.
I also get annoyed at people complaining about the ‘terrible pain’ associated
with finger sticks. I used to be in that class, but learned to deal with it,
and now pay no attention to the 10 or more times I do this daily. Sure, I
would like a painless, continuous, reading, but this is far down the priority
list for me. So when I hear people whine about the ‘terrible pain’ of this
process I tend to have a deaf ear.
As an aside, 15 years ago I was partially blind from retinopathy, and could
barely read the scale on the syringe. Today, I have 20/20 vision; so attention
to detail pays off. Ten years ago, I was supposed to be on dialysis within
three years. Today, no basic change from 10 years ago. So I played the
cards properly, it would seem. This is not bragging, but an observation
that if you play every card properly, you can still win the game.
p.s. I like you definition of ’scheme’. A poor choice of words on my part.
David
October 12th, 2006 at 7:29 pm
> I admit that I don’t have much patience with people who cannot, for what
> ever reason, deal with their problems when there is a valid and
>
They DO, which is my whole point. For many people, an insertion device IS a
valid and demonstrable solution.
Patrick
October 13th, 2006 at 4:40 pm
Agreed!
But not for me.
David
October 14th, 2006 at 12:04 pm
Mike
October 16th, 2006 at 2:09 am
<< I am currently on the Animas R-1000-A which is basically the newer R-
1000. They look exactly the same. The difference is in bolus amounts,
>>
Thanks Mike. Are there any restrictions as to how long it can remain
immersed? I will check out the web site. Chrissy
October 16th, 2006 at 12:57 pm
I am awaiting the insurance OK to get this pump, I can say that they are a great
bunch there and the pump looks to be GREAT!
<< I am currently on the Animas R-1000-A which is basically the newer R-
1000. They look exactly the same. The difference is in bolus amounts,
>>
Thanks Mike. Are there any restrictions as to how long it can remain
immersed? I will check out the web site. Chrissy
Click for Details
October 16th, 2006 at 8:57 pm
No restrictions that I am aware of, and none in their literature.
>
> Thanks Mike. Are there any restrictions as to how long it can
remain
> immersed? I will check out the web site. Chrissy
October 20th, 2006 at 5:29 pm
Jan,
My somewhat uninformed understanding is that MiniMed intends the
Paradigm as an alternative to the more ‘traditional’ pump. they are
planning to do a user test-run/trial to get information and feedback
from current users before starting the actual release of the Paradigm
(which explains why it is approved and in manufacturing now, but not
available until next year!) They are offering the ‘upgrade’ to new
purchasers of the 508, but it will be a new purchase for current
users. It will be interesting to see just how the "quicker" delivery
works…although their information also says it will be compatible
with current infusion sets…confusing! I suspect it will just lead
to more pooling of insuling under the skin… I get the impression
that the Paradigm is a stepping stone to help keep MiniMed strong in
the market while they continue to try to get the internal pump on the
market.
Suzanna