Which PUMP?
I’ll be pumping before the summer is over. I know Mini-Med is most
popular but would like to hear about others as well as the 508.
Thanks, Ken
11 Responses to “Which PUMP?”
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I’ll be pumping before the summer is over. I know Mini-Med is most
popular but would like to hear about others as well as the 508.
Thanks, Ken
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March 14th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Call all three pump companies, get as much information as you can. Talk to
people in the group, personally I’m going with a disetronic pump now. My
Minimed failed me 3 times in 4 years so I have had enough. Disetronic always
has offered great support and has always followed up any problems I have had
with sets by sending me plenty of samples of all the sets they make, where
Minimed has been stingy. I guess if you buy a new car and it breaks down a
lot you go with a different model that is a big reason why I’m going with
disetronic.
March 15th, 2007 at 1:28 am
Hi Ken,
I am not pumping yet either, but during my pump training I did have the
opportunity to test out the major brands of pumps.
I used an older model Minimed, looked at the Disetronic H-tron and currently
have in my possession a Disetronic D-tron.
Initially I was planning on getting the D-tron, but am now almost sure I
will be going with the Minimed. In the end the Minimed has a few more
features and was a bit easier and more comfortable for me to use. If you get
a Minimed 508 (as long as you are not a Medicare recipient) you should be
able to upgrade to a Paradigm pump for free when they come out if you want
to.
For the most part the pumps are much alike. I’ll breakdown what I personally
liked and disliked about each pump.
Minimed- Is a nice compact size. I really like the Square wave and Dual wave
bolus options, I also preferred the reservoirs and filling method. The 508
and upcoming Paradigm also have a remote control so you can use the pump
under your clothes. The Minimed pumps use standard batteries which you can
get anywhere. The biggest drawback to the 508 is it’s not water proof,
however the Paradigm will be. A potential drawback to the upcoming Paradigm
will be a smaller reservoir size, possibly necessitating changing sets more
often then every 3 days for people who need larger amounts of insulin. I
don’t think that will be an issue for me though. Also the pumps click, which
some people don’t like, I found it kind of reassuring however because I knew
it was working.
The H-tron is about the same size as the Minimed and was in my opinion too
basic. If you want simple and no frills the H-tron would be the way to go.
Given the option between an H-tron and a Minimed I personally would have
taken a Minimed hands down.
The D-tron is a nice pump and one of the best features is the way is handles
temporary basal rates (I can’t remember but the H-tron might do it that way
too). The D-tron works on a percentage of the existing rate rather than
having to enter an actual number of units, it is also water proof. On the
down side it is longer then the other pumps, and since I am a small person
it’s constantly poking me and making me very uncomfortable. Also I didn’t
care for the insulin cartridges and it took forever to get it primed. It
also requires special batteries I believe which are rather pricey.
I’d check out the sites for different pumps, call around ask lots of
questions, if possible look at each type and play with them a bit. I’m glad
I did because if I had gotten the D-tron which I really thought I wanted I
would have been unhappy, not so much because of features but because of the
size.
Julia
March 15th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Frank,
You certainly have the right to express your opinions, but as listowner is the
bashing you just did to MiniMed a wise thing? Eight percent of users in the
USA have MiniMeds - they must be doing something right. I know a Disetronic
user right now with a rather new pump who wants a MiniMed for the slower
delivery (less stinging that way at the site). I could say I think the D pumps
are ugly - but that wouldn’t be wise either. I think the best thing is for the
newbie to go to www.animascorp.com www.disetronicsusa.com AND www.minimed.com
to check for the best features. We didn’t buy our Minivan because of what
others wanted. We got what works best for us.
Pump wars always bring out the worst in people. Let’s talk the virtues of
pumping instead of bashing pumps.
March 16th, 2007 at 6:31 am
> Eight percent of users in the
> USA have MiniMeds -
EIGHTY PERCENT!!!!! 80%
March 16th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Frank, this has not been my experience at all. I’ve had my MM507c for two
years now, and have never had any trouble with it. NEVER had to send one
back! Also, MM customer service has always been extremely helpful whenever I
had a question, etc. For example, I once got a bad batch of batteries–I had
a new set the very next day. I’m sure there’s a lemon in everything (even
Disetronic and Minimed) but I can honestly say I have been VERY satisfied
with Minimed, and when time comes to get another pump, it will definately be
a MM.
Patrick
March 16th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
> USA have MiniMeds - they must be doing something right. I know a
Disetronic
> user right now with a rather new pump who wants a MiniMed for the slower
> delivery (less stinging that way at the site).
Oh Jan you are right and I forgot about that part. The D-tron did give the
bolus in a very fast delivery. For me it was rather uncomfortable even
though I only did a few small (.5 -1 unit) boluses.
> newbie to go to www.animascorp.com www.disetronicsusa.com AND
www.minimed.com
Julia
March 17th, 2007 at 5:30 am
I was just telling the facts about the Minimed pump, mine failed 3 times in
4 years, I never cared for their customer support, I would not call that
bashing. I did tell the person to call all 3 companies and get as much
information as possible and to talk to other people in the group. Is this
bashing?
March 17th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
>
YOUR facts, not mine!
Patrick
March 20th, 2007 at 12:54 am
Frank,
I busted the LCD display of my MM508 and Minimed had me a re[lacement by 10:00
am the next day. A good friend of mine too a quite sizable static discharge
that distroyed his pump and had his replacement the next morning. MiniMed is
wonderful in my opinion.
Keith
March 20th, 2007 at 4:09 am
Frank,
I must agree with this assessment as well. My experience with Minimed has been
first class. I am sure that your experience, which is otherwise, is rather
disturbing. Sounds like the classic ‘lemon’ story relating to bad autos.
There is always some poor character who gets the bad apple.
David
March 20th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
<< I’ll be pumping before the summer is over. I know Mini-Med is most
popular but would like to hear about others as well as the 508.
Thanks, Ken >>
Hi Ken: Welcome!
I use the Disetronic H-tron, someone else on the list uses the Animas. Best
thing to do is check out each one, handle them, and see which one you are
comfortable with.
I leaned toward the Disetronic because it was more kid proof -
grandson…..and because you get a second pump as a backup. Things made
outside the US have that nice redundancy.
Might try contacting IIS - Insulin Infusion Specialties…they are the
largest supplier of pumps here in the US, and you should be able to get a rep
to meet with you and discuss the features of each pump. Then check which one
your insurance company is willing to cover. That will be the sticker.
1800-838-7867…….Joan:)