Preschool Pumpers-Omnipod, Animas, or Minimed?

[Mom to S&S]

Hi- I just found and joined this site searching for pump advice. My four year old was diagnosed last October. In December, she was accepted into a study for the Omnipod at our Children's Hospital. We were in love. The pod made our lives so much better and so much easier. We sang its praises to everyone. Now, as the study comes to an end, we are in a state of panic. The last month has been TERRIBLE. Since June 10th, we have had FIVE pods fail. That doesn't include the one she ripped off! It has been frustrating beyond belief and we've gone through pod change reward charts like you wouldn't believe:). We've heard that Omnipod has changed some metal choice in their wiring. We've also heard that they've ramped up production so we are wondering if it is quality control.

We have been fortunate to have this period to 'test drive' the Omnipod without paying for it. Now we have to choose a pump and live with that decision for 4-5 years or pay out of pocket. Our insurance will pretty much pay for anything but we can't get a new one until the warranty runs out on what we choose. We feel like we should know more about other pumping options before we totally commit to sticking with Omnipod. We have talked to adults and families with teenagers who love the Animas and the Minimed but we don't know of anyone with preschoolers on either. So finally, here are my questions:

1. Do you have a preschooler on a pump with tubing? How does the tubing work? Do you have to worry about it getting ripped out/off? How do you keep the monitor attached to them? (Omnipods are wireless and stick on so we've never had to think about it)
2. Anyone go from a traditional pump to an Omnipod or vice versa? What do you feel the pros/cons of both are?
3. Any other Omnipod parents out there having similar problems?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. We are so panicked about making the wrong decision.

[susan]

We just switched our 3 1/2 year old son from the minimed to the omnipod..We liked the minimed, it worked great until we couldn't find an infusion site that worked for us, but that's another story...One of the main reasons we did switch was because of the no tubing, not that the tubing was ever a huge issue..He never played with it or anything, but we liked the idea of him not having to wear a pump belt, or a shirt with a pocket, or whatever..I can get him dressed and not worry about where to put the pump...We also go camping alot and we eat in the car to or from camping..We would have to stop and give him his food and because we bolus him after he eats we would have to stop again and bolus him..We like being able to bolus him from the front seat..All of these reasons are strictly personal reasons..I think all pumps do a great thing, it just depends on what is important to you..

One more thing, he did rip one of the MM sites off when he first got it..Then right before we switched his little sister ripped one off..After we switched he was throwing a major fit and the pod pulled off and then shortly after that(like in the same hour) they were playing and pulled another one off..But he doesn't mind the pod changes like he did the MM site changes and that has helped too..

[jcanolson]

We started our then 3 year old on Animas. We have not tried the Omnipod, so I can't compare. We've just become used to the tubing. She doesn't play with it, and if I remember correctly we've only have it get caught and pulled out a couple of times over the past few years (of course, we don't have any younger siblings running around to help with that!:)). She prefers to wear it in a pocket on an undershirt.
You could always do a trial with one of the pumps and see what you think.

[Abby-Dabby-Doo]

Welcome to the site! Glad you found us. You'll find a wealth of information here, parents who get it, and a place to vent!

Don't be worried, all pumps are good, and they each have something different that someone might consider a downfall.
1. Do you have a preschooler on a pump with tubing?
My daughter started on the pump in kindergarten.
How does the tubing work?
The pump is the size of a cell phone or pager, and the tubing connect from the pump to the area of the skin where the site is at.
Do you have to worry about it getting ripped out/off?
My daughter has ripped one or two off. Usually it's in the beginning stages, and it's happened using the restroom both times. Now that she's used to wearing it, it doesn't happen
How do you keep the monitor attached to them? (Omnipods are wireless and stick on so we've never had to think about it)
Attached is a thread of photos of children and their pumps (you'll see some pods) and how they wear their pumps. Some have pump packs, pockets, and so forth.http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=16036
2. Anyone go from a traditional pump to an Omnipod or vice versa? What do you feel the pros/cons of both are?
Can't answer these, sorry
3. Any other Omnipod parents out there having similar problems?
Some one out there will chime in. I don't think I've ever come across a situation where someone is going through something alone. ;)
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. We are so panicked about making the wrong decision.

You're decision will be fine! I understand the pressure or hesitation your feeling. It's normal. If you have trouble with Pods falling off, I would try some Skin Tac. Here is where you can try a free sample. http://www.torbot.com/category/1017/

Good luck and welcome to the forums!

[hawkeyegirl]

We have a 4 year old on the Minimed pump, and we love it. The tubing has never been an issue. I usually just tuck it into the waistband of his pants. It's very strong, and almost impossible to kink, even if you try. I actually think the tubing/nontubing distinction between the "Big 3" pumps and Omnipod is sort of a red herring. In my opinion, the big advantage of the Pod is the PDM, not the lack of tubing. With the tubed pumps, you have to push buttons on the pump to dose your child, whereas, obviously you can do it remotely with the Pod.

He wears a pump pack around his waist. His shirt covers it 99% of the time, so you can't even see that he's wearing one. The pump pack has a clear plastic front, so I can dose him without taking the pump out of the pack. We also just started the CGMS, and we are loving it. Minimed is the only pump right now with integrated CGMS, if that makes a difference to you.

In my opinion, the differences between the three pumps with tubing (MM, Animas, and Cozmo) are negligible. I think if you like one of them, you'd like any of them. Omnipod is quite different from those three, so I don't know that if you like the Pod, you'd like a tubed pump, and vice-versa. In your situation, I'd contact whichever "tubed" pump you think you'd like to try, and ask for a trial of at least 30 days. It's the only way to know for sure before you buy. Oh, and you probably want to ask for a few samples of different infusion sets. There are a bunch of different options, and some work better for some kids than others.

Good luck!

[Mom to S&S]

Thanks for all of the info. My gut tells me we will stick with the Omnipod because of the reasons we signed up for it in the first place--lack of tubing, wireless PDM, and the fact that it is descrete. I just wish we hadn't had so many failures lately. I am curious, Susan, about what about the changing of the minimed your son didn't like? We still get screams with every pod change and it has been six months. The snap drives her crazy. Are infusion set changes just as bad?

[Seans Mom]

Welcome to the forum. How lucky to have gotten a free trial w/ the Omnipod. :D
My son, now 4, dxd last Aug. at 3 1/2 is using the Animas. We chose it for the small basal dosing, waterproof (yes we've tested it) and we just liked the looks of it overall. We've not regretted our choice at all. However, all the pumps are great for giving insulin and that's what is most important. Each has their own pros and cons and even those depend on who you're asking whether it's a pro or con. Also wanted to mention that the pumps have a period of time for returning if for any reason you're not happy w/ it. I think the common time period is 30-45 days. This site is my favorite for comparing the pumps side by side:
http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_technology/insulin_pump_models.php

Good luck and welcome to the board. Please ask if you have any other questions, this is great place for info and support.

[susan]

We used the sure t's, which is just a kind of infusion set but the needle stays in instead of coming out and leaving a cannula..he screamed when we pulled it out, and I've heard from a couple older people that said the needle does hurt coming out..The only time he gets upset now is when he hears the loud pop, but the lady that trained us said that was the needle hitting the back of the pod so it's already in and out before he realizes it..Another thing with the omnipod is I don't ever have to see the needle with the sure t's I had to put the needle in.

By the way where in the deep south are you..

[Mom to S&S]

Sean's mom- thanks for the link! That is very helpful. The Animas is the one we are favoring of the models with tubing because of the dose level and the fact that is waterproof. Plus, it comes in PINK!

Susan- We love the fact that we don't have to see any needles. See talking about all the pluses makes me less angry about the failures. We were averaging one error code a month until June so this has just made us crazy! We are in Alabama as well--Huntsville but we go to Park Place at Birmingham because there are no pediatric endos here.

[susan]

We go to Park Place also, we use Dr. Moreland..The only thing that you might have a problem with and this is strictly personal opinion..It was easy for us to go from tubing to no tubing..It may be harder to go from no tubing to tubing..Does that make sense..

[tuckerk]

We go to Park Place also, we use Dr. Moreland..The only thing that you might have a problem with and this is strictly personal opinion..It was easy for us to go from tubing to no tubing..It may be harder to go from no tubing to tubing..Does that make sense..

Hi Susan,

My daughter is a patient of Dr. Moreland as well. Glad to see someone who is sharing the same doctor. We will be starting or saline trial this Tuesday, June 2, 2008. I have been wanting to know if she has any patients that use Apidra in the pump?

How would you rate Dr. Moreland's aggressiveness in caring for your son? She seems to be doing well with us and Caitie loves her, I am just not sure that she always listens to me at appts. when I tell her Caitlin BS patterns since the last visit and making adjustments to her insulin doses.

[Mom to S&S]

We see Dr. Moreland as well! We have been really pleased with her responses to our concerns and questions with blood sugars and the pod.

Susan-it makes perfect sense to think going from no tubing to tubing might be more difficult. That is a big question in our debate of what to do. If S was older, we would let her decide, but she really can't comprehend the differences at four. As much as she complains about getting a pod change, she is over it the minute we are done. It is so a part of her now. Not only would we have to learn a new pump, new application, she would have to get use to wearing it. We would also have to teach her daycare how to operate and what to be aware of with a new pump. Plus, she has a two year old brother that loves to attack. If anyone can pull tubing out he will.

We will just hope this has been a bad batch and that things will improve next month. For all the minuses, the more I write about why we like it; the more I think we will stick to it.

[Nancy in VA]

We have been very happy with our Animas. Emma is 3. She doesn't mess with the tubing. She wears a pump pouch almost all the time and its not a problem.

[Lizzy731]

3. Any other Omnipod parents out there having similar problems?

Bethany will not try to pull off her pod, she will scratch at it if it is irritating her. I solved the problem by addressing the allergy to the adhesive and she never bothered with it after that. If you are interested in more details, pm me. IMO, the pod will not stay on an active preschooler without some extra help from liquid adhesives and/or extra tape around the adhesive. During the warm summer months, many people have problems keeping the pod on (as well as traditonal pump sites, tubed.). People use liquid adhesives more in the summer than not. HTH

[cem]

Our daughter was dx at the age of 19 mos and has been Omnipodding since she was 23 months old. We too love it, but we have also encountered a rough period as you describe. We finally decided to request that the entire lot of pods be replaced after 3 pod failures and Omnipod agreed to do so. Now we know when we start to see a pattern like that we need to order a new lot of pods rather than just sending each one back and trying another. Believe me it is nowhere near as nice as a working pancreas, but we still feel it it the best solution for us for now. Hang in there - these are tough decisions to have to make and there is definitely no one size fits all solution!

[twodoor2]

Please see this thread.

http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=16503&highlight=curvilinear

Preschoolers are very insulin sensitive, and the way certain pumps do IOB calculations are not as accurate as others. For most people, this is a non-issue, but for young children, the pump I would recommend that does the most accurate calculations and most precise dosing is the Animas.

[Mom to S&S]

CEM- That is a great idea. I wish I had thought to ask for replacements for the whole lot because all the bad pods were in the same one. I will remember that next time!

[vettechmomof2]

We also had 3 from the same box fail before priming with the cracking and leaking of insulin so I told them I wanted the whole box replaced. No problem.
They also gave me extra fro the lost insulin as it was due to the leaking out and not usable.
GOod luck,
Allene