Rumor has it

[payam7777777]

Also, I just spent a long time on the phone with MiniMed last night and
this morning. The tech that I spoke with wears a sensor; in fact he
wears a new, much smaller transmitter. I asked him lots of questions
about it, and am eager for them to come on the market for us. He said
that there is no cord, the transmitter plugs right into the back of the
sensor (same sensor as now) and is the size of about a nickel. When we
got our sensor this past summer, our rep told us that she expected the
smaller transmitters to be available spring/summer '07. The tech said
that he didn't know when it would be available and that he didn't know
if it would even be the same version that he is wearing.


From:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/diabetescgms/

[Ellen]

Also, I just spent a long time on the phone with MiniMed last night and
this morning. The tech that I spoke with wears a sensor; in fact he
wears a new, much smaller transmitter. I asked him lots of questions
about it, and am eager for them to come on the market for us. He said
that there is no cord, the transmitter plugs right into the back of the
sensor (same sensor as now) and is the size of about a nickel. When we
got our sensor this past summer, our rep told us that she expected the
smaller transmitters to be available spring/summer '07. The tech said
that he didn't know when it would be available and that he didn't know
if it would even be the same version that he is wearing.


From:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/diabetescgms/

MiniMed is notorious for making promises long before the product is available on the market. It's one of the things I hate most about their company. That and how much the reps denigrate the competition.

[EmmasMom]

MiniMed is notorious for making promises long before the product is available on the market. It's one of the things I hate most about their company. That and how much the reps denigrate the competition.


Wow, that seems a little harsh. I can't imagine actually hating a company that makes insulin pumps, especially one that I'd never even used. It seems to me that all we hear from all of the companies in the pump & CGMS market are future promises.

I have no hard feelings toward any of the other companies despite the fact that all of their reps made me promises about size reductions in their pumps and/or CGMS technology that they would have in the near future, (that was almost 2 years ago), and why their pump was the very best on the market or had the greatest features.:rolleyes:

I think they all have great, life changing products. But the only promise I heard during all of my pump shopping that has actually happened is the CGMS on my daughter's hip. I couldn't be happier, as is the case with any one else I've met that actually uses their products. I really don't understand why anyone else would even care.

[EmmasMom]

I think that it is crazy that anytime someone has a negative comment about minimed, that you jump right in and try to make it out as if the company is the absolute best. People are entitled to their own opinions. If someones experience with minimed has not been a positive one, than just let it be. I for one am not a fan of minimed. I am certain that a minimed pump would not be the best choice for my son. I believe that in terms of technology, they may be the first for new products but as you know, first does not always mean best. The dexcom is available and the navigator will be soon also. My son did a clinical trial with the navigator so I know for sure that just because minimed has a cgms out now, it is not the best. Also the pump itself does not offer what my child needs such as bolus that delivers in .05. I have also been at this for a while, my son was dx at 15 mo old so I know what it is like with a toddler. It just seems that you are a little sensitive when someone has a problem with minimed. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. If everytime somone has a negative comment about cozmo, I am sure not going to jump all over them trying to prove how much I like the product. People are entitled to their own opinions and we all have different expierences with products. Relax about trying to prove that minimed has no faults. All companies do.

shannon

I'm sorry, I just really don't understand where these very strong "opinions", come from about a pump company that someone has never used.:confused: And I really have nothing to prove. Unless a pump or it's company has harmed you in some way *hate* just struck me as a little over the top. LOL!! (sorry Ellen;)).

I have a difficult time believing that a post about my hate of cozmo and animas, their false promises and denigrating reps, would lack any replies. Of course I have no personal pumping experience with them, so my 'opinion' is of little value. As I have said many times, all of the pumps are great and typically people are very happy with what they choose, I'm just not sure what makes them sooo unhappy about what they didn't.

I'm glad you like your pump, I think everyone should be happy enough with their pump to defend it :p, it is keeping your child alive after all. Of course maybe I'm so in love with my *experience* that I take it too personally... we should all be so lucky!

I'm interested to hear your experience with the Navigator, I've never noticed you posting about it before. I'd love to see some real-life graphs, and I'm sure others are interested as well. Maybe I'll become the overzealous Aviator promoter next, (though I have a feeling there will be plenty of those), LOL! I actually have very little loyalty to MM, I just want the best, currently available treatment for my daughter, and that's really all I care about. When someone else takes that position in the market I'll be happy to follow.

[EmmasMom]

I also think the "the best currently available treatment in the market today" is subjective. In my opinion, which is different from yours, minimed and the cgms is not "the best"...is it good enough??, well yes, I will give it that. Would I choose it for my son?, No not right now. Does that mean that my opinion is wrong? no it doesnt, it just means that for my son and the expierence I have had (i have had expierence with minimed cgms during the clinical trial with my son, dex com also) it is not the best.



Last I checked the Navigator was not currently available, and Dexcom has very similar accuracy and technology as MM, only it is not integrated with a pump which is obviously a huge perk. I don't see a need for "subjectivity" here. No one else has a comparable product on the market at this time. It has nothing to do with whether I like MM or not, it's just reality.
In the next year, (hopefully) many people will have access to a similar system and my guess is they'll be very happy too.
BTW the Guardian RT is not the same thing, I didn't enjoy my "trial" with it either and I wouldn't want any con mon that requires another unit be strapped to my child.
I'm glad your an expert on all CGMS, I'm sure when the best thing finally comes on the market you'll be happy with your decision. Of course by the time the "best" is finally available there's bound to be something better we're waiting for...

[Momto4]

I do not want to have him on a pump that I feel is not up to par with the others, just for a cgms.shannon

Now I am all for a little friendly debate, but there is no basis for this post. MANY of the TOP medical facilities for childhood diabetes offer the Minimed pumps for their patients and to say that a MM pump is "not up to par" is a slap in the face to all parents that have gone with the MM pump. "Emma'sMom" has consistently been a positive voice in this forum. (which I thought was the reason for this forum - a little positive encouragement for others going thru a similar experience;) ) Take a look at her prior posts and you will see that time and time again, along with her positive experiences with MM, she is the 1st to acknowledge that there are pros's and con's with ALL pumps and that although she went with MM, all parents should decide for themselves what is best for them. One of her latest posts was about a "dream pump" (or something like that) that combined the best features of all the different pumps. When I first read Ellen's post (and before Emma'sMom's response) I also was a little shocked at her strong language against MM. I definately didn't feel like it was an appropriate post, but just dismissed it believing she must have had some horrific experience with MM. ALL of us only want the very best for our sweet babies and to badmouth a company that has basically provided a lifeline for them can be hurtful because it calls into question our intelligence and whether we are providing our children with the very best for them. Happy New Year!

[sammysmom]

Amy, I sent you a private message, let me know if you didnt get it....

shannon

[EmmasMom]

Yes, thanks.
Obviously you have some very strong feelings about this stuff...
I will set the record straight for anyone else who has similar issues. I have never said "Minimed is the best", so please don't take my comments out of context. I certainly have never belittled or criticized anyone over their choice to use ANY pump, that would be rediculous, especially since the differences between them are so minimal. I feel that taking full advantage of technology is not only life saving, but a blessing that we are all lucky to have.
I have only ever shared MY actual, personal experience with my daughter's pump and my absolute awe of using the first integrated system, (good and bad). I share actual results, graphs, facts so people can have real-life information about our experience. I think most people appreciate seeing positive results from a new management option. I never imagined how much it could irritate someone.:eek:
I strongly believe, as dose most of the medical/diabetes community that CGMS combined w/ pump therapy is the biggest breakthrough in D management in since the pump was invented decades ago. It is the future, (unless their is a cure), and every company is working as quickly as possible to achieve it. It is the first big step in creating a closed loop system. That is hardly just my opinion.
I'm sorry, but your negativity astounds me, and as hard as I tried not to reply I couldn't stop myself. I just really don't get it...
I appreciate your apology, but this really has nothing to do with my feelings being hurt, (they're not).

[EmmasMom]

anyways, no hard feelings...

shannon

Absolutely no hard feelings! I will try to "curb my enthusiasm" in the future!!;)

[Ellen]

For the record, I never said I hate their pump. I said it about the company and the reps I've met over the 12+ years since my son started pumping. I personally don't like corporate policies that allow promising future products in order to hook in customers, and denigrating competition.

People are very happy with their MM pumps. My friend's teen is doing very well on her MM 722 with the CGMS.

[s0ccerfreak]

I saw the new sensor a month a go at a meeting i was at. it is about the size of a quarter and weighs as much as a nickel, but they didnt give a date that it would be available. which doesnt matter for me currently since our insurance won't cover it yet(they said they want to review some new research, so they wouldnt consider it till april...so we'll start calling again on monday!)

[semperwife]

I know what you mean Ellen. When I told MM that we were not going to go with another MM pump when our warranty is up the rep I was speaking to got very defensive and said that the other pump companies weren't any better. I stated that for Brandon it was important for us to have a waterproof pump. I see my 10 year old afraid to get his pump wet because it might break. He runs inside puts his pump to the side and then goes back out and the spontaneity of getting wet is gone. The rep decided to give me a 10 minute lecture on how the other pumps are not waterproof either and that they only want to protect us and that is why they say that it isn't waterproof. I said well I felt like I was told it was water proof, started the pump then 2 weeks later...guess what...not waterproof.
I told him it was Brandon's decision to go with the Cozmo or Animas...he was deciding which one at the time... the rep said "go ahead...you will regret your decision".

I walked away.

I don't hate MM, I don't love MM. I just don't think it is the pump for us at this time. We are going with the guardian for his CGMS just because that is what the insurance is covering.

[jendean]

But they dont make promises that are not followed through with. I dont see a problem with telling anyone what is on the horizon... that is on my list of reasons to go with a particular pump.... I decided to go with minimed because I figured that they were the most advanced, and let the way. They have 80% of the market share in pumps, and even lifescan is making meters that are going to communicate with minimed pumps... and lifescan owns animas...
All pumps are cool.
Animas is has the coolest screen. It is the best looking one.
Deltec is the funnest looking one... Has a meter that clips right to it, cool.
Minimed is cool because of the minilink, and because they have the most history.
Accucheck is cool because of the shape
Omnipod is cool because it can look like a 3rd breast on some folks... and it has no cord.

They all have good features, but when you put down a company that is one that I support and depend on to keep my son alive... well, you insult a bit more than if you told me bad details about my car.
It is his life support.
I will never put another persons pump down... I think they are all cool.
Thanks for listening.
JenD

[kel4han]

This newest sensor you are talking about......the size of a nickel? Are you referring to the Minilink?

[OSUMom]

Hmmm interesting thread. I wonder if this is the current sensor on the market now or a new one?

I guess we are very blessed with an awesome MM rep here in Cincinnati. As far as I'm concerned he is exceptional and goes above and beyond and represents Medtronic very well in our area. People are key in how a company is perceived. The MM rep was very careful in what he said about future products in a presentation we saw about a month about about CGMSing.

[Mama2H]

This is the current sensor. I remember reading this right before we got the cgms and I was soooooo excited :D

[momofphoenix]

I know I am posting late, but I wanted to give my 2 cents on MM. I have contacted all the pump companies and MM was the one that really answered my questions and gave me the best support when I was looking into pumps for my DS and they wernt pushy or anything like that when I said I was only looking for information on thier products. We are not pumping but looking into them all. I'm not sure what company we will go with when the times comes but MM was promising for me.