Just some questions!!

[JessArt85]

Hi Everyone!:)

I am completely new to the pumping world and this forum site has been very helpful, but there are still a few questions I would like help finding answers for.

Oh and currently I am looking into a minimed paradigm. Not the new fancy one with glucose monitoring but just the basic 515 or 715 pump (if those numbers mean anything to you?)

1. Anyone here have blue cross blue shield and know their stance on pumps/pump supplies?

2. My doctor said pumps cost around $8000, but I thought I once read more like $3000. I'm guessing my doctor is right, but why such the big discrepancy?

3. I read a lot of people who have animas pumps, is there a reason you would chose animas over minimed (other than maybe that's all insurance would cover)?

4. For the cannula's why would you want it angeled as opposed to straight? I'm thinking the straighter and shorter, the better, but is there flaw to my thinking?

5. Where are the various places you could place your pump? And how do you attach the pump, is a clip strictly the only way of attachment, other than putting it in your pocket?

6. If you toss and turn at night, where is the best place to keep your pump?

7. What's the longest (reccomended) amount of time you can be without your pump on? (ex. for swimming)

8. What is the smallest pump?


Thank you for reading this!

[faithe113001]

Hi, welcome to the forum!

I had Blue Cross Blue Shield when I went on my pump and they were very good about covering it. I also have the Minimed Paradigm 515, which is the one with the meter. I think you're talking about the 512, which dosen't come with the meter, but has the Bolus Wizard.

My pump was about $5000.

I have no idea why people choose Animas over Minimed, I've never really looked into the Animas pumps.

The angled sets are better for people who are very very skinny, they hurt less and tend to kink less often than the straight ones.

You can put the pump where ever you want to! There is no set way to wear it. I wear mine in my pocket, but some do the clip, bra pocket, fanny pack, lots of different things. Whatever you find is the best for you!

At night I put mine in a clip and attach it to my pj bottoms.

The longest amount of time you can be off it really depends on what you're doing while you're off it. If you're in the shower, you should put it back on right away. If you're exercising, like swimming, you may be able to be off it all day, depending on how active you are. It all depends on what you find works for you!

Sorry, I have no idea what the smallest pump is!

Good luck with your decision!

[JessArt85]

Thank you so much for the reponse faith. I am looking at the one that comes with the meter. (The 515/715) but I think that pump is still like the 512? Not that I would be getting that one. When did you get your minimed?

[selketine]

The Animas, Minimed and Cozmo all seem about the same size as stand alone pumps.

We chose the Animas because it has the smallest basal rate increase of all of those 3 I mentioned (only ones on the market in the US when we got ours). This isn't important for most folks but for preschoolers who need very little insulin it is an important consideration. I think too that the Animas (at least the 1200) had one of the smallest reservoirs which some folks didn't like cause they had to change it out more often.

Since it sounds like the pump is for you and not a little kid or one sensitive to insulin I'm not sure that one is better than the other. The minimed (at least a couple of years ago) ONLY uses proprietary sets so you couldn't use any sets besides minimed ones. I didn't like that since you are much more limited in set choices. I'm not sure that is still the case with their newer pumps but something to consider perhaps.

Choose the one that you like the best and who gives you the best customer service - and the one your insurance will pay for is good too! ;)

[faithe113001]

I got my Minimed 3 1/2 years ago, but upgraded to the 515 about a year ago. I started out with the 511. Sorry, in my other post I told you the 512 didn't come with the meter, when it really does. The 511 is the one that dosen't come with the meter. The 512 and 515 are virtually the same, except that the 515 has a cord that you can connect to you meter and it will download the pump settings. Not the meter settings, which is a bummer, I would definitly use it more if I could do that. Having the meter is nice though, the only thing about it is that it tends to be off in it's readings....by a lot! As much as 100 in some people. Mine was off my 40, then I had it replaced. My endo has told me that a lot of people have been having problems with it. So that's one thing to consider. Minimed has great customer service, great reputation, it's a great all around company. But go for what's right for you! Good luck!

[zimbie45]

Hi
this is some info posted by anouther person on the children with type 1 forum

hope this helps
There's a good pump comparison chart here:
http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_...ump_models.php


And a list of infusion sets here.
http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_...usion_sets.php

we chose the animas.. I found out from our endo it hold less insuin, so if you are not going thru the 300 units in a 3 day period its better you waste less insulin, its waterproof so my daughter can swim with it... It very easy to use.. Our insurace picked up[ the whole bill but contracted costy they paid was 4800.. reg cost i think was 5500 ( about).. as far as the infusion set.. its pretty much what you preferr and how you do with needles.. the angled to me look more scarry to use ( my daughter wont touch them) the strainght in ones can tend to kink abit, which means you amy have to change out more often.. but very easy to use and my 5 year old has no problem with them..
As far as the how long to leave it off for we have been instructed no longer than 1 hour.. we can suspend up to an hour adn we can decrease amount how ever much we need to...

[amberngriffinco]

I've gone from the MM 504 to my newest last year, the Paradigm (btw, it's pronounced para dime, LOL)

I've been pumping since September 1996 and love it.

It's SO COMFORTABLE, nearly daily, I'll reach and slap my side when it usually resides b/c I cannot remember IF I have it on! (meaning, on my way out, usually after I shower)

My newest price tag was over $6k and totally WORTH IT. I like that I can still give a variety of boluses (dual wave, I use a lot for complex carbs, ie: Chinese Food and farina) and that it automatically registers my BG from the meter that's designed for it. It will ask how many carbs am I consuming and automatically gives me the correct bolus dosage for those carbs.. etc.. I'm wild about it.

I don't use the remote, the RN from MM said they didn't so I don't. . it isn't a big deal anyway TO ME.

amberngriffinco
COLORADO