Yes. We have our mind pretty much made up too. Tubeless is a huge desciding factor, that is why we are leaning towards the Omnipod. Our daughter was diagnosed 5 years ago, but we were so overwhelmed at that point we were not ready to consider a pump. In fact it wasn’t even offered to us as an option at diagnosis. I wish in a way, we started off with the pump. But I understand they dont want to overwhelm parents too much and she was so little. Glad I learned MDI though.
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We were MDI for the first six months.
I don’t recall a pump class with reps but I did quite a bit of research. Maybe because Audrey was young there were very limited approved pumps. I would probably have gone if it was offered.
Tubeless contributed very significantly to the decision. Tandems offering was not as strong at the time.
Ed
We were given the choice however strongly encouraged to start with MDI. We stayed MDI for a year before switching to an Animas pump.
Technology can always fail. MDI is a great backup plan that gives you time to deal with any sort of tech issue.
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Our endo encourages my son to take a pump break of at least 3 weeks out of each year to ensure he remembers how to manage everything. We resisted this at first, but the last two summers he has done it and found it to be a nice break from pumping and he likes the MDI approach as a change of pace.
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While 3 hours seems long, I am assuming that’s about a 45 min presentation and then question period from tandem, insulet, and medtronic each, and possibly a short ones from dexcom and libre on CGMs.
And so will the customer service folks, the CDE, and the Endo. Myself and others I am sure could fill up this site with in Orr info we have been handed from “experts” over the years. I am admitting to bias, but your best experts are here. So when they tell you something that seems too good to be true or just plain wrong, I suggest you come back to verify.
The 2 hour class - it’s been a long time, but I remember some definite overkill on useless information and some very helpful information. I always say to folks it’s useful to people who are new to pumping.
With the subsequent pump system, it’s a complete waste of time. They will all insist with every pump you get you need in person training to make sure you know how to set it up and use it, BUT I can tell you when a pump fails, and they overnight you the new one, or switch pod types, you get a 1 page sheet with programming instructions. No trainer comes to your house to make sure you can program it correctly and your endo’s office doesn’t call to walk you through anything. Training is in fact is NEVER “required” - the FDA doesn’t require it, if you don’t go to training after the pump is delivered to your house, they don’t send someone to collect it, I can say I have had the Endo threaten to stop scripts. I have never had one follow through, but suppose there are some out there that might. Of course, there are more endo’s down the street.
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The 3 hours that the reps are there is set to 3 hours only so that all parents have an opportunity to visit all the vendors. At least at our location, we weren’t the only parents that were there…we were one of like 5 different sets of parents. 3 hours provides all caregivers time to visit all the vendors that interest them and ask all their questions. It’s not “mandatory” to stay there for the entire 3 hours.
The 2 hour session afterward (at a local library is where we had our one on one training with a pump teacher) is the time to learn about the technology and get your hands dirty programming (with saline), inserting the insulin, changing things out…it’s really the time to experiment with the pump technology, get your hands dirty and ask any pertinent questions that you may have. We found a lot of value in this class.
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#Syd7 was not 2 when diagnosed. She has went from Ping to Medtronic(she did not like guardian sensor only wore it a few times) now Omnipod. Of the 3 on my 6yo she loves the pod. She and I love that people do not have to dig in her clothes for her pump… or whip up her dresses any and every where.! Also no tube to get caught in panties when she goes potty. Her words.
)
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So I talked to my daughters doctor about the omnipod, and she suggested the tslim instead
Thoughts on one vs the other. Of course we are scheduled to go to pump class to learn about it all of them.Thanks.
My son uses the Tslim and absolutely loves it. Omnipod is tubeless, and the tslim has a tube. But we solve almost all of the issues the people describe as drawbacks by using a pump band. Also, the tubed pumps have the ability to be taken off for sports which we have found to be very very helpful. With that being said, someone on here is using a Omnipod and playing hockey, so to each his/her own. I honestly don’t think you can go wrong with either one, the advantage for the tslim is in the next quarter in addition to the Basal-IQ algorithm you will be able to add the Control-IQ system, so it is a formidable FDA approved package when teamed up with a Dexcom G6 sensor.
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@nreid77 there is a good thread here in case you haven’t seen it.
My daughter uses omnipod and it is significantly better than MDI in terms of her average time in range.
I think it would be unfair to offer an opinion on t:slim as I have no experience with it. I have looked into changing but can’t find a good reason. the main reason not to change would be that omnipod seems to work well and the tubing.
I hope the class goes well - ask plenty of questions 
Ed
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Late to the discussion but yes. I have worn the POD in a hot tub with the temperature around 99F or 100F.
Nothing happened…
I usually do not stay in for too long though and if I know I am going somewhere with a hot tub I usually just put the pod on my arm to avoid the water.
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Our Ped Endo also now recommends the Tandem t:slim X2 with Basal-IQ as their preferred pump. At the same time, they will fully support whatever pump (or MDI) the family chooses.
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That makes a lot of sense if you know beforehand what you’re getting into (pun intended). Having some safety margin is reasonable. I guess there’s no need to expose insulin to any elevated temperature just because it can take it.
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What rationale did the doc give when you asked her “why the tslim over omnipod?”
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Because it can work with the Dexcom and because instead of getting a new pump every few years it has software updates instead.
What does work with Dexcom mean? Our son is using the Dexcom G5 with the omnia in the omniloop system. We’ve been using pod + g5 for three years no problems
Just that the t:slim X2 can act as the Dexcom receiver (for G6) and use the CGM info to suspend (in Basal-IQ) or for closed loop (in the forthcoming Control-IQ).
This may not be of any special interest if you’re running DIY loop software on your phone with some loopable pump, but for the less bold, it could matter greatly.
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