Animas Insulin Pump Users - Recent Threads

BLOGS! :)

Ashley — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 20:46:56 GMT

Hey there. My name is Ashley. I have been Type 1 Diabetic for 4 years now. I have a blog that normally revolves around diabetic topics and I would love if you would read some of my posts and give me some feedback. Also, I am asking for suggestions for topics! What do you want to hear about?! :) Please leave comments.

Here is the link to the blog: www.iamjuvenated.blogspot.com

There is a post ALL about my insulin pump!

UK Petition for insulin pump therapy to be available on the NHS for all T1s

RebeccaSmith92 — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 19:54:46 GMT

Hi there!

My name is Rebecca Smith, and I am running a campaign to help get better healthcare for type 1 diabetics on the NHS.

The campaign endeavours to make NHS budget managers, MPs and the public more aware of the way that type 1 diabetics are not receiving (in some cases) the most efficient health care.

At present, treatment of diabetes is variable across the UK, with a postcode lottery determining if T1 patients can have insulin pump therapy as a treatment method or not: clearly this is unfair on the T1 diabetics who want it, but for whatever reason (be it not fitting into NICE guidelines, or lack of departmental funding in that particular hospital). Therefore, this petition proposes that pump therapy be, at the very least, optional as a method of treatment for ALL T1 diabetics. With Israel having more pumps in operation than the UK, I feel it is fair to say that the UK are failing a whole group of T1 patients, and not providing the most modern and potentially most effective (patient dependant) care possible.

There are also issues with blood glucose testing strip availability on prescription on the NHS. Many T1 patients are reporting of only receiving 50 test strips per month, when a T1 needs a minimum at 5, and up to 10 if driving, playing sports, or experiencing symptoms of hyper/hypoglycaemia - many T1s are also of student age, and working long hours, not sleeping regularly or eating regularly, and so may consume even more; being prescribed less than the needed amount will hinder attempts for good glyceamic control and result in future diabetic complications. Therefore, this campaign also endeavours to attempt to get continuous glucose monitors available on the NHS for T1's. The information on CGMs indicates that hypo fear is reduced, glyceamic control better, patient outlook better and patient compliance improved. With depression being 2x more common in diabetics as opposed to non diabetics (Diabetes UK 2012 statistical report), CGMs really could help T1s control their diabetes better. The long term financial benefits of reduced diabetic health complications has been proven again and again in America, and therefore, it seems short sighted of the NHS not to invest in such a modern treatment.

The campaign has a petition available to sign: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/41620

The campaign also asks that people send letters to arrive to their local MP and health authority on the same date (Thursday 16th May 2013). I have attached these letters for you to read. The campaign asks that people sending them amend them as they wish to. The principle idea of this is to get MPs across the region talking about T1 diabetic care, and see it as an issue that needs addressing promptly, with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes increasing.

There is also a page that people can like on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/campaignforpumpsandcgms?ref=hl

And a group that people can join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/131796363637159/

And an event to remind people to send out letters: https://www.facebook.com/events/554152251267504/

- Raise awareness of inadequate care that some T1s receive

- Attempt to alleviate the present post code lottery of consultancy care, pump therapy opportunity, and amount of blood glucose testing strips

- Allow all T1 diabetics, at the very least, the opportunity of insulin pump therapy as a form of diabetic treatment

- Allow CGMs to be accessible through the NHS to improve diabetic control

Many thanks,

Rebecca Smith

Advice please: cannula for Animas pump does not stay inserted in site for 3 days...

Tina S — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:34:47 GMT

Hello,

I'm relatively new to Juvenation - (been on this website for several days now).....and I am also relatively new to using the insulin pump - the Animas ping. I've been on the ping since July - and every time I inject a new cannula in - no matter how much I try to ensure it is securely inject in - it never sticks on and stays in for the 3 full days before I have to change the site again....it only stays in for about 1 or 1 1/2 days, then falls out of my stomach - forcing me to have to change the site again with another inset. This is a huge waste of time and I'm afraid in the future - cost - for me because the insets are precious - and i can only bill my health insurance every 3 months to get more supplies - so every time I am worried I will run out of insets before my insurance will cover this and I will have to pay for the supplies out of pockets and they are incredibly expensive.....

Please let me know if anyone else is having this issue or advice on what to do to resolve this. I use the shortest needle and it is the straight inset.

Thanks!

We are starting on this pump soon

Heidi — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 01:48:47 GMT

What has everyone's experiences been with this pump? My son is 3 and was diagnosed in May, I'm so nervous about switching him to a pump. Thanks

Switching pumps

supershai — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 21:13:58 GMT

I have a deltec cozmo (we're a dying breed haha) and my endo gave me some pamphlets on pumps, so now i'm trying to decide which to get. What are the cons of the animas ping? I really like it, but I don't want to be stuck with it if it turns out to be crappy. Any advice?

Beach, Waterpark, and Pool!!

Hanna — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:58:29 GMT

I always had trouble keeping my site on while on vacations to the beach and to waterparks! But! We finally found a solution: Tegaderm!

Tegaderm is a clear, waterproof bandage that fits perfectly over the site. All you have to do is cut a small slit in the plastic, just large enough to click the tubing back to it... and PRESTO!! Works like a charm!! : )

Hope this helps those having the same issues!!! Happy Summer : )

Commercial Casting for Animas and One Touch Ping

Ellen Abrams — Mon, 14 May 2012 22:55:48 GMT

CASTING A COMMERCIAL FOR

TYPECASTING, INC

James Levine, CCDA

is casting a commercial

for ONE TOUCH PING & ANIMAS INSULIN PUMPS

WE ARE SEEKING INDIVIDUALS WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES WHO CURRENTLY

USE THE PING OR ANIMAS PUMPS; WE ARE LOOKING FOR THOSE, MALE AND

FEMALES, AGES 6-60, ALL ETHNICITIES WHO LIVE A HEALTHY, ACTIVE, AND

POSITIVE LIFESTYLE AND CAN SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES LIVING WITH

DIABETES. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PUT A POSITIVE FACE ON LIFE

WITH THIS CONDITION, AND HELP OTHERS LIVE HEALTHIER, HAPPIER LIVES

AS WELL. IF SELECTED TO APPEAR IN THE CAMPAIGN, TALENT WILL BE PAID SAG SCALE

WAGES AND ALL APPLICABLE RESIDUAL COMPENSATION. YOU DO NOT NEED

TO BE AN ACTOR TO AUDITION. THE CAMPAIGN SHOOTS MID-JUNE IN LOS ANGELES. CANDIDATES MUST BE

US CITIZENS AND MUST BE EMPLOYABLE IN THE USA. CANDIDATES NOT IN

THE LOS ANGELES AREA WILL BE ASKED TO SUBMIT A VIDEO SUBMISSION.

WANT TO SUBMIT? NEED MORE INFORMATION? PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO:

TYPECASTINGINC@GMAIL.COM

PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME, PHONE NUMBER, RECENT PHOTO, LOCATION

AND THE EXACT MODEL PUMP YOU USE AND FOR HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN

USING IT.

Where do you get pump supplies from??

Jason — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:35:13 GMT

Hey Pumpers,

Wondering if anyone gets pump supplies from anyone besides Animas?? Specifically, cartridges and the insets. My last two orders have taken forever to get here (one of them 5 weeks and I was wearing my last infusion set the day it arrived), so I'm wondering what the other options are.

Jason in Orlando

Need advice managing the pump/T1 diabetes post-surgery

tanyakt — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:01:57 GMT

I am getting GI surgery in a few weeks and I am concerned about managing my diabetes while I am recovering in the hospital.

Before I was on the pump I was in the hospital for a few days and the nursing staff didn't know how to manage my diabetes. Fortunately I was alert and able to tell them what I needed. But I am worried that this time around, post-surgery, I won't be alert enough to manage my BGs and general pump maintenance. Has anyone been on the ping in the hospital while recovering from surgery? I would love any advice on the best way to deal with this. I am anxious about this on top of the major surgery and its a lot to think about right now!!

Thanks so much!

Tanya

Infusion sets - Inset vs Inset30

Christina — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:56:45 GMT

Hello all,

I've only been using the Animas pump for about a month, and I was hoping to get some opinions on infusion sets. I'm 5'4" and I weigh 135 pounds, but I'm a runner so I'm lean in some places, limiting my site options. I have a decent amount of fat to use around my abdomen and love handles, but not as much on my butt or thighs. I've noticed in certain places I have some ugly bruises when I remove a site so I'm thinking a set switch is in order. I'm currently using the regular Inset with the 9mm cannula. What do you use? What are the pros and cons of the options?

Thanks!

Bubbles in the tubing and in the insulin container (whatever it's called)

Gibbs — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:41:54 GMT

I have had this problem for a year now. I can change my site and six hours later look at the container with the insulin and there will be bubbles. I have contacted animas, I do all the procedures that I'm supposed to do..warm insulin, let it sit a while, fill with bottle standing them turn upside down...even had instructions from one of the reps on several occasions. I think the system is flawed. I give up. Now, after filling my insulin in the container, I put on as usual. six to 8 hours later I take it back out, blow all the bubbles out and put back in pump and re prime. That usually will work for a day. Once my sugars go over 250, I take the thing apart again and blow the bubbles out again etc. Nothing else works and it's a real pain. I think there is no quality control on these infusion types. I use contact detach.

Travel and the pump

Gibbs — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:37:55 GMT

I travel on airplanes several times a year and have just given up trying to go through the xray. i just make sure I can get myself unsnaped from the pump quickly and tell them I need to be patted down. The information I received was sketchy, first they say..yes you can go through security, then they say no you can't go through with the pump WHAAAA!!! I give up. Also the remote definately cannot be xrayed so if that has to be checked for "bomb residue" then may as well just get the pat down. Go early, I am old so it gives everyone something to look at...Hey Look they are patting down another old lady LOL.

Pump arrival

Nbee03 — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 23:47:39 GMT

So my new pump should be arriving sometime this week. It is my first time going with an animas pump, so I was wondering what I should expect to be in the box when I open it. What came with your pump? Thanks.

Pump colors!

Nbee03 — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:23:52 GMT

Which pump color do you have? Do you like it?

new pump! colors...?

Nick — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:10:51 GMT

Hey guys,

I'm starting on the animus pump very soon and i was just wondering if the blue or green animus pumps look kind of girly. I'm 18 years old, and a dude, so I don't want to be stuck with a too feminine looking pump for 4 years. I was thinking about the blue, but what do you guys think?

Thanks,

Nick Camarda

Animas integrating CGM

Jim Cassidy — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:41:46 GMT

My son(11) has been a Animas Pump user for about 5 years and I have been very happy with the pump. The only thing that I would like to see that, in my opinion, would put Animas over the top would be the integration of a CGM. I spoke to someone who claimed to have "inside" information and I was told that it is in the works but the ability to remotely bolus would be lost. Does anyone have any definitive knowledge of this?

Animas on Board. . . Planes!

Gabrielle — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:47:46 GMT

I love to travel and mr and my family usually travel by plane. Last year when my brother had his pump. He was afraid it would beep so he took it off with it in his hand. He then was padded down because it did end up beeping. I am pretty sure that what is causing the beeping to go off is the metal clip. So does anyone no if taking it off during security will prevent beeping. Or any tips that you have for getting through security. I just really want to avoid being pat down.

pump site problems.

Rebecca — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 03:33:34 GMT

Hi, so I just started on animas a week ago, and I switched from minimed. So far the change has been pretty easy except that the boluses are given a lot faster than on my other pump and my site normally stings. I don't know if it is because of how fast it is, or if I'm just putting in the set wrong, I'm on the inset, the one that goes in straight. Has anyone else had this issue? How did you fix it? oh, and on a sidenote, I do have the bolus speed set to slow.

Insulin reservoir EMPTY!!

Jason — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:47:47 GMT

OK, so I set my low cartridge warning at 20U (it was previously on 10U). Big mistake, because 20 is just enough that I can forget about it for a while. Anyway I'm out to dinner last night, food comes to the table and OH S***, I only have 5U. Not nearly enough for this dinner.

So I'm thinking to myself.......self, you know there is about 15U of insulin in the pump tubing how can you take advantage of that? After talking it over with my wife, I knew that I could deliver said 15U (about) by blowing the insulin through the tube from the "connector" (I know there is a fancy word for it but I don't know what it is) to the insertion site. I so wanted to do it (being the T1 McGyver that I am), but my wife talked me out of it. Something about germs and infection. So I didn't do it.

But have any of you ever tried this out of desperation??? I'm curious if it worked or would work. Let us know. Thanks.

Jason in Orlando.

Words of Advice?..

Jaclyn — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 06:04:25 GMT

Hi :) I submitted my forms to get my new Animas ping pump and it's expected to arrive this coming Wednesday. Are there any words of advice from those who are already using one?

Thank you so much!

Animas Corp Biling Problems

Jason — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 01:22:11 GMT

Hey Guys,

I'm a big animas fan. But do any of you have issues with their billing department? Twice now, I have received bills 3 weeks after the check I wrote to pay that same amount clears my bank. One time someone called me to "force" me to pay my bill over the phone when I just got the bill in the mail two days prior. I'm not even talking about big amounts of money. This last bill is for $46.00, I got a bill yesterday and the check cleared my bank two weeks ago. I'm just wondering.

Jason

Animas v Minimed?

Elie — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 02:22:35 GMT

I currently use the Minimed Paradigm, but I was wondering what Animas pump users think about the benefits of using Animas instead. So, why Animas? Or why Minimed (although I don't expect to get any answers to that here)? If you've actually used both, even better.

Just getting started!

Caitlyn_Paige18 — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 21:44:28 GMT

I LOVE MY PUMP! I've had it for 2 hours and i'm in love ! any tips ?

Swimming--Prepping Site

Camper Sue — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 02:32:52 GMT

Does anyone have a successful way of keeping the infusion site on during swimming? My daughter went swimming on vacation and had a difficult time keeping the infusion site on. We use the IV Prep and have covered it with the IV 3000 Frame Delivery. However, if it remained adhered, when we pulled the IV3000 off, it pulled the infusion site out. Normally the IV3000 came loose during swimming. We finally had to put a piece of non adhesive gauze over the infusion site, then covered it with the IV3000, then used waterproof tape all around the edges and criss cross. It stuck, but was not a pretty site. Any suggestions? Alexa doesn't want to go into the water now because of the problems with the infusion site. We always detached the pump and suspend it during swimming--just don't want to take the chances.

ATTENTION COLLEGE STUDENTS!

Katelyn — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:57:59 GMT

HI ALL!

I am a graduate student at De Paul University in Chicago, IL and am conducting research in order to develop an educational tool for all future type 1 diabetic college students!

Please take my short survey to help out!! Thanks so much!

Katelyn