Omnipod or Ping?
Which is better?
Next year, I’m going to get a new insulin pump. I’ve used a Minimed 722 pump for three years, and while I like it, I don’t *love* it. I admit to some pump envy.
At this point, I’m torn between the Omnipod and the Animas One Touch Ping. I really like both of these guys for similar reasons.
I LOVE the idea of remote bolusing. Now, before you tell me about Minimed’s remote control for the 722, let me say that I have it and don’t like it. I’m not a math person, so if I have to calculate a bolus, without the luxury of a “wizard,” I’m not happy. So, score one for the Omnipod and one for the Ping.
Next, I’m tired of tubing. I’m constantly getting it wrapped around a doorknob or caught in my dog’s feet (he’s a bit of a lap dog). I feel limited to certain pump sites because of the tubing issue. Point for the Omnipod.
I’m somewhat intimidated by the size of the Pod. I don’t want it to be visible under my clothes. This is especially true because I’ve gotten used to using my arms and legs as pump sites. My abdomen is so scarred that absorption is pathetic there. I keep my DexCom sensors on my arms, and they’re already pretty visible, so what will adding a Pod to the mix do? Point for the Ping.
So, I’m back to square one. Which is the better pump and why?
Themocracy
I LOVE my POD….I wear mine around my abdomen and back/bottom without any problems…and it’s waterproof. A tankini is perfect for the summertime and Omnipod. It has stayed on without any problems on vacations! I love my Omnipod and am so glad that I chose it!
Good Luck with your decision! If you haven’t already, get a demo pod…Insulet will send one to you..your MD may have one you can take home to try.
I highly suggest the Pod. I just switched from the 522 to the pod and I must say (even though I beat down on pod-converts who seemed a little too fanatical) it’s the best thing I’ve done since diagnosis. Having no tubes has literally made me feel ~almost~ like I don’t have diabetes. No digging in the bra to find the pump to bolus, no “where do I put the pump” when un-clothed, no disconnecting for certain activities and then having to remember to reconnect. It rocks. I was also worried about the size, butI got over it – nobody notices the lump on my arm or back or stomach. Love, love, love it. Oh, and I’ve had 1 pod not prime and 1 pod that I had to take off early b/c of occlusion and 1 pod rip off, but that was about 3 hours before I was going to change it anyway. So no real horror stories here.
I am a major Animas fan. I’m due for a new pump in a couple days (but won’t be getting one until we get our tax refund and can pay the 20% co pay….) and will definitely be getting the Ping. I had the IR1250 (from 5 years ago) which is very similar to the 2020, just older with a few less features. When they ran out of the 1250 to replace pumps with they just upgraded me to the 2020 for free for the rest of my warranty. I absolutely love the idea of the remote/meter bolusing.
I just hope that they might (probably wishful thinking) get the integrated cgms in the next few months. That is the only thing that had me even considering Minimed for all of a day. Even if they don’t, I’ll probably go with Dexcom for a cgm.
All in all, Animas has been very very good to me. The pumps are great and fairly durable (and I’m really really rough with my stuff). I’ve never had a problem getting them replaced when the rubber on the buttons gets ripped off. They are water proof and I’ve taken mine swimming a lot.
Hope that helps! Probably makes the decision harder because there are definite pluses to having no tubing with the Omnipod.
I have tried both Omnipod and animas for several reasons–but considered it a very close question. Omnipod is much more user friendly—and the visuals are better–especially on their PDA. THe Animas PDA is very hard to read. However the Animas is easier on my body—-the insert is less invasive phsycially—-and not wearing a pretty humongus device. I wanted to go with Omnipod–but ended up deciding Animas—despite its shortcomings as a consumer device—met my needs better