Four years. Is that too long to live with the same pump? Is it long enough? I find myself asking that a lot lately.
I was sorely disappointed when I realized earlier this year that my warranty on Toohey is up in 2012 not 2011. Don't get me wrong, I love Toohey and it has been very good to me. I've had few mishaps, but none serious enough to need a replacement pump (KNOCK ON WOOD!).
In 2008 when I started on my pumping quest, my first choice had been Animas. Well, actually my first choice was Omnipod but I started to realize that as much as I left my insulin pen behind I didn't want to get stuck leaving the Omnipod's PDA behind. There were some other minor issues I had with it, too. Anyway, my second first choice was Animas.
But I had a pretty aggressive sales rep with Minimed who worked with Dr. C's office (oh how I miss Dr. C). And part of me figured that if Minimed already had a relationship with Dr. C -- who I clearly adored -- and if Dr. C was already using Minimed's online software then I didn't want to muck things up.
There was also the CGMS feature with Minimed that I really wanted. And while my insurance at the time didn't cover the CGMS for Minimed my rep assured me that insurance coverage was right around the corner. In the meantime he let me test drive the Minimed CGMS for about a week. I had some issues with it, which is ultimately why I went with Dexcom, but that's actually another story.
So anyway. Since I'm not using the CGMS feature on Minimed and with Animas's recently disclosed partnership with Dexcom I find myself anxiously awaiting the end of my Minimed warranty. Now, I know that I can pay to upgrade and all that and that Animas would likely welcome a new customer with open arms, but I'm all for getting the most out of something I've paid for.
Not only that, but by the end of next year I may have lucked out and Animas and Dexcom may have perfected the artificial pancreas. OK that's pretty optimistic, but seriously they could have an all-in-one device that would be make me super happy.
So while I wait, I guess I'll have to be happy with stalking the interactive tutorials on the Animas web site.
What about the Animas access program? You give them your current pump, and pay out of pocket to get a re-certified Animas pump. I think it's $700 but don't quote me on that (it might be less).
I just (within the past few days) got approved for a Dexcom and I wear a MiniMed. My endo was confused at first that I was going with that combo. When I explained that I probably was not going to be with MiniMed much longer, she explained that I should get the Dexcom now but wait to get the Animas pump until they unveil the integration. That way I would only have to upgrade the CGM not the CGM and pump.