What type of pump should we choose?

We are trying to choose between 2 insulin pumps. The animas and the minimed pump. My daughter is 15 and uses over 50 units of insulin a day. She likes the animas pump because it is smaller and prettier, but she was told she would be better off to have the minimed pump because she would not have to change the insulin cartridges as much. The doctors office told us it was up to us, but they usually use the animas pump for babies and smaller kids or those who use less than 50 units a day. They use the minimed pump more for kids her age. We are in a big fight over this. She is at the point where she doesn't care which one she gets anymore. But other family members think I am being "mean" by telling her she should get the minimed. I am just going by what the doctors are telling me! What should I do??? Let her get the Animas that she wants?? Or the one that fits her better, the minimed?? I just don't know what to do at this point! I don't want to be the bad guy here! Please help me!

I think you should let her make the decision because she's old enough and she's the one that is going to be tethered to it 24/7 for a long time. Refilling a reservoir, or cartridge, is not that big a deal. Right now the animas is going to hold the right amount for her to go the recommended 2-3 days before changing the infusion sets and reservoir/cartridge. Animas holds 200 units minimed uses 300 (if you get the larger one) It's also much more fun than the minimed pumps because you can do more to personalize it. another advantage to the animas is the connection type on the cartridges. Minimed uses a different connection that only allows you to use minimed infusion sets. All the other pumps...except for the omnipod...uses a luer lock type connection that gives you more choices as to what type of infusion set you can use. There are companies coming up with different types of infusion sets all the time, and rarely are they compatible with the new minimed pumps. Don't get me wrong, Minimed is a great pump, I use one, but if I were 15 I definitely would want an animas...and kind of want one now! And there are a lot of adults that use the animas too, they make it very attractive for kids though with all the personalizing it allows. I honestly don't think it's going to be that big a deal.

Ah yes, the teen-age years. They care more about their looks than practicality. (Adults can be guilty of that too.)

Please sit down with her and hear her out as to why she chose a certain pump. I have to agree, those Animas sure look funky.

Then explain your side as to why you prefer the other pump (fewer cartridge change = cheaper in the long run, lesser replacement cartridges to carry and monitor).

Sometimes we may not get our way but if it is explained to us as to why not and to listen to our viewpoint makes the acceptance easier.

Wish you a good talk, Daisy.

I chose the animas for the looks haha. I like it cause it is smaller, i think it doesnt get in the way as much as the minimed. And I dont mind changing the insulin.

But if she really wants the insulin cartridge to last longer go minimed, i heard it lasts longer too.

Having a Diabetes at such a young age can be very detrimental and rough a a girl that age...I can't imagine how she must feel to have her everyday choices and actions dependent on her illness...and the loss of control she has within her life....I don't know the hole situation, but I think that you should let her choose, get her active in deciding her medical treatments...if the doc gave you guys the choice, let her choose, the smaller one may make the world of difference to her...She probably has a fear of having to have this pump on 24/7 and is scared that her self image will be distorted by having to have a larger pump...You don't want her to not care about her health care...keep her involved in as many decisions as you can.

Please tell your daughter to get the mini med pump. Ive been using it for almost 20 years and love it they now have one called the paradine and she can get the blood sugar machine link that will automatically put her blood sugar reading into the pump and she can count the cards in her food and it will automatically add up how much insulin she needs and will tell her how much to take all she has to do is let the bolus calculate it fir her then hit the delivery button twice and have fun, it may not be as small as the other but in the long run it will be less expensive and she will be able to afford it on her own. which anyone who has lived long enough knows this is what really matters.

Hi
This is a great website for diabetics. You can post your Question there too
http://www.diabetesforums.com/