Hi. We are still having issues with the Tconnect app staying connected to the Tslim. We’ve updated the app, the pump, and ran through the force stop and recommended steps on tandems website, yet keep getting the pump not connected message. Just wondering if anyone else is having similar issues? My son’s pump is nearing four years old. We’re considering switching to Omni 5. Does the Omni have connection issues? Can you give insulin from the pods if there are connection problems? With Tslim insulin can be administered either directly from the pump or on my son’s phone if it’s connected. He said sometimes it’s even losing connection when he tries to bolus from his phone, and it doesn’t give the bolus so he has to tell it to do it again. I’m not sure if it’s time for a new pump or what we need to do.
Welcome back @WarriorMom13 !
If things were working fine until recently, the connection issue might justify a warranty replacement. You’ve gone through all of Tandem’s recommendations so that might be their next step, even though it’s nearly time for a replacement (warranties typically stop after 4 years at which time you can get a new pump).
I don’t use T-slim but when my phone is having issues in general I reset my network settings. This was recommended by Apple support one time (Android may have something similar) and has always cleared any problems without affecting operation of the phone or apps. If you have an iPhone
go to Settings,
Search for Reset, and select Reset Network Settings
Select Reset
Select Reset Network Settings again and follow the prompts.
I use Omnipod and everything is controlled from the controller. I have rarely had connection issues with it and when I have it’s usually been while it was updating and has cleared shortly thereafter. The first time it happened I called tech support and they told me to wait and call back if it didn’t clear.- but it did. You can’t do anything without the controller so if he leaves it behind he’ll need to find a way to get it. Before I started on Omnipod I was very worried that would happen but I put my car keys on the carrying case I bought for it so I’m not likely to get too far. An audible alarm sounds from the controller if it’s out of range for too long - so if he leaves it at home when he goes to the bus stop you may find yourself running it to him😊. I do suggest investing in a spare controller - frankly the device is cheap both in quality and in cost and I think I paid less than $50.00 for one. I’ve had issues with a couple and they sent a replacement but you really need access 24/7. If you do go with Omnipod be sure to keep a written record of settings - believe it or not they are not stored online so you can’t transfer them to the new one❗️- you have to go through the tedious process of entering everything manually.
Dorie,
Thank you for the info about resetting network settings. We will give that a try. We have the a1c appointment tomorrow with an NP in the same office as our pediatric endo, who recently retired. Maybe she can also give us some guidance. Since you use Omni, I’d like to ask you some questions please to help with comparison between tslim and omni.
- How do you charge the omni? My son charges the tslim while he is wearing it, so as to not stop insulin delivery…which in a sense means he, himself is plugged into the wall, and that can be frustrating.
- Tslim has the ability to set multiple profiles. For example during summer camp, we decrease basal rates due to increased activity. We can easily change back to the ‘regular profile’ at the end of camp. Can this be done with Omni?
- Can you change basal rates, carb ratio, correction factors with Omni or is that all preset by your doctor?
- Is there an insulin duration setting with omni? tslim is hard set to 5 hours and cannot be changed. I think this is one reason we struggle with maintaining a good ‘time in range’ percentage.
- Can all or most Omni pump alarms be set to vibrate? My son will not want alarms disrupting school classes.
- What would you say is the most common issue with Omni 5? With tslim, for us, it has been infusion site related issues (bent cannula, leaking at site, etc.)…until this pump/app connection problem.
Thank you, I appreciate your response(s). This forum has helped me many times since diagnosis. Just knowing other people get it. While I’m not type one myself, like the t-shirt says “His fight is my fight.” And after a mostly sleepless night of seeing that loathsome word “HIGH” staring at me on the G7, my strength to fight is dwindling this morning. However we will win, because quitting is not an option! WarriorMom
No need to charge the pods but you do need to keep the controller charged. I plug mine in overnight or if I’m just sitting around.
You can set different profiles for when you are in manual mode, but they do not “feed” auto mode, which is where you probably want to stay most of the time with a what pump. In order to start on Omnipod you have to go through some training and pass a test - you’ll get a link to that once you sign on. I found a Juicebox podcast that helped me understand the system as well - I had been on it for a little while and it would have been helpful have earlier. Omnipod 5 — JUICEBOX PODCAST
Any changes you need, you can make yourself using the controller. BTW, if the settings on your current pump are good you can just plug them in. I did find some of the settings a little difficult to find as they’re buried in dinner of the menus, but once I found them, programming was easy.
There is an insulin duration you can set yourself, as well as sensitivity.
You can adjust the volume on the controller. Omnipod connects to Dexcom (I stop have the G6 but will be upgrading to G7 soon) and readings go to both my controller and my iPhone. I get alerts for lows and highs - you can set those yourself - and I can set my phone to vibrate. However more critical alerts such as urgent lows do sound on the pod. You can almost them with the controller but there’s no way to silence them in advance. The pod itself also sounds when it is out of insulin, but you can set the controller to notify you when insulin gets to a certain point.
One more thing about alarms - sometimes I get them on both my controller and my phone - those are usually the critical ones (my term) such as urgent lows.
I’m not sure about “most common” but a few things your might want to know: the pods must be changed every 3 days (or sooner if you didn’t load 3 days worth of insulin). Some pumpers might leave their set in for an extra day or so but that’s not an option here.
I’ve gotten pretty good at measuring my insulin so not much is left after 3 days - sometimes less than 5 units! When I have over-filled out had to remove a pod early, I drew out the remaining insulin and used it so it is doable. Occasionally a pod will scream. It’s rare but happens if there’s some sort of internal issue or if an old pod want cancelled out completely in the discard process before a
new one was started. Again that’s very rare but it helps to knew how to silence it. At the top of the pod there’s a gold dot - sticking something very find into the hole next to the dot silences it.
Omnipod used to send a non-working pod to try out so you could get a feel for the size. And there is no commitment with Ok mnipod so you could try it and if you don’t like it, go back to your previous one.
Thank you very much for the information! I actually already found the link to the juicebox podcast by reading what other people have posted on this forum. I have it playing now. I also sent my son the link…hopefully he will listen at some point and not ignore me with his teenage self. 
Thank you!
Joanna @WarriorMom13, nice to see you back here but hust wish that it wasn’t because of a problem.
I can’t help you with information on Omnipod, but I can offer a suggestion about connection between phone and t:Connect. The issue may be phone settings - look to see if he has power saver or batterty saver activated, or id the phone is ageing, it may not achieve full power.
The Tandem videos are good nut not all issues are addressed. Try calling Tandem Technical Support [1 877-8016901] and let the agent lead him through troubleshooting. They are helpful.