So far, I must admit the Vyalev pump provides the benefits I was hoping it would. My off periods are greatly reduced or non-existent, I’ve been more physically and mentally stable, and I turned into a werewolf. But I do have a couple of problems with the whole setup, not the least being…
Where do I put this thing?
For the uninitiated, here’s how it works (though not necessarily in this order). You pick a spot on your belly, and stick a cannula onto it. The cannula is attached to one end of a small tube. At the other end of that tube is the pump. So you’ve got a tube attached to your belly (and it ain’t goin’ nowhere), and a pump in your hand. Obviously, you don’t want to walk around all day with one hand always occupied by this pump, so you have to figure out where to put it.
When I received the pump a few weeks ago, I was given a holster (specifically designed for this pump) with an elastic belt. I already had a Velcro strap with a built-in pouch that had come with a heating pad I bought several years ago. And there was always the possibility of just putting the thing in a pants pocket. I have now tried all three; here are my reviews of each:
Vyalev holster and elastic belt: This belt has a weird buckle that took me a while to figure out, but it’s so stretchable that I almost don’t need to unbuckle it. In fact, I usually start by buckling it and securing the pump in the holster, then pulling the whole kit and kaboodle over my head, to rest just above my belly. It’s very easy to slide the pump around when needed (like when fastening a seatbelt or sitting at a low table / desk). Plus, depending on where I choose to position it, the pump’s buttons and display can be easily seen and accessed. The main drawback to this one is that the holster tends to bounce freely around when I am physically active, so it’s not the best when going to the gym.
Velcro strap with pouch: This is not stretchy. In fact, if placed and fastened well, this one definitely keeps a firmer grip on the pump than the other two options. It’s very snug and very secure. But it’s very difficult to get this thing placed and fastened well without help from another person. Once it’s in place, it is difficult to adjust / move, and the pouch does not provide visibility nor accessibility to the display and buttons. Just reading the pump’s screen practically requires getting undressed. Then there’s the matter of unfastened Velcro strands scratching my torso.
Just put it in ya pocket: This seems like the easiest way to go about it, and it is…provided the pocket is large and loose enough. The pump is fairly sizable: approximately 6.5 x 3 x 1.25 inches. Some of my pants don’t have pockets that big. Of the ones that do, most of them are too tight to comfortably stuff the pump in. And sitting on a toilet presents its own challenges. Of course, I can always stop the pump and disconnect for a few minutes, but I’m a little paranoid about fecal bacteria and handling devices that are that are about to pump fluids into me. I’m not into that shit.
More pump-related news…
There will be no Throwback / Thymptom Thursday this week, or the following two weeks, as I am finally hitting the road again. After SEVEN MONTHS of languishing at home, I’m headed for Iowa. This will include my first experience trying to get through airport security with the pump. I will let you know how that goes.
Voyages with Parkinson's 
it’s a shame that after all this wait time we get this lousy pump. I mean here the infusion device you call a pump. It’s a joke. I couldn’t believe I had to get a syringe and fill it in and insert in the device. Where do you guys live? We’re in the 21st century and you come up with this toy??? Even little kids would laugh at this invention. Don’t take me wrong, the idea is nice and infusing the medicine is good but the device sucks. Guys look at Omni 5 devices for insulin infusion. Can you borrow one for a day and take some pictures???
I tried it for 2 weeks and couldn’t do it because of skin reaction but also the bulky pump was a big disaster. I can’t believe you’re charging 62 k a year considering that the medicine itself is old and has been known for many years meaning that you patent is about the pump ???? And that is the faulty part by all means. I was very grateful for offering it to me for free initially until my insurance approved it but I couldn’t use it for the skin reaction and when I saw how the Omni 5 insulin pump is made I felt angry over the so little effort done to come up with a real pump the really works.
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I agree the Vyalev “pump” is rather clumsy, and the daily ritual of filling and swapping out the syringe is a pain. I haven’t looked at the Omni 5 devices…might have to do that at some point.
Ultimately, it took me a few weeks to get used to the thing, but now I’m fine with it. And it’s sturdier than it appears to be…I wear my Vyalev pump to all my Rock Steady Boxing sessions, and have taken it on about half a dozen roller coasters, AND have dropped it a few times. It takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’
BUT, I too am having some reaction around the infusion sites. I’ll be talking to my Parkinson’s specialists on Monday, and will see what they might have to say about my skin/sub-skin issues. I will report back here.
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My husband also had the skin irritation, however, once this was approved by the fda, and he recieved his first prescription, they sent the cannulas with the 6mm instead of the 9mm (I believe that’s are the correct #’s) and that has helped tremendously
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my husband was a part of the initial study. We have used this pump for about 4 years. We have gone through airport security, we always travel with a dr’s note, they have pulled him aside to inspect the pump and they have swabbed his hands for powder residue. But still fairly quick experience.
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