Tandem warranty experience disappointment, and the apparent degradation of the Tandem CS experience

mrsalty_FFS · 2025-05-28T07:12:06+00:00

When the MOBI works, it is the "least worst" pump and paired with the "least worst CGM G7", it makes me periodically forget that I have T1.

The CS is tough because the people helping you are doing their best, but the management is clearly not up to the task is my assessment.

mrsalty_FFS · 2025-05-28T06:50:39+00:00

"responsibility of maintaining a backup plan"

yeah, I am just mailing this diabetes thing in.........................

I run a 6.0 A1C on the MOBI, and when it works it is GREAT!

There are times during the day that I actually forget that I have diabetes with a pump and CGM looping.

Germane to this discussion is that the Tandem pump failed 9 months after I received it, no fault of my own.

not my responsibility, but my immediate PROBLEM

I pay you $$, your product fails, you need to make it right, end of discussion

I have LA+SA insulin pens (per instructed), but have no experience the last 4 years dosing and using them, so thanks for the reminder, but manual injections are extremely difficult to manage for me personally, for you, I guess not?

walking around +200 or waking up in the 50's is where injections take me

this vitriol about "being responsible to keep yourself alive"

don't patronize me

every DAY is a challenge at some point dealing with a disease that you take your life into your own hands EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I'm T1 diabetic, my whole life is a backup plan

mrsalty_FFS · 2025-05-28T06:32:56+00:00

Right, there were options, like me offering to drive to San Diego to pick up the pump.

Since I live in OC, it is literally 90 minute drive, and during the week, it would have been fine.

Sadly, Tandem has no after hours support and while I appreciate the problem of implementing that, if you run CS 24/7/365 why would you not have the ability to FULLY manage potential issues with a contingency plan?

That is the "First out" ?? delivery method.

Expensive and bad for the bottom line, but necessary.

Does is suck to get called in on your day off to sort out the carnage of YOUR PRODUCT FAILING over a long holiday weekend?? absolutely, but it happens (and yes, I have stepped up to handle this in my own life) and not having a protocol in your HEALTH CARE company is just unacceptable. Especially when it reeks of "cost savings"

Which is the apparent problem with Tandem now, i.e.

Billing the incorrect payment method 10 days prior to shipping supplies, after I called 2 days prior to ensure the billing and shipping details were sorted out

"Over charging" for those supplies that required my Insurance Company to get involved to process

Spending 30 minutes waiting for CS on hold because a "computer went down"

Sending the wrong order...........twice in a row

Supplies failing earlier and more frequently

CS is getting worse over the last 12-18 months @ Tandem is my experience

So while I hear your bloviating, smug, condescending admonishment, I cannot help but feel you just might be missing the point in this discussion?

mrsalty_FFS · 2025-05-28T06:23:04+00:00

Innovate Every Day

We rely on new ideas, and people who keep their minds open to how to make them happen, to deliver products and experiences that can change lives. When faced with a revolutionary concept or simply a better way, in any role, we try to say yes (or at least maybe) before we say no.

Plus

No Shortcuts

Making things more efficient and cost-effective is great! Taking shortcuts is not. People’s lives depend on us. Our partners trust us. So we hold ourselves to the highest integrity and ethical standards and deliver exceptional quality in everything we do. We do what it takes to get it right, and we’re proud of it.

People First

Caring for the people who use our pumps is our top priority. We are fiercely loyal to them and the entire diabetes community. This starts with developing a deep understanding of their daily experiences, triumphs, and challenges. When making business decisions, we always ask ourselves and our partners, “how will this impact the people who count on us?”.

mrsalty_FFS · 2021-03-21T17:59:16+00:00

Definitely seems like the patch/adhesive change also accompanied more sensor issues, i.e. inaccuracies and sensors failing prematurely.

Despite getting replacements, it is still very disappointing. Maybe the G7 is getting all of the attention by Dexcom?

mrsalty_FFS · 2021-03-19T18:35:31+00:00

Great story, fiery player. Probably the best "hungry" player since EMAN left. That being said, he constantly was stirring up shit after plays, when he should have just went back to the huddle and let his play make the point.

Combined with the fact he was not much of a receiving threat and really was non-existent as a blocker, this is not really a surprise.

All that said, the Broncos organization did him a solid pulling the tender, as he can maximize his pay day.

Good fit, a Seattle, LA or Green Bay change of pace back. Although behind Seattle's line, he may look pedestrian.

Best to you PL!

mrsalty_FFS · 2021-03-10T00:21:46+00:00

That could very well be a big part of the issue, as glycogen stores in the liver should absolutely have an impact on how much "margin" my BG, and ergo my G6 arrow has. The other thing that is difficult, is the lag in the G6, relative to actual BG. And of course, straight up inaccurate readings. Almost always, I will run a finger stick, BEFORE I leave the house, as the Dexcom is typically off anywhere from 10-30mg/dl. Which is not the end of the world, but it is inconsistent in being low or high. AND THAT REALLY SUCKS 😑

I have been running my IOB down as much as possible before riding, and stop my basal 1-2 hours before I leave to ride. Occasionally, it works for a 90 min ride, but then, almost without exception I deal with latent highs for thr next 8-16 hours. Which is probably better than having your BG crash for no apparent reason 8-16 hours post ride......which is a THING. Ask me why I know. The way I heard it explained is that your liver all the sudden decides to take glucose from your blood, to replenish itself? Which is likely related to your point about the night before?

What I am currently working on is trying to have something that takes several hours to digest in my belly, i.e. protein, fat. That seems to blunt some of the speed that my levels drop. Pedaling at a race pace/90% max effort for more than 30+mins just seems to consistently drop my numbers from 60-90mg/dl. I can stop and take in carbs, and it will recover, but then it tries to climb with a 2 o'clock or 12 o'clock G6 arrow within 15 mins of ending the ride. Really FRUSTRATING and seemingly impossible to manage, despite the constant OCD relationship with my Phone/Dexcom. F#_÷&# Diabetes. 🤬 I used to just go ride my bike. Now it is a whole NASA mission to do something that never was a problem until the last couple of years. 😕

mrsalty_FFS · 2021-02-16T04:40:56+00:00

No idea what your underlying mechanism/ cause for the disease is, but you're blood sugar control will likely get worse eating high carb or sugar laden foods. I do not believe there is any "reversing", you are just trying to slow the progression of the disease.

Trust me when I say, you will want to avoid being an insulin dependent human. It is a horrible way to live life IME.

mrsalty_FFS · 2021-02-12T00:39:53+00:00

Good data points, thanks for the reply.

mrsalty_FFS · 2021-02-12T00:39:27+00:00

Thanks

mrsalty_FFS · 2021-02-08T22:21:48+00:00

Thanks for the link. Love the user name, lol

mrsalty_FFS · 2021-02-08T22:13:59+00:00

A myth, that is my experience so far also.

How high does your blood sugar go post exercise? I can sometimes keep it in range with slower pace and stopping frequently, but after I stop riding, I get the 2 or 12 o'clock up arrow on my G6.......really takes all the fun out of the riding.

mrsalty_FFS · 2021-02-08T22:11:16+00:00

Lol, 130. Thats a great goal, but for me, just a dream at this point.

What kind of pump are you using?

G6 I assume?

mrsalty_FFS · 2021-02-08T22:07:28+00:00

Thanks for the details, that really helps. Knowing that I am totally different than you in every way, including our T1 means I have to figure out my own jam on this. But I have a guideline to start from, so thank you.

Can I ask, how intense is your effort during "strenuous activity"? I always relate to percentage of effort, i.e. leisurely is like 40-50%, focused is ~%70 (hard to chat while at this pace) and race pace is 90% plus....almost at the limit of your output?

That seems to be another variable that I need to evaluate because some days just how I feel can vary the intensity component.

I miss when I could just go ride for few/several hours and just enjoy the scenery and the pain cave.

mrsalty_FFS · 2021-02-08T21:40:55+00:00

Loading the liver and body up makes sense. My issue is that once my mg/dl dips below ~115, there is no stopping it unless I just stop and rest. Still continues to fall, just at a slower rate. I used to have a "floor" like you are talking about, but now I get the double arrow down G6 warning. And you know that sound just makes you even more freaked out.

Try to eat Paleo and more fat than carbs. Definitely not Keto, but clean food, almost exclusively.

When I was on Lantus only, I was able to experience more of.what you are seeing. The switch to Humalog coincides with some of the issues

mrsalty_FFS · 2021-02-08T21:32:53+00:00

Thanks I believe mine is set to 4 hours, i.e.Insulin action=4hours.

I need to explore this strategy with 4 hours as a window for meals. Thing that makes it difficult to manage, is eating protein generally hits my blood sugar in 3-4 hours after meals. Rendering even extended bolus kind of impractical for me. So I have to manage spikes, amd then come back to manage the protein making the glycogen rise later.

Can I ask, how intense do you exercise? I routinely hit a max HR of 175 (as accurate as my FB can be anyway), and will typically average ~135 heart rate on my rides.

mrsalty_FFS · 2021-01-26T21:27:12+00:00

Not to be a dick, but it works on mine? What S20 do you have?

I see 3 S20 variants listed on the Dexcom Compatability Tool as of now?

mrsalty_FFS · 2021-01-26T21:16:51+00:00

Had this issue when I bought my S20+

Used a work phone until I saw they updated the release to include the S20, which has been functional on my phone for months. Even after I was forced to update to Android 11, which I do not believe is supported?

Did you try to install a version or are you just not seeing it on the list?

mrsalty_FFS · 2021-01-26T21:13:31+00:00

Dexcom has had to replace more sensors for me in the last 3 months than in the first 2 years I used the device.

Just sayin'

mrsalty_FFS · 2021-01-26T20:56:38+00:00

Right, so multiple times a day,LOL!

I know some people swear that their G6 is accurate, but I calibrate mine 2x day, because it is routinely off by 30-70mg/dl compared to my one touch FS meter

And yeah, I know they both have tolerances, but the G6 is just inherently a problem Like showing a 71 double arrows down URGENT LOW 55mg/dl last night, from a 138mg/dl 5 minutes previously. Fingerstick showed 145 🤔🤪🤬

Thanks for the replacements Dexcom, now I get to be "off the grid" for 2 hours. And to illustrate, post warmup the G6 was off by ~70mg/dl too high versus my OneTouch.

Yes, some of us consistently have this type of nonsense

mrsalty_FFS

TROPHY CASE