Hey guys, just started with the pod about 2 weeks ago. I am wondering if
there are many indications of bad sites where the insulin would not be
absorbed properly or slow?
I am using my upper arms and usually this is working, but I have noticed
high numbers even with increased Basal settings.
Thanks,
You guys are GREAT!
Aside from site placement, just FYI, I had to make a lot of changes to my basal rates when I switched from my medtronic pump to the OmniPod. Generally, I had to increase my basal rates. I’m not sure exactly why that was. I sort of assumed that I was getting worse absorption at the new sites that I hadn’t used previously.
Also, I have to change my basal rates now, based on site placement. I have a few different basal settings programmed into the PDM (arm, back, etc) and I now have to change my basal rates when I change my sites.
Just some things to keep in mind.
I think part is just trial and error. I mean, we know that it needs to be subcutaneously in the fatty tissues, and there needs to be enough fat-based tissue to help as it disperses into the interstitial space. So really lean places w/ only muscle, and places where scar tissue have formed (hypertrophic areas of connective tissue that have replaced the normal, functional adipose tissue) are going to be much less successful.
As you start out trying different areas, you might try to make some notes (even if only for a little while) about where exactly the canula is entering, and about how your #s are doing with respect to that location. For example if you have a prominent freckle on your arm, that could be your ID point, and you can say that the canula entered 2" lateral to that spot, or 3" distal and 1/2" medial–or whatever kind of terms work for you obviously 
Hopefully you’ll be able to see patterns of effectiveness vs ineffectiveness, and then you can make future site selections that result in relatively better numbers.
I do not have that much fat on my arms, could this lead to absorption issues? My trainer was not concerned about placing it there…
I agree with both Bradford and Carolyn here…it is a matter of triel and error. YOu will find which sites are the best for YOU. The folks at INsuliet say you can see the canula through the little “sindow” on the "front’ of the pod, I have never been able to see anything through that “window” depending upon where on my body the pod is, although they dont deem to understand why, and they have often made me feel like a fool if I cant do some sort of contortion excercise to see through the window (does anyone else know how this can be done at all times???) I do have my wife look for me when I am seriously doubting the canula has been properly engaged (didnt feel the usual “sting”), but sometimes even she cant tell if the thing is penetrating my skin. sorry for the novel…in a nutshell, just try all sites and keep a log of your bg’s. That is the simplest way!
It depends on where on your arm. If I place canula down I get the pod to stick better…but if I move too far distally (towards my elbow) I don’t have enough fat there to get goo absorption. So it is a balancing act of ‘how low can I go’ and still get it to be effective. If I turn canula up, and put it higher, I get better absorption, but occasionally have problems w/ the edge near the canula peeling sooner than I’d like it to…again, all trial and error, and trying to at least make a mental note about what worked, and what didn’t.
I have problems with absorption in my tummy area, but that’s because I used only that area for the first 8 years of pumping. My arms are ok, but not the greatest. My “sweet spot” for pod placement is my back. Not sure why. And thigh placement spots just simply do not work for me. I have never been able to get a regular pump site or a pod to work there.
It’s all in how your body reacts to them. I would suggest trying out different places and doing basal testing for those areas, kinda like what Carolyn did.
Where do you put it on your back? I have read a lot about that but am concerned about laying on my back and sitting etc.
Thanks!
Hi -
Are you going high right after you insert a new pod? If so, you could be in the small percentage of people who go high immediately after a pod change. We give our son, Will, an additional bolus when changing the pod of 1 unit = 25% upfront and the rest over 3 hours. This seems to keep the high numbers away until the pod “kicks in”. You might try doing that. Our rule is if over BG over 200 - give a unit and if under 200, give 0.50 unit - always 25% for 3 hours. You’ll probably have to play around with it because Will is only 4 years old and you look older than that (:+) but it works great for us.
Regarding sites that work better - we found that the back of the arms absorb great and that sometimes the bum takes a little time before the numbers are stable. I think, like some of the other comments, it depends on your size, scar tissue, etc…
Hang in there!
I too am a pod ‘delay’ diabetic…whenever I am changing my pod I have to give myself a bolus to make sure I am starting the new pod off with good numbers. If I dont, I do get bg’s as high as 350 within a few hours, regardless of meals/food. The one thing I dont understand, susan, is if you “extend” the bolus, does this ‘carry over’ to the new pod? I never thought it did…but obviously I’m wrong. Thanks for the entry/and steerinig me cear on that!
Hi Steve - No, you need to give yourself a little bolus BEFORE you change the pod. Then, when you put the new pod on, do an additional bolus for 1 unit (or more) and extend it over 2-3 hours. Remember, anytime you change a pod, the extended bolus that you use goes away once that pod is deactivated. The PDM sends a signal to the pod re: the extention and that’s how it works.
Hope this helps!
hahhaa steve, i completely agree with you! i actually sent omnipod an e-mail about this… suggesting they make the cannula a colored plastic so it’s easier to see. i live alone so don’t have anyone to help me check it, but i think i could maybe see that in the mirror. : )
the back is my favorite so far. kind of on the sides so it’s not in the way when you’re sitting. basically for me, between the bottom of my bra and the waistband of my pants, just a little farther to the back than where my arm naturally hangs down.
Thank yhou, Susan. I thought maybe the ‘extended’ bolus was transmitted to the new pod while the priming was going on.
Wow…chandra, you can see the canula in the mirrror? You have good eyes! Godd for you!! I tried that one minute ago and there is NO WAY I can see anying in the window!! Keep the good vision!! Have you ever had any laser surgery for retinopathy yet? Hope not, and good luck!
no, i can’t see it! that’s why i was saying they should make the cannula a color so we would at least have a chance!
I have been told the new smaller pods will have tinted cannulas… I was thinking though will a tinted cannula really help? … what if (and I dont) you have dark skin? … … I’m just thinking about tinted contacts (so you can see them in the case) and I hope the tinting is darker than that…