Well I’m back after a looonnnggggg time away! I find out tomorrow whether I will be able to get the Omnipod finally after nearly three years of mithering! So can anyone give me any tips or advice for a new user??? All comments are welcome as I really need to sort myself out xx
I think a pump can be really effective. The key is to become really good at using the pump. I would really recommend the book "Pumping Insulin" by John Walsh. Hope that helps. And welcome back. Rumor is that just being active at tuDiabetes can lower your A1c.
I hope it works out for you!
The first thing I would offer is advice on removing the pod. DON'T just grab a corner of the adhesive and rip it off, like I did. It'll hurt like, well, a lot! Try to time your shower with removal and when the adhesive is nice and wet, gently pull your skin away from it. Start by peeling off a little bit of the adhesive strip and then work your finger under the pod. Then just work your way around until you're back at the starting point, pulling your skin away rather than pulling the strip away. This is the least painful way I've learned (and really, it's almost pain-free).
If you are going to put it on your arm, you might want to get one of those "bands for life" ... I think they're pretty good. Bands 4 Life )I hope that link worked - my first attempt)
If you don't require more than 85 units per pod, load just slightly more than 85 units into your syringe and then s-l-o-w-l-y fill the pod. Listen carefully for the double beep indicating you've reached the minimum of 85 units and then stop. You can put any extra back into the vial.
I bet there's more but that'll do from me, for now. Hooray for you!!
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Hi,
I have been on Animas Vibe pump for about 10months now, and would never go back to shots. My advice would be to make sure bolus, basal ratios are spot on, as it is too easy sometimes to override manually with shot of insulin (therefore effectively working similar to shots). Once you get, and maintain ratios, you will notice your hbaic improving.