My son is 11 and has been wearing the pod for two and a half years. He loves it which is why we love it. It's the only pump we've ever used, but my son was so against the idea of the tubed pump (we made him wear one for 15 minutes and I think he thought he was dying the entire time.) Yes there have been failures and issues, and a couple month stretch about a year ago where I was wondering if we made the right choice because of them - but even in the midst of that my son was very clear that it was worth it. He is very active and it's definitely been the best choice for us in that arena too.
Great point Eric!
Hi Lindsay! I switched from injections to the pod about 3 months ago and I am so happy with the pod! I have had no problems at all, and was surprised how quickly I adjusted to it.
I also had some worries after reading about some of the issues people seem to have, but I let those go. Not worth wasting the time worrying about things that haven’t happened, and it seems like any problems that do come up can be solved.
Good luck to you!
I was on a 10 mile run yesterday and almost posted here immediately after regarding how great the pod is for runners! 
I love it, my Wife loves that I love it:a perfect world.
Totally love my OmniPod!
I was on the animus before getting the OmniPod, I have had the OmniPod about 4 years now or so, it has issues as others but the support team is very helpful with pod replacements and getting a new pdm out if it fails. I have a had pdms replaced for failing to work for what ever reason. From what I have been informed the new pods are going to be out around June or so this year and that will make a difference to, they will be lighter due to being smaller. again we will have some issues i'm sure but over all I wouldn't give up one the fact of no tubing.
Good Luck and welcome.
Kat
Hey, Lindsay!
Oh, boy! I've wanted to write on this issue for months and months. I type up a long draft, revise it numerous times, and then delete it all together. I figured: who would be interested? and, why tread into contentious area?
Anyway: I'm a fervent believer and supporter of the OmniPod and even of Insulet.
My interactions with Insulet have been nothing but positive thus far.
As far as the OmniPod goes, I have had my good and rough times with it. Sometimes, the 'Pods keep failing. Sometimes, I resent having to attach a machine onto me to keep alive. Sometimes, I resent having to have a bagful of stuff just to handle the most basic element of managing my diabetes. Sometimes, I sigh at having to find a place to put the 'Pod and to find the placement was wrong (there's bleeding, or an occlusion, or other reason why insulin isn't being absorbed).
But when it's all said and done, it's the best I have. It allows me to manage my diabetes to a degree not possible with MDI (in my opinion). And I simply refuse to be on a tubed pump. (I have a huge problem carrying my DexCom with me - I can't imagine an actual insulin pump!)
But, then, I never have and never will expect perfection from the OmniPod. Even when I went through a few months where 90% of the 'Pods in every box would fail, I sighed, and carried on. I felt frustrated with the situation, but I could not, and never will, feel frustrated with Insulet or the OmniPod program. The reason is simple: I'm in the biopharmaceutical industry, and I see the amount of allowable variance. I cannot expect of Insulet what I cannot expect of the company I work in. Frankly, and this is the controversial part, I think it is impractical, unrealistic, and ridiculous to expect perfection or even uniformity from a medical device. In an ideal world, every medical device manufactured would work perfectly. But this doesn't happen. That's reality. And I don't think it can be fixed. It has nothing to do with quality control or the desire - it's simply a fact of manufacturing. So, rather than fight against reality and doom myself to perpetual disillusionment, I simply embrace reality and deal with it.
I also recognize that whatever the OmniPod's faults, every single medical device out there for diabetes management - from blood glucose meters to pumps - have their issues, flaws, malfunctions, and frustrating episodes. Ditching the OmniPod for anything else, including MDIs, simply to avoid malfunctions is like replacing a malfunctioning Toyota with a malfunctioning Ford.
So, I accept that the best we have is the best we have. There is a lot of room for improvement, so I anticipate the future with excitement. But I'm so, so, so very grateful for the resources I do have right now.
That last statement says it all!
I'm late to chime in here, but I am definitely a firm believer in the omnipod. I pumped versions of a MM for about 5 1/2 years, and yes, both types of pumps have "issues", but I think the usability and easy user interface of the pod is awesome.
As long as there is a tubeless pump on the market, I will never go back to tubed. Ever. Love my pods!
Agreed.
I resent everything about having diabetes, which I why I can never say I "love" any aspect of my treatment options. None of it is Insulet's or Omnipod's fault though. They provide a product and service that help me achieve my treatment goals. The product works in a satisfactory manner and the way in which Insulet provides support for the product is exemplary.
In short, if I have to treat my diabetes with insulin, I choose to do so with an insulin pump. If I choose an insulin pump, my choice is the Omnipod. I do not regret either choice and do not see myself going to another pump or back to MDI if I can help it, or until a better tubeless option presents itself. The Omnipod is not perfect, but another pump would have to be an improvement in some way shape or form.
Hi Lindsay...I can't speak of any other system as Omnipod is the only one that I've used and I fought the idea of being on a pump for 2 years after I first got diagnosed. For me it was the thought of being hooked to a machine with a tube..I've seen people with them and it just wasn't for me. I then got the courage to move foward with a pump and choose the OmniPod for since I could be more discreet with it. I would not want to go back to shots and I can say I love my OmniPod as it makes my life so much easier than before. Yes, it has it issues as you can read hear but I can't help but think the positive outweigh the negatives. For me the fact that I don't have to worry about what to do with the pump at night, don't have to unhook for a shower and can move the pod to other locations with out worrying about the tube, I use the pdm meter so I don't have to carrry a seperate meter also. I just had an issue this weekend, first time I had a bad pod in about 1 year, my fault my pdm meter was low on batteries and I used duracell instead of the energizer max. I can honestly say I've only had about about 6-8 bad pods over the last 2 years...It makes my life easier and for that I am very happy. ~Schmutz
When I decided to consider a pump after a couple of years of shots, my endo had just started recommending the Omnipod. When I found out there was a tubeless pump available, it was an easy decision to start pumping. My A1C improved considerably on about one-third less insulin than I was using for injections. Yes, there are a few problems here and there, but I firmly believe the technology will continue to improve and reliability will as well.
I'm proud to say that I'm a brand new podder as of yesterday! :) And I absolutely love it! My numbers overnight were the best I've had in months thanks to the ability to have variable basal rates. I'm so happy that I can't stop thinking why did I not do this before now...
I've been on injections for 25 years and fought going on a pump because of the tubing. I became hypo-unaware so tried out the Dexcom and loved it. I was initially so intimidated by having something inserted in my body but I don't even know I have the Dex or the OmniPod on! Using the Dexcom gave me the courage to go with the OmniPod because, to me, it's very similar in feel. I'm so glad I finally went for it.
I realize there will be issues with the pods just like I've had issues with the Dexcom, but that's technology for you. For me, it's still better than the idea of tubing.
Thanks for sharing your happy story. Good luck to you! After 25 years, you deserve it!
I have had the pod for 3 months now and I love it. Not one issue. I can't imagine going back to injections or a pump with tubing to get tangled up with. No problems with highs or lows. Insulet has been great! I've been trying to sell it to my friends who have tubed pumps!
I am not only generally happy. I am very happy. I love my OmniPod. Not once did I feel a desire to be tethered.
smileandnod,
My story is very similar. I got the dex first. Once I saw what was going on my desire for a pump grew. I was on shots for 36 years.
I have no other pump experience other than the pod, but I am very happy with it. Once I learned of a tube free pump my decision was easy. It will be 2 years in July. As you said, every pump has issues. My endo has said even the traditional pumps can have absorption issues and possible highs after changing. My pump failures have been very few and far between as of late. As some have said, sometimes you may get 2-3 bad ones in a box of 10, but I've had one bad one in the last 3 months, plus an occlusion. I wish you luck. I have no regrets!
I switched from MM to Omnipod about a year ago. I've only had a few problems. In fact, I think it's the best choice I've made regarding my diabetes since going on the pump (like 14 years ago). I am looking forward to the smaller pods and then combo system of omnipod/dexcom. Good luck! You will find it very convenient!