OK guys and gals, I’ve finally decided it is time to start pumping after 5 years of shots. I’ve narrowed it down to OmniPod or t:slim. I like everything about the t:slim except the tube. I like everything about OmniPod except for the high failure rate of the new pods and not knowing if it will stay attached during intense weight training and cardio at the gym. How easy is it for the cannula to be dislodged with a lot of movement around the site where the pod is attached?
Convince me that OmniPod is the way to go. Thanks in advance!
I should also add I am getting the Dexcom G4 sensor.
It's the tube: if you are *not* happy with the tube on conventional pump units then the Omnipod is the way to go. If you *are* happy with a tube then you have more choices.
Then, it's the water: if you regularly engage in water sports up to and including skin diving (scuba is a little more difficult) then you probably want an Omnipod. Other devices claim to be waterproof, but if you are on a boat snorkeling or skin diving, or on a jet ski, you will probably disagree.
Most other issues disappear faced by a positive in either of those decision points. If you are worried about dislodgement people have reported all manner of water based activities including diving in without problem. On the other hand most issues of detachment seem to be wardrobe or door jamb related - you can whack an Omnipod off very easily just stepping through a door, or pulling down your pants/pantyhose.
I haven't heard *anyone* report canula problems caused by exercise; it's always the clothes rubbing on the pod. (E.g. I've hefted 80lbs bags of cement into a mixer and the problem at the end of the day was the sweating under the weight belt, where the Omnipod was located; it eventually dissolved the adhesive.)
I was on the Cozmo pump for about 5 years before switching to Omni Pod. I definitely like tubeless better. I have not had as many of the failures that others have been experiencing, even with the new system. With the old Pod system I think I only had a total of 5 pod errors in 3 years. 3 were due to static electricity and the other 2 were unknown. With the new system I've only had 2 failures. The first one happened when the pod was priming and the cannula deployed during the priming step, the other occurred near the end of my 3 days and it just error'd out during a bolus delivery. Not sure why. The thing I love the most about tubeless is having the ability to place the pod just about anywhere. With a tubed pump, you're limited by the length of the tubing and whether you'll require assistance with infusion site insertion. I'm sure some of the others will chime in and offer their opinions & suggestions. I also have the Dexcom G4 and love it. Much better than the old Dex 7. BTW, love your profile pic. Is it a Formula?
Not having a tube and pump trailing around was very important. I often don't even take the PDM with me on short trips where no bolus will be needed Most pumps are not waterproof so you will be often disconnecting and interrupting basal ( where would you put it in the shower anyway?) Since there are a variety of possible sites you should have no problem finding one stable enough. Automatic catheter insertion is another plus as is you are not dependent on one pump. If a Pod fails you have a replacement immediately available. In addition, the new pods are much smaller and lighter than the original. You can also get elastic bands - look like sweat bands. which would stabilize the pod attached to arm or thigh.
Pod failure is an individual experience for the most part. While there have been several batches with high failure rates most problems are user related. Some site areas work well for one person but not for another. Proper start-up procedure comes with experience. When I started 2 years ago I would have as many as 3 failures per month. This dropped to one every couple of months. With the new pods it has been 2 of 30. In all cases the pods were replaced within 2 days BTW Insulet seems to have pretty much corrected the long phone wait times experienced most of this year Last two calls were answered (during middle of the day) within 3 minutes.
Omnipod was my first choice and has worked well for me A1c averaging <6.5 from the start. Not needing a rather large device clipped to a belt is a major plus for me but I don't carry around a cell phone or other attachments either. Never had the craving for a Batman Utility belt Second choice would have been Animas Ping which at least has a wireless remote PDM. The little LCD screen can be very hard to read in full sunlight and it is much easier to maneuver a detached device into the shade rather than your belt.
The G4 will be a good aid while learning insulin management of the omnipod and as an alert for trends in BG at near real time. I understand there has been significant accuracy improvement over the Seven plus but you should never base any bolus calc. on a CGM. You should be testing BG 10-12x/day and bolus meals and corrections accordingly.
All of these devices - BG tester, Dexcom remote and Pod remote are somewhat sensitive to extreme temperature so protect them accordingly.
Yes, '96 Formula 336. We live on Lake Murray and do a lot of boating so the waterproof pod makes a lot of sense. Ultimately I think I will end up going with OmniPod. The tube has always been a hang up for me when thinking about pumping. I think I’m looking forward to the G4 as much or more than the pump.
I have not had any issues with the canula during exercise (both lifting and cardio) as far as I am aware. I did have one occasion where during exercise my pod failed. I don't know why it failed, but it certainly did not become unattached. However, I distinctly remember seeing another user post that he had been having frequent problems with his canula during sparring.
I have had about seven pods fail (not user related, as far as I'm aware) in the last two months since I switched to the new generation. But I have my contact with Insulet down to a near science at this point, so it's no hassle. Regardless, I'm confident that they will resolve the failure issues over time.
I agree with what everyone else has been saying - been using Omnipod for over a year now and have had no issues during strenuous exercise. It's the only pod I considered due to the tubing issue. When it has come detached it's been more stupid everyday things like the already-mention bumping the door frame or changing clothes. I actually stopped ever wearing the larger pod on my arm for these reasons, but so far with the smaller one none of these things have happened.
I was nervous about switching to the new system based on all I had seen here, but so far I've had only one fail out of 10 pods. I think everyone's experience is valid, but I also think it is a classic case of people (myself included) being much more likely to reach out when there is a problem. Not many of us post to say "hey, everything's fine!" :)
Keep in mind that a failure is much more likely to be mentioned here than weeks or months of flawless pod performance. I was one of the first on this forum to convert to the new pods and had a horrific failure rate until I was told the proper way to fill the pods, which is different than the old pods. Now, my success rate is as good or better than the original pod design, probably better. I never used a tube pump, but I can't imagine liking tubes nearly as much as tubeless. I play a pretty physical basketball game regularly. The only problem is occasionally getting a pod knocked off -- never a cannula issue. Good luck with your decision.
Dont let the “high failure” rate of a lot of people on here scare you off. Im on box number 6, and have has 2 fail, both my fault. One I filled too quickly and didn’t pay attention to how much I put in, the other I knocked off on a door (guess thats not really a failure) As long as you fill with room temp insulin, under 200 units, etc, you will be fine.
I also cant imagine being attached to a tube…I sometimes forget I am even wearing the pod since you dont remove it for swimming/showers/etc.
I haven’t gotten on board with a Dexcom, cause I test my blood about 10 times per day and would rather not have another device attached to me.
I got the G4 in November last year. It is what ultimately convinced me after 38 years of MDI that I should be pumping. I chose the omnipod for both the tubeless design and the waterproofing. I swim regularly for exercise and couldn't see disconnecting every time I hit the pool or shower or hot tub. I started the omnipod in late May. I have had a few pods fail without any reason. A couple of occlusions and 2 pods fall off my arms on the third day of wear. One during a spirited racquetball match and the other just after a hot shower. The pods have allowed D to be far less intrusive in my life. Keep in mind though with the G4 and the Omnipod you will have 2 pieces of plastic stuck on your body 24/7. And two pieces of hardware to carry around or stash on your belt. I reserve the tops of my thighs for the dexcom sensor. I switch from one side to the other about every 3 weeks or so. Anyplace else is fair game for the pod but I notice it far less when it is on my abdomen. I play racquetball and tennis and swim so my arms move all the time, never mind working on the computer at work. So a pod on my arms tends to get sore after a few days.
