I very recently started using the Omnipod system and had to replace a pod. After filling the pod with insulin, instead of two beeps, I got an alarm. This happened to several pods after the first one. Then, after 5 more pods got the same result, I was finally able to complete the pod change. Does anyone know why this happened and have any advice for preventing this problem in the future?
Hi Dana,
Don’t discard the bad pods, send them back. Call OmniPod, tell them what happened and they’ll send you replacement pods. I never had that many fail, especially in a row. Seems like that particular Lot was faulty and it’s a shame being a new client. There’s nothing you can do to prevent this from happening, they either work or they don’t. That happened to me a couple of times in the beginning but I haven’t had a problem since. Let us know how you’re doing.
I had a problem with pods failing which I had been carrying around as spares if I needed to change a pod when I was not at home. Sherri Ann was the first person I saw posting about this.
Another thing I can think of is the temperature of the insulin. Omnipod states that the insulin should be room temperature.
Another problem I have read about is having multiple pods in the area when changing pods. After reading about it, I make sure that only the currently active pod is in the room when I deactivate it. Then I remove the deactivated pod from the room and bring in a new pod before I begin the activation process.
I also read that one user leaves the pod in the plastic packaging until it has primed. I do this now just to try to eliminate any possible problem.
Good luck.
Cold insulin…bubbles in the syringe will cause this. If your old pod is in close proximity, you could also get an alarm. Hope this helps.
Yikes! Not a way to build confidence! I have only had one Pod problem, it just didn’t beep. There was another pod in close proximity, so I don’t know for sure what the problem was, but I called Insulet, and they sent a replacement. Good Luck!
I had a similar problem for a while… I think mine was actually cold pods, not cold insulin. I always made sure to warm the insulin but I think the temperature of the pod mattered for me. I haven’t had the problem in a while though so either I managed to stop using the pods when they were cold or it really was just a couple bad boxes. Good luck in the future.
Thanks Janet! I called and the pods will be replaced.
Thank you, Brad. Those are all good things to keep in mind when I have to activate my next pod. I probably did, at least in the beginning, use insulin that wasn’t quite room temperature. Also, maybe other pods were around. I definitely will leave the pod in the plastic tray until it is primed. That was a real frustrating night and one I do not care to repeat.
Thanks for the advice!
I will definitely remember this. Thanks!
Next time I will make sure there are no other pods around. Maybe this was the reason. I got the pods replaced so I feel a bit better about it. Thanks!
Wow! Temperature seems to be very important when it comes to using the pods. I appreciate the heads-up!
Thanks!
Dana…Just went thru my training yesterday…have only had my first pod on for 24 hrs now! They did tell me to never put cold insulin in the podd. The other thing that came up was to remover the podd from the plastic case that it come in. They showed me how to fill a test one and when I got an error they told me to remove it from the case and told me that for some reason it creates an error when trying to communicate with the pod. Not sure this will help, and only what I just learned as I have not even filled and placed one on by myself yet…Good Luck!
Weird! They told me to always keep it in the plastic and on a flat surface while filling it. I’ve always put it back in the plastic. I guess it might make sense though since we know that static electricity negatively affects the pods. It’s just strange that we were told two opposite things!
I, too, was tod to fill the pod in the plastic case…strange.
I fill it both ways… in and out of plastic. The plastic just keeps it in place because sometimes if the pod is not on a flat surface it may spin if you’re not holding it to secure it.
You’re correct…I thought that was the rational behind putting it back in the plastic. However, I have primed it on my body…definitely not a flat surface!! That happened when I forgot to prime it because of being more whacky than usual.
Not a flat surface but DEFINITELY secure in place and I think that’s the rational behind it so it doesn’t “spin” away and end up on the floor. 
I have used an omnipod for 3 years. I have finally had it with the unexplainable highs the CONSTANT failures and the no vibrate feature. I ditched the pod in June and moved to animas. animas is definetely the best pump on the market. omnipod is worst the biggest mistake I ever made was getting it. I hate it with a passion. My doctor hates it too after prescribing it to so many patients who hate it she will discourage people from getting it.
how does every one else feel about the pod