Is there any problem keeping it away from the PDM for a few hours? Does it need to be close by to make preprogrammed basal changes? Do you sometimes just leave it in the car before going for a jog/walk, and maybe carry a smaller (or cheaper) meter?
Thanks. After wearing one for 3 days, I'm likely going to get an Omnipod in a few weeks. Injecting simply isn't cutting it any more, and I live near the beach/ocean, so wearing an $8,000 medical device that is supposed to be disconnected every time I get in water is not an option.
Once you use it to tell the pod what to do, you don't have to be anywhere near it. I leave it at work when I go to the gym during my lunch hr and bring a One-Touch Ultra-Mini with me. Along with a few packages of Smarties. :)
You'll need it to make any changes to your basal programs or settings as well as needing it to bolus for meals. Once the basal program is uploaded to the pod, you can pack away the PM until it's time to bolus, change a pod, or make any other changes.
My PDM stays in my computer bag or desk drawer at work, or on my desk at home. The only time it is physically on my person is when am I out and about for an extended amount of time that may require either a bolus for a meal, correction for a high BG, or an ill-timed pod change.
Mine sits on my desk all day when I'm nowhere near it. Like others have said, doesn't need to be near you until you want to bolus or change a pod or for things like suspending. I often will start a bolus, then once the clicking starts, leave the pdm and I'm off to the races or off for a motorcycle ride. The only issue would be if you get an alarm, then you're pooched until you get back to your pdm.
I have an office job, so it's pretty much with me all the time. It does not need to be near you for end temp basal settings or preprogrammed basal changes.
On the weekends, I'm all over the house and the pdm pretty much stays on the kitchen counter. If I leave the house, it comes with me. When I work out, I leave it with my stuff in my locker. I suppose if I knew I wouldn't be needing to bolus or make any basal changes, I could travel with a smaller meter on occasions. I just can't ever guarantee that happening.
I just started from daily injections and it is awesome. You'll totally love it.
Wow that was fast. Thanks everyone. Sounds like the perfect solution to me. I'm hesitant to bring a cheap cell phone on to the beach, so it's nice to hear.
I've left mine in my desk drawer at work a few times. It's not really a problem as long as I'm just going to be bolusing for meals and making corrections. I still use pens so I'll just pop on a needle and away I go.
The biggest problem is the dosing differences between MDI versus a pump. The first time I had to bolus with a pen, my dose was wayyyyy off and I ended up chasing highs all night.
I'm ashamed to say that I've forgotten my PDM enough to have gotten pretty good at making the dose adjustment for dinner and breakfast.
Yeah, it took me a few hours to remedy my mistake. So I survived on pens until I was able to get my PDM back. I'll always keep pens around just in case.
I typically keep it with me, but I do leave it in my vehicle when I go to the gym. Whenever I go to the beach, I end up spending so much time there that I do need to bring it with me. A girl's got to eat. I just keep it in its case in a Ziplock bag.
I was locked out of an office at work once, which is where I kept my PDM. I had my basal lowered temporarily. And thank goodness I used the temp basal instead of the suspend feature. It was hours before the office door was unlocked.
I think everyone has covered the issue of the PDM very well. I wanted to mention that since you are at the beach a lot (I am jealous!)you may want to consider getting one of those stretchy bands to slip over the pod to protect it from sand, big waves or potential adhesive loosening from the water. I've never bought one, but this is the company I was told about http://www.bands4life.net/category_20/Teens-Adult-Arm-Bands.htm
