I'm going to purchase an Omnipod system with the "cut the cord" program, and I have some questions. I've worn Animas and Minimed pumps over the past 10 years and am excited but nervous. My main motivation is to be able to swim while keeping my pump on. I currently use MM CGM and plan to continue. Can you measure your bg on a different meter and put it into the PDM? I have a ton of Bayer strips. Also, for girls, is it very noticeable under fitted clothes? Do you ever forget to take the PDM with you? Any tips for pod placement? I received a demo years ago but thought the pod was too large at that time. Hopefully the smaller size works better for me!
Glad to have you join us! 1) You can absolutely use any meter. The first thing the bolus menu asks you to do is enter your blood sugar. If you use the built in meter it's there for you, otherwise you just scroll to it. No problems!
2) It is somewhat noticeable under fitted clothes. I've never had anyone ask about it but I have found some less noticeable parts of my body to use when I want to dress up (these include very low on the stomach about an inch below the belly button and my thighs).
3) I've forgotten the PDM a couple times. You only need it if you're going to bolus but you can not bolus without it. I've got a small purse I keep all my supplies in that lives on my body throughout the day to minimize this. It does sometimes happen but not often.
4) Pods can go anywhere you have enough fat for the cannula to stick in. I generally use my stomach, love handles, backs of arms, and thighs. I've heard of people doing really odd things (breasts, chest, calf, etc.) but I've never tried them. You'll lose a couple pods at first figuring it out and then settle on your favorite areas.
6) The smaller size really is much better but it is still somewhat noticeable. Progress but not perfect.
Hi, I have never used a tubed pump but have been pretty happy with the Omnipod for the past 2 years. Yes, you can measure your BG with another meter and enter it into the PDM - not a function I have used much so I can't really speak to its effectiveness, but it is possible! I do not think the pod is noticeable under fitted clothes. I usually wear mine on my low abdomen or low back/upper butt - pretty much beneath my underwear, and it never shows when I have it in those positions. Recently a family member who I see on a fairly regular basis asked me where the heck I put it because she has never seen it! Once every few pod changes I will put it on my arm, but mainly only in winter when I am wearing long sleeves - and you will see a bump on my arm so it's not my favorite. I have also swam (swum?) in it, with no issues. I have fortunately only forgotten my PDM once or twice - a big pain unless you have extra insulin on hand, OR don't need to bolus. I was surprised at how easily I got used to always taking it with me. The new smaller pods are nice, but I still dream of the day when the pods are even smaller and the PDM can shrink a little too!
Thank you both! Are you able to wear it under swimsuit bottoms? Do either of you wear CGM? I guess it'll just add one extra thing to carry in my purse (meter, cgm, pdm) so hopefully it won't be a big deal! My current CGM reads out on my pump, but I have a separate unit I can carry when I switch to Omnipod (think it's called Real Time).
I've worn it swimming. I find if I'm in the water for more than 3-4 hours I have trouble with adhesion. I usually only run into this if I'm at a water park. I also don't usually worry about hiding the pod so sometimes it's under the suit, sometimes it's not. I also use the Dexcom CGM and yea, it's something extra to carry but the advantage is you can put it down and walk away when you don't need it. I keep the PDM in a locker at water parks or pools and don't have to worry about it except when I want to eat. It's another bit of freedom in my opinion.
