My current pump is about to expire. Really interested in getting this pump as a replacement - worried about the pods cannula insertion though. Have researched via utube and several people have mentioned that these hurt when inserting. Is this the overall opinion? Have to make a decision within the next day or so regarding my pump......
hi debbi, please check out some of our videos. I really like the ones from little Caleb
http://www.tudiabetes.org/video/video/search?q=caleb
he explains how it feels, and there's another one actually showing a pod change.
here's another one
http://www.tudiabetes.org/video/changing-my-pod
and please join this group
http://www.tudiabetes.org/group/omnipodusers
As a happy "podder" for a little over 6 months I can say the insertion is very quick and virtually painless. I guess it stings a bit initially but so does an injection but I wouldn't go back to mdi and I didn't want tubing so this the best alternative for me.
It's "more or less" painless most of the time. Depending on the site, you may feel nothing more than the snap from the mechanism, or it can be a fairly uncomfortable sting from the needle followed by painful irritation from the cannula itself. The only other device I have to compare it to is a Dexcom CGM. I prefer the Omnipod autoinsertion very much more than the Dex manual insertion.
I have to imagine, however, that consistency of painful insertions can't be worse than you would get from a typical infusion set.
Sorry I can't give you more than that, but after nearly 30 years of sticking, prodding, and injecting, I don't know how any company can promise "virtually pain free" anything for a diabetic.
Np.
I would absolutely love to give you a better comparison to what you have to experience now with a typical infusion set if I had any opportunity to use a typical infusion set. I would also love to promise you pain free insertions with the Omnipod. Can't do either of those with a clear conscience.
I will say, for sure though, that I'm very satisfied with the Omnipod and that level of painful cannula insertion from the Omnipod hasn't ever reached the point of being a cause for concern for me personally. I wouldn't call myself a person with a high pain tolerance either.
Best!
I've been on the omnipod for over 2 years and it's definitely the best choice. The insertion is pretty painless, I'd say on average it feels like a finger prick with a new lancet (doesn't hurt but you feel it). Sometimes I don't feel it at all, and sometimes it hurts. I recently switched to shots for a week when I forgot to fill my prescription for more pumps, and the shots were more painful than the pump insertion.
Note: the new omnipod clicks 5-6 times before inserting. The old one clicks 3-5. I just like to be prepared for the insertion :P
I just switched from Omnipod (4+ years) to Animas which uses an Inset brand inserter/cannula. I consider the insertion stick about equal and certainly not a decisive reason to choose one over the other. For me, an advantage with Omnipod is the robotics in the pod do the insertion and does give you a little time to take a breath and relax before zinging you. With the Inset it is all up to you to set the plunger, place it and then fire it off; still time to relax, but I preferred relaxing and being mildly "surprised" by the pod. (PS - I only switched because Medicare covers the Animas along with insulin, but does not cover the Pod or insulin used with it.)
I've used Omnipod, Animas, and Medtronic pumps and many different style infusion sets. As far as insertion pain goes, I've not noticed any appreciable difference between any of the various pumps and combined infusion sets.
As FHS, says, it is more or less painless most of the time. If it is a particularly painful insertion, I've often found that I've nicked a blood vessel in the process, and I withdraw the infusion set immediately and prepare to deal with a "gusher." I'm surprised that I don't have this happen very often, only like a few times per year.
The one advantage of the Omnipod, if you're needle-shy, you don't see any of the action and perhaps the psychological stress is less. It's hard for me to understand fear of needles after a few thousand pokes, but I do know that some people have a visceral aversion to needles. Oh, the pleasures of diabetes!
I am so surprised that anyone's complaining about them hurting. I was shocked at how easy and painless it was. I hadn't been on a pump for a few years, so I don't know how much other pumps are hurting these days, but I have had minimeds and a cozmo, and I swear one other pump, too, drawing a blank, and all of them took a little bit of bravery to change the set. I don't even think of that at all w omnipod.
Also, just have to brag on my omnipod for a minute! :) I had a cold this week, so I pretty much laid around for like two days straight w no shower. Just over two full days after a pod change, I finally got into the shower and looked down and saw a pod on my left side and another on my right side! I had not realized that I'd forgotten to take the old one off. They are super comfortable, but I was shocked that I wasn't even aware that it was still there.
My vote is for you to get the omnipod! But good luck w whatever you choose.
Hi Debbi -
I have never had any other type of pump and have used Onipod for just over 3 years now. It's pretty great! I have not really had any pain with it - with the exception of hitting capillaries and getting a bloody sore set. But that's rare. It can sometimes pinch for a millisecond upon on insertion of the cannula, depending on placement. The pain does not last for any longer than that. I do sometimes get irritated from the adhesive. It can itch and my skin can turn red around the site of the pod. Again, it's not every time. It's sort of random and I do have sensitive skin all over. However, everyone's body reacts differently. Overall, I am pretty happy with it and feel so much more free than when on injections.
Hope it works out!
Yeah, I would say that its more consistently relatively painless than it is relatively painful. but I've had a couple of insertions that were more than just hitting the random blood vessel. Even those are not that painful really.
I don't have a whole lot of fat to provide a lot of sites. I've had a couple of insertions that felt like they inserted directly over a muscle. Very painful on insertion and doubly so whenever the muscle flexed. They were so bad that I had to remove the pod to get any relief. Luckily, those are extremely rare and the sites can be avoided once they are identified.