OmniPod Newbie Guidance

Diabetes Technology Insulin Pumps
#1

I am a new OmniPod user, the first few days were perfect however the other day I encountered 2 pod alarms and also an occlusion alarm. I have change the site from the buttocks to the arm - I feel because of the bad experience I am now becoming over cautions and trying to avoid too much arm movements - should I really just carry on as I normally would forgetting I’m wearing a pod - and put the alarms down to the buttocks as not a good site for me?

What are other good areas to wear the pod? From previous pump and injection sites I need to try and avoid the stomach / front area.

I have also found after taking my breakfast bolus I tend to run high, when taking the same amount I have previously taken using my old pump, so it seems as if the pod takes a while, like me, to wake up the morning. I have noted in other discussion there is recommendations to take the bolus sooner. Where I have a bad day I’m not sure if this is just normal for the pods / how it works for me and I just need to make the necessary adjustments or a pod error?

#2

HI Steve, well I know for myself absorption is different depending on where I put the pod.
works well for me on the buttocks, thighs arms, and on the girls. lol I know some ppl also use it by there love handles. my best site is on the girls, then back of arms, back and then thighs. as for pod alarms you may of just gotten a bad batch. occlusion’s could caused by anything, pod alarms hopefully you called them in so you can be reimbursed for them. they may reimburse you for the occlusion as you are a newbie. I would not worry to hard though that could cause issues with your blood sugar. lol. good luck, hope things improve as it is a wonderful freedom being tubeless.

#3

Thanks for the response Dishers. After a slight high after breakfast today is going well. I totally agree about the freedom, it’s a bit of a weird feeling having it stuck to my arm but I can live with that one!

#4

do you drink coffee in the morning? I notice that if I have more then a cup of coffee 2 or more, that I put in 2 units to compensate and my sugars stay stable.

#5

I've been on the OmniPod system for 9 years but just went off because it's no longer insured so I had to go on the Tandem. Anyway... Sometimes those occlusions just happen and they can be pretty bad bleeders but like dishers said, call Insulet and they'll replace them for free. I found my bg was most stable when I wore the pods on the back of my upper arm but a couple of times they were ripped off by walls and chairs attacking me. lol You know what I mean. :-) So the best place for me was my belly although I've built up a lot of scar tissue there. My doctor increased my basal ratios to keep my BG more on target in the morning and I always gave myself a bit more correction when changing the pod. After a little while it will fall into a pattern and you'll know when to administer a bit of a correction. Try not to get too upset about it because as you know adrenalin really raises the BG. I loved the freedom of a tubeless pump but now I have no choice. Oh, I don't know your age but just a little warning . . . when you go on Medicare, it doesn't cover the OmniPod Pump. That's why I had to change. They're currently trying to change that but they told me they've been trying for the past 10 years and Medicare simply states it's a "luxury"... hmmmm. Anyway, congratulations and once you're used to it you're going to LOVE IT.

#6

I think there ought to be a lobby/political movement. I don't think that a tubeless pod is a luxury, nor is a CGM. Having only used a "trial" Dex G4 for about a week, I see its value. Currently, I am in the process of obtaining the Dexcom and will likely be considering the pod. I'm taking it one step at a time; partly because I'm unsure which insulin pump yet. Whereas from everything that I've read in this group, the Dexcom G4 seems to be an overwhelming favorite and also possibly more accurate than other CGM. What do you all think?

#7

speaking for myself, I love the pod. although it is the only pump I have had. I can be very active and I would not want to snag tubes on anything. that was my though when I decided on the pad and have not changed my mind, the dexcom I pay out of pocket for so that should tell you how I feel about that. LOL. I think you are wise to take your time in deciding I agree it should not be a luxury it should be a life saving tool to be used. good luck in your decisions I am sure it will be the right fit for you. =)

#8

Wish I had the Dexcom... that's also considered a "luxury" and unfortunately I can't afford to pay the out of pocket costs.

#9

From what I've read elsewhere in tudiabetes, it seems that site rotation is very important for pump users. What about the DexCom? I'm not familiar with the pumps and pods; can these be changed every 2 days or simply taken off anytime? The Dex, if you take it off, you have to buy a new sensor.

#10

The pods can only be used maximum 3 days. Dex will only guarantee for a week but ppl have had them working for 3 weeks or more.

#11

Thanks you to all who have responded to my question and given me some helpful guidance. I am liking the OmniPod and still learning how to get the best from it, and thank you for all the tips! I’m having better days since changing from that original problem site. I have to say on a good day the OmniPod is great and so much better than my old tube pump!

I’m a breakfast tea drinker and move to coffee later in day!

#12

Why is it that the pod can only be used for 3 days? Is there a "reset button"? With the Dex, there is a start session, which is the way to get around it. Pardon my ignorance. I am considering the pod if/when I go to the pump. Currently I am on MDI.

#13

The cannula can only stay in the same place for up to 3-days, or will cause issue to the site area, and can only be inserted once into the skin. Also the pods can hold about 3-days worth of insulin only and can’t be refilled. I have lumpy thicker skin in my old comfort areas from where I used to inject using a syringe / pen and from my early pump days so my insulin doesn’t get absorbed that well from these sites.

#14

I believe the main reason is that the battery in the pod only lasts three days. Also like what Steve said you don’t want it to stay in to long due to infection.

#15

Thanks for clarifying that. How many units can the pod hold? The pod is basically a "disposable", right?

#16

I believe it's 300 units... I only filled mine to 120 units because my body doesn't need that much at a time.

#17

That's good to know.

I always feel so wasteful when I discard my insulin pen after 28 days even when there is so much remaining. Sigh.

#18

The pod holds 200 units.

#19

I wear mine on my upper butt cheeks and arms mostly. In the 3 years I've been wearing the Omnipod I've only ever had 4 pods fail or have occlusions. So it can happen. I don't think you did anything wrong. I have little kids, I bike, and even this past weekend I just went white water rafting (class 5 rapids) again in my Omnipod and Dexcom. So don't worry about moving. I have found better "positioning" over time. Like I will angle them slightly and it increases the comfort level when sitting and for arm movement. But I don't even notice them anymore. I've never knocked one off either. Different spots have different absorptions, BUT what you have eaten (even the night before) can impact your insulin needs, along with hormones. So don't always be quick to blame the pump.

#20

Katkat:
Will you clarify, "BUT what you have eaten (even the night before) can impact your insulin needs"? I find that my doctors think that all food spikes within 1 hour. I don't find that to be the case.