I just had yet anther problem with my PDM and am waiting for a new one to be delivered. My question is Does anyone else have to replace their PDM on a regular basis? This is my fourth since starting less than 2 years ago> Really frustrating.
I’ve never had to replace a PDM. What sorts of problems are you having?
In over two and a half years of use, we have only had to replace my daughter’s PDM once. And I have to wonder whether we caused it to die an early death because we stressed its poor little brain out by ignoring the low battery notification and kept on using it until there was no battery power left whatsoever. After putting in a fresh, new set of batteries, it just never came back to life (despite using several different sets of new batteries purchased from different stores and trouble-shooting with the Insulet customer service dude). That occurred at about 2:00 AM and believe it or not, a new PDM was delivered to my office the same day! (Or was it the next day… all I have to say was that it was replaced exceptionally quickly!)
okay Well I think perhaps mine is related to batteries I used. I used a lithium once and that caused a problem but the other two times I used alkaline. This latest I used alkaline which MAY have been old but they were all I had handy so I used them and thrity min later had the PDM error and later still could not test blood sugars. Of course this always happens on the weekend.
Anyone contacted Omnipod to see if obtaining a spare PDM is possible? Any luck getting insurance to cover that?
I have used eneloop rechargeable batteries for about the past year with no problems. I bought four and keep two charged up at all times. They last as long as regular batteries and are much cheaper in the long run.
I just got my second replacement PDM in 2+ years. The last replacement was for a fourth random pdm time out error over a series of several months. When I would get that message it usually, but not always, would require a hard reset using a paper clip to trip the reboot button in the battery compartment. Insulet has replaced it twice now under warranty, but I can’t even recall what the first one was for. Good news is I’m over two years into using OmniPod and have a brand new PDM at no additional cost to me.
As to your question regarding a spare, I have an upcoming 18 day river trip through the Grand Canyon in June/July where getting any sort of replacement in case of failure would be impossible. Before sending my slightly defective PDM back in, I called Insulet and asked them if I could keep the old one through the end of the trip as a spare, since it works most of the time. They were very helpful and accommodating and have flagged my account so as not to charge me for the old one until the end of July, by which time my trip will be over and I will be able to send the old one back in. I would love to have a full time spare, but they were at least willing to do it under those special circumstances, so kudos to Insulet. It never hurts to ask. I did ask what the going rate was for a slightly defective used pdm with the thought of purchasing a full time spare, and the told me $500, although I don’t believe that was an official quote. I am considering it.
Thank you for your response. I am waiting till the new PDMs come out and hoping to keep my old one at that time. Praying the new version gets FDA approved very soon!!!
Have you heard any timeline on the new PDM’s? I wasn’t aware that a new one is coming out. I have one that is about 1 year old (due to being replaced because of failure) but it is not officially under warranty. I had switched to an Animas pump, but not back on Omnipod.
If I get a new PDM, I will have to pay for it since I’m not due for a new one yet.
Please tell me what the new features will be if you know.
Thanks
I hadn’t heard anything definitive about a new PDM coming out, but there is certainly room for improvement. The main thing is really just the size - it is too big for me to reasonably carry in my pocket. It would greatly simplify things if they would just make it and my dexcom cgm just all work directly through my iphone!
Good news…Insulet has a new PDM, supposedly out by mid-year. It looks very much like a slim I-phone, with a 25% larger screen. It has Blue tooth capabilities to pair w/Dexcom 5 mobile app and later Insulet’s own app.
Also, it will use Freestyle LITE test strips and has a rechargeable battery, lasting 4 days.
Jim2 had an inside line to Insulet, so perhaps he can supply anymore info. 
here’s what I could find on the new PDM called the Phoenix
http://asweetlife.org/feature/7-new-diabetes-products-to-look-for-in-2016/
I wish I knew more, @JoedyRose. The latest analyst call last week provided little information on the new PDM, although company officials continue to move as quickly as possible toward smartphone integration, recognizing patients want fewer devices to carry around.
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Perhaps by end of year…appreciate any info you are able to relay to us regarding Insulet. Thank you!
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Well that’s kind of exciting! I like the new smaller size and the screen/interface looks much friendlier. It’s impossible to have it all, and in day to day use the pdm being rechargeable will be great, but for my upcoming 18 day trip away from electrical outlets I really do appreciate the fact that I can bring spare AAA batteries along. I hope that the pods will continue to work with both the old CGM and the new version so that we can keep our old models as backups when we do decide to upgrade. Thanks for sharing the link.
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