Firstly apologies if this topic has been covered before.
I've had type 1 since 1977 (diagnosed at the age of 6) and for the last 8 years have been on insulin pump therapy. I'm currently using a Roche Spirit pump but have been having absorption issues which has led to my BG levels fluctuating.
So my diabetes team recommended I trial the Omnipod.
Yesterday I started my 2-week trial and 1 day in all seems ok. However I'm looking for any advice on the best way of removing the Omnipod when the insulin is depleted. I understand the adhesive is quite strong and I've been told to either soak it in the bath, or apply baby oil before trying to take it off.
Any other suggestions/tips?
I live in the UK so if any other gel/oils are recommended I would need to see if there are available in the UK.
Curious as to how the pod will solve your absorption problem. Is it because you would be using different sites that are harder to use w/a tubed pump (back of arm, etc)?
I have 2 kiddos on the omnipod. They do a hot shower then just rip it off like a bandaid. Sometimes if it sticks really bad, we use uni-solve to unstick it.
Hi All. Many thanks for all your replies. I’ve gone for the basic approach of ripping it off, or rather letting my wife do it, which she has found to be very therapeutic!
The Omnipod really seems to have helped with my absorption issues as it pumps a lot slower than my current pump meaning I don’t get the lumps under my skin.
Unfortunately though the trial is coming to an end, and so I’m reluctantly going to have to return the Omnipod and go back to my regular pump and the infusion ‘tube’ etc until my funding can be re-allocated.
I see that you are on the Accu Chek Spirit pump, the same one as me. When delivering a bolus, the Omnipod delivers the bolus amount much slower than the Spirit pump, probably 5 times slower! For me that's great because it stops me getting lumps under my skin where the insulin builds up and doesn't disperse properly.
Latest update. I attended my Diabetic Clinic yesterday and have decided to move over to the Omnipod. Whilst on the trial my average BG reading was 6.4 mmol/l over 11 days, where normally it runs in the high 7's low 8's.
Just got to wait now for my pump funding to be re-allocated, it could take a while!
I have to say that I've just been doing the "rip it off" method. Due to my high insulin requirement (100-120 units a day), I'm only getting two days out of a pod. So far, I've been exclusively using my abdomen until I get a good handle on my settings (basal, I:C ratios and ISF) as this is my first time on a pump. I have taken to shaving my abdomen and it certainly helps with the pod removal.
Once I get a good handle on all my settings, I'll start experimenting with some alternative sites.
Best of luck with the Omnipod and I'm sure you'll continue to find great help on the site.
Alan
P.S. Great job on the lower numbers. I'm having some blood drawn tomorrow morning and we'll see how much the Omnipod has helped me. I'm hoping to break the 6.0% level for my A1c.
