My son has been on the Omnipod for just over a year. He is a VERY active boy and we could not see him on other pump at this time. We have had our issues with the Omnipod just like everyone else. He went to a month long outdoors camp in the summer and the pump (and any pump I would imagine) could simply not stand up to the constant activity. We kind of thought this may happen so prior to camp we went back to a 24 hour insulin shot to make sure he was getting some stabilization. Well, we have continued that method. It seems to give us the best of both worlds. He still gets some constant insulin from the pump to keep it active etc. Maybe this could help out those who LOVE the OmniPod when it is working like my son and us, Next summer we will totally move him off the OmniPod and go to all shots for the active summer regiment!
I think that all parents should do what works best for the kid and if that system works, great! but I need to say that both my sons have been on sailing camps, and hiking and at the ocean with the animas with no problems. And I have a question: when my kids were on shots with the 24 hours insulin, it happened more than once that plans changed and that the level of activity increased and we had to “feed” the lantus all day long, or vice versa and we would have to do corrections all day long; this is why we switched to the pump as soon as the doctor approved it. How do you handle that problem?
Hello,
I was wondering what type of issues you have with the omnipod? I am looking into getting the pump and it is hard to make a decision and it is very expensive. Any info is appreciated.
Thanks
Jodi
Valerie- I can’t speak for TDdad but I have seen kids that have chronic problems with bad sites who actually take half their basal dose from Lantus/Levemir and the other half from the pump. Then they do have some basal if the pump site goes bad and if they increase their activity unexpectedly they also still have the oppurtunity to decrease their pump basal to account for the activity. Best of both worlds (except that extra shot)!
Hi Jodi,
My daughter Mary, who is a very active 9 year old has had diabetes for almost 5 years now. After getting used to her care and being on shots, her doctors really pushed for a pump. THe main reason being, “better control to avoid long-term complications”.
In my opinion, pumps are the best. Mary’s sugars are so wacked and her insulin needs change constantly. Lantis was simply not working well for her.
We went with Omnipod because of the no tubing. We loved it!!! She was on it for 3 years up until last week when her insurance company dropped her and she was put on Medicaid. I found Isulet’s customer service to be very poor. It was a very stressful time for us. I felt extremely stressed and sorrowful.
Mary’s doctors told me that they have found the working with Insulet’s customer service is very poor. Hence we made the switch to the medtronic revel mainly because it has the CGM incorporated into the pump. Because Mary’s insulin needs are constantly changing this is the best option for HER! Not everyone has the same taste or needs so you will need to know what you are looking for in a pump. and you will need to consider what your child’s needs are.
With Omnipod we have found freedom in the no tubing. This a big plus. BUT with that, there is a LOT of insulin waste.
You have to put a certain amount of insulin in the pod before it can run (100 U). Mary;s needs were not near that in the begining. Also, there are issues with the pods. They sometimes fail or don’t work right. They also tend to fall off during hard play. Hence, you have to throw it away and reload another.
Another disadvantage for us with the Omnipod the increments of basal insulin is measured every 0.05. Medtronic and Animas are measured at 0.025. For example between 12:00am and 3:00 am Mary’s hourly basal insulin is dosed at .50. She then goes through a growth spurt and her sugars are reading higher at that time. I up her basal to .55 but find she now is going too low. Well, if you are on Omnipod, you have to choose the lower rate. But on Medtronic you can have it a .525. You see what I mean??
So For us, tighter control is a necessity, AND the option for a CGM is a plus also because Mary had a seizure 2 years ago in the middle of the night. (very scary!).
I hope this helps.
In our area where we live we had to attend pump classes in which they showed us all the different pumps available and discussed the pros and cons of each. That was very helpul. Perhaps you can find a Diabetes Education center near you that can further assist you.
God Bless you and keep pressing on!
Kellee
Hi Kellee,
Thanks for the reply. We are meeting with an Omnipod representative today but seem to be leaning towards Medtronics. My brother lives in Arkansas and started on the Revel and loves it and I am looking into the Medtronics pump for me and my son as well. I was hoping for the omnipod more for me but my husband is pushing the medtronics for the CGM.
How does your daughter feel about wearing two items at all times? Does it hurt when you put in the tubes and hte CGM? Do you have any issues with the Revel?
I am so nervous about switching to a pump for me and my son and may do it one at a time so maybe myself first to get used to it and then switch him. Right now he takes 5 shots per day and his sugars are getting better with our new dose adjustment.
Also, it seems like montly the cost is very expensive. Our insurance will cover basic pump supplies but nothing to do with the CGM 
Thanks for your input.
Jodi
I think you are very wise in wanting to do it first then put your son on the pump. That way, you will be a pro!
Don’t be nervous about the pump, I was too at first but it makes a whole world of difference.
You do, however need to know there is a vast difference between the 2. Lantis does not absorb into your system the same way Novolg/Humolog does. Lantis is about 80% effectuve, Novolog is 99% effective. This is why you get such different readings when you are on shots.
Pumping takes time to learn. Especially your basal rates. And being a woman, your monthy hormones can effect your insulin needs and you may need to make adjustments. We had to take pumping classes before we even went on the pump. Once learned, it is wonderful!
Mary does NOT like to wear her CGM, so I do not make her all the time. I only make her when she starts a growth spurt and her sugars start getting high. And yes, she complains it hurts because she is very lean. I have not tried the medtronic CGM yet, her doctor wants her on it. I was told there are 2 different sizes?? I am not sure about this though.
As far as the canula and tubing, here is what I really like about the Medtronic, The canula in the Omnipod is only 1 size - 9 mm. With a medtronic pump, you have a variety of choices for infusion sets. Mary chose the Mio infusion set and the canula can come in 2 sizes 6mm and 9mm. We chose the 6mm. This alone has made a start difference. Mary is very lean and could only wear the pods on her backside. She could not wear them on her stomach at all. On the arms, they would always rip off. It never failed. Then when I taped it on it would sweat so bad that the little window would fog up.
The initial expense for the Omnipod wasn’t too bad, however, the pods themselves are very costly. In the long run, the medtronic would be a better choice for expense.
If you go on the medtronic webside they have wonderful classes you can take once you are approved for their pump. It is called my learning. Mary absolutly loves these. We use it as part of her health program this year for our homeschool.
Last night I had an issue with the Revel. The set must not have inserted properly, because mary was complaining that it hurt. Later on the insulin delivery alarm went off. I put her back on her Omnipod for now, because I just got the Revel on Friday and technically was not supposed to put on the pump until her training session, which is Wednesday!
I wish you all the best. Please keep me up to date. I would love to hear how you are making out and what you finally dicided on!
Kellee
We just made the switch from Omnipod to the Minimed Revel. My daughter gets it hooked up tomorrow. I’ll try and keep you posted.
We have had issues with the pods. Personally, their customer service is not helpful as much as I have found Medtronic to be.
We had an insurance change which is why Mary can not be on Omnipod anymore. I will miss the freedom of no tubing, however, we just cannot keep her A1C’s where they should be. Last visit was 9.1! Which is where she was when she was first diagnosed!!!
I am hoping with the Minimed we can have tighter control as their basal increments are smaller!! A big plus for us.
Also Omnipod’s canula is 9mm. Mary is very lean and can only wear her pods on her backside. With the medtronic we can go to a 6mm cannula.