Anyone out there using the Omnipod, particularly
any adults who have switched from a
conventional pump? Would love to hear your
comments, good or bad.
My son…16 is on the OMNIPOD. He is very new to it. He started on 4/20. He has had a total of 5 pod failures…and just the other day I asked him. “Is it worth it? Do you want to try another pump?” His answer… was “Yes, I love the pods and no I wouldn’t want anyother pump.” As long as you have plenty of insulin handy and more than you need of the pods…the pod changes really are pretty easy. My only problem is that for some reason…after a pod change he goes high… I mean like 250 sometimes…then in a about 2 hrs is back to normal. I know stress can raise you and since he has had pod fails and all that he is going up from stress but… we have another pump class soon and I will ask them more about this.
Yesterday he was in our pool…on his belly on a float…the pod was on his belly so I worried… Guess what… it survived that!
Nothing is perefect… if your read each pump group…they all have problems of some kind. Find the one that suits your life style and makes you the most comfortable. I have found OMNIPOD company to be AWESOME…they replace any failed pod so far including human error ones! They have awesome support and their program that come from the pod is sooo useful. I researched them all…but my son had his heart set on the Pods and…so far… so good.
I had a Minimed for 5 years until last year when I switched to Omnipod.
LOVE being free from the tether! I’ve only had 2 pod failures in that time…and some crazy high numbers that make me thing they were a pod errors. No way to actually prove that. BUT it would have been from pod placement. Some areas absorb better then others…obviously that can happen with any pump you choose.
I have had the same problem as Katsz son when I change pods…so I proactively give a little bolus right after I put on a new one.
I’m a pretty active person, and the Pod stands up to everything I put it through! The only time I ripped one off was my first week…on a door jam. It took a bit to get use to something attached to you like the pod is. I have never done it again:) I left my PDM at home once…once, and never did that again. I feel these are all issues that go with the territory of getting use to something new. Not even close enough to frustrate me.
Since I am very active, the tape isn’t really great for me. I use Mastisol to get them to stick for the 3 days. Again, not enough to frustrate:)
I wish the pods and PDM were smaller…the pods will come soon. “They” say this year.
The best part is the obvious…tubeless!
It’s waterproof. This one was a big one for me since I am a triathlete. Disconnecting from the Minimed for 1+hrs. of swim makes bgs difficult to control. (I actually demoed all waterproof pumps before I made my decision)
I sometimes forget it’s attached to me:) Very comfortable I think.
Hmmmmm, if I think of anything else I’ll chime in again!
Wow, thanks so much for the response, Nancy. I’ve used a Medtronic pump and currently have an Animas pump. I’ve been considering switching to the Omnipod primarily because it’s wireless. I will say I was very pleased with both MM and Animas, and I had great experiences with them but I am getting a little tired of having to deal with infusion sets. You’re the first adult pumper I’ve found who has switched from a conventional pump to the Omnipod. That’s encouraging. I’m do quite a bit of cycling and am very active like you. I really appreciate your response; it will help me make a decision. Thanks again! Keith
Thanks for your response, Katsz. Glad to know your son (and you) are happy with the Omnipod. I can see where the Omnipod would be very beneficial for children, despite the pod failures. You’re right . . . no pump is perfect! You just have to consider what’s best for you, or in your case, your son. I’m very glad you both are pleased with the Omnipod. Thanks again for responding; it will help me in making a decision to switch. Keith
You bet! Let me know if you have any other specific questions…I’m happy to help:)
A little side note…
I did like my Minimed! I just really wanted the change.
Rumor-mill is Minimed’s “patch” pump is coming soon. It’s suppose to be smaller then the Omnipod. BUT, I don’t think smaller then the new pod that’s coming out.
We have had our share of pod fails. But like you said still worth it. He had one fail right in the middle of his morning bolus… another just didn’t beep after he filled it and didn’t communicate w/ the PDM…one that it just stopped communicating w/ the PDM while on him. All the others were what I would consider…human errors. 1 hurt going in and never stopped…like it hit a nerve… another we took off cuz he had used duct tape to keep it on after wrestling w/his brother! But…Omnipod is replacing all of them…human or mechanical errors both!
I will ask at our June1 appointment if they think he sould give extra insulin after a change…that makes sense. I wonder if it just takes awhile for the site to work. 4/5 problems he has had have occured when he used his arm…He still likes the arm the best… He only uses the arms and belly now… I want him to start trying other areas.
I only use my arm and love handles. Love using my arm!! Upper butt works well for me too.
You could ask your endo about that mini bolus…but I’m sure they don’t know about it. I only do because I have a friend who is a CDE and has type1, and is also a Omnipoder, AND a pump trainer for them:)
I usually give myself about a half unit bolus just before i change my pod to prevent the highs after changing. Sometimes my BG does still spike a bit, but not much.
Also, if you change say 10 minutes after a meal bolus, there’s no spike. Hope this’ll help a bit 
Are you s till in your warrenty for the Animas pump? If you are you can upgrade without turning in your animas pump for $299.99 thru the end of June called Cut the Cord program. I had been on MM in the past for the CGMS, did not like their system. My Endo then requested I switch to Animas and the Dexcom, which I did. Then I recently did the Cut the Cord and am absolutely loving it. I have only had 2 pods fail - and they were replaced by Insulet. Due to my insurance I order my pods thru Edgepark Medical (UHC).
Part of the reason I changed - snagging infusion sets daily. Finding out when I clipped by pump on my waistband that it actually clamped onto the cord I had pushed below my pants. Dropping the pump from the pants on the bathroom floor, or worse into the used toilet!! UGH! Having my husband roll on top of the pump while we slept and me rolling over and being caught. Dropping the pump or snagging the set when working outside gardening. Trying to find the right clothes to where where I can put the pump - quit wearing dresses.
Pros -
- I can leave the PDM upstairs when I run down and do the laundry, etc. I use a Ameribag baglett to hold my testing equipment - strips, lancing device and the PDM, along with RX tabs, and my small logbook sheet. It is easy to grab it and my keys and cellphone and run out to the store.
- I love the ease of adding the personalized bg tags, and being able to on the fly look at one area for all of the pump, carb, basal, meter readings - down to the detail on how much of the bolus was for correction, what the IOB was, and what was for carbs, IN ONE LOCATION, with just a few clicks. When I was on the Ping I had to look at the pump for part of the info, and on the meter for the rest. If you did not write down the breakdown of the bolus - you could not find out what it was later by looking at the devices unless you downloaded.
- Since I have turned on the reverse correction for the IOB, if my glucose is lower than than my target then the bolus is first taken from the Correction (of which there would be done if below the target), then from the IOB (minus) THEN from any meal bolus - so my meal bolus will be reduced. Alot of the time you hear talk about the way it handles IOB, I think they do not understand you have to turn on the reverse correction feature.
- Since I was able to invite my CDE to review my readings over the host copilot, she can see my readings and reports when I upload them from her office, making it easy to correspond via email in between our appointments.
- Super fast and easy to upload to your PC (not MAC).
- It is important to put the pod where you have some fat - not straight into muscular area. That is the reason they also recommend you pinch up the pod when you tell the PDM to start and insert the cannula. Changing the POD is superquick. Tip - they say to leave the POD in the packaging when you are first putting the insulin in so that there is no movement while it is priming - this cuts down on the amount of failed pods. The Copilot software is so much better than it was years ago! I actually like it better than the EZManager.
- I feel there is less waste with the POD packaging, instead of the cartridge packaging and the set packaging. I also like the automatic inserter, and that it is not an extra waste. Now there is the waste after with the PODs but you can now order the recycle bags and send them back if you want. Or take out the batteries on your own for recycling.
- With the infusion sets I had to put down the skin prep then the IV3000 or tegaderm. Funny thing is with the Pods, I only put down the skin prep. The pod comes off easily with the unisolve.
- The PDM is so user friendly. I cannot say enough about it. When you first turn it on it will show you your last BG, last bolus, and bettery life, time, date, and when the pod expires. (Tip - you have 8 hours after the pod says it first expires). When you click the Home button you will have as options to pick: Bolus, More actions, Temp basal, My records, Settings, Food Library, BG history and Suspend.
- When you go to take your blood test - the freestyle takes 1/3 the amount of blood the One touch did - and it has a light you can click on so you can take it in the dark in bed to not wake your spouse, or in the movie theater.
Don’t get me wrong, the Ping was a better pump in my opinion then the MM722. But I feel the Omnipod is hand’s down the best user friendly pump out there.
Good luck!!
Make the jump to Cut the Cord. You will have 45 days to send the PDM back if you do not like the system. The smaller pods hopefully will be passed out from 6 months to a year away. You will not need a new PDM, they will just start shipping them as the larger pods are out of inventory.
Cons - I can not think of even one!
Looking forward to when they come out with the integrated Dexcom screen.
Spicysmom, thanks for the fantastic information. Yes, I’m aware of the cut the cord program and that’s one of the reasons I’m considering switching from my Ping to the Omnipod; I can try the Omnipod and if I don’t like it for some reason, I can fall back on my Animas Ping. My Animas warranty is up in April 2011. Glad to know that you like the Omnipod and it’s good to hear from adults who’re using it. I know a lot of children and young adults have Omnipods but haven’t heard of many adults who have them.
I appreciate the CONS you listed and glad to know you like the Copilot software. I wasn’t too impressed with Animas’ EZManager software and it was difficult to download the information from the Ping. I’m hoping the Copilot software will be better like you mentioned.
One thing I am most concerned about is Pod failure; I think that maybe adults don’t have as many failures as children do. It appears that Insulet will send you replacement pods if they’re defective, etc. I expect to have some failures as I did with my Navigator sensors; usually Abbott would replace them but they did so reluctantly. I use Edgepark for my Navigator sensors but am not sure if the Omnipods will come from there or from Insulet; I’ll need to find that out.
Thanks for the information on the Pod adhesive; that was one thing I was concerned about. The Pod is only slightly larger than a Navigator sensor/transmitter and I had problems keeping them adhered to my arm despite using IV3000 overbandages. Glad to know that adhesion hasn’t been an issue for you
I’ve been pleased with my Medtronic and Animas pumps but I think I’m ready for a change, and both pumps’ customer service departments were excellent, in my opinion. I’m also looking forward to the Dexcom integration. I’ve had a Navigator since April of 2008 and am in the process of switching to the Dexcom so I can experience it before committing to either Animas or Omnipod when their integrated pumps come out. I don’t think my wife cares which pump I get as long as I have a CGMS to use. I didn’t realize when I got my Navigator that it was actually two systems: the actual Navigator and my wife who always wants to know why the alarms are going off; so I actually have two continuous systems. I can’t blame her, though, with her helping me through many years of severe, recurrent hypoglycemic instances during the mid-70-s and early 80’s when BG monitors weren’t available.
Again, I really appreciate all the great points and tips about your Omnipod experience. I’ll try to remember to post my experiences when I get mine. Thanks again! Keith
Oh I also forgot to say how great the PDM is on the eyes. I have aging eyes (I just turned 50) and wear trifocals. By far the PDM is easier to read.
I remember the days of the urine test tubes, and the GIANT meters which required us to wipe off the blood on the strip. Things have sure come a long way.
Check out the images I loaded on modifying the PDM skin with a clip to be able to wear the PDM on your waist if you so choose.
When I have had pod failures I have received them directly from Insulet when I needed to send back the pod in the packaging they sent with the new pod. The last time I did not have to send back the one once they got the error code from the PDM, Insulet told me I would be receiving the pod (or more pods if that had been the case) at the end of the month directly from Edgepark. Actually I did have a third pod I placed too close to the middle of my back where there was not enough fat - it hurt when it went in, we think it hit muscle. My sugars just kept rising and rising. Insulet sent me one for that as well. I have learned not to put it where I would not have put an infusion set.
For wearing it on my arm I was instructed to put it on the flabby part that hangs down when you put your arm at an L shape. That way it is not on the outer side of the arm - where it is easier to knock off if you run into refrigerators, etc. No matter where I have put it, it is no problem sleeping on it.
Good luck cutting the cord!!
All the great things she said are soooo true! And…w/the SkinTac and Unisolve the adhesive is so good you are more likely to pull the Pod from the adhesive than the adhesive from your arm…and that would take…well , wrestling on the floor w/your brother!
I did not know about filling the pod still in the packaging…we will try that next time…makes sense.
We are still learning all the ways to use the funtions of the Pod. We have what his Endo calls the Advanced Pump Class on Tuesday. I have tried some stuff on our own… like extended bolus and suspending basal when he goes biking. Both have been great! He used to go sooo low when he biked even if he carbed before now he pretty much comes home the same as he left and then goes a little lower later but much easier to catch.
He keeps his PDM at the school nurse…if an alarm goes off… like pod needing changed etc… he has to go to the nurse and see what the PDM says is the problem. He is afraid to keep it w/him because kids steal things or it might fall off his belt clip. So that is a problem so far for him. But …he will graduate in 2 years so in the long run…not too bad.
I would like to have a second PDM for emergencies…that would cost me about 500. I wish there was someone who went off the Pod that would sell one on Ebay. Even if it was the older one.
Thank you spicymom…I have gleened some good stuff from what you have told Keith…and Keith… wish you the best of luck w/the Pods!
Thanks, Spicysmom. Yes, I think the larger screen would be very beneficial. I don’t have trifocals like you but I’ve worn bifocals for about 16 years (I’m 56 BTW). I will most likely wear the PDM on my waist like I currently do with my pump, Navigator, and cell phone (I call it my toolbelt). If I have all the items attached to my belt I almost always have them at my side when needed. Thanks for the great tips about where to insert the pods. I don’t think I’ll have a problem sleeping with it because I usually have my Navigator sensor on my arm and my Pump clipped to my pajamas top; never had a problem with either one while sleeping.
One thing I want to ask you: I noticed that when you do a bolus with the Omnipod that it takes a much longer time to complete it than does either my Animas or MM pumps. It’s that a problem for you? Just curious. I think, but am not sure, that the Omnipod only has one bolus speed, correct?
Oh, yes, I do remember the “urine test strip” days. Drop the tablet in the urine tube and watch it change colors; many times mine where pinkish indicating there was a considerable amount of sugar in my urine. When it was blue/purple you never knew how low little sugar you had in the urine. Don’t know how I survived those days. I was diagnosed in Dec. 1965 so a lot has changed since then! So thankful for all the technology we have today; makes a difficult condition much easier to manage. Thanks again for your comments on this. You and others have answered a lot of questions for me. Keith
Great comments, Katsz. I can definitely identify with your son’s BG issues while biking. I try to ride about 3x’s per week and have always had trouble with keeping my BG’s level while doing so. It’s a very difficult balancing act and I really don’t know how diabetic cyclists do it. I usually reduce my basal by 60% or more about 2 hours prior to riding, then eat about 45 grams of Clif Bar, then check my BG every 10 miles. I’ve tried all combinations of things but have realized over the years that it’s something I have to keep experimenting with.
You mentioned that it costs about $500 to purchase a backup PDM. That’d be great to have one if needed but $500 is a good chunk of out-of-pocket money. It doesn’t sound like the PDM is covered under the warranty if you happen to loose, break or damage it.
Glad to know your son (and you) love the Pod. I’m looking forward to getting one myself as soon as my endo completes the required paperwork, etc.
Thanks for your comments. You and Spicysmom (and others) have been very, very helpful. Have a great day! Keith
You don’t have to stay next to the Pdm once you send it the message to bolus. Once it starts ticking you know when it is going and it beeps quitely to let you know when it is done. It has only burnt going in once for my son and I think that was because of an instertion problem. So…as far as we can tell…no problem w/ the speed of delivery.
Ok, that’s great to know that you can put the PDM away while the bolus is going
Hi Keith-
I switched from MM to oPod last September. I was on MM722 for about a year and a month, and due to a fortunate (and well-timed) switch in insurance, I had the opportunity to get an oPod. I had had issues with Medtronic’s customer service/billing/shipping and was not willing to deal with them any longer (although I understand my experience with Medtronic is not the norm!). I was also frustrated with Medtronic’s lack on innovation… I mean, seriously! They are the wealthiest medical supply company with the most out-dated technology in terms of sensors and pumps (IMHO). Needless to say I was extremely frustrated.
I absolutely love the oPod and would never go back to a tubed pump. I don’t have to worry about where I am clipping a pump after a shower/during a run/ at bed time/ in a dress (sorry, probably not your worry…)/while swimming/etc. I am a 20 yr old college student, very active. I’ve had no problem with the size, shape, stickiness,etc. I can’t think of any complaints.
Best of luck to you!
~a.willie
Hi Yes I was on the Minmed Paradigmn, Have switched to Omnipod since late April 2010. Takes some getting used to due to the differences and features. It is great that the cather gets inserted automatically, I M slim so I do use the back of my upper arms and switch left/right every three days. One bad thing is that the # of pods with issues as an example from a box of 10 i have experienced 4 bad error related problems from priming to insertion.Since this is out of pocket cost makes that costly. The support and replacment is great.
Let me know what pump U r using and i will be glad to answer all questions to HELP Y.
take care
Thanks so much for your comments on this, Raj. I haven’t yet had my Omnipod training but hope to have it this week. One of my concerns was the possibility of pod errors, like you mentioned. Hope that that will not be too much of an issue but we’ll see how it goes. Also, I’m currently using an Animas Ping. Thanks again for your comments on this; I’ll let everyone know how it goes once I get started. Keith