Hey Keith - I made the switch from the MM522 to the pod last year and I am thrilled with this system. I’ve only had 2 pod failures since I started in Sept. '09 - both were failures before they even primed, so I didn’t even manage to get the pods on my body. I did have a couple of occlusions detected but both were after 48 hours w/ a pod, so at least I didn’t really waste a whole lot of insulin. My fears were that the pods would rip off all of the time (they don’t, but my demo pod ripped off of its adhesive in the middle of the first night I wore it) and that I would have lots of failures (I don’t). Not to say you’ll have the same experience, but I think the chances are likely. Especially since you’ve been pumping for so long.
I started pump therapy in Feb 2009. I started with the Medtronic 552. I am a deer hunter and out in the extreme cold up here in New England. The fall of 2009 the weather was about 9 degrees F. I had problems that nite. The pump was going thru batteries every 24 hours. I had to change the insulin cartridge and inset. It must have been exposed to the cold in the tubing. I switched to the Omnipod in August 2009. this past fall was great. The pod stays under my clothes out of the cold. I put the PDM in a waterproof case and put it in my backpack.
Hurray for the Omnipod.
I have had D since the age of 3 in 1958. I’ve been around the block a few times.
Hi Keith,
I also have switched from the pump to the Pod as of last week thanks to the Cut the Cord program. So far, so good. I agree w/ all the pluses and minuses posted here and feel like it was a good move for me. I’ve wasted 2 pods, but both were definitely “operator error” I chalk up to getting used to something new. I think - in the end - it’s a better move for me, for all of the reasons other people have taken the time to list.
Good luck!
Marcus
Hello Keith , i am 2nd Italian who started to use OmniPod here in Italy one month ago. Yes OmniPod has landed also in Europe and in Italy !!!
COMMENTS ? ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC !!! I LOVE MY POD.
I run, swim, do gymn absoultely free and it works and works keeping my BG pefrectly under control.
First time i can say : "no more air bubbles and occlusions !!!"
I am sure that OmniPod will change life of many Italian diabetics expecially the youngest ones !!!
Thanks for the comments, Marcus. So far, all the comments I’ve seen from pumpers switching to the Omnipod have been very positive and that makes me feel good about my decision to switch. I got my Starter Kit last Thursday and am waiting for the trainer to set up an appt. Unfortunately, the trainer lives in Oklahoma and I live in Memphis so it may be a few more days before I can start using it. I’ve been pumping for several years now and I know I could setup the Omnipod by myself but Insulet doesn’t want me to do that w/o training. Maybe when Insulet gets more customers, they’ll be able to expand their sales and clinical staff so new customers can get started quicker. Glad to know you like the Omnipod. I know I will, too. Keith
Glad to know the Omnipod is in Italy now. I did see where Insulet signed an agreement with Ypsomed for international distribution, so you’ll probably see more European users in the very near future. Glad you love your Omnipod. Thanks for your comments; those help me a lot. Keith
I was dx’d at the age of 3 on July 6, 1958. I am an avid deer hunter. I started on pump therapy in 2/2008. I started with the Medtornic 522. In the fall of 2008 it was about 9 degreesF here in New England. The tubing was slightly exposed to the elements as well as the pump for part of the day.
That nite I could not get my numbers down and the pump needed batteriy changes every 24 hours. The cold must have affected the insulin in the tube since my day time basal rate is just 0.10 units per hour it stays in the tube for a long time.They did replace it with no questions.
I then researched the Omnipod. I switched in 8/2009. Since it is tubless the pod now rests against my arm and is covered completely with my cold weather gear. Never had a problem this past fall.