Has anyone had any issues with the syringes that come with the pod? I’ve never had a problem until yesterday. I opened 3 straight pods, and all the syringes malfunctioned. The plunger would not work properly. Now that I had to open all those pods to finally get a syringe that worked, is there any possible way to use those pods, now that there is no needle with it? I’m not sure why this happened… I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary with them…
I don’t think there is any way to use those pods since they are damaged. You can call insulet corp and see if they will
send you replacement pods. I had a few malfunction on me and I called them and they sent replacements at no
charge.
Good Luck
Ronny
I didn’t even get to use the actual pods, because when I went to draw up the insulin, the syringes weren’t working properly. The pods haven’t been touched, but there are now no syringes to go with any of them. Do you think Insulet will still count this as a pod malfunction?
You could call them and see if they would send you just the syringes. I think they probably would or they
may just send you replacement pod “packages” that include the syringe and pod.
Give them a hollar and see
Good luck
Ronny
Could you explain exactly how a syringe malfunctions? I’ve never had either an Omnipod syringe or any other type malfunction.
Sorry if I’m misunderstanding, but can’t you just save the syringe that does work and use it for the pods you opened?
@Esjay, you are not misunderstanding… That is exactly what I did. I saved the syringe, but I didn’t know if that was “sanitary” or whatever (I guess I figure if you’re given a new one for each pod, it must be for a reason; also I wasn’t sure if the pod would still work since I opened the pack to get the syringe out).
@Jeff, I have been using the pod for 3 months now, and I never had this happen before either! It’s almost hard to explain, but I’ll try. The plunger part that you move up and down, would not stay up. Basically, it stays “down” and if you try to push it up to the number you want to use, it pops right back down, so it wouldn’t draw up the insulin. I don’t know if that is clear or not, but I tried!
Did you “air shoot” the vial?
I never had this problem. I definitely would not reuse a syringe; I would be afraid of getting infected. I would call Insulet and tell them what happened. A syringe is a relatively low cost item (especially compared to a pod), so I can’t imagine that they would hassle you about replacing them. Don’t be surprised if they send them with your next order - that’s what they have done with my replacement pods.
I would also ask about any special steps to take when using the pods from the opened containers. I imagine that once you break the seal, the pod is no longer sterile.
JeVonda this may not be what you’re looking for, but you have to displace the vial with air that is the equal amount of the insulin you are going to withdraw. Maybe that’s the problem.
I have had 3 pods fail to activate (double beep) using the same syringe and wondered (after the fact,) if the issue was with the syringe as opposed to the pods. I reused the same needle as I withdrew insulin from the first failed pod to inject into the 2nd and ditto for the 3rd. Sometimes the needles look a bit askew…sort of bent to one side. Perhaps these needles don’t engage something. It wouldn’t have occured to me to not use a pod from an open pack unless it fell in the trash or something.
Thanks everyone… I’m really not sure what the issue was! I always do the air in the vial to avoid the bubbles and all that. I have never had a problem in the 3 months i’ve been doing it, so I’m determined that it wasn’t me! 
I know how to do it, but the plunger would not stay when i moved it down to the number of units I wanted… It just came all the way down… Oh well, I’ll try to call and see what they say.
This sounds like the pressure in the vial of insulin might be the issue. I know that when I have a new vial…I really don’t have to draw the insulin…it sort of “self draws”. You’ll feel pressure when you return the excess to the vial.
I believe (and have had to use) regular BD syringes, in a pinch. I always have plenty of those laying around
!
I’ve tried re-using a syringe that comes in the pod pkg and it just doesn’t want to withdraw the insulin from the vial. I don’t know why as I’ve had the pod for 1-1/2 hrs and always follow the same procedure. I would also call Insulet to see what they might do for you.
yep, I’ve done the same… I even used a Humalog pen once!
(I’ve only ever had to do this when the syringe gets dropped, or finds its way into some sort of unsanitary situation before I even put insulin in it!)
Right Jeff, sounds like there is a vacuum in the insulin vile. Easiest way to fix this is to remove the plunger from the syringe, then stick the needle in the insulin vile, the pressures will equalize then no more vacuum. Then remove the syringe from the vial and replace the plunger. It is also a good idea to “exercise” a new syringe by pulling the plunger back and forth a few times before use. The seals on the plunger can take a set if the syringe has set a long time, especially in hot weather.
I always inject an amount of air corresponding to the amount of insulin I intend to withdraw. This usually prevents vacuum problems.
We have had one pod that would not let us put insulin into it through the port. We were able to put the insulin back into the vial and get a new syringe. I wish we had tried to put the insulin into the old pod but just used the new set.
My son whose eyesight is much better than mine said that the faulty syringe was not sharp or beveled like the others. Have not called Insulet yet. Too busy fasting and adjusting basal rates. Looking forward to a good nights sleep someday. Our 1 month appointment is Thursday!