I have been using the Omnipod for over 2 months now and it has worked well most of the time. However, the last few weeks, I have random highs, usually in the high 200's but often into the 300's. Before Omnipod I was doing MDI and I can't remember the last time I went over 300. It seems to happen more often in the late afternoon and evening but it has also happened during the day at random times. I pay close attention to what I am eating and what sort of activity I will doing, I have been trying to tweak the basal programs and bolus percentages, and it really seems like the insulin just doesn't absorb right sometimes. It doesn't seem to be an issue with pod sites since one will give me both good and high results. I also rarely have lows, but when I do they seem to come from nowhere. I eat a stable diet that I would call lowish-carb but when I eat the exact same breakfast two days in a row and one day results in a normal lunchtime BG and the next it is 277 I get confused and frustrated.
Anyone have any thoughts, ideas, or similar experiences they can share?
Hi RoosterLuke! A Happy Thanksgiving to you too!! I had similar results that you are describing when I first went on the pod, I never went quite as high as your going but at first I wanted to go back to what I was doing because I was comfortable with it, I was eating low carb and had control. But after almost 8 months I woudn’t go back and I would tell you most new users question the move and after some time finally gain confidence in using a pump and more so figure it out how to use it. I made a lot of adjustment those first 2 months also, just make sure to discuss with your trainer. What I’ve learned after some time was that certain foods will take a bigger bolus that what my I/C ratio is programmed for but it just takes some time to figure out. The other thing is to keep track of your highs in relation to pod location, if right after a pod change. I know some people struggle with higher bg’s after pod changes and there are some discussions on it. Eventually you’ll find the sites that work for you and I can’t help but think you’ll get the hang of this…Keep in touch as there are a great group of people here with more knowledge than I have…and for that I am Thankful! It will get better! Best of Luck!
Yes, happens to me and my son also. I don’t have any advice, can just sympathize. I just correct and go on. Overall, I am doing better on the pump (a1c went from 7.0 to 6.1 so far). And this morning I ate a cinnamon roll using the Extended Bolus and did great. So I just try to look at the good numbers, and am glad that I can correct those highs right away with a bolus!
Since I posted I haven’t had as many issues. I tweaked some settings, made a new basal program, and refocused on measuring out my carbs. I did a lot of testing to see what was going on. Hoping some vigilance will clue me in and get things back on track. I have noticed that some foods seem to have different impacts on my BG than they did when I was MDIing it. Just got to sort it all out I suppose. Thanks for the response.
I’m not very good with the Extended Bolus yet. I always mess it up because I don’t understand it well yet. Any tips about it that I might not aware of?
I was mystified by the extended bolus at first - how much of the bolus to do right away, how long to extend the rest. Seemed like too many choices. At this point, though, I use the extended bolus for everything (I do eat a fairly low carb diet). I usually do 60-70% of the bolus immediately and spread the rest over 2 hours. Works pretty well most of the time. Best of luck to you!
