Thanks for your advice. I think he will try the arm next time. He’s had the pod on for two days now… so good news. He’s liking the PDM too. I think it really comes naturally for teenagers who play video games, use ipods and have grown up with computers and cell phones. I’ll have him read your blog.
Thanks Gil. Sounds like you have a lot of knowledge about the articifial pancreas project… what is your estimate as to when this may come to market? Will it replace having to check bs levels? I am also interested in any other new technology or possible cures in the future…
I’m sure she will do well with the other pump too. I really think they know what works best for them… My son really does care about his numbers and wants to have good control. He just doesn’t like being “different” and he’s at the age where kids really think about that more than anything else… hopefully, he’ll get over it and realize it’s just a small part of who he is and it doesn’t define him.
I started the omnipod as a 130lb 5’10 girl, REALLY muscular… it was a pain at first, trying to rotate my sites within my “fatty” areas, but I’m LOVING using my arms and butt… arms are especilly great for summer, because they don’t get sticky or sweaty (though you DO see the pod more there) but so is the butt because it hides so perfectly under my bikini!
so glad to hear it’s all going well!
Pod On!
My daughter started insulin in Oct. 2009 and the Pod Jan. 2008. She was terrified. I would put Emla cream on her for an hour before the insertion and ice her. She almost passed out the first time. Now, almost 6 months later I use no ice, but still use Emla. I thought I was going to have to change a new site last night and I talked to her about either having to take a shot or do a pod change with no Emla. She was ready to go for no Emla.
She now tells me often how much she loves her pump as compared to MDI.
Maybe your son is not ready to push the start button, but you can. I wore a saline pod before my daughter did her pump start up and I think that helped her. I also wore a pump with her when she started. I went 1st. Her A1c has gone from 7.1 down to 6.3.
Hi Peggy, I understand how your son feels. I have had diabetes 1 for 48 years and it was very hard for me to give up “control"
of my shots to a mechanical “Pump”! I had a DVD of a pump for a full year before I decided to try it. I would watch the DVD then say " I’m not going to let a machine control my life !” It took me that long to decide to try it. I was afraid of what would happen if it gave me too much Insulin. Boy was I wrong! Now I understand how it all works and know that as long as I test my BS often, I still have control. Now, I LOVE the freedom my Pod gives me. Give you son some time & space and whatever info you can find. In time he may decide to at least try it. Good luck! Gail/AZ
Peggy -
This sounds like a familiar post from last week, so excuse me if it is the same situation. I just posted last week that I was a teen when diagnosed and had all the paranoia of being accepted in my peer group, being seen with a plastic thing on my body,taking shots in public, testing in public, etc etc etc. In fact, I didnt actually try the pod until 2005 when I was recovering from a paralizing brain hemmhorage, and knew at that time that i needed better control! My A1C went from 8.5 to 5.8 almost instantaneiously! Please visit my site: http://www.supportersofsurrvivors.com to read my book, share some of your experiences and maybe have your son see what can actually be made (positively) from this insidious condition! Good luck and PEACE!
Thanks for all the good advice and support. He has had a pod on for three days (with saline) and seems to be liking it. We have to change sites today… so hopefully, we can find another site (this one is on his upper buttock) that works for him being so thin. We may try the arm or the other side of the hip. I’ll keep you posted… it’s so nice to have this support group. My friends and family just don’t get it… not their fault, but until you’ve been there you just don’t get it!
I’m a brand new podder too. I’m 17 and I have been a diabetic since i was 8. In regards to what everyone else has said, I HIGHLY recommend pushing diabetes camp. Push it until he goes, seriously, he will never look back. Diabetes camp leads to lifelong friends and a lifelong interest and dedication to diabetes care and diligence. I still go (as a counselor).
But about the pod, I’ve had luck on my arms and stomach so far, since I’ve only worn 3 pods (I’m on my fourth). I’m going to try my lower back next. I really like it on my arm, but I don’t like it that much on my stomach since I sleep on my stomach every night and find that I have to sleep a little “angled” to be comfortable with the pod. So far, I’ve had 100% awesome luck with the pod. They stick very well with just alcohol pads. I went to the pool twice and took a shower in the same day and the pod was on just as well as it was when i put it on. In fact, I have to use Uni-solve to take off the pods, that’s how well they stick. I LOVE OMNIPOD