My rep just sent me a sample pod. I am trying it on my arm. So far I like how it feels. But I was just wondering if it will stay stuck on in the summer heat and when I sweat. I have a bottle of Mastisol that I will use. Will this take care of it? Perhaps a piece of tape. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
To be honest with you I’ve hardly ever had a problem with the adhesive coming off. More often than not something happens that makes the plastic of the pod itself rip away from the adhesive that’s still stuck to my skin… And I’ve never used any sort of product to make the adhesive stronger/stickier, though I’ve read about a bunch on here. I think Skin-Tac is a popular one? Or something like that?
With that being said, I have had issues with it staying on completely securely in the summer when it’s on my leg and I’m running outside. In those cases, I like to use a sports wrap that you buy at Walgreen’s or wherever that is reusable and has a Velcro closure or something at the end. You then just wrap it around tight enough to secure the pod but not cut off circulation (haha). Plus they come in different lengths for pods on different areas. Also, as annoying/silly as it may be, pods will always stay on easier if there is no hair in the area, so shaving a patch of your leg/upper arm/abdomen may be worth it!
Something similar to this, btw: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005DDB472/ref=pd_aw_sbs_hpc_10?pi=SL500_SS115
Based on previous discussions sweating alone doesn't normally cause a problem, for example I have no problem in saunas or hot tubs, however sweating combined with physical exercise can cause the pod to start to come unstuck.
I just react to the situation when it arises; for me any adhesive tape is sufficient to keep it on until the three days are up. People who tape regularly seem to like Tagaderm.
Likewise there are varying opinions on skin preps. I just use rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol or propan-2-ol) and cotton pads, lots of alcohol, taking care to let it dry off before sticking the pod on. Other people use proprietary skin preps.
John Bowler
My 12 year old's pod often starts coming off on day 2 or 3 when she's sweating or swimming. The edges of the adhesive start to lift. She then puts a Tegaderm film over it for the last day. She's also used the "sports wrap" mention above. But fyi, it can be found a lot cheaper on line if you google "vet wrap." It's the same stuff but marketed for animals... thus not priced as high... :-)
3M Nexcare Tegaderm 2 3/8 x 2 3/4 will work if a corner comes lose. The 4" Nexcare will fit over the pod, but I find everything itchy and annoying....unless you need it Nexcare Tegaderm Skin-Tac works as long as you don't get it in the cannula.
I suspect younger people have more problems - we 50 year olds have a more all-encompassing definition of physical exercise ;-)
I've had the occasional problem with swimming in hot climates, i.e. with spending all day either in the pool or lounging next to it sweating.
For me it's all minor compared to the much more frequent experience of catching the pod on something and partially detaching it, I should probably get some of the Tegaderm film for those occasions. I've done the sports wrap approach but I don't much like the constriction, particularly when the pod is on my waist and I end up with sports cummerbund.
Did you say hot tub?? I've been in twice since going on the pod; the pod seems to stick but the insulin is ruined. Or so I've thought -- immediate highs. Do you have a hot tub trick? Or it seems to keep working for you?
It just works for me, I would anticipate lows though because of the increased capillary blood flow followed by highs but I've never had any problem.
Before I started on the Omnipod I asked about hot tubs (and saunas) and the Insulet rep. said to take care over the water temperature in hot tubs. I don't think I've been in one over 90F, and probably most of the ones I've used have been 80F.
I'm guessing you're using one of the manufactured hot tubs that, apparently, typically run at 100F and up to 104F. That's still below the temperature at which insulin spontaneously breaks down (about 160F) but it may be enough to cause significant breakdown over an extended period of time.
Anyway, normal Insulet advice is to *not* use insulin straight from the 'fridge to fill the pod but to keep it at room temperature. Sometimes the air temperature round here gets to 110F - hotter than a hot tub. While my room temperature doesn't normally go over about 90F in summer it's difficult to believe that a short period of time at 100F, or even 104F, would cause a problem.
John Bowler
I had trouble with the pod sliding off from sweating in the So Flo weather, hot showers or hot flashes, until I started using Skin Tac. I still carry Nexcare tape with me (a bandaid will work in a pinch,) in case it starts to peel off toward the end of the 3 1/2 days or after being bumped. There has been lots of discussion about this if you want to do a bit of research. Good luck....hope you love the oPod!
We had trouble getting the sample pods to stick so I was concerned when we went to the real thing. Fortunately, we've had no problems whatsoever in the 2 years we've been using the pods.
Well not to seem like a broken record but will repeat what works for me. Wipe with a
cotton ball and 91% alcohol. Fan dry. Apply a coating of Cavilon no sting barrier film. Fan dry. Apply pod and tape down with Kinesio tape. That combination has been excellent for me. Am not as active as some but still find many things in my shop to connect with, parts bins, B pillar on customers cars, creeper frame not to mention all the door frames that exist. If you want to see pictures of what I use look at my site as I put some there. How they look installed and what I do to make them easier to remove. There is a learning curve so hang in there and my guess is you will be glad you changed. Best of luck. Michael