I've been on the Pod since Dec 2011 and most of the time have been using the back of my arms - alternating every three days. Lately I've noticed that I've built up some calises at those sites and I've had a couple of occlusions so I am now using my abdomin. Any ideas how long it will take for my arms will get better so I can start using them again?
When I went from my Minimed in the abdomen (had used it in abdomen for 3 years) to my omnipod on my arms, it took about 3 months for my abdomen to completely heal and return to "normal". With my omnipod I rotate all over the place arms, abdomen, upper glut, thighs. Just depends on what activity I may be involved in.
I’m a new “podder” (just 3 wks) w/ a related question. Does anyone adjust their settings for different sites?
I have only used my arms once & I ran highs within hours. After checking everything else, I changed sites/pods & the issue corrected. I rarely used arms w/MDI so I am not sure it wasn’t an absorption rate issue. (Got too scared to wait it out when I hit >300.) The cannula was definitely in all the way, & there were no PDM alarms.
It may be pod related, not site related. There've been discussions about post-change highs with the *new* pods (it was definitely a known issue with the old pods) and it seems possible that some batches have a problem some times.
Nevertheless I'm currently having problems with my arms - 5 pod errors in a row after about a day - when I don't with my lower back area. I know it's not a scar issue - I've hardly ever done MDI on my arm and then only on the *front* (because that's were I can easily reach with one hand!)
Maybe you don't have as much fat there, or maybe since it's now winter in the northern hemisphere, it's related to blood supply. Where I live the air temperature is pretty low but I'm still going out with nothing covering up upper arms because we still have sun, that's going to suppress the capillary blood supply in my arms.
I try using my stomach, back of arm and thighs and rotate with all. This will help prevent some of your issues. Hope this helps.
Hi Sue
That sounds like a faulty pod. I would give the arm another try, as it seems to be one of the most comfortable sites! I've had some faulty pods (not many thank goodness) and although no insulin was being delivered, the pod didn't alarm and also looked perfect with the canula inserted.
Pam
Scar tissue can take up to 12 weeks to break down, have you tried thighs or back just below the belt line. You might need help on the back for pinching.
Different sites can have different absorption rates but it's usually not a big swing, if your just new to the OmniPod you'll get much better response from it than from the "tubing method" you need to work with your insulin specialist.
I've switched to my thighs and am very happy there - the absorbtion on both theighs seem to be a lot better than my arms.