Omnipod and the bad publicity

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Permalink Reply by Dave   _ on March 31, 2009 at 9:35pm

Yes, failures are a common issue with the pods. and yes, they are burning through cash like there is no tomorrow.

Permalink Reply by Diabetic_Iz_Me on March 31, 2009 at 9:39pm

Cathy-

I use the Omnipod, I have had issues nothing that couldn't be fixed. I love the Omnipod and I hope they continue to strive because I don't want to see them go.

Permalink Reply by sugarrbabie on March 31, 2009 at 9:40pm

i have been on the omnipod for 8 months and love it! publicity is exaggerated, whether good or bad. i love my omnipod and wouldn't change it for anything! i'm so glad there is a range of pumps for everyone, because that means there's something for everyone! i've had a couple pod failures, but nothing major. they do replace it at no cost, which means a little money lost...but at least they replace it! i heart my omnipod =)

Permalink Reply by Robin M on April 1, 2009 at 7:30am

Cathy,

Like any other group of pumpers, some of us who use the Omnipod have some issues. I have had very little problems using the Omnipod system.

Pods Falling Off: Some who have tried the omnipod have issues with it not sticking to their skin. This is not the case with me and many others. Some people can take a shower or bath and then easily pull it off. Not me. I have trouble getting it to come off. I have to soak it with De-Solv-It or Goo Gone before it will let go.
Some people have oiler skin, sweat more, are using the wrong kind of soap, or live in areas that the water is harder or softer than others....who knows why.

Occlusions: Some who use the Omnipod have many occlusions after insertion of the canula. One advantage of some of the other pumpers is that if they have that problem, they can change out the type of sets they use and insertion method. For us podders we only have the pod for our insertion. I have been using the Omnipod for six months and have only had one occlusion while inserting. Normally insertion is pain free.

Pump Failures: With all the other pumps, you have one pump for 3 to 4 years. I have read where even then some pumpers will go through 2 or 3 until they get one that works properly. This is a rare occurance for them and usually they use the first one shipped with no problems. The omnipod is mass produced. Each one is an insulin pump. And we wear it for three days and then put on another. Will there be a greater failure rate with the Omnipod? Certainly yes. Any third or fouth grade math student could tell you that. In six months I have had to send back 4 pods that the company replaces with no questions asked. It has not been a big deal. I have read posts from some podders that have gone through many out of a box of 10 that do not work correctly. I do not know the answer there. I can only tell you about my experience.

Waste: Is there alot of waste with Omnipod? Yes. We throw away 40 batteries a month as we dispose of our used pods. I wish as many others that there was a way to have a two part system where we could change out the reservior and battery and use the same pump multiple times. I am not an engineer nor do I play one on TV, so I have to trust that the company will decide on the best design for me as a customer and for the planet.

There are other problems that are universal to any pump such as poor absorption in some areas of the body, scar tissue, alarms and reminders, bolus calculations... No one will be 100% pleased 100% of the time.

If you'll notice many people are very loyal to their pumps. And many like to pick on the new kid on the block. Are the stories exaggerated? Yes and No. The horror stories are real, but they are taking the horror stories of the few and making it seem like it's the norm. Me and the new kid get along well and I take him everywhere I go. And I as well have become very loyal to my Omnipod. So if you have not already ordered your demo pod to wear around, give it a try.

http://www.myomnipod.com/

Permalink Reply by Cathy on April 1, 2009 at 9:39am

Actually I did order the demo and it was comfortable. You know how it is when you are fixing to start pumping, you want to know what in the world is going on with these companies and if you're making the right decision. I hope I am when it comes to the ping. My other choice was the pod because of the no tubes. I appreciate everybody for letting me know how everything is with it.

Permalink Reply by Betty on April 1, 2009 at 10:06am

We have used the pod for 7 months and have never considered another pump.
For us it is amazing and have not had "bad"pods.
The Omnipod is a fantastic pump. We recommend it all the way!

Permalink Reply by Dave   _ on April 1, 2009 at 10:34am

Are you saying you never looked at another pump before buying the Omnipod? I like to be totally informed of all the choices when I make a major purchase, and I can't think of a more "major" purchase in my life than my pump. A car purchase pales in comparison IMO.

Permalink Reply by Linzie Wohletz on April 1, 2009 at 2:14pm

Omnipod was my first and only pump, it was also my only choice i would give myself. I did not at all like the tubing and the pod has none so i knew it was for me....

I <3 my pod

Permalink Reply by Jess on April 1, 2009 at 10:50am

My last pump was the MM and when it came time to think about switching my doctor suggested the omnipod for the automatic insertion. I had a lot of problems trying to change sites with the MM. I did open the Animas and Cozmo sites, but really went straight for the omnipod ... after doing my research and all. I love the omnipod it is so easy to use and change sites! If it didn't have the automatic insertion or other pumps did my search would have gone diferently. I agree that a first time pump buyer should look at all the choices. Is it true that two more pumps are going to be coming out on the market from Bayer, and Freestyle? Hope everyone is having a good day!

Permalink Reply by Danielle on April 1, 2009 at 11:01am

I started with the Omnipod in November. It started off great, easy to use, couldn't be more happy...but I soon had nothing but issues.

My first PDM that I started with on pump start day sucked through batteries like there was no tomorrow. The batteries died every 6 hours. Insulet sent a new PDM to replace it.

The second PDM issue was my fault, dropped it in water...had to pay for a new one.

Third PDM issue was that it kept giving me errors. Eventually after the 8-9th time in two weeks, Insulet assumed it was a bad PDM and sent a new one.

Long story short, I had major issues with static. I tried everything. I wrapped the PDM in dryer sheets, I sprayed my clothes with static guard...nothing worked. I lost many, many pods to these failures. I, personally, lost faith in the system and its reliability for me(it would go off for absolutely no reason, and just so you know the alarm on the Pod and PDM is very, very loud). So I switched.

I have been on the MM now almost as long as I was on the Omnipod, and so far, it is night and day. I am much happier with how it is working for me.

That said, I do not think Omnipod is a bad pump, but it did not work out well for me. Others I know use it and absolutely love it. I think it is too new of a system, and they don't have all their issues worked out.

Permalink Reply by Lorraine on April 1, 2009 at 11:04am

It will be 2 years at the end of this month that Caleb was been using the OmniPod. We love it and would be very sad to lose it. We have occasional pump failures. The most significant of which was a static issue last winter (07/08). We haven't had that issue once this winter. We get 3 days use out of many, many Pods. A failure is rare. Lo

Permalink Reply by Robin M on April 1, 2009 at 12:12pm

Tubes for me was the deciding factor. I never looked at or really considered another pump brand. I thought I had reasonably good control with MDI. Now after being on the pod I see that was not good control at all.

If Insulet ever closes I will defintely go with a traditional pump with tubing. I hope it never happens.

Did I hear a rumor that one of the big companies is working on a similar "pod system"?

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