Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by indolent on August 1, 2012 at 3:22pm

The only time I've had issues like this is when I've had a long day at the lake and/or in the water when the adhesive starts coming up around the front part of the pod, and the canula comes out of my skin. Can't say I've had any failures without an alarm like you describe though.

As for wasting insulin, I haven't had any issues removing the insulin out of the old pod and reusing it in the next one. There's still a little waste but you can get most of it out.

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Permalink Reply by marybee on August 1, 2012 at 5:06pm

Thanks for feedback. I've had no adhesive problems & canula appears to still be inserted properly. I've had limited success in withdrawing insulin from old pod.

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Permalink Reply by ahe05a on August 2, 2012 at 1:28pm

My daughter has a similar issue occasionally. She often runs higher on her 3rd day (change day) on the pod. I have just chalked it up to the insulin breaking down and becoming less effective. I've noticed it especially in the summer when it is to hot outside. The times we have taken it off and I sent a bolus to see if it was working, the insulin has continued to come out just fine.

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Permalink Reply by marybee on August 2, 2012 at 3:40pm

Thanks for your feedback also. The weather has no effect--it's happened in both cold, warm & hot temps. I never thought about trying what you describe--taking the pod off & sending a bolus to see if it gets delivered! I will try that next time it happens.

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Permalink Reply by Mayumi on August 6, 2012 at 1:27pm

I used the OmniPod for almost 3 years and had a lot of issues, so changed from the Pod to Medtronic Revel. In your case, does your PDM give a history where you can check to see if the bolus was delivered? That might be one way you could check why your blood sugars start going up. This happened to me also when I used the Pod, but I almost always got an alarm.

I also had very limited success in removing insulin from one pod and using it in the new pod. Keep track of when you buy insulin and each and every time you have a pod failure because in my case at least, I did get reimbursed for my insulin expense. This doesn't happen very often (being reimbursed) and I had to keep meticulous records plus provide a bunch of other paper work.

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Permalink Reply by marybee on August 6, 2012 at 3:51pm

The PDM shows that the bolus was delivered & I get no alarm--that is what's confusing to me.
I have been reimbursed for one vial of insulin so far so that helps a bit.
Thanks for your comments!

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Permalink Reply by Jgos on August 6, 2012 at 1:50pm

Marybee

I am in the UK were they pay for our insulin. However I have had this issue a few times and have had to switch back to pens. But i also have a CGM (Navigator) which is great at giving me the heads up when the Omni does not alert. So yes is the answer, it turned out to be a bad bacth of 30 pods, 2 out of ten had an issue that did not register on the PDM - i havent had an issue since.

Gos

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Permalink Reply by marybee on August 6, 2012 at 3:53pm

Thanks for your feedback. You are fortunate that your insulin is paid for. My insurance covers only $500 annually for prescriptions so I blow through that in the first quarter of each year. Thanks for replying to my question.

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Permalink Reply by Kat1997 on August 7, 2012 at 7:59pm

this last week i was on vacation and went thru that problem with eight pods in a row it was so frustrating that im switching pumps, i have never been reimbursed for any of my insulin and with going thru two vials last week and no replacement of pods or insulin my insurance says they will cover a new pump and they will be monitoring OmniPod for faulty production of product and contacting the FDA about the problem and they may have to do extra testing on the new pod before insurance will cover them again.
good luck.

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Permalink Reply by marybee on August 8, 2012 at 7:35am

Sorry to hear of your problems. I had to write a letter & follow up to get the reimbursement for insulin. I once went through several bad pods in a row & when I pressed OmniPod about the possibility that they had shipped me boxes of all the same (possibly bad)lot nuber, they actually replaced several boxes. Although I have needed to be persistent a few times, their Customer Service has always ultimately come through. With the insurance coverage that I have, switching to, for instance, a Medtronic pump would cost me about $4,000 (compared to about $400 that the OmniPod cost, so I can't afford to switch, but glad that you can. Good luck to you too!

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Permalink Reply by HPNpilot on August 8, 2012 at 7:56am

Out of 100 pods I have used so far, only about 2 have had to be replaced.
One just failed and started alarming, another had the issue you describe of no alarm and escalating blood sugar. Both were replaced.

Nose downward on the arm seems to be potentially problematic for me. I haven't had problems on the abdomen. I am very careful to get all bubbles out of the syringe when filling and to pinch up during insertion. I also fill the pod slowly and smoothly. I don't know if any of these things make a difference.

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Permalink Reply by marybee on August 8, 2012 at 9:51am

Thanks for your feedback. Interesting that "nose downward on the arm" is a problem for you because the OmniPod customer service agents have recommended that positioning to me. I usually use upper thighs & abdomen. I too make sure to get all the bubbles out of the syringe & pinch up during insertion--makes no difference as most Pods are fine, but with some I have the problem I described.

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