Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jack's Mom on July 10, 2012 at 5:47am

My son has 3rd day highs for two reasons - 1. we were using humalog and it wasn't lasting 3 days in the pump, so we switched to novolog and that helped a lot and 2. if i was reusing a site too much, or not letting it rest, i would get 3rd day highs, so i just alternate to a different site and that helps a lot too. I have a lot of factors controlling this in a two year old too - growth hormone is insane, and there's always some kind of cold or infection with a toddler - just always a constant challenge.

Permalink Reply by Scott Wilkins on July 10, 2012 at 6:07am

Is there a Diabetes Educator in your Doc's office? If so, get in touch with them. There are some tricks they know that might help. Be sure to be very very strict on keeping records, as that will help find the new norm for your teenager.

Permalink Reply by jla on July 10, 2012 at 6:58am

I had this same frustration for over three years until I read the fine print on the insulin info sheets. I was using Apidra and found that both it and Humalog state that their insulin should be replaced in a "reservoir" every 48 hours. Novolog, on the other hand states that it lasts 6 days in a reservoir. I switched to Novolog in January of 2012 and that has solved the 3d day rise for me as well as I find that I'm more sensitive to Novolog on the whole. A 24 reservoir life doesn't work well with the Omnipod 72 hour "lifespan". I actually have had the Novolog be effective for the full 80 hours that a pod will go before it shuts off. Hope this helps. You do work hard at this. My endo says he's never seen anybody work as hard as I do and have so many ups and downs but in my 46 years with diabetes this (and my DexCom CGM) are the best tools I've had. I wish you well!

Permalink Reply by Jacob's mom on July 10, 2012 at 7:07am

thanks jla, we have used novolog from the get go, probably more of it is from growth but there does seem to be a connection to the 3rd day, we are seeing his endo in a month, i try to tweak myself in between but i might need to put a call in sooner. thanks for your support!

Permalink Reply by smileandnod on July 10, 2012 at 8:16am

I can empathize with you. I'm struggling with female hormones leading to menopause. When my numbers get out of sync, it can really be frustrating trying to figure out if it's just part of the endless basal need changes or a site absorption issue or an insulin issue or just plain old gremlins.

My first reaction when I begin to run high on the 3rd day is to pull the pod early to see if it's hormones or site absorption. Most of the time, I'm still high even with the new pod so I basal test again and adjust.

I too have had the thought that maybe I just need to lower my expectations because I find myself getting so discouraged. I'm working so hard and not achieving the results that I used to be able to get with much less effort.

I also use Humalog and this discussion has prompted me to make a note to ask my endo about trying Novolog when I see him again in August to eliminate the insulin as a variable. So thank you for that.

Permalink Reply by debdebdebby13 on July 10, 2012 at 2:30pm

We just trained on the Omnipod yesterday, so forgive me if this is a "duh" thing for anybody, but our trainer said he had a person who was popping off the needle cap before he filled the reservoir so when it primed the pod was unable to get all of the bubbles out because it needed that seal over the needle/cannula.

The person was having highs on the third day because he was hitting all of the air by the third day in the pod that he didn't get rid of during priming.

Permalink Reply by Jacob's mom on July 10, 2012 at 4:32pm

no duh thoughts here! we follow a pretty good "protocol" with filling so thats not it but thanks, hope this line of thought dosnt discourage you we are overall happy with omnipod no method is perfect. or we wouldnt have to work so hard on management, best of luck with your transition and ask away if you have questions!

Permalink Reply by NatalieHodge on July 19, 2012 at 10:27am

YES! don't pop the top till AFTER PRIMING, I did this once, but then I noticed all the insulin literally blowing out the cannula before and thought to myself " this cannot be right"

Permalink Reply by Jen in CO on July 10, 2012 at 8:12pm

HI %Amy,

My son and I are both on the Omnipod. Although I don't have this issue, my son (who is six), does. It is very frustrating. When I see this increase, I put a temp basal of 20% increase on. Then, I have to worry he is going to go low, but usually, he does not. Of course, this does not happen with every pod, but many! My little guy does not like to get his pod changed, so this is one way I have devised to get that third day. FYI, we are on Humalog. Interesting discussion about Humalog vs. Novolog. Again, for me, I don't have that 3rd day high, but my son is so much more sensitive.

Permalink Reply by Natasha Bowlds on July 12, 2012 at 1:57pm

Our doctor wrote our Omnipod prescription for 2 days instead of 3 because she said often kids don't absorb insulin as well on the third day since their bodies heal faster than adults' bodies, and the body sees the pump injection site as something that needs to be healed. We don't always change after 2 days but often see the highs start on the third day if we don't. We are on humalog as well though so I don't know if there would be a difference with a different insulin. Our endo didn't think so but we haven't experimented ourselves.

Permalink Reply by Jen in CO on July 13, 2012 at 8:14am

So does this mean that this also happens with "traditional" pumps?

Permalink Reply by Jacob's mom on July 13, 2012 at 8:58am

good question, i know others have commented with highs when it is time for a change out with other pumps but i'm not sure what the statistics are, i guess it is just in generally way harder to manage kids than adults with type 1 so many more variables, just keep watching for trends i guess! i was just going to turn up jacobs basal a bit during the overnight and low and behold he woke up at 71! on a day when he needs a pod change so go figure!

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