Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Marcus on August 2, 2010 at 1:45pm

I could've written this post, except I switched to the Pod from a Minimed pump. :)

I'd also say that I don't remember having problems getting used to the Minimed pump, but that was almost 10 years ago.

I think some of the "features" of the Pod - smaller cannula, ability to put it on your arms - contribute to some of the things that inevitably annoy me about it (occlusions, strange highs, etc.). In fact, I got so sick of it last night that I slapped my new pod on my belly, after being on my arms and back for the last six weeks.

I'm still glad I made the switch from Minimed as I love my Dex and I'm eager to be on an integrated Omnipod/Dex system in the future, but it's not a process without frustrations. But if I don't get used to the Pod and Animas comes out with a Dex integrated system first, I could see me going to that.

Permalink Reply by Jake on August 2, 2010 at 7:44pm

Also.. do you check 3 hours post meal... Iv found that 2 hours post meal the insulin usually hasnt taken effect enough (for me)... if i correct after 2 hours ill run low later... 3... I dont run into that....

Have you tried Temporary basals to try to nudge stubborn highs.. Sometimes correction factors "break" when your trying to bring down a nastier high (for me, anything over 275 needs a 3 hours of 120% TBR.. or add 10% (like a sick day correction)..

Temp basals can also help with uhm monthly hormonal things...

Permalink Reply by Hockey Mom on August 3, 2010 at 9:49am

Does anyone have this problem ?

Everytime we have an occlusion it seems like the next pod also does not work. This morning the one on his arm occluded. Not a big deal as we were to change it this afternoon today anyway. (It did make him late doing an unscheduled change but only because the next pod also did not prime. Over the past month, his pod changes time has drastically decreased!)

But, then the next pod gave a long signal and deactivated during priming before he could even put it on. This was the one that was in the pouch since Saturday. (We were told to not carry a spare around for weeks because it was more likely then to be damaged and not work when you needed it - so we always use that one and replace it with a new one). We are taking the old pod out of the area after removal and it is automatically deactivated by the sytem, right?

Because this keeps happening, I feel like we are not doing this in the right order and deactivating the new pod instead of the old one? They do not always give the warning at the same time. One time we were able to prime and insert it it but it occluded during catchup bolus. This does not seem to happen if we are just out of time or insulin and have decided to change the pod. Coincidence ?

Another call to Insulet when he gets home with his PDM.

Permalink Reply by Steve D on August 3, 2010 at 10:12am

Hocky Mom-

I had the same issues through an entire box of pods...and INsulet didnt belive me at first, but then they ended up sending me an entire replacement CASE!! Keep in touch with them, letting them know whenever this is happening, sounds like you are doing things right to me....but what do I know? As long as you deactivate the old one first, there shouldnt be any problems with the new one....although I was once told to make sure I deactivate the old a good 20 feet away from where the new one is kept. (Otherwise, the PDM will get confused, even more than we already are)

Permalink Reply by Lori on August 3, 2010 at 10:10am

Thanks for all the great suggestions and thoughtful replies! I am pleased to say things have calmed down and I have been having more normal numbers again. I think what did it for me was changing my site from below the waistband to above it on the abdomen. Have had two different pods placed in this area since having those ridiculous highs and it is working beautifully. I have yet to try the arms or legs because I am afraid of knocking it off and of noticeability. Maybe when the weather is cooler I may try the arm, that way it can be covered by longer sleeves. We'll see. : )

Permalink Reply by Christine on August 8, 2010 at 4:54pm

The best place for me by far is the back of my arm. But I an so sick of people coming up to me and asking me what it is. I don't want to be a spokesperson for omni pod and I don't like talking about it... My husband told me I should say "it's how I talk to the mothership" and just walk away. One of these days...

Permalink Reply by Christine on August 3, 2010 at 10:43am

I know how you feel. I'm having one of those days today... hovering in the 200's no matter what I do. for me I think it is hormonal surges. I'm 48. Just remember we become more insulin resistant the higher we go. Drink lots of water, correct as needed, keep moving and good luck. It makes me so crazy, sometimes i just cry.

Permalink Reply by Steve D on August 3, 2010 at 11:14am

Dont cry....Christine! I am also having one of "those days". I had an even worse day yesterday, my POD occlusioned at 4 am waking both my wife and I . Then, I had to go to my eye doctor (I have been having severe eye [probs for about 15 years now) and had to wait for 2 hours before I finally gave up and walked out! All this thanks to this wonderful, insidious condition we both suffer, I am a 30 year vet of this crap, but I like to think it has done alot for me, actually (pls. read my story at http://www.supportersofsurvivors.com and leave a post!)

Permalink Reply by derry on August 8, 2010 at 8:02am

Got a question I' in the process of ordering the omnipod but now after reading somethings on here did i pick the wrong pump please give me some input becauce i also thought about going with animas, but really don't like the tubing,please let me know what you think and if i made a mistake, thanks derry

Permalink Reply by Hockey Mom on August 8, 2010 at 10:33am

Derry,

Some of these problems are common to every pump. Every pump uses infusion sets and sites on your body to infuse the insulin into the fat layer every so many minutes as programmed by the pump's "computer". The pod's set also includes the insulin reservior. Some sites on everyone's body are better than others and some people are more sensitive to the insertion of the set so then it will be a while before insulin will start to be absorbed. Changing sites (every three days on the Pod) is also a little stressful until you get the hang of it causing some high BG just from that.

Even with all of the initial problems, my 16 year old son would not even consider changing from Omnipod. It is so much better than all of the shots daily and his basals are perfect within 20 points of 100 all times of the day. We have not done A1C testing yet but except for pod change days (which we are working on with everyone's help here) his numbers are good. He loves all of the bolus options and the temporary basal options for sports.

Omnipod also has the lowest up front costs for the physical pump so if it really doesn't work for you specifically after 45 days, you can always return it and try another pump. You will probably only be out the partial box of pods.

As for ongoing costs which are higher on the Omnipod, I would plan on 3 pods a week vs 2 pods a week which is the price usually quoted, at least initially. And the insulin that you will require will be to fill those pods three times a week with 220 units. (Our pharmacist called because this is way too much insulin for our son and we had to explain that in this pump it would not all be infused but could not be used after three days in the pod). Our insulin costs have gone up with the pump. As we begin to track the wasted insulin, we can opt to fill the pod with less insulin. We are also now buying more expensive OTC IV prep and antibacterial wipes, some special flex wrap tape and compression shorts to keep the pod on during sports.

Some of these factors make people decide on a different pump due to their insurance's classification of these items as supplies, durable equipment and other. Good luck. I hope you really like it!

Permalink Reply by FHS on August 8, 2010 at 10:52am

I was looking through the training video online. It says there is a minimum fill line on the syringe.

Is the minimum fill line on the syringe the minimum amount of insulin that can be injected into the pod? What is the minimum number of units that you can use?

I seriously doubt I'll be usiing 220 units every 3 days. I have a bit of a copay with my insulin and I'd hate to be wasting insulin and money.

Permalink Reply by Schmutz on August 9, 2010 at 10:32am

Hi FHS...Not sure anyone replied to this. There is a minimum fill line on the pod syringe which at 85 units. So if you use less than this amount in 3 days you may be wasting some....I have cheated slightly by going down a little less than the prescribed min. fill line and since there is no listing I can guess that it's about 70-75 units that I put in since I avg. about 20 units a day and usually have about 10 left over which I'm ok with since I did run one of my pods down to 3 units one time depending on my carb intake. I just visually go a little below the min. mark and did this over time slowy taking it off just a bit and never ran into a problem with it or had a bad pod because of it and now I use about the same amount each time as it works for me...The 220 units I believe is the max amount a pod can hold. Good Luck as I think your about ready to start on the Pod! I'm just 4 months into it so if you have questions I'd be happy to answer any...Take care ~Schmutz

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