Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lane on September 21, 2010 at 4:25am

My biggest piece of advice would be to not be afraid to adjust settings on the device. Don't be afraid to adjust the basal and bolus rates if they aren't working for you. However, don't make a change like that lightly, have at least a week of data to backup your decision.

You will forget the PDM a few times and walk out of the house without it, it happens so don't worry.

When you put on the pod, don't let the cannula hit muscle during the insertion.. it hurts! and you'll have to pull it off and waste a pod.

Draw out the insulin from the bottle when it is warm it won't have as many bubbles.

If you haven't had a pump before, I suggest getting a book about insulin pumps. They'll tell you a lot about what you can do with them and how they can help you in various situations.

Most of all, enjoy it. It is waaay better than multiple injections.

Permalink Reply by kms on September 21, 2010 at 5:09am

no advice to share, but I'm getting mine delivered today too and share your excitement! :)

Permalink Reply by barbraann on September 21, 2010 at 5:53am

Good luck! No advice, this is my first 24 hrs with mine so I'll be watching for some advice also. It's pretty easy. My trainer set everything up for me (actually had me set it up) Didn't understand while I was doing it but later went through the settings and now it's pretty clear. Watched my CGM through the night, never left 85! AWSOME! Today I exercise so I'll be doing a temp basal setting. As for forgetting the PDM, she suggested to keep some novolog in pen form with me just in case.

Permalink Reply by Steve D on September 21, 2010 at 9:20am

Just make sure you get to know the trainer, and get their contact information (if they are willing to share it, I cant imagine why they wouldnt)...this can be absolutely INVALUABLE in the future, when "things happen" as they so often do! IN any case, welcome to the greatest group on TU! You are gonna find this is the most helpful group of people you could ever know! Glad to have a new PODSTER!

Permalink Reply by Schmutz on September 21, 2010 at 5:13pm

Hey new Podders!! You came to a great place to get tips and also to help answer any issues you might encounter. It wasn't that long ago that I just started (4/14/10) and found a lot of information here that helped to make my first few days a whole lot easier. Here's link that I remember reading, If I did this right you should be able to click on it. http://www.tudiabetes.org/group/omnipodusers/forum/topics/583967:To...

Some tips that I would offer are: Once you settle in find a routine and stick to it. I always change my pods in the morning and try to eat shortly thereafter so that I can bolus, I feel it helps to avoid occlusions. I also change before I shower so my skin doesn't have any extra moisture. I just swab the area with 2 alcohol swabs and let it dry while I start the pod change. Use room temp insulin and make sure to get all the air bubbles out. I always prime my pods while they are flat side down on the counter top. Once it's done I remove the needle protection but leave on the paper backing and tap on my palm to get out extra insulin. It will help to keep your sight view window clearer and without moisture. Then I remove the paper backing and apply. I hold down the pod with my hand firmly but don't actually push it down and do the insertion. I've had great luck so far and have never had a bad pod other than from my own fault and ripping them off.

They throw a lot at you the first day and just make notes if you have to, I wrote a blog on it as I remember what it was like going home and actually having to go thru the steps for the first time by your self. Make sure you keep good notes and records for the first few weeks as I worked with my endo and kept track of carbs and my BG's we adjusted the basal rates and I now have 3 different rate throughout the day but it will hold my bg almost perfectly level now I have it where I need it.

I've had great success with my OmniPod and wish you the same..I'd never go back to MDI's and it has made my life a whole lot easier. Best of luck!! Let us know how it goes! Take care ~Schmutz

Permalink Reply by FHS on September 21, 2010 at 11:14pm

It's been almost a month and I'm just now getting over the anxiety and nervousness over changing pods. It really helped me to establish a routine like Schmutz. I never have more than 1 pod within range of my PDM when i'm ready to activate. I've done most of my pod changes away from the comfort of my own home so far because my preferred time is afternoon, about 3 hours after lunch and 2 hours before dinner. That gives me a window to check the operation of a pod without having to cover a meal. I've made a checklist of things to take with me everyday. On days when I'm doing a pod change, I have at least 2 pods with me just in case. I always carry extra batteries.

You're gonna like this!!

Permalink Reply by typeIIjan on September 23, 2010 at 9:32am

My training is scheduled for tomorrow. Thanks for the advice, everyone. I will be changing from 200 units of Humalog u-100 and Lantus u-100 per day to a U-500 insulin. Are any of you using U-500?

Permalink Reply by Pete on September 24, 2010 at 5:50am

I have been on the pod for about 3 months now and absolutely love it. After my initial training I also had a follow up session with my trainer which helped answer questions you come up with after using the pump for a while. After taking shots for 35 years I am kicking mysself for waiting so long, but until recently my control was very good. Since this was my first pump, my advice would be to remember to bolus even for small snacks. Having been on Lantus/Humalog or Humulin/Humalog I never gave shots for a morning/afternoon snack, it would be covered by the other insulin.

I think the system is very user friendly. I have only had one pod problem, it slid off during an extremely hot day. I think the adhesive was defective because it was very hot in Wisconsin this year and that had never happened before nor has it happened since.

Good luck!

Pete

Permalink Reply by KC O'Pod on September 26, 2010 at 5:24am

Hey Gomez,

You will love it. I've been on mine for two days now. No problems & I've been having good numbers. I'm currently using the back of my left arm. I switched from a Cozmo and the only problem that I'm having is forgetting that I'm not tethered anymore. I keep reaching for my old Cozmo to remove it while I'm changing clothes, etc...Hard habits to break after 5 years. But overall I love not having the tubing, especially while sleeping. I found the thing to be fairly intuitive to use. Only have a couple of complaints with setup. First one was, while putting in my basal programs, the PDM asked if I wanted to start a Pod, I selected "No" and it wiped out all of the settings that I had just put in. They should defer this while in basal programming screens. The second one, again had to do with basal programming. You can't advance forward from 12:00 am. You have to step backwards. Not a big deal, just an irritation. I'll be doing my first Pod change tomorrow morning. Hopefully it will go well. BTW, I've experienced and little irritation at the insertion site. I think it's from the Pod moving around. I wish that it was a little more snug fitting. Time will tell on the system as a whole. I'm extremely pleased, overall.

Cheers,
KC O'Pod

Permalink Reply by mwags on September 26, 2010 at 5:45pm

Don't know what you're switching from, but I like the pod way better than minimed's pump. Took a while to get used to wearing it and it still gets in the way sometimes. Other than that, it's easy to use. I did have a lot of itching under the adhesive. Found a barrier film swab by Smith & Nephew in my local small, private pharmacy which nearly eliminated the itching. Accidentally ran out and used the Smith & Nephew IV prep wipes I had left from using the minimed pump. They are working just as well. You look young; you'll do fine with the PDM
!