Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Keirstin on January 21, 2013 at 1:37pm

I wore my pod on my arm for the first time a few weeks ago and people kept staring at me, I just laughed it off. It is hard to adjust to and I don't need extra tape. I started wearing it on my back and forget about it! I love the freedom to wear it in so many "new" spots.

Permalink Reply by Scott Wilkins on January 21, 2013 at 1:43pm

There are some things you can do. Sports tape covers them up nicely, there are also some arm bands called "Bands for life" made to cover Omnipods that look nice. Personally, I wear short sleve shirts with the sleeves that are almost to my elbows.

Permalink Reply by Bradford on January 21, 2013 at 1:43pm

I try to use skin-tac wipes to help keep the pod on, rather than resorting to additional tape, etc. Because I agree that the more adhesive you use, the more adhesive residue you're going to have to deal with. (on that note, you might try baby oil for helping to remove that residue. Or look into getting some "Detachol", which was designed to take off Mastisol).
Here's a pic from where my pod's at right now. Clearly, I wear my pods "out". I also have another spot further around the "back" of my arm that I prefer to wear it as well.

Yes, I get questions from time to time at the gym, or even when I'm at the grocery store. But I really don't care. I like to use that opportunity to educate people (esp. when they couple their curiosity with questions/comments like "oh you have the bad kind?" or "oh so you ate too much candy as a kid?" or "oh my grandma died from that after her foot was cut off").
I also wear pump peelz from time to time when I'm wearing the pod out where people can see it. Makes it more fun that way.

I don't think the new pods will be "significantly flatter". Some of the our European friends have mentioned that while it is smaller, most do not notice a dramatic decrease in size while wearing it. Anecdotal evidence, of course, but I don't foresee it suddenly feeling like "nothing's there" when you put on the new pods.

Permalink Reply by rubidoux on January 21, 2013 at 2:21pm

Well, it would be more attractive w/o the tape for sure. lol You look perfectly presentable. I'll have to pick up some baby oil on my way home today. I tried coconut oil, but it didn't help at all.

This is the mess that I've got on my arm right now (it's surprisingly hard to get a pic of the back of your arm!):

Permalink Reply by Herman on January 22, 2013 at 6:41am

I put it on the back of my arm. Less bumping into things. People behind me can see it but they hardly start talking to me about it. If they do I tell them it is my power pack "I am powered by Omnipod" LOL The 1st gen pod where sometimes dangling from the tape and I sometimes used 3M™ Coban Wrap but I must say the new ones are lighter and are better glued to the tape so they feel different/tighter. I use them now for two months and never used any extra tape. So the 2nd gen. Pods do make a difference.

Permalink Reply by barbraann on January 21, 2013 at 1:45pm

I've been on the pod for 2-3 years and have never worn it where it could be seen. I tried my arm once but it was under my sleeve and I didn't like it, kept knocking it off and it felt very vulnerable. Don't think I would ever be comfortable, don't like drawing attention to myself anyway and this just gives them another reason to stare. Never needed to wear it exposed, there are so many other areas that work just fine, so why do it.

Permalink Reply by rubidoux on January 21, 2013 at 2:23pm

I by far prefer it on my arm! But I do agree it would feel vulnerable w/o the tape.

Permalink Reply by Sticks on January 21, 2013 at 1:49pm

I'm 41 and have been on the pod since September last year. Although the weather in the UK isn't quite as good (!!) I do like wearing polo shirts etc and whilst I did feel very self concious to start with, now I don't give it a second thought.

I make a bit of a joke of it and either say its a nicorette patch but its so big because I used to smoke 200 a day, or I say it's a security tag so I don't break bail conditions! That normally breaks the ice with people and then when I tell them what it really is, generally people are fascinated by how it works etc.

At the end of the day if wearing the pod on your arm works for you, then it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

Permalink Reply by rubidoux on January 21, 2013 at 2:05pm

Ha, a big nicorette patch. I like that.

It's funny, I never had a problem with my pump tubing showing and I actually would let some of it hang out on purpose because I met a few type I's out in the world that way, which was nice. I don't remember if anyone asked me about it who didn't already know. I feel like the pods are a little more mysterious looking somehow. I would rather have people ask me about it than wonder what it could possibly be. So far, I've only had it on my arms in short sleeves this week and nobody has asked.

Permalink Reply by Becky Fischer on January 21, 2013 at 1:53pm

I have had diabetes 40+ years and started using a pump years ago. When in line at a local fabric store I noted someone several people in front of me had the omnipod on! I was so happy to see someone else who had it. I stepped out of line and we spoke for some time about it. She had no problem wearing it where it could be seen, it is a way for us to inform and or share what it is. Now I try and wear it so others can see it. It is nice to know I am not alone in this....

Permalink Reply by HeidiIris on January 21, 2013 at 2:32pm

I loved wearing them on my arms. People would ask me if I had quit smoking because they thought it was a nicotine patch. I am 38 and an elementary teacher, and I would glue google eyes to my pump so I could tell my students I had eyes in the back of me. If you are really nervous, those iPod arm bands cover it up very nicely and people just think you have an mp3 player there.
No one ever expressed disgust or were upset when they saw my pump, so it never occurred to me to hide it. I was so excited I wasn't using MDI that I proudly wore my pump.
I was also the only person in my town with the omnipod, so it was a nice learning opportunity.
Acetone nail polish remover takes the tape marks off nicely.

Permalink Reply by rubidoux on January 21, 2013 at 6:58pm

I didn't know that nail polish remover would work! I picked up some baby oil tonight, but I know that will come in handy someday. :)

I need to change pods tonight so I'm gonna clean up the gunk and see what happens if I don't use tape. I know it wouldn't survive on my belly with no tape, but maybe on my arm. I do feel thankful for the tape when I misjudge a doorjamb, though. Do you ever learn to go right through the middle of a doorway? lol

I don't think it's the pod itself that's causing me grief, but the tape. I'd like to be able to proudly let my pod show!

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