Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve D on January 20, 2013 at 10:37am

I am one of Insulet's biggest enemies at TU Diabites, and I have heard from them often. I do have to say, however, that when it comes to pumps the Omnipod is probably the best option! I have worn the "Ping" as well and the tubing was just too dificult to adjust to among other problems (difficult to place/inject, pump failures, etc.). And, I must add, the customer service reps at Insulet are GREAT! (Even when I call and chew them out- for whatever reason) I swear they must be trained to deal with loudmouth a******s like me. Of course, they would only be trained this way if, in fact, there were just too many problems with the product, which I believe there still are...but, again, I do believe it is the best option to deal with this dispicable condition. In any case, good luck and PEACE!

Permalink Reply by Bradford on January 20, 2013 at 10:44am

lol Steve while I was typing my response, I almost put your name down as "one of the folks who was generally NOT happy w/ this pump". I knew you'd chime in though so decided to leave any direct names out of it :)

I also appreciate your candor when talking about your experience (and find it surprising/interesting that you still think it's the best option, despite not having much luck w/ it yourself).
Thanks for chiming in buddy!

Permalink Reply by Mom 2 Kyle on January 20, 2013 at 11:26am

Funny, but I read a few responses from you in another Omnipod discussion and was actually wondering myself if you'd respond. It's good to hear both the good and the bad things about a product. That way, if we have the same experiences I'll know in advance and won't freak out about it.

Permalink Reply by FHS on January 24, 2013 at 2:40pm

Interesting perspective Steve, and one that I really appreciate.

I've had a better time with my Omnipod than you did but it's reassuring to know that it could be a lot worse given our options.

I always say I'm a satisfied Omnipod user and generally happy with the product, but if I woke up one day to find myself cured of diabetes and never had to see another pod again, I wouldn't shed a tear.

I'm genuinely happy for what the Pod has given me, as a diabetic, but still, it's all persective.

Permalink Reply by Ellie on January 31, 2013 at 6:21am

Amen! Love my POD....

Permalink Reply by Steve D on January 20, 2013 at 10:41am

I do want to add as well that there is a group in TU called "Momnipods and Pops" that would be worth tapping into for folks like yourself!

Permalink Reply by Bradford on January 20, 2013 at 10:41am

You are going to hear mixed reviews from lots of folks--some will agree w/ everything you've written above, and others will agree w/ none of what you've written above. Just like with any pump, it is going to be pretty individualized.
There are plenty of people on this site (myself included) who are very happy w/ this pump. There are plenty of people on this site who will also tell you to keep searching in your pump choices. So I would say take everything you read (my own words included) at face value, or with a grain of salt, or (insert some other phrase about your diabetes may vary, etc).

If you install the pod in good tissue following some general guidelines (start w/ room temp insulin, not straight from frig, pinch up the skin when it is auto inserting, apply it in an area that is free from skin oils and/or perhaps use extra adhesive wipes, etc), then you will likely have a lot of success.
I have not had any "bad boxes" of pods in a long time. I was in a rush on my last pod change and tried to put insulin that was not room temp into the pod (I pulled it from frig, drew it into syringe, and then "warmed" it by rubbing it w/ my hands back and forth to try and speed the process), and because of it, it failed during priming. It happens. It's a disposable electronic device--there is likely to be some parts of the sytem that do not work flawlessly. But having said that, this was the first failed pod in many many months, and I knew right away that it was a fault of my own, not of its own.
Yes they "scream". What people mean is that the pod talks to you with a series of beeps--two beeps for confirmation of bolus amount, two beeps when it is done priming and ready to be applied to skin, etc. In the even to of a failed pod (through occlusion, some sort of internal safety mechanism error, through static electricity discharge, etc), it will give you one long (neverending) continuous beeeeeeeeeeep until you confirm that the pod is bad w/ the PDM (the handheld "brain" of the pump). The other option is to 'kill' it by breaking it open (there are several ways to do this). Some people do not "like" this kind of alarm/noise/sound so they talk about how much they dislike more than others. It is what it is--that's how this pump talks when something is wrong.
Can't speak to the "bad pod in every box"--I think this is false based on my personal experience, but as mentioned previously, others who have not had success w/ this pump may disagree. User experiences vary (but that comes w/ any pump, FYI).
I can place the pod more places than I used to place my minimed pump infusion sets. Again, user experience varies. I have 6 spots I frequently rotate through, and I have another 4 spots that I *could* if I wanted to (in order to give those 6 a break, etc). None of the 6 spots I use now are spots that I used w/ the MM.

My suggestion is to try and talk w/ your Doc about meeting up w/ the rep. See if you can try a sample pump or not (some reps allow this, some may not--this info based on experiences from other users on this site who have written about it). There is a 45 day money back guarantee w/ Insulet as well, so it may be an option worth giving a try.
I am pretty sure you could probably get similar "trial" experiences from other companies too, except for Tandem's T:slim, which is a "once you buy it, you've bought it" policy. You might look at the T:slim group on this site to read about their experiences if that is a pump option that interests you.

I think the omnipod is a great pump and I love the tubeless design, the very easy to use user-interface, and have been generally very happy with the customer service I've received over the past 4 years.

I wish you and your son luck as you begin to investigate the pump possibilities!

Permalink Reply by Mom 2 Kyle on January 20, 2013 at 11:17am

Wow, 4 years! Sounds like you are pretty satisfied. Does the PDM also have a blood glucose meter IN it? It looks like it on their site.

I want to go with what my son wants to go with since it is HIS decision and HE has to be the one that's happy with it. But, I'm the mom & I'm going to be the one dealing with all the issues if we have them so I want to get the best one we can. Thanks for ALL of your help.

Permalink Reply by Bradford on January 31, 2013 at 6:29am

Sorry I'm just getting back to this!

Yes the PDM currently has an Abbott Freestyle meter built into it.
I have several extra meters laying around (at home, at work, in my gym bag, etc) so I actually don't test w/ the actual PDM that much. I used to though. It worked well. As far as minimizing stuff to carry, having to carry 'one less thing' (by not having to carry another meter) is nice.

I think it's a good product overall. As mentioned, each pump (or even MDI for that fact) has pros and cons, but for me the pod has more pros than any other insulin delivery method for my lifestyle. So I'm definitely happy with it :) And I'm glad that you realize the importance of having your son (and you) both be happy with it. Yes, he will be the one primarily using it. But you also have to take yourself into consideration (as you mentioned).

Permalink Reply by MikeU on January 31, 2013 at 1:01pm

To add to Bradford's info about the meter...

I just started on the OmniPod a week ago. The starter kit I received also had a "standalone" Freestyle meter - in addition to the one built into the PDM.

Also, the new Freestyle meter seems to be more accurate than the two One Touch meters I had been using. Although, this is not based on any kind of scientific evidence - just how I sensed a low & my Dexcom.

Permalink Reply by Ellie on January 31, 2013 at 6:24am

Spot on Bradford. I am 57 and have had my pod for just over one year. Went from terrible control to A1C of 6 last check. Also use a Dexcom CGM. Very happy w/both!

Permalink Reply by Biedronk on January 20, 2013 at 10:53am

I started pumping for the same reason: Dawn Phenomenon. I used minimed for 8 years, tried all different for 1-2 weeks. Once I tried Omnipod I knew It was it!. Ability to swim without disconnecting, no string hanging - freedom again. It has been almost one year on pods, still a big fan, definitively my preference.
I am sure there is no perfect pump. Every single pump will have pros and cons. This is going to be the first pump, big change in management. I think you should learn about ALL, to make a decision.
Here you don't have tubing attached, but you may lose the PDM. Once I went to the restaurant for dinner with my husband. He had a nice dinner, I could only smell it - I left my PDM at home.
I want to encourage you to explore all options, get your son to wear demo pod for a few days or so.
GOod luck.

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