Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chelseabetic on August 17, 2012 at 6:51am

I'm on the omnipod and trying to get pregant. My dr tried putting me on Metformin to help with my insulin absorption, since you need alot more insulin when you are pregant. But i was allergic. I wonder if U-500 would work so I will not have to change my pods everyday. Let me know how it works.

Permalink Reply by vsmiley on August 17, 2012 at 4:46pm

Hello Chelseabetic,

Good luck on trying to get pregnant. I just started the U-500 within the last few minutes. I'll let you know how everything turns out.

Permalink Reply by Bradford on August 17, 2012 at 7:16am

U-500 is 5 times as strong as the typical insulin (which is U-100). (5u/ml vs. 1u/ml)

I would assume that working with your doctor to get your I:C ratio, correction factors,etc, dialed in would make using it just fine. Here are some previous discussions from the Omnipod group regarding U-500. Looks like a few folks had some bad lows b/c of it. But others seem to have little/no issues. So I guess proceed w/ caution (just make sure you have good communication w/ your physician?)?

U-500...Anybody?
u-500 insulin
Spent the night in the hospital...
This one looks helpful: R-500 Insulin
Which insulin do you use...

Permalink Reply by vsmiley on August 17, 2012 at 7:56am

Thank you so much for the links. They were really helpful. I'm going to follow my doctor's recommendation and try it out. I'll keep you posted and let you know how I adjust to it. :)

Permalink Reply by Tinkersmom on August 17, 2012 at 8:27am

Hi...
I've been using U-500 in my Pods for a year, and am very pleased. Just work VERY closely with your doctor to make adjustments. It's great not having to change pods every other day.

Contact me if you have questions.

Good luck.
Sandy

Permalink Reply by vsmiley on August 17, 2012 at 4:44pm

Hi Sandy,

Thanks for the reply. My CDE and I got together this evening and changed my settings and I loaded up my first pod with the U-500. I'm gonna keep a really close eye on my BG readings and hopefully all will go will. I'll keep you posted.

Permalink Reply by vsmiley on August 18, 2012 at 7:57am

UPDATE: My first night on U-500 was interesting. I had a couple of mishaps, but they had nothing to do with this insulin. They are all credited to my personal goofiness. Let me explain. I did a pod change with the U-500. I checked my BG after the pod change and it was 108. After my reading, I looked at my PDM and realized that my batteries were really low. I had 2 more AAA's in my house and said, "OK, I'll change the batteries!!" I didn't know that after you change the batteries in them PDM, you have to deactivate your pod. I hadn't had this pod on for 5 minutes and I had to change it out. So, when I put the second pod on, I hit a really bad spot. It REALLY REALLY hurt, when the cannula went it. I'm pretty stubborn and unless it's a burn or a broken bone, pain doesn't bother me that much. I DID NOT want to change out another pod in one night. Although it hurt, I kept the pod on for a few hours. All of a sudden that spot started hurting so bad, I couldn't take it anymore and I had to change pods AGAIN. I checked my BG right after the change and it had gone up to 246. I guess I wasn't getting any insulin while the "huting pod" was in me and my BG just shot up. I didn't get an occlusion failure, but for some reason my sugar was out of whack. Anyway, I tried to bolus and the PDM told me that since there was a time change detected (I had to reset the time and date after I changed the battieries), I had to wait a couple of hours before I could bolus. REALLY??? Anyway, I patiently waited because I didn't want to give myself a shot of anything while pumping the U-500. After my waiting period was over, I was able to give myself the suggested bolus. I checked my BG every 2.5 hrs and bolused until my BG came down to about 135. Hopefully, I won't have anymore issues with my pod today and I can see how the U-500 works out.

Permalink Reply by HPNpilot on August 18, 2012 at 8:09am

Uh...no... you don't need to change the pod when you change batteries in the PDM...you might have hit a wrong key. Nothing happens when the batteries are changed at all...everything should keep running!

Permalink Reply by vsmiley on August 18, 2012 at 12:30pm

You're probably right. Like I said, I'm blaming everything on my personal goofiness. I'll see what happens the next time I have to change my batteries. I have a question for you. How long do your batteries usually last? I just started using my OmniPod system 2 weeks ago and I've had to change batteries already. Do yours last longer than that?

Permalink Reply by HPNpilot on August 18, 2012 at 12:53pm

That sounds about like what I get out of them. I haven't been too careful about keeping track.

When you change the batteries, do it fast...don't leave it without any batteries too long.

Permalink Reply by ATRannals on August 19, 2012 at 6:59pm

Just curious what your usage of the U-100 insulin was? I've been on the OmniPod for about a month now and I think I'm finally getting my rates and corrections down pretty well. Unfortunately, I'm using about 120-130 units a day. I get less than two days out of each pod. :-(

My first plan of attack is to try and lose some weight and get on a more rigorous exercise program. I'm hoping that this will allow me to start getting my insulin usage under 100 units a day. As long as I can get two full days out of the pod, I think I'll be much happier.

Keep us informed how the U-500 works and I may have to look at that solution down the road.

Alan

Permalink Reply by vsmiley on August 20, 2012 at 2:58am

I was using on average about 115 or more units a day. I've only been on the U-500 for a couple of days, but it seems to be working pretty well. I've had a couple of overnight lows, so I might have to set a temp basal for my sleeping hours, but other than that I'm having good results. On the U-500 I've been using SIGNIFICANTLY less insulin. For example, Saturday, I used 22.25 units for the day. Sunday, I used 20.00 units for the day. For the first time, I'll definitely be able to wear my pod until it expires.

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