My Summary
Selected Omnipod after T1 since 1991 and MDI (Humalog/Levemir) for 8+ years. MDI had been my choice given the privacy it allows, selected an Omnipod for same reason and started on it June 23rd 09 from MDI.
Also: I started exercising vigourously 6-7x/week and that has boosted sensitivity and increased carbs/unit. I exercise around 5am b4 work and for that reason lows have not been an issue for me.
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My Blog:
Sept 08, 2009
Spent more time at beach and salt water was no match for POD, it functioned flawlessly, the offshore hurricane impacted the ocean surf and the surf ripped the pod unit away from the skin adhesive a little after spending time in the surf, but insulin delivery was not impacted at all. Must say its performance at beach is impressive, now if I could only get rid of several of the pod shadows on my body that are under tanned...
BG Performance and numbers are still strong, love it.
Insulet customer service has been fantasitic as well, they are about the best customer service you could possibly expect, really.
Update Aug 19th:
Still love it. It appears that exercise time of day, skipping exercise days, and exercise duration can vary my numbers enough to make the hoped for "tight" control rather difficult to get to. I will need to fine tune and continue to learn. Kidney area for pod is least comfortable for me, have never used legs due to exercise. Abdomen appears to be most effective area (best absorption) for me. I hate the continual beeping ~1hr before a pod expiry. During a work meeting it was absolutely brutal! I just plan my pod change time for when I am at home.
I did wear it in the Ocean a couple hours before a pod change and the pod worked fine during and after salt water!
Update July 16th:
No further pod issues since 7-2. My basal rates have changed (increased) since launch. but they are fairly easy to alter. The Pods calc of bolus vs basal % of total day dose is helpful. I am finding the need to alter basal consistent with work out start times which can vary day-day. Upper arm is a little in the way when when changing shirts and it makes your arm appear larger under a shirt.Still absolutely love it and willl never return to MDI.
I went to the beach and a water park recently with the pod on and it was really no big deal. Once you explain to others what it is there usually aren't many additonal questions. Water park slides where not an issue although I was carefull. I avoided the salt water this time...but heading to beach again later in the summer.
Update July 2nd:
My third pod (removed July 1) was not delivering insulin properly or the insulin vial I used was degraded (since tossed it). Not sure, but control was not good compared to first two pods. I also found out that a weekend schedule at the beach is a lot more variation in insulin needs than going to work every day.
Update June 25th:
About two days in and still working out the basal settings. I must say I should have done a pump sooner, its so much easier and control is 10x better.
UPDATE June 23, 2009 after dinner:
Got OmniPod today ~11am, Tues June 23......I can feel it on my stomach most of the time, but I expect that to pass. So far I love it. The Insulin On Board feature is awesome and the ability to dose in small increments a syringe couldn't handle makes it all worth it.
UPDATE: June 4, 2009:
All the Omnipod feedback without exception was positve. Some Omnipod users were kind enough to email Phone numbers for me to call to speak about their expereinces and ask probing questions...THANK YOU. See topic: http://tudiabetes.com/group/omnipodusers/forum/topics/request-to-speak-to-an
This is a great site, I never could have gotten unbiased user feedback without it. Amazing.