Omnipod 5 (3 days) with Dexcom G7 (10-11 days)

[MBavo]

I am using Omnipod 5, each pod lasting 3 days. With the Omnipods I am using the Dexcom G7 which lasts 10-11 days. I use one sensor on an upper arm and successively three Omnipods on the same arm. I then want to switch to the other arm, but this means that the Dexcom has to be cancelled and replaced, 1-2 days early. The sensor on one arm does not communicate well enough (or sometimes at all) with the Omnipod on the other arm. Does anyone have a solution for this, other than running one of the Omnipods each time on Manual Setting for 1-2 days? Is this what people do?
Thanks
MB

 

[h884]

I am using Omnipod 5, each pod lasting 3 days. With the Omnipods I am using the Dexcom G7 which lasts 10-11 days. I use one sensor on an upper arm and successively three Omnipods on the same arm. I then want to switch to the other arm, but this means that the Dexcom has to be cancelled and replaced, 1-2 days early. The sensor on one arm does not communicate well enough (or sometimes at all) with the Omnipod on the other arm. Does anyone have a solution for this, other than running one of the Omnipods each time on Manual Setting for 1-2 days? Is this what people do?
Thanks
MB

Hi I also use Omnipod 5 and Dexcom G7. I manage this issue by locating pods either on my tummy on my arms. This gives my arms a rest. I do this until I change my sensor. The sensor and pod do not connect as well when my pod is on my tummy is it does on my arm. For me it has not been too big a problem. I think you can also use your lower back. Have not tried this yet.

Hope this is off some help

 

[MBavo]

Hi h884, thank you! It is indeed helpful. I am curious what you do: say, you have used three Omnipods on the right arm where the sensor is (which has 2 days left). Would you then go to the right side of the tummy for the next two days, and then on the third day put a sensor also on the right side of tummy...? Best

 

[h884]

Hi h884, thank you! It is indeed helpful. I am curious what you do: say, you have used three Omnipods on the right arm where the sensor is (which has 2 days left). Would you then go to the right side of the tummy for the next two days, and then on the third day put a sensor also on the right side of tummy...? Best

I would probably place 3 pods on my arm. The next two I would put on my tummy ( same side as the sensor)
When it comes to changing the sensor I would put it on the other side of my tummy. That would allow me to place pods on my other arm and then back to my tummy.

I also tend to change the sensor on day 10.

Hope this make sense

 

[MBavo]

Hi again, h88a. This does make a lot of sense, thanks for sharing your approach. I had been hoping to make it work using just the arms, but I don't think I really can unless I go manual for 1-2 days every 3 pods.

 

[h884]

Hi Pleased I managed to make things clearer.

I asked about moving between manual & automatic as I was having a lot of problems with night time lows and the subsequent alarms. In addition restricted delivery alarms were going off every night. I was told that was not possible. I have currently changed to manual and the problems with nightly alarms have resolved.

Good luck with Omnipod 5

 

[evilclive]

I'm on the libre, but same general concept - the overlap time for sensor changes can be annoying.

I try and get the maximum time out of my pods, which is 3 days 8 hours. After a year and a half of doing this, I now have about 3 months supply of pods in hand! Basically the supply they give you is generous (for me), so I'd go for changing pod sooner rather than changing sensor sooner.

My libres live on my arm, my pods on my midriff (side/back preferred) or thigh. At changeover time I put the overlapping pod on the front of my tummy, which can be interesting with absorbtion sometimes (presumably however many years of needles into the skin there), but generally works. Sometimes it's a bit iffy and misses signal, and if it's too bad at that I'll start a new one - but the last few changes have gone well enough.

 

[Shortie13green]

Hi I am a G7 and Omnipod 5 user 3 1/2 months now. This is my personal experience.

When I started I used my tummy and really disliked it. Kept everything stuck, knocked and banged against and ripped off when trying to move clothing even tho this was the recommended site !!

I have quickly transitioned to only using my arms.
I find that I can put the G7 either above or below the Omnipod 5. My skin seems to be quite robust so I tend to top and tail the pods. So I will have one facing up and then the next facing downwards in the same location. This might or might not be ok for you.

Transitioning between arms I find easier if I have the G7 pointing a bit inwards towards my chest, the connection between arms is not so perfect and I tend to add in a manual readings from the G7 to the Omnipod 5 when I've had a couple of problems. As a female I am also "strap aware".

Just for the record I also use Not just a patch plasters to hold the Omnipod in place as I'm naff at getting it on. I also use the grace period and use my G7 for 10.5 days each time so my change period is either breakfast or evening.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[Bobby_Davro]

Hi all,
I’m on the Omnipod 5 & Dexcom g7 as well but I can never leave a working pod on me when I change my dexcom g7. It just doesn’t sync. I find myself using 3 pods for the 10 days & my last pod (number 4) is only on me day & I change that & my sensor at the same time. It seems a waste of 2 days worth of pod. Does everyone else have the same issue?

 

[h884]

Hi all,
I’m on the Omnipod 5 & Dexcom g7 as well but I can never leave a working pod on me when I change my dexcom g7. It just doesn’t sync. I find myself using 3 pods for the 10 days & my last pod (number 4) is only on me day & I change that & my sensor at the same time. It seems a waste of 2 days worth of pod. Does everyone else have the same issue?

Hi I use Omnipod 5 and G7 user. I find changing pods a bit of faff. I have not experienced the problems you have.

When changing my sensor I let it warm up and provide readings in the Dexcom app. I then let the PDM find the sensor and provide readings there. It does take double the time. I tried doing them at the same time and it does not work.

If I am changing the pod only then I just link it to the pdm using the pod status screen.

Hope this helps

 

[Bobby_Davro]

Hi I use Omnipod 5 and G7 user. I find changing pods a bit of faff. I have not experienced the problems you have.

When changing my sensor I let it warm up and provide readings in the Dexcom app. I then let the PDM find the sensor and provide readings there. It does take double the time. I tried doing them at the same time and it does not work.

If I am changing the pod only then I just link it to the pdm using the pod status screen.

Hope this helps

Hi,
Thanks for the reply. I think I’m just being impatient but I’ve tried a few times to connect a new sensor to an already in use pod & it just doesn’t seem to work. As soon as I put a new pod on…. Bingo it connects. I’m definitely doing something wrong.

 

[h884]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply. I think I’m just being impatient but I’ve tried a few times to connect a new sensor to an already in use pod & it just doesn’t seem to work. As soon as I put a new pod on…. Bingo it connects. I’m definitely doing something wrong.

Hi

I cannot think that this has been an issue for me. I am due to change my pod tomorrow but not my sensor. Will let you know how it goes

 

[h884]

Hi

I cannot think that this has been an issue for me. I am due to change my pod tomorrow but not my sensor. Will let you know how it goes

Hi Bobby-Davro

I changed my pod earlier, no issues encountered. It does take the 25 minutes to connect, same as when you change your sensor.

One thing came to mind, do you change to manual mode when you change your pod ? I think I was guided to do that when doing a pod change. I am currently using manual mode all the time as the algorithm does not seem to work as well for me. I get better control in manual mode overall.