Omnipod issues

[Katie121097]

Hi, this is my first post on here. I’ve been using the Omnipod for around 6 months now, most of the time I love it but some things just bug me.

I find it leaks quite a lot, I’ve tried extending my bolus’ which has worked but it still leaks sometimes and more often than not I have to change it on day 2.

I also think it damages my skin, I’ve spoke to an omni pod specialist and she just told me to remove the pod with baby oil - this works but it’s just a pain!
My skin is always very red and tender after removing an Omnipod, I also find it makes my skin tone uneven almost as if it’s scarred. Another problem is I find the adhesive SO itchy to the point I just want to rip it out, I also find it itchy after it’s been removed (I think this doesn’t help with my skin pigmentation) This problem is the one I struggle with the most as I’m a 21 year old girl who loves holidays etc and I just feel anxious/self conscious all the time about my skin. I have had diabetes for 10 years now and I am a lot more confident now with it than I have been in the past but I still struggle with bad anxiety. Does anyone else have these problems? If so please could you help with a solution as it’s driving me mad!

I know my first post is quite negative but overall I love my Omnipod especially the fact there’s no tubes and it’s waterproof and my diabetes is in-fact a lot better controlled!

 

[LooperCat]

Hi, and welcome from a fellow podder! Tagging @daisy1 for the welcome blurb

I’ve not had any of the problems you describe, I started it last August. When you get leakage, is it from quite big doses? Some people who get itchy from medical adhesives spray the area with Cavilon to create a barrier layer, which might be worth trying. I use Bepanthen nappy cream when I remove a pod or Libre sensor, it heals the skin very quickly.

 

[Deleted Account]

I don’t have OmniPod but I have another patch pump.
I use a barrier before applying my pump to avoid irritation. Currently I use SkinTac as I have some left over my previous pump. As @Mel dCP mentioned, Cavolon is recommended.
I always remove my pump as slowly as possible in the shower to avoid pulling. I then use a light scrub to remove the sticky.

 

[tircoed]

I had the same problem with skin irritations I now use Cavolon and had no issues since

 

[daisy1]

@Katie121097
Hello Katie and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it both interesting and helpful.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 600,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

• Reduce your carbohydrate intake
• Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

• structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
• self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.

 

[slbarron23]

Try and get a remover spray on prescription. Lift plus is good (so easy to take off the omnipod) and also peel easy is amazing! - this is more water based so I assume more gentle on the skin and a game changer!

I seem to have very sticky skin and struggled to get the omnipod off, even after 3 full days and a bath! This removes it in seconds!