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

M

MBavo

Newbie
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3
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
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
 
MBavo said:
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
Click to expand...
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
 
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
 
MBavo said:
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
Click to expand...


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
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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