• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Experience with the Omnipod

P

Paula_type1

Member
Messages
11
Dear All,

I have tried to use a pump with tubing, but 8 out of 10 times it hurt when I inserted the needle. The tubing always got in my way and I felt I like I was living on batteries.

Last Wednesday I installed my first Omnipod and I think it is much better than the pump with tubing. The insertion of the needle (which the pod does with one push on the button of the PDM) feels just like a small pinch. The pod stays on for three days and that’s the only time you need to insert a needle and no tubing gets in my way. It has only been a few days, but so far so good. It is nice that when you eat you need only pick up your pdm and fill in your glucose level and the carbohydrates you eat and the pdm calculates how much insulin you need. It also knows how much insulin is active in your body and it uses this information to calculate the right amount of insulin. *I use the bolus calculator*
For example, yesterday I had a glucose level of 13.0 and I filled in this glucose level in my pdm and filled in that I wasn’t going to eat, then it calculated what I needed to bolus and it turned out to that I needn’t bolus, because I had enough active insulin. To my surprise it was right and an hour later my glucose level dropped to 8.0.

I am wondering however, what your favourite place is to wear your pod. I was thinking about putting in on my lower back next, but isn’t that uncomfortable when sleeping? As I prefer to sleep on my back. And how do you place it on your back, do put it horizontal or vertical? And is it easy to wear on your legs, with wearing jeans? Could you please give me some advice on how and where to wear the pod? Any tips about the use of the Omnipod are welcome, as I am new to it.

I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you!
 
Both my kids wear the omnipod and prefer to wear theirs on lower back and stomach. Another popular place is the back of the arm although my kids say they are aware of it there a lot more and it wobbles a lot. You can purchase special bands to keep it secure, but the best of these tend to be from America. Your user manual will show you the sites which prove most popular and also show you the best angle for insertion. I guess it's a case of 'suck it and see'.
 
Hello Leggot,

Thank you for your fast reaction.

First of all, I am sorry to hear that both your children have diabetes. It is nice that you are involved and know so much about diabetes. My mother keeps track of all the news about diabetes and wants to know my test results and glucose levels. For me personally, I think it is nice to have someone in your life who knows about diabetes and cares to know how you are handling your diabetes.

I have put my pod on my lower back on the left, slightly to the left so it doesn't bother too much when I sleep on my back. I do feel the tube sometimes though, it's a bit sensitive. I haven't tried my arm yet, though I think that the arm might be even more sensitive. I do want to give every place you can put a pod a try. My manual shows the places I can insert it, and what angles there are (horizontal or vertical), but you have to hold into account that every part is different due to fat, muscle and nerves. Therefore, I find it very difficult to find a good place to insert the tube/needle.
 
Hi again,

I'm pleased you have someone too that really cares about you and your diabetes. I just hope my kids grow up and appreciate my involvement like you do with your mum.

When we put it on their backs we try and make sure the canular goes into a more fatty area, so just above bottom / waist, although it is easier for us to apply it as we can stand behind them and put it in the right position. I would imagine that it is a little trickier having to do it on yourself.

My kids have been on the omnipod since May last year. We are still waiting for the smaller pods to come out, but overall we love it and would hate to go back to MDI.

If you have any questions relating to the Omnipod, please feel free to PM me and I'll be happy to try and answer any questions you have. leggott
 
Thank you very much Leggott. I heard the new PDM and the smaller pods are coming out around September, and I hope it won't be rescheduled. Yesterday I've placed my pod on my right side on a fatty place and I don't feel it at all I think this will be my favourite spot, but I still want to try it my legs and arms. I hope the experience will be just as good.
 
Back
Top