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Omnipod high sugars

Richard F

Richard F

Well-Known Member
This has happened a few times, unable to control my sugars, typically 2-2,5 days into the 3 day change cycle. When I remove the pod a hard red spot has formed on my skin where the cannula has been, I imagine this is interfering with insulin absorption.

It seems to be worse if I choose a lean site, ie arms and legs, abdomen less so. Anyone else have this and any resolution. I seem pretty committed to abdomen from now on and be careful regarding not using the same spot twice.
 
@Richard F I have a lot of site/pod failures the 2-3rd day. I have a bump a lot too, a bump after I take it off, sometimes red skin. I haven't connected them with the specific failures though. I honestly seem to have a problem with specific certain lots/boxes. I will have 2 in a row type of thing. But it is usually always the 2nd or even more likely the 3rd day. I am thinking the angle or the depth is just different enough it doesn't work as well. But I am reacting somehow. Skin, tunneling, poor absorption, scarring, just not sure.

Unfortunately some people have more issues with pumps. With tubed pumps you can change the inset used to steel or the depth can be changed. With an Omnipod you don't have that choice. But I have never wanted a tubed pump and now I swim for hours sometimes and really don't want a tubed pump. Not approved for that length of time in water, but the swimming doesn't seem to cause the issue.

You can call Omnipod and they have people that will call you back that specialize in helping you. They told me to try other areas like arms or legs. They also told me to use Skin Tac or an extra adhesive/tape to keep it more secure so it doesn't move and more likely to cause "tunneling". The other thing that can help stop tunneling is to keep insulin to smaller doses and wait a few minutes + in between doses.

In my case, my arms are saved for my Dexcom. I have spots on my legs that do work, but it varies a lot. And because I want my pods to still work for basal at least, I have taken to MDI for larger doses, I also use Afrezza. I keep my pod use to my basal and smaller dosing.

I'm not thrilled about it, but it is working most of the time. I don't feel I am as good at MDI as I have a tendency to round up. That's me though. If I have taken too many smaller doses I will still have a problem, but at least not until the 3rd day now.. You can call in the pods and they will replace them, but my script is also written generously for every 2 days so I don't have to worry about switching it out when needed. When I start to go higher than my "normal" or stay there longer. I just switch it out. I don't worry in my case whether I misjudged or there is another reason. I just switch it out really easily now because of my history with them.
 
Thank you;, 1st time I've come across tunneling and affreza, that's sent me down another rabbit hole. :)

My natural frugalness ( despite pods being on prescription) means I hate changing early and tend to stick it out. I think I'll adopt your strategy
.
 
It's happened again 2.5 days in and sugars uncontrollable. I going to call the clinic tomorrow, wondering if the problem may be humalog.
 
@Richard F Some people don't like Humalog in their Omnipod pump. I have heard there is a maybe a FB page or? Of people that have had issues with Humalog and Omnipods. In pens or vials it is in glass, but in a pod it is in plastic and supposedly that breaks it down faster. They use Novolog (Novorapid) and their problems cleared up, so it's worth a try.

Given , Humalog works supposedly better than other insulins in an Omnipod, but obviously not for everyone since some people switched and Novolog worked and Humalog didn't. Being told about the issue I did try Novolog and I had 2 pod failures in a row, so for me it didn't seem to make a difference. But some people definitely prefer Novolog over Humalog in an Omnipod. Be aware Fiasp works for some, but it is more known for clogging the Omnipod.
 
I had an interesting conversation yesterday with the DN. She suggested I try 48hr pod/site changes therefore reducing the amount of insulin administered in one spot.

When I spoke of absorbance problems with some areas (legs in my case) she said not unusual. Other users suffered the same and some set up different profiles for different areas. A different basal program is easily stored but tweaking bonuses to match sites seems complex.

I've been physically less active this winter, pumping more daily 25-30 u as opposed to my normal 20-25 u. I wonder if this has been enough affect on the current situation.
 
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