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Pump problems

Tweety88

Well-Known Member
Messages
55
Type of diabetes
Type 1
I have the Omnipod, and when it works- it’s great! But I constantly seem to have problems with high blood sugars and I know I have bolused right etc. It seems that every 2-2.5 days I will have a high (16mmol) that I just CANNOT get down. Today I had this after lunch, I noticed a red patch round the cannula so I changed it as I knew I wouldn’t be absorbing properly. I changed it- correction dose and +95% temp basal, down to 12.6 before tea and now before bed I am 19.8!!!!!! I know I have bolused correctly for what I have eaten and I know it’s as a result of this afternoons pod failure! (I have spoken to Omnipod and they have no suggestions!) i know My rates etc are fine because on the ‘in between days’ it’s perfect! However this happens once every 3 days- minimum! And I can’t cope anymore! Last time I over corrected and then was low! I just don’t know what to do! I’m contemplating going back onto pens as I’ve had enough of this!!!!!! No one has any advice to help me, this is my last ditch attempt of I’m coming off it- I’m done!! Any advice please! As I’ve been struggling with this forever! Overall my control is good- but I can’t do this every couple of days!!!
 
Every once in a while I get what I call a bad site. I kind of know the areas to stay away from, but I just get too close or???? One of the areas is where I used to give myself shots for years and another is my appendix scar area within 3 inches of that. I also can't use my lower back or love handles. But I can use every area above my belly button all the way across to the sides. In fact my preferred spot is right under my bra line or almost completely on my sides.

I also know a couple of people that have issues with cannulas and have to use tubed pumps so that they can use steel sets so they don't react to it. Because once you react you won't absorb insulin well. There is someone that has to change her sets every 2 days because they react if it's left in more than 2 days. You might try switching it out every 2 days to see if that prevents it.
 

Thank you for your reply.

Yeah it is definitely a reaction I have as it’s so red round the cannula. I will give changing every 2 days a go and see if that helps! It’s just SO frustrating! The pump with wires isn’t for me, that’s why chose the Omnipod. I think if I came off it I’d go back to pens c
 
Yes, that is why I picked Omnipod too, I didn't want the tubing. And I seriously told someone if I wasn't on an Omnipod I'm not sure which I would choose, going back to pens versus a tubed pump. I think I'm probably hooked on a pump so I probably would try a tubed one. But I know the feeling.
 
Hi @helensaramay so somewhere I must have said the wrong thing? I am on an Omnipod and love it and don't need to switch. At least not at this time. The not wanting a tubed pump was agreeing with the Op about not ever wanting a tubed pump and if I had to ever give up my Omnipod I wouldn't want a tubed pump either. But I was thinking it might be a problem with the cannula of an Omnipod for the OP, I know some people have to use steel insets so they don't react to them.

But knowing about the Medtrum A6 is great, it looks like it suspends insulin in predicting a low. Are you finding the sensor on it pretty accurate? That was sweet of you to mention it as I will remember there are other options available if needed.
 
Hi @Tweety88
I use omnipod and don't have these sort of problems but I know of 2 people I am friendly with on Instagram that experienced this sort of issue , along with leaking of insulin around the site and after about 6 to 9 months of constantly getting high BG's they came off omnipod and went to a tubed pump using 90 degree steel cannulas and had no further problems
 
I prefer a tube as the inserted cannula can be visually checked.
 

I’m seriously considering it! It’s getting very frustrating
 
Tweety88 said:
I’m seriously considering it! It’s getting very frustrating
Click to expand...
omnipod uses a 6mm angled Teflon cannula -- and if that does not suit then there are no other options--- the plus side is -- as it is a patch pump it is not tied to the 4 year warranty deal that tubed pumps have -- so you should be able to switch out of omnipod easy enough
 

Thank you.

I’m even considering going back on insulin pens. I just can’t do this anymore. I’ve had enough of them being so unreliable. To begin with they were great, but now I’m having highs every other day because of them. I’m at clinic in about 2 weeks so I will speak to them then. X
 
Just an update too... I have stopped using my stomach for now, yet I’m still having these problems. So it doesn’t look like a site issue.
 
I am on the omnipod nearly a year and my blood sugars after a couple days go up
 
booboo15 said:
I am on the omnipod nearly a year and my blood sugars after a couple days go up
Click to expand...
Have you spoken to your D team for advice ..if this is happenng most of the time perhaps your body is rejecting the cannulas after 2 days ………….or try ringing omnipod customer care to ask their opinion
 
I been contacted with my dsn and see if my basal rates is right
 
I have been on the omnipod for roughly 2 months now, and so far I have had fairly good results. I have had one or two pods that have not agreed with me (left red Mark's where the insertion was.) It is worth sitting down with your diabetes specialist to see if you need different correction setting through out the day!
I know during the day while I'm more active I don't need much insulin to correct, where as during an evening/any weekend I am less active and more Insulin is needed to correct!
Could also be down to absorption rates also.
Over the last 10 years I used to only Inject into my muffin top, which after education I found there was plenty of other places I could inject. But insulin doesn't absorb very well in those areas anymore.
This will potentially be the same with the omnipod if you don't change sites often.

Stick with it, going back to mdi should be the last resort after seeking help from the professionals.
 
I have heard that your body tries to heal itself around the cannula and therefore stops the absorption of the insulin at the site.
Maybe try and change every other day. I know its a faff but its got to be better than injecting with a pen or syringe.
 
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