Diabetic Recipes
OmniPod
There was the researching, and the chats with the doc,. There was the mental tug-o-war between my daily injection comfort zone and my need for more flexibility, and now, like the quickness of a self-inserting cannula, I am pumping insulin by way of the OmniPod.
For nearly four years now I have been ducking into bathroom stalls, pit-stopping on highway shoulders, and seeking out keen new places to take daily shots. The mind saturated planning and mental mapping was wearing thinner than Trump's hairdo. Today I revel in the notion that I have not taken an injection in over 48 hours. No new bruises for me. No searching for insulin pens and their needles. No wrinkles of injection pain canvassing my skin.
My first day pumping insulin got off to a sloppy start. I blew through two pods right out of the gate. One was not my fault- an occlusion occurred (followed by an obnoxious alarm and urged message of pod removal). The other issue happened when the pod was adhered to my upper thigh. I was sitting down during attachment and the adhesive started to give under the pressure of walking around afterwards. A hot shower combined with overstressed adhesive finished off that pod in no time.
Third pod is a charm. I freed it from the packaging, along with the filling syringe, and plunged 215 units of Novolog into the guts of the compact body. Guided by the wireless handheld PDM (personal diabetes manager), the pod self-primed, filtering out any air bubbles, and asked me to place the new pod on my desired infusion locale. I stood up this time, leaving the skin un-taut, and plunked it on my upper thigh. The cannula automatically inserted with a rapid click. I flinched, but not from pain. Basal insulin infusion followed suit, and off I went.
Now I am in the process of fine-tuning my insulin to carb ratio, basal rates, correction rate, all the stuff that makes pumping insulin so effective and individually molded. There is great potential for me on this new pumping path. Onward- to see what I can make of it.
Oh Scott how fun! I seriously considered OmniPod, too. I'll be following your progress closely!
Right on- I will be reporting about the good, the bad, and the wireless! Next step is to give customer service a ring and see how they get the job done.
Scott,
I really appreciate hearing about your experience with your pump. My doctor has been offering me one for the past couple of months. I am a type 2 but use Humalog and Lantus. Do you use only the Novolog? You are always so honest and upfront. I will really be interested in hearing how this is workiong out for you.
My aim is to get out as much feedback as possible on this new pump as I know there are many in your shoes that are in decision making mode. Before the OmniPod I was taking Lantus and Novolog as part of my multiple injecion routine. Now, the pod is filled with Novolog and that takes the place of the "long acting Lantus" and continues the effects of the "rapid acting Novolog". I have not used Humalog but I have been assured that Humalog/Novolog/Apidra are equally successful in pumping.
Congratulations Scott. Welcome to "Modern Diabetes 101." I've had diabetes for 49 years and have used insulin pumps for the last 14 of those years. This last year I started on the Omnipod.
What an improvement! I love not having tubing and the remote(the PDM)is wonderful, as I can carry it in my purse, on my belt, leave it in the bathroom when going to bed, etc.,
Having a pump is so much easier than multiple injections and makes life & diabetes so much more flexible.
Again, congratulations Scott. Enjoy your Omnipod.
You hit it on the head. Flexibility is crucial. Thanks for the warm sentiment, I appreciate it. I'm well on my way to making the most out of my pumping experience!
I know it's hard to say in general terms, but I'm wondering how the major insurance companies are treating pumps from a coverage standpoint? I've been a T2 for almost 3 years. Went on Lantus in Nov and have now added Novolog this past week. I love the pens, but also love 'gadgets'. I'm not trying be flip about the pump just being a gadget, I realize it's importance. I would not like the other style of pump with tubes and stuff, but would be very interested in the OmniPod at some point. Will be following your progress Scott.
Corey
Corey, I will be posting my insurance experience when I get a little more info dealing with them... stay tuned
I used the OmniPod for about 4 months, but after every other pump had a occlusion or the pump just stop working I switched to medmein. Then when I decided to switch to med med, omnipod wouldn' refund the money back to my insurance company. Then in turn the insurance company wouldn't pay for another pump until they got there money back. I don't want to put down the company and there customer service, I just don't want anyone to go threw what I had to go threw
i'm mom to 2yr old who has been trying to use omnipod.he is having similar problems.we have been using it for 6 wks and we're almost ready to send it back if things don't improve soon.
i,ll be watching your progress and comparing it with my 2 yr old son's.he just started using the omnipod in may 08.