Stumble It!
Armed
So… It’s officially been 5 weeks since I started on the OmniPod, and I finally tried it on my arm. Armed. Banded. Armbanded. Weird.
Already, I was so accustomed to wearing that box on my stomach that I startle each time I notice my
empty abdomen: Where-oh-where has my pump gone? Have I lost it? Ah no, the shoulder. That’s right. It did feel a little achy back there when I wasn’t looking.
Actually, the insertion hurt even less on the arm than it did on my tummy, so I was pleased with that. And I love being lump-free in the middle. But I also forgot how strange it might look without sleeves. As I pulled off my sweatshirt in aerobics class the other morning, a friend approached to ask, “What’s that on your arm?” “Oh, you know I’m really a Cyborg, right?” No one else asked any questions. But I couldn’t stop looking at it in the mirror. Hmm, definitely better covered by my workout tops in that setting.
Admittedly, I’ve also run into a few door jams. I’ve got to readjust my perception of the width of my shoulders, and/or try moving the Pod a little lower and further back on my arm.
But for sleeping, the arm site has turned out to be even more comfortable than the stomach. I sleep on my right side a lot, so was careful to attach the Pod to the left shoulder where I wouldn’t lay on it. No Problemo. Never notice it — as opposed to on the tummy, where I somehow managed to roll partially onto it no matter which end it was oriented towards…
Still, the arm site doesn’t look as cool on me as it does on pop star Nick Jonas, for example. With a box on the upper arm, guys kind of get this rebel look — like they’re sporting a pack of cigarettes. Me, I just look like some dippy soccer mom who maybe taped her cell phone to her shoulder. *Sigh*
Nevertheless, I love having options. In three days’ time, I’ll have to move it again anyway. Maybe I’ll save the Arm Trick for next time this soccer mom gets the opportunity to go hot-tubbing. Good thing we modern Cyborgs are otherwise waterproof 
Amy, I just started insertion sites on my arms a few weeks back and I like them too. It is amazing how painless they are and you do not need a lot of fat! However, I too am worried about what I will think in the summer with a string top - will I accept it then? Gulp!
Posted by: Chrissie in Belgium | March 26th, 2007 at 8:40 amWow, Amy! I commend you on your bravery in trying the arm site…wonder if I should finally work up the guts to stick a Minimed site in there?
Posted by: Kendra | March 26th, 2007 at 11:12 amI’m glad you’re lovin’ the Omnipod but as a Tubed One / Hip Wearer myself, I gotta wonder how easy it is to hide that thing! It looks a lot bigger than I thought it was.
Man! That thing is huge! Are you sure you don’t want to try an old fashioned pump? I was disappointed I couldn’t get one for me and/or my daughter. Not anymore! Thanks for the photo. Unless you are miniature, that thing is the size of a brick!
Posted by: Steve | March 26th, 2007 at 2:10 pmThe pod only looks large because of the white “tape” that attaches to the skin. The tape sticks out about a half inch around the pod. The pod itself is the size of a cut in half kiwi fruit. I’ve been able to “hide” the pod easily within folds of clothes. No tubing is the reason it’s so wonderful.
Posted by: Jules | March 27th, 2007 at 8:55 amRight, Jules, it’s really not that big. And yes, I do have Mini-Mouse arms.
Posted by: AmyT | March 27th, 2007 at 10:03 amOhhh okay…so the actual pod is covered by a kind of white tape bubble? Interesante…
Posted by: Kendra | March 27th, 2007 at 10:51 amYikes! was my first reaction but I still like the idea of no tubes.But then, I also like the idea of being able to go back to my trusty insulin pen if I get too freaked out by the pod. Sooo do you have a favorite place to wear it or is it too new? I’m slowly filling out my paperwork…
Posted by: Betsy Powell Mantak | March 27th, 2007 at 11:01 amOK. Where does Jules get her XL kiwi fruit? Come on guys. That thing has to get in the way. Be honest. I’ll gladly live with a tube if I can hide my pump, take it off to “get busy”, jump into the jacuzzi, go surfing (that XL kiwi can’t fit under a wetsuit), or engage in tons of other activities. It is too big. It won’t last.
Posted by: Steve | March 27th, 2007 at 12:15 pmPersonally, I think it is more the size of the Flash BG meter than any kiwi in my refrigerator! Anyway, my son has had good luck placing the pod on the underside of his arm…less conspicuous and more protection there!
Posted by: Anne | March 27th, 2007 at 9:22 pmTubeless Insulin Pumps?
One blogger, Amy Tenderich of Diabetes Mine, offers a running commentary on her experiences with the OmniPod. In one post, she reflects on her first five weeks on the device, and elsewhere comments on her first impressions of the OmniPod: �I am so happ…
Posted by: Medopedia | March 28th, 2007 at 6:50 amThe average size of a kiwi is 2 inches….the pod is 1.75 inches so the kiwi is actually a little larger than the pod. I’ve got two favorite spots so far. The underside of the upper arm (not the backside) and about 2 inches below my belly button. The upper arm location doesn’t interfere with “get busy” time in any way. Insulet now has an empty pod that you can stick on to yourself if you’re really curious…give them a call and ask for one.
Posted by: Jules | March 28th, 2007 at 8:49 amHey, “get busy” meant the activities I listed(Which you didn’t address). Get your mind out of the gutter! The pod’s dimensions are 1.6 in. x 2.4 in. x 0.7 in.(Like I said, that’s an XL kiwi) Where did you get 1.75?! You lose credibility when you don’t tell the truth! Why would I stick a huge empty pod onto myself? That doesn’t reflect how well it would work if it were full of heat sensitive insulin! Use whatever pump you like.I’m just pointing out the obvious disadvantages of this gimicky new device. I’m done…
Posted by: Steve | March 28th, 2007 at 3:03 pmOops. You’re right Steve. I took a ruler next to my computer and measured the pod on my lower back. I estimated 1.75 inches twisting and turning to get a good sight. I stand corrected. However, I still stand by my comparison to a kiwi cut in half lengthwise. My next experiment will be measuring temperature differences between the insulin in a pod and the insulin in an external pump. I promise not to guess. I have a hunch though that the difference will be small.
Posted by: Jules | March 28th, 2007 at 7:46 pm“Gimicky new device”? Steve, you’re kidding, right? Aren’t you the same guy who called Insulet and sent emails to me complaining that you couldn’t get ahold of the revolutionary new OmniPod? You lose credibility when you keep contradicting yourself…
Posted by: AmyT | March 28th, 2007 at 8:08 pmNo contradiction here. Read my first post. I’m simply saying the pod is too big for me, and certainly my 7 year old daughter. Jules, no need to estimate, I got the dimensions from the omnipod’s web-site. Why measure temperature differences Jules? I’m talking about removing an external pump to keep it out of the hot water in the jacuzzi or bathtub. You can’t do that with the mega-pod!
Posted by: Steve | March 28th, 2007 at 10:25 pmSteve: Sorry I didn’t assume you were talking about hot tubs and having to take the pod off and throw it away. They’re not on my wave length because I wouldn’t be caught dead in a hot tub. I love a nice hot bath but exposing myself to large amounts of volatile organic carbons, inhaled deep into the lungs, which is needed to keep the darn things “clean”, is against my health ethics. As an Environmental Scientist, I believe the last great source of unregulated contaminants is the modern day hot tub.
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