Stumble It!
Random Thoughts on Pumping without Tubes
You can see that this has been a life-changer for me: I usually don’t do anything much “random.” But becoming a pumper — especially with such an innovative wireless system — has brought on all sorts of experiences and feelings that don’t necessarily stack up in any methodical way. I’m just letting it all sink in at the moment…
That said, you can read the “aerial view” of my thoughts on becoming a pumper at my newest dLife column this month. For those of you more curious about the daily nitty-gritty of it all, here are some initial notes:
Regimen Readjustments
Surprisingly, nothing too substantial was required yet. My biggest struggle has been getting the correction factor right. I keep going too low, so readjusting the factor setting, but then sometimes it’s not enough after all. Go figure.
Not using extended bolus delivery yet, even though I’ve been eating steak and margarine and other fat and protein items that could probably benefit from that feature. We want to establish my baseline insulin requirements first.
Still working out workouts. The temp basal setting we created — 50% for three hours around an hour-long workout — is good, but still I’m going low sometimes. I believe it’s due to too much bolus insulin beforehand. But since — regrettably — I don’t always eat the same thing for each meal, it’s still a guessing game.
Happy, Happy
I emailed my endo my DexCom records for the first week and she wrote back to me: “Wow! Those are fantastic numbers, especially considering how much we changed your algorithms from pre-pump! Great work! Keep it going!” (LOVE this doctor, btw)
Waterproof goodness. The OmniPod scores high on that count! Oh, how I disliked those shower patches necessary for the DexCom. So inconvenient — don’t forget to put it on and take it off! — and costly, too. I felt guilty any day I showered more than once. And they irritated my skin as well. With the OmniPod, water is never a problem unless you’re soaking in very hot temperatures, which can kill the insulin, of course. If you want to bathe or hot tub, you might try wearing the Pod on your upper arm, which will stay out of the hot water. And no, I haven’t tried that trick yet.
What, That Lump?
A reader who wrote to me recently noted that the Pods might look like “tumors” under your clothes. Yikes! I totally disagree, but it’s hard to get that image out of my head. I’ve invested in a little new lingerie and Victoria’s Secret perfume to help maintain the sex appeal factor. More on that later.
Pod changes: quick snap and a pinch. I definitely do feel a poke when the cannula is inserted — but it’s nothing worse than one of those lancet pricks that hurts a tiny bit more than most. And I love the “automation” of it — the fact that I don’t have to insert the cannula manually myself.
Wish List
Already a bunch of people have written to me about things they’d like to see in the next-gen OmniPod. I agree completely: perhaps a smaller pod option, which carries less insulin for those of us who are highly insulin sensitive? A disconnect option would be nice, too, mainly for jacuzzi-lovers. And how about a Pod you can wear longer than 3 days?
The latter is of course an FDA approval issue (all the on-body sensor products are currently restricted to 3 day wear to avoid infection). On the Pod size issue, Insulet tells me it’s a battery issue at the moment; the batteries won’t fit into a smaller unit as yet. Disconnect? Well, current design doesn’t accommodate it. But right now, I could actually care less.
I am so happy not injecting and not wearing tubing and achieving better control, that I could kiss someone. (Where is that cat?) Right now, I feel like I could never go back!
Explore posts in the same categories: OmniPod-ing
I’m not surprised your regimen didn’t require an overhaul. You had what appeared to be a very solid system going with MDI. In fact, I worry that your expectations of lowered A1c’s might not come to fruition… but in every other way this seems to have been a great move for you!
Posted by: Kassie | March 7th, 2007 at 7:14 amOne of the big drawbacks I can see for the Pod is the issue of medical waste. Do they have any program in place to recycle old Pods in any way?
If not that’s a lot of stuff to put into a landfill.
Posted by: Bernard Farrell | March 7th, 2007 at 9:08 amWhen we went in for Daniel to pick a pump, I was very surprised that they were pushing the pod. First because of the insurance issues I have heard you talk about and second because having a “remote”, if you will, for a kid does not seem like the best fit. Daniel liked it because it looks like a computer mouse. lol
I am really glad you are happy with it. I will definitely pay attention when you talk about it because he might want it when he is older.
Posted by: Vivian | March 7th, 2007 at 10:25 amHi Amy!
Great article over at dLife (as always)! Scientist school or no - we have to wear many hats to keep it all rolling!
I read all the nitty gritty details with great interest, and very much appreciate you sharing them with us. Thank you!
Posted by: Scott K. Johnson | March 7th, 2007 at 3:55 pmHi Amy, that you waited so long to pump! Pumping is SO GREAT! I have had a Cozmo for 2.5 years, and I love it. For me the tubing is absolutely NO PROBLEM - I even like it because that way I know that I have all the parts with me. I cannot loose the PDA! I liked your recent article at DLife.
Posted by: Chrissie in Belgium | March 7th, 2007 at 10:01 pmI’m on my third week using the pod and love it. I can understand current pump users not minding the tubing but it seems that most of the new pump users would prefer not having tubing. For me the tubing reminded me of visiting people in the hospital when I was young and seeing tubing draining various parts of the body and I just couldn’t get that picture out of my mind. I wouldn’t be surprised if a study came out stating that 75% of new pump users want the OmniPod. Also, the post regarding medical waste is confusing. A months worth of pods takes up less space than a 1/2 gallon container of milk. Only a small 1-inch canulla is exposed to bodily fluids and the rest is sterile packaging. Certainly not a “big drawback” from my view. Amy, thanks for posting your experience.
Posted by: Jules | March 8th, 2007 at 7:43 amThe issues right now are all non-issues. The omnipod changed our family’s lives. We went on our first vacation since Logan’s (5 yrs old) diagnosis this summer and my husband and I just kept looking at each other and saying that we could not have done it without the pod. Snowtubing, iceskating, swimming, eating desserts, were very mainstream for her as we just kept checking glucose and correcting. No tubes and no shots were in the way whatsoever. We are so thankful right now that we can’t even begin to imagine the difference more improvements on the pod could make.
Posted by: jennifer | March 12th, 2007 at 10:27 amTubeless 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 6:54 amWe love our Omnipod. Our 20 month old son was diagnosed 4 months ago and it was quite difficult to get any consistency with shots. We looked into pumps but did not want to deal with a tube with a pre 2 year old (it just seemed like it would be a huge problem.) I researched the Omnipod and it seemed like a good fit. He started wearing one just before he turned 2, about a month ago, and it has changed our lives. It really felt like we got our Son back, and we can control his BG levels much better now.
Posted by: SteveM | February 18th, 2008 at 7:35 am