Omnipod 5 + Libre 2+ ● Advice

[lozboz25]

Hello everyone I hope you're all well.

I am just wanting to see what everyone's else's experiences are with the omnipod 5 and libre 2+ as my 8 year old son has just been put on to it and we are not liking it at all.
We are only on day 4, but we are hating it. We hardly have any blood glucose readings so we are having to finger prick him so much more than we ever have had to while using the libre 3. He was originally on the omnipod DASH and the libre 3 and we loves it - the libre 3 always had readings and was accurate. This libre 2+ hasn't been as accurate and we hardly get readings (I've inserted a photo as to what we see on the omnipod 5 dashboard). It is really frustrating. Plus the lobre 2+ is much bigger than the libre 3 which we do not like.

His diabetes nurse told us that they prefer him to wear both the libre 2+ and the omnipod on his arm next to each other but that is alot for his little arm and he is not comfortable with his pod on his arm - he prefers his legs for his pods. I know we aren't using the places that is advised but they are still on the same side of the body so surely it shouldn't make that much of a difference to get a reading? Does it? But I want him to be comfortable and having both on one arm is not comfortable for him. That's another reason I am not liking the omnipod 5 and libre 2+.

We have made sure that the hand held device is constantly by his side to enable readings but even when it is in his pocket or sat at the side of him, we still don't get readings.

Can i have some advice, information or yournown stories about the omnipod 5 or libre 2+.
we've been told to give it at least a month so it can get used to him and how his bloods behave but we are really not liking it.
We only moved on to the omnipod 5 and libre 2+ because his diabetic nurse pushed for it and said it would be better - we definitely aren't finding this.

Thank you.

 

[Inka]

Sorry to hear that @lozboz25 The Omnipod 5 hasn’t had the greatest of reviews here, especially when used with the Libre. Can you ask for him to go back to the Dash if he prefers it?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear you and your lad aren’t getting on well with the Omnipod 5 @lozboz25

One of the significant benefits of pod-based systems does seem to be that it makes it easier to switch, as there isn’t the 4-year contract as with a tubed pump.

But it does sound like the Omnipod 5 and Libre 2+ aren’t working so well for him, and some of the requirements of the system (eg needing to wear them right close together) don’t make it easy for someone his size.

I’ve only ever used tubed pumps, but having the on the same ‘side’ eg pump on waistband / sensor on back of arm has always been plenty close enough to keep the connection solid and reliable.

 

[lozboz25]

Sorry to hear that @lozboz25 The Omnipod 5 hasn’t had the greatest of reviews here, especially when used with the Libre. Can you ask for him to go back to the Dash if he prefers it?

Has it not? we really aren't liking it. My son did want to try it at first but now he doesn't like it. His nurse did say we could go back to what we was originally using but we have to give it a chance first
I am not blown away with it at all. On paper it sounds amazing, and they really hyped it up to us but now we are here, we hate it and it is not as good as they are making it out to be. He has been alot higher also as we have also had to change his insulin from fisap to novorapid. I didn't want to change his insulin either but the omnipod 5 is not compatible with fisap apparently.

 

[lozboz25]

Sorry to hear you and your lad aren’t getting on well with the Omnipod 5 @lozboz25

One of the significant benefits of pod-based systems does seem to be that it makes it easier to switch, as there isn’t the 4-year contract as with a tubed pump.

But it does sound like the Omnipod 5 and Libre 2+ aren’t working so well for him, and some of the requirements of the system (eg needing to wear them right close together) don’t make it easy for someone his size.

I’ve only ever used tubed pumps, but having the on the same ‘side’ eg pump on waistband / sensor on back of arm has always been plenty close enough to keep the connection solid and reliable.

I think they changed him becuase he was already on the omnipod dash so it was easier to upgrade him. His nurses did say they don't have patients on the omnipod dash so I think my son was the only one on it so they wantes him off of it and on to the omnipod 5 as the rest of the patients are on it or something else.
We could try the omnipod 5 with the dexcom g5 but he has also been on the dexcom g5 and we had nothing but trouble with the dexcom - it was never correct with the reading, he always needed calibrating so they switched us on to the libre 3 and it was absolutely fantastic. Very small too which was perfect for his size.
So both CGM that is compatible with the omnipod 5 have had trouble with.

 

[Inka]

Has it not? we really aren't liking it. My son did want to try it at first but now he doesn't like it. His nurse did say we could go back to what we was originally using but we have to give it a chance first
I am not blown away with it at all. On paper it sounds amazing, and they really hyped it up to us but now we are here, we hate it and it is not as good as they are making it out to be. He has been alot higher also as we have also had to change his insulin from fisap to novorapid. I didn't want to change his insulin either but the omnipod 5 is not compatible with fisap apparently.

I’m pretty sure that @nonethewiser uses Fiasp in an Omnipod 5 @lozboz25 Don’t be swayed by his team wanting ‘everyone on the same pump’. He needs to be on what suits him best. Do they only offer Omnipod? He might well find a tubed pump better if he does have to change. Tubed pumps are what they use for children at my clinic. They give far more site options and are, IMO, better quality.

I’ve never used the Dexcom G5 but I use the G7 and it’s absolutely amazing (and small - no receiver to attach). It’s incredibly accurate and I hardly ever have to calibrate it. I believe it’s compatible with the Omnipod 5 because someone mentioned being swapped to it from the Libre.

 

[nonethewiser]

Has it not? we really aren't liking it. My son did want to try it at first but now he doesn't like it. His nurse did say we could go back to what we was originally using but we have to give it a chance first
I am not blown away with it at all. On paper it sounds amazing, and they really hyped it up to us but now we are here, we hate it and it is not as good as they are making it out to be. He has been alot higher also as we have also had to change his insulin from fisap to novorapid. I didn't want to change his insulin either but the omnipod 5 is not compatible with fisap apparently.

Really don't understand why your boy had to change insulin going onto O5, I'm a O5 user & use fiasp in my pump as was already using it on Dash pump beforehand.

For whatever reason Libre 2 does seem to be problematic when using O5, as @Inka says It's been brought up on forum time & time again. On starting O5 I was switched to Dexcom G6, it's a fantastic device with no connections issues to date, even when sensor & pod is worn on opposite sides. If Dex isn't a option then ask to go back to Dash pump as it sounds like things were fine before.

 

[rebrascora]

I wonder if they are phasing the Dash out as they move people over onto the Omnipod 5 and HCL?
I may be wrong but I have it in my head that @PattiEvans was told she couldn't go back to the Dash after she found the O5 with Libre 2+ wasn't as good as the Libre 2+ with Dash in manual and I believe she found the Libre 2+ worked well for her, so it seems to be the O5 which has the issue with the Libre rather than the Libre 2+ being the problem itself.

 

[lozboz25]

I’m pretty sure that @nonethewiser uses Fiasp in an Omnipod 5 @lozboz25 Don’t be swayed by his team wanting ‘everyone on the same pump’. He needs to be on what suits him best. Do they only offer Omnipod? He might well find a tubed pump better if he does have to change. Tubed pumps are what they use for children at my clinic. They give far more site options and are, IMO, better quality.

I’ve never used the Dexcom G5 but I use the G7 and it’s absolutely amazing (and small - no receiver to attach). It’s incredibly accurate and I hardly ever have to calibrate it. I believe it’s compatible with the Omnipod 5 because someone mentioned being swapped to it from the Libre.

I got told that the omnipod is not insured to use fisap so it isn't allowed. He was on novorapid when he was first diagnosed and it didn't work for him whereas with fisap we have found it works so much better for him so I didn't want to change his insulin but got told I had to. So I wasn't happy aboitnthay either since he's been on the omnipod 5 and novorapid he's had nothing but highs and stayed at highs and he spikes so fast after eating even if I pre-bolus him half an hour before he eats. I really don't like novorapid.

He hasn't been offered anything other than the omnipod. I was more than happy with omnipod dash but we got pushed on to the omnipod 5 and they made out like it was this fantastic gadget but I actually hate it and my son is beginning to hate it.

We never got offered the decom g7 either. I was happy with the libre 3.

 

[lozboz25]

Really don't understand why your boy had to change insulin going onto O5, I'm a O5 user & use fiasp in my pump as was already using it on Dash pump beforehand.

For whatever reason Libre 2 does seem to be problematic when using O5, as @Inka says It's been brought up on forum time & time again. On starting O5 I was switched to Dexcom G6, it's a fantastic device with no connections issues to date, even when sensor & pod is worn on opposite sides. If Dex isn't a option then ask to go back to Dash pump as it sounds like things were fine before.

I got told that the fisap is not insured for the omnipod 5 so I'm not allowed to use it i didn't understand why he couldn't stick with the insulin he has as it works wonders for him. We was on novorapid before and it wasn't good for him, it didn't work effectively for him. I feel like his nurses want him on the omnipod 5 as he don't have any other patients on omnipod dash other than my son.
When we used dexcom g6 we had alot of problem with it giving accurate readings and sensors failing so I was hesitant to try the dexcom g6 with the omnipod 5.

 

[lozboz25]

I wonder if they are phasing the Dash out as they move people over onto the Omnipod 5 and HCL?
I may be wrong but I have it in my head that @PattiEvans was told she couldn't go back to the Dash after she found the O5 with Libre 2+ wasn't as good as the Libre 2+ with Dash in manual and I believe she found the Libre 2+ worked well for her, so it seems to be the O5 which has the issue with the Libre rather than the Libre 2+ being the problem itself.

I think they are trying to phase it out that's why they was pushing the omnipod 5 on to us, but we happy and settled with the Dash. I thought it was fantastic and I had so much control over his management whereas with the omnipod 5 and I feel like I don't have any control now. I've been told not to do correcting to let the machine work out his bloods and the algorithm. But it'd hard when he's say ay 16.ommol and not coming back into range. The insulin he's using doesn't work for him so I'm annoyed that we have been made to use a insulin thay doesn't work for him and they know it doesn't work for him.

 

[Inka]

Could you use the Omnipod 5 in manual @lozboz25 ? I think @PattiEvans might have done that for a while before she changed pumps entirely, and found it an improvement. That’s rubbish about Fiasp. I use a not common insulin in my pump and nobody cares as it works fine. I find it hard to believe that Fiasp is ok in the Dash but not the 5.

As well as seeing if your son can go back to the Dash, I’d ask what other pumps are available. If his clinic only offers one or two, then you could see if changing clinics is an option. Children at my clinic are on the Dana i or the T Slim. Both are loopable. I have the Dana i myself and it’s great and very robust.

 

[rebrascora]

Can totally understand your frustration and you are definitely not the only one to find the Omnipod 5 with Libre 2+ HCL a poor combo and levels not coming down when high and feeling really compromised about seeing levels in the mid teens and been told not to correct to enable the pump to "learn" but it just doesn't seem to or takes far to long to respond.

 

[rebrascora]

I think the problem with Fiasp can be that it is more prone to "tunnelling" where the insulin comes back up the outsides of the cannula in some people so isn't fully absorbed and obviously the only way to deal with that is to change the pod early. It doesn't happen with everyone though and if it does happen then you should have the option to change insulin or change pump. Plenty of people do pump with Fiasp but there certainly are also people who report their sites getting "scanky" with Fiasp. I don't pump as I prefer MDI and I am now happy with Fiasp although it took some time to adjust to it from Novo(not so)Rapid and I imagine it would take me some considerable readjustment if I had to go back to it now.

 

[lozboz25]

Could you use the Omnipod 5 in manual @lozboz25 ? I think @PattiEvans might have done that for a while before she changed pumps entirely, and found it an improvement. That’s rubbish about Fiasp. I use a not common insulin in my pump and nobody cares as it works fine. I find it hard to believe that Fiasp is ok in the Dash but not the 5.

As well as seeing if your son can go back to the Dash, I’d ask what other pumps are available. If his clinic only offers one or two, then you could see if changing clinics is an option. Children at my clinic are on the Dana i or the T Slim. Both are loopable. I have the Dana i myself and it’s great and very robust.

No I haven't used it in manual as of yet as we are only on day 4 and I got told to keep in automated mode so the device can get an algorithm. But I could give that a go. Anything to help improve the experience as right now we hate it.
I didn't understand why fiasp isn't allowed in the omnipod 5 . I think it comes down it insurance as that's what his nurse has said - fiasp isn't covered only novorapid.

 

[lozboz25]

Can totally understand your frustration and you are definitely not the only one to find the Omnipod 5 with Libre 2+ HCL a poor combo and levels not coming down when high and feeling really compromised about seeing levels in the mid teens and been told not to correct to enable the pump to "learn" but it just doesn't seem to or takes far to long to respond.

It's awful. I don't want him sat in the teens. And when I put his glucose into the machine is doesn't allow a correction which I know he needs. It's very frustrating and I don't feel in control. The insulin he is using (novorapid) doesn't work for him, it takes ages to start working for him near an hour to work so I think that is a big part of the problem too.
Overall I am not liking the experience at all, from him having to change his insulin to us not getting readings from the libre 2+. Yesterday we went 2 and a half hours without any readings so I had to constantly finger prick him - he hated it.

 

[lozboz25]

I think the problem with Fiasp can be that it is more prone to "tunnelling" where the insulin comes back up the outsides of the cannula in some people so isn't fully absorbed and obviously the only way to deal with that is to change the pod early. It doesn't happen with everyone though and if it does happen then you should have the option to change insulin or change pump. Plenty of people do pump with Fiasp but there certainly are also people who report their sites getting "scanky" with Fiasp. I don't pump as I prefer MDI and I am now happy with Fiasp although it took some time to adjust to it from Novo(not so)Rapid and I imagine it would take me some considerable readjustment if I had to go back to it now.

We have found fiasp amazing. It works fast for us which we love as he doesn't have to wait half an hour or longer before he eats. I absolutely hate novorapid. It's so slow. This morning I prebolused him for his breakfast and 45mins later he was still sat steady - he hadn't eaten yet either. It's not fair to make him wait nearly an hour. I expected him to drop but he didn't, then after he ate his break he spiked up to 18mmol. I carb counted and I probolused and still no effect from the novorapid.
I would go back on to the Dash purely for the use of fisap.
I thought the omnipod 5 would be a dream, but it's actually a nightmare. I know everyone experience is different on it but we are hating it.

 

[nonethewiser]

I got told that the fisap is not insured for the omnipod 5 so I'm not allowed to use it i didn't understand why he couldn't stick with the insulin he has as it works wonders for him. We was on novorapid before and it wasn't good for him, it didn't work effectively for him. I feel like his nurses want him on the omnipod 5 as he don't have any other patients on omnipod dash other than my son.
When we used dexcom g6 we had alot of problem with it giving accurate readings and sensors failing so I was hesitant to try the dexcom g6 with the omnipod 5.

Really don't get that at all about Fiasp, it's a insulin approved by manufacturer of Omnipod as far as I'm aware, so it's been through rigorous trials & is approved as safe.

Think if your lad does stick with O5 then you need to get this issue sorted with someone higher up than his nurse.

 

[lozboz25]

Really don't get that at all about Fiasp, it's a insulin approved by manufacturer of Omnipod as far as I'm aware, so it's been through rigorous trials & is approved as safe.

Think if your lad does stick with O5 then you need to get this issue sorted with someone higher up than his nurse.

I don't get it either. I've changed his pod this morning and I've put fiasp in it as novorapid just doesn't work for him so I am going to see how his bloods behave with the fiasp. I've also messages his nurse to tell her we aren't liking it at all and would like to go back to the DASH and libre 3. X

 

[PattiEvans]

Hello there.

I am sorry I did not see this thread earlier, but I hadn't been looking in the forum until now. I sympathise entirely! I was on Omnipod Dash with Libre 2 prior to the Omnipod 5 and initially I was delighted to be offered the chance of Hybrid Closed Loop with the Omnipod 5 and Libre 2+. Unfortunately, like yourselves I absolutely hated it. I did give it 6 months but the things that frustrated me were the seeming inability to correct highs or indeed to learn anything at all about my needs. I also found it hard to place the pod in a suitable place where the Libre would read the pod, which severely limited my ability to rotate sites. In addition I found the meagre information available on the PDM as regards the sensor readings utterly useless. I became more and more frustrated with it and finally, after 6 months (so they couldn't say I didn't give it a fair chance) I switched it to manual and reinstalled the Libre 2 software on my phone. This enabled me to place the pod wherever I liked and have all the information I was used to from the sensor. However.... it was still limiting because the lowest I could set the target was 6.1mmol rather than the 5.5 mmol I was used to. Sounds minor, but indeed it made the difference to me being constantly in the 7s rather than the 5s I was used to. When I told the DSN what I had done she commented that I was not the first to turn off the algorhythm and revert to manual.

I concluded that the software had been written in a hurry, by someone who did not have a comprehensive understanding of the requirements of a diabetic person. One thing that I find very odd regarding corrections is that it takes into consideration the amount of basal which is scheduled for that hour. Whereas IMHO that is quite separate and shouldn't be counted into IOB.

I requested to revert to the Dash, but was told that because I had (at the DSN's request) handed the Dash PDM back I couldn't go back onto the Dash. However she offered me the Ypsopump (which is a tubed pump) with CamApps software and Libre 3 but warned I couldn't change again for 4 years. I've had a tubed pump before for 8 years so I know the score and actually think I prefer it to the Omnipod. I have not started on it yet. I am having the training on 1 May.

One thing she told me was that I would have to change insulins, but I had done my research and I don't. I use Apidra which is licenced for the Ypsopump so I am fine. I have in the past (pre-pumping) used both Novorapid and Humalog and prefer Apidra by a mile. It may not be quite as fast as Fiasp, but I have no experience of that. When I first went onto pumping 13 years ago the DSN at the time had everyone on Apidra. I had a lot of respect for that DSN. The current one and I do not always see eye to eye, but I am careful not to let her know that. Anyway, I digress, in fact I once had to use Novorapid when I couldn't source Apidra and I was shocked at how slow it was. It may be worth your boy trying Apidra.

I really do sympathise and hope my post helps a bit... please feel free to ask if I haven't made things plain.