Omnipod 5 Question

[Tom1982]

Yep, sorry, another Omnipod 5 question from me! We’re still having issues with some sort of weeping from under the pod. Using a Dash at the moment and it’s not every time, but every few pods after about a day there is some weird brown staining on it and nothing seems to go in. As a result Jo will go high and we will change the pod. Obviously need to get to the bottom of this. But my question is, if she was using an Omnipod 5 would this mess the algorithm up?
Cheers
Tom

 

[m1dnc]

Hi Tom, I can't really answer your specific question as I am still waiting for our local ICB to get around to funding for the Omnipod 5, but as a long time Dash user I have some observations that might help.

I think the weird brown staining that you mentioned might be from a bit of blood that might leak from the cannula site on insertion. (I've also noticed this type of staining on the Dexcom 6 sensor from time to time.) I've never thought it much to worry about. It doesn't always coincide with the pod going "off" and needing changing prematurely.

 

[PattiEvans]

I've had the brown staining and assumed it's blood. I usually find that if the pod goes off and I can't bring BGs down it's because I've filled it from a nearly empty vial and the insulin has gone "off". I only fill with the minimum needed as I don't need much insulin and I suspect that the vial has been in use more than 30 days, though I keep it in the fridge in between fills. I would imagine your daughter only needs minimal insulin too.

 

[Tom1982]

I've had the brown staining and assumed it's blood. I usually find that if the pod goes off and I can't bring BGs down it's because I've filled it from a nearly empty vial and the insulin has gone "off". I only fill with the minimum needed as I don't need much insulin and I suspect that the vial has been in use more than 30 days, though I keep it in the fridge in between fills. I would imagine your daughter only needs minimal insulin too.

We still use the pen refills so it’s one and done really. Need to get that prescription updated!