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Omnipod? Anyone?

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
bennyg70

bennyg70

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi Guys,

I wondered whether there was ayone out there who uses an omnipod?

As a youngish (Not for long) male, The idea of the tubes and aperatus etc really puts me off pumping, but the idea of what you can do with it really really interests me.

Recently I came across the omnipod online and it looks fantastic. Does anyone use it? Would it be accessible to me in the uk?

If I were to approach my DSN about it are they open to the different pumps or are they usually set on one or two which they push through?

Cheers all
 
We do have at least one member using an Omnipod - Amanda102's daughter uses one, so hopefully she'll spot this and be able to give you some details 🙂
 
Thankyou, ill keep an eye out, I did a search on the forum and saw Mikes reasons for not having one and it did make me wonder how much it would suit me or not... not sure how much i would fancy a little buldge popping out my top etc...
 
Contact the manufacturer Benny and ask them to send you a trial pod - they're a non working version of the real thing, so you can stick it on your body and see how you find it.

Personally I found it far more intrusive than my tubed pump, but the only way to know is to try it.
 
great thinking Alison, Ill get on the case!!
 
There are some people on the 'other' diabetes support who use pods I think (or am I thinking of shootuporputup?). Stacey D (who writes 'the girls with the portable pancreas' in the US) changed to an Omnipod earlier this year and wrote about it here: http://portablepancreasgirl.com/2012/02/23/i-like-when-change-is-good/

Would certainly be worth getting hold of one if you are considering it. Seeing one 'in the flesh' would really help imagine what it would be like, and which sites would be comfy to have it attached.

Good luck with your decisions!
 
Half my problem is im not sure how much of a decision I have to make, The impression I have is that getting hold o a pump etc is really hard work, and not everyone gets the luxury of the option and if they do its limited choice... Am I right in thinking this? Or have things moved on a little since?
 
When I got my pump I was told I could choose any one, but the DSN suggested one that they use a lot at my clinic and had a lot of experience with it.

I did quite a bit of web research and in the end I was happy with her suggestion and went with it. I have no regrets.

As far as I can see, all the available pumps have their pros and cons but none yet seems to have that perfect combination of features. In the end it's personal choice.
 
bennyg70 said:
Half my problem is im not sure how much of a decision I have to make, The impression I have is that getting hold o a pump etc is really hard work, and not everyone gets the luxury of the option and if they do its limited choice... Am I right in thinking this? Or have things moved on a little since?
Click to expand...

Have a look at the INPUT site http://www.input.me.uk/ - they are very good at helping people get pumps 🙂
 
bennyg70 said:
Half my problem is im not sure how much of a decision I have to make, The impression I have is that getting hold o a pump etc is really hard work, and not everyone gets the luxury of the option and if they do its limited choice... Am I right in thinking this? Or have things moved on a little since?
Click to expand...

Many people do not have a choice of pump due to PCT's having a contract (discount for pumps and supplies) with a certain provider.
Very few have the choice of a pod though due to the cost. The consumables are very expensive and over a 4 year period cost a few grand more than the tubed pumps.

Personally I would not have a pod. They look hidious as far as I am concernerd, far to many pod failures reported as well. If you loose the handset you bu**ered or if it goes wrong you have nothing.

Having a tubed pump is no problem, after half a day it's not even noticeable. I had to look to see if it was still there 🙄

Some people have a pigs own job getting a pump and others just ask and it's handed over. So if you want a pump make a case for one and present it to your dsn or consultant. You can not just say I want a pump. so say why you want one and what you hope to achieve by having one.
 
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Cheers again guys really useful info once again.

I never thought id consider one but as time goes on I realise that It could be for me, and seeing so many sucess stories, I think I may be living in the dark ages.

Maybe Ill have a chat with them next time I go in... thanks again all 🙂
 
Hi

I think the omnipod is like all pumps - if it suits you it works well if it doesn't then you may have problems. I used one and for a while it worked well but the main issues are: When it gets hot the thing falls off. You can use wipes that are brilliant adhesives so this should be sorted quite easily. I also expereinced problems with Occulision (don't think I have spelt this right!) which is where the pump won't deliver the insulin. My DN said with me it was because the canular was always near muscle and the company couldn't come up with a solution which meant I couldn't stay on it. If I hadn't had this problem I would have stayed on it without any doubt. In terms of NHS funding - if the Omnipod doesn't work for a medical reason this shouldn't disqualify you from trialing another pump as your criteria for a pump hasn't changed it would be a case of the Omnipod pump not working for you. The pump itself is not hard to wear and I would give it consideration.
 
Grammabear on 'other diabetes support' used to have one (in USA) but had to change to an ordinary pump when her insurer wouldn't fund it any more. However although she has her problems (she has several other health issues besides D) TBH, I think she's had less probs with the normal one than she did the Omnipod.

But you can always ask her that directly.

I never wanted one at all either. Seemed very 'medical' to me. Oh no no no. LadyJ on t'other forum was another one same as me. We're both mega-happy pumpers now.

I think once you start seeing what they could do for you, you start having second thoughts and so you eventually think OK I'll have one then, give it a go, still not completely convinced - but once you've had it about 2 months, you actually realise that MDI is like trying to mend the Tardis with a lumphammer instead of a sonic screwdriver.

Well it ain't quite got sonic screwdriver status yet but when we get the closed loop (LOL) then it might achieve that.

Warning: It's a bit like being newly diagnosed again at first LOL
 
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