The definition of revolution, according to Google, is a forcible overthrow of a government or social order for a new system. I am starting to think that my diabetes devices are starting a revolution. I am not sure what new system they would like. Maybe a working natural endocrine system? That would sure be nice!
I have been using the OmniPod system for 19 months; the new generation system for over 2 of that 19 months. Within that time frame I’ve only had a few instances of bad pods or issues of that nature. Until recently. I obviously cannot prove that these new issues are due to the mechanics of the new pods. However since I haven’t had issues before, that is what I am lead to believe. A couple of weeks ago I had three pod issues in a row – two bleeders and one that was leaking insulin. On various site locations. I took a break from the pods for almost 2 weeks. Today was day 3 of my first pod since that break. And I got an occlusion during my breakfast bolus. Unfortunately I did not have an extra pod with me nor any syringes (that situation was remedied as soon as I got my hands on my supply) and I had to go home from work to get insulin. Not the best situation to be in. When I removed the pod, there were no visible signs of cause for an occlusion. Taking another break.
Also, I have been using a Dexcom CGMS for almost 5 years; the G4 system for 9 months of those 5 years. For most of that time I have used my outer thighs primarily for sensor sites since I cannot use them for infusion sites (due to lack of absorption). No major problems other than the occasional failed or wacky sensor, one bad transmitter and one broken receiver. In all that time. Then all of a sudden in the past few weeks I have had numerous bleeding sites. Some that have not affected the performance, some that have. I am sensor-less at the moment, giving my skin time to breathe. But I am going to attempt another one this evening. I am honestly lost without my CGM.
Using diabetes devices should not be stressful. I normally do not feel burnt out easily when it comes to my diabetes. But these recent problems have me totally burnt out. I can’t help but feel that all of a sudden, I am doing things wrong. I’m hoping this revolution will be put to an end soon when they realize a working pancreas is not going to happen 😉
The Girl with the Portable Pancreas 
I’m sorry your devices are giving you problems! Do you know anyone else on the new omnipod? Are they having problems as well? I’m due for a refill of supplies this month and I should be on track for the new one but this makes me nervous! Feel better Stacey!
Robin, unfortunately I do know of other people who have had issues with the new system. But there are plenty of others who are not having issues so don’t be worried!
I just remember having so many issues with pods in the early years of omnipod and it’s been so good to me for years now that I don’t want to mess that up! 🙂
I feel for you! I wrote about something similar today. I’m pretty sure you’re not doing things wrong either!
OK, not to freak you out or anything, but have you started any new medications or vitamins or foods or anything that could have caused a change in your cells/made bleeders more common, etc? I’m leaning with you on thinking it’s device failure, but also not a bad idea to rule out anything else weird going on in your body that might or might not be d-related. I would be lost without my Dexcom as well!!
I’ve been on the OmniPod for almost 2 years and rarely have had issues, but this spring I had three issues in a weekend–when I was out of town! (Ran through all my extra pods and had to ask the nice nurses at the ER for an insulin syringe. Ugh.) It happened twice in a row that it started squealing at me when it was almost finished priming and I had to start a new one. Very frustrating. Only one occlusion in those two years. Still like the system, though I’m anxious to get switched over to the thinner pods!
I’ve used the OmniPod system since March 2013 (I was a new customer who started immediately on the newer system). I have only had one oclusion and no other problems. So, I’d say it’s been working great.
I have to say that if there is one thing that really concerns me about the artificial/bionic/closed-loop/plastic pancreas thing, this is it. Maybe the technology can handle measurements and calculations, but sites will still occlude, and continuous monitors will still monitor noncontinuously. Until there’s a way to get these things to work properly 100% of the time, I can’t fully see the burden being lifted.
Sorry for the digression… but back to what you’re going through, yeah, it happens. Hopefully your streak ends and your luck improves soon.
I know I told you already but I’m sorry your devices are not cooperating. I for one would be ready to throw them in the garbage. But they must already know or will soon find out, they are messing with the wrong chick! 😉
“Using diabetes devices should not be stressful.” I could not agree more!!! I wish I had some answers or suggestions for you. But I know it isn’t you . . . it’s the devices.
My 7 year old daughter has been on the omnipod system for about 2 years now… While we had the occasional occlusions before with the old pods, now it seems like we have one every other day! I’m not sure what’s going on with the new pods, but something isn’t right… We like the new slimmer, smaller profile, but when you have to change it every day, it makes it hard on her. We keep calling them in to insulet, and they keep sending replacements, but it’s getting ridiculous. We’re just not sure where to go from here. We love the system, but are hating the new quality control issues.
I’m sorry for your frustrations, Chris. I hope that you will find less issues soon!
I am so happy to have found this amazing forum with all you fabulously inspiring people. Its so refreshing to share knowledge and of being young, insulin dependent and Amerrrrican. living fully with a life threatening condition. Between 2003 and 2004 I It’s been about eight years since I switched from the Lente and RegularM routine to the Medtronic.paradigm.pump. Having been young with little adipose tissue, in combo with the long cannulas and frequent occlusion, I experienced much frustrating malfunction. Now that I am back to lantus/syringes and some time now and I’m looking into buying an Omnipod and CGM, probably dexcom. So here’s some of my initial concerns: Does the Omnipod have uploading software ? Does the 11% margin of error in Dexcom’s cgm affect you? Do you/can you (dose relying on the cgms’ info)? Just some starter questions from a pump newbie’s perspective. Thank you for your helpful comments and providing the Launch point of my new health.care plan.:)
DTWbee, yes OmniPod comes with CoPilot software that is used to upload your PDM info. Keep in mind it is not Mac compatible 😦 As for Dexcom, you are not supposed to dose insulin based on the CGM readings. While it is extremely accurate for me (very frequently close to my glucose meter) I would not dose insulin without a finger stick first. Thank you for stopping by and I hope you find the information here useful 🙂
I have been on the omnipod system for 4-5 years now. Had no problems withe the older pods. Had such good luck with the old system that our son asked to be put on it when he found out he was t1 a few months ago. However, the new system has been and continues to be a disaster. Between the two of us we have about a 30% failure rate with them. Not only have we been getting the run around from customer service the local rep says the company tells him nothing about how they are trying to fix the issue. Customer service will send you new pods but it has become a pain to get in touch with them 30 min waits etc.. Plus the backup pods the send fail as well. I believe the company is in serious trouble and may be close to a FDA recall. I thought after 5 years that I would never feel this way but I would never recommend this system to anyone.. The consistent failures make it a dangerous system.. Ready and willing to get back to a tube system does anyone have any suggestions as to what the best system is???
The new pods are horrible with malfunctioning. I have been using omnipod for over four years now and I am seriously considering going back to needles. I do not like being dependent on a machine that is not dependable. It is not right to have to feel like crap for hours because of a faulty product. Omnipod customer support is terrible. It took me pleading for almost two months to get through to them to send me the new model…I had to use up my supply of pods from my older pdm before I could get the new one and then the old pdm started malfunctioning and they would not send me the new one because my warranty was up..It was hell dealing with them. I have never used any other pump besides this one. Good luck to you and I’m happy to know now that I’m not alone with the pod errors..of course not happy that we have to deal with this. Someone wrote under another blog that omnipod only has 45,000 users…interesting.
My 4 year old has been on the pods for the past year. Her A1C was 11.2 when diagnosed. During the first year on injections we got it down to 8. At her check up today (one year on the pod) it is up to 9.2. Her lowest blood sugar reading was 24 and highest was 495 within the last 2 weeks. We officially are back on ejections starting tomorrow. Omnipod customer support is terrible. We are on our 3rd PDM and I’m guessing we have had 20 pod or PDM failures in the last year. I do not recommend Omnipod to anybody.
***back on injections. iPad auto corrected