Omnipod?

[courtyunker]

Does anyone here have an omnipod? My doctor and I have decided to go to a pump. I have been on Minimed before and Hated it. Anyone have any advice about the omnipod? Thanks

[Funnygrl]

People who are on the omnipod that I have heard from like it a lot. It has a lot of nice features.

The parts that concerns me is that insurance may not cover the pods, the pods are quite large, and the pods "die" after three months. Also, if you take the pods off they can't be put back on.

[JediSkipdogg]

We have I think one or two members on here on it. The biggest turnoff many have is the size of it and it requires the PDA device to fully function. Users say it's about the size of a matchstick box, which to me is pretty large on the skin. It is 3/4 of an inch thick, so it's pretty large on the skin which eliminates quite a few places to add it.

Another problem is the PDA is required for it to function besides basals. If you leave the PDA at home, then you can't give bolues or suspend the pump or anything. At least with a conventional pump, you can't leave part at home.

The last complaint is that it shuts itself off. It works for 72 hours and then supposedly starts alarming and eventually a few hours later it shuts off. Yes, pump infusion sets shouldn't be worn past 72 hours, but sometimes something comes up that makes it so you must continue using it for say 12 hours. As long as the infusion set still works, you aren't in trouble. But with the Omnipod, it just shuts off whether you like it or not.

I will add I have not used the Omnipod, but those three previous mentioned items seem to be the biggest complaints with it.

EDIT: Funny brought up some other valid points. Some insurances may not cover the pods yet. If you insert a pod and hit a bad spot, guess what, you just wasted a pod. I forget how much each pod costs, but it's a considerable amount more than an infusion set. Also, if you do things that could damage a pod, you can't take it off to avoid it. Things like that may be a tanning bed or laying in the hot Florida sun all day. Not to mention it's not like you could hide the pod under a bikini easily (for females) or swim trunks (for males) without people wondering what you are packing under there, lol. And if you leave the pod on on the outisde of those, it'll look kinda odd in the sun.

[Funnygrl]

Edit: my previous post should say 3 days, not months.

[rmccully2000]

I'm waiting for it to be available in my area for a trial for my son. I have searched all over looking for people who have used it! I found a few here, a few on the ADA forum, one on the Children with Diabetes forum and a few on the insulin pumpers forum. I just heard from two moms of 5 and 6 year old boys who just started on the pod. One switched from MDI and one from a Minimed and both love it so far. Go search the past posts for omnipod to try and find the people who are using them.

I'm sure it's not for everyone, but if you aren't put off by the drawbacks listed above, I say go for the 30 day trial. It can't hurt and you can always change your mind if you don't like it.

Oh, the one person I have talked to about insurance (since she has united Healthcare like me) says she pays an RX copay for pods and the unit was covered in network.

Whichever you choose, good luck!

Becky

[rmccully2000]

What good timing!! This just popped up in my google alert tonight:

Insulet Corporation Announces Agreement With Aetna U.S. Healthcare
OmniPod(R) Insulin Management System Now A Covered Diabetes Management Option for Aetna Members

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060810/neth013.html?.v=67

It looks like they are having some success convincing large insurers to cover the equipment at network benefits.

Becky

[Keezheekoni]

Wow, Aetna's actually going to cover something that's relatively new? Now if I could just get them to pay for a gastric bypass I'd be a happy camper! LOL

[nshack]

I think the omnipod is a great concept. It doesn't really bother me that you have to carry the pda/ glucometer with you. I take my glucometer with me almost all the time anyway. I am looking forward to future generations when they become less bulky and can hide in more places without creating a bulge under your clothing.

[spike]

Does anyone here have an omnipod? My doctor and I have decided to go to a pump. I have been on Minimed before and Hated it. Anyone have any advice about the omnipod? Thanks

What specifically did you "hate" about your MM pump? I'm just curious.