For 8 month or so I had been using the insulin pump, Omnipod Dash with Dexcom to manage my Type 1 Diabetes. I thought it was time to review this diabetes device. I have been a diabetic for 13 years soon to be 14 in March/April. Before going on a insulin pump I was using insulin pens for the longest time. That is another story its self.
What is Omnipod?
Omnipod Dash is a tubeless wearable insulin pump that send a consistent amount of basel (background) insulin for up to 3 days. The PDM (Personal Diabetes Manager) is a dumb down android phone that only runs the software by Omnipod. The PDM then connects to the insulin pump pods by bluetooth. The pods are water proof, so that means no disconnecting for a shower or jumping in the pool. The PDM is NOT water proof. Also the Omnipod Dash does not commutate with a CGM, like Dexcom.
The Process
For me it was super simple. I had gone to a endocrinologist app and talked to my Dr about going on a pump and talked about some of the different options. I was given a list of insulin pumps and was told to research each one myself. I could ether tell him which one I was interested in, so he could start the paperwork. Or to go on the pumps website and fill out the contact forms and start the process that way.
By the end of the week I had filled out forms online for omnipod and was contacted within 3-4 days. I filled out eberything on a Friday and was contacted by Monday to go over questions, like for insurance and what not. By that Friday I was inform what the cost would be with my insurance. I gave them the go ahead and within a week my order was shipped. It was really quick and a easy process overall.
Shortly after I received my pump supplies I was then contacted my a Omnipod Rep/Trainer to setup training to setup my new pump. The pump trainer sat with me and set up the PDM with settings tailored to my insulin needs. Since then I have changed almost everything she had set, there was a lot of trial and error to find out what works better for me on the pump. Normally the dr sets you on the lower side on the pump when you start, to avoid low blood sauger. My appointment took about a hour since I read everything before hand in the handbook.
Things I liked
No tubing, I honestly would forget I had it on me, unless I placed it on my outer upper arm and hit every doorway. I loved that I could decorate the pods with different stickers. Very easy to use, basically fill the pod, confirm everything on the PDM and stick it on and go.
You can go swimming or shower without having to worry about disconnecting and remembering to reconnect. Your pods info shows on your phone as along as it nearby.
I never had a problem keeping the PDM with me, it was no different then carrying my phone with me. I hardly had a failed pod.
Things I did not liked
Final thoughts
