Omnipod/When did you start?

[mom2one]

Hi. My husband and I decided to really consider pumping once we saw/heard about the Omnipod. I literally dreamt about it last night:) We have an Endo appt in May so I will discuss this further with her but I'd still love to hear when all you pumpers were given "the go" on pumping. I am not sure if our hospital/clinic has a wait period and I don't even know if our insurance covers the omnipod, and if it doesn't we won't be pumping. As you can see I am just starting my research now. I'd love to hear what other clinics have has pump protocols and how your experience went. Thanks in advance!

[saxmaniac]

We were given the go immediately when we decided, about 10 months.

They started suggesting to us that we consider pumping after about 3 months. I suppose they wanted to see if we were able to follow the intensive MDI+carbcount regimen well enough, before suggesting it.

Go ahead and call Insulet and get an in-house demo. Research is great, but I wish I scheduled the demos earlier. It's a lot more time-efficient to see things in person.

[alismom]

Allison was diagnosed in December and using the Omnipod by February. Our endo was in favor of pumping from the start. The two month delay was in insurance approval, ordering and training. We love it.

[coni1523]

We were giving the go ahead as soon as I said I wanted to start him on the pump. Omnipod will let you know if your insurance will cover the omnipod. I have BCBS of texas and they covered the omnipod for us.

We love the omnipod, but everyone has their different needs. I love the automatic insertion. My son whos 8 loves it to. He gets to place the pod, and push the start button to do the insertion, He says "I'm a big boy now, I can do it myself." He wouldn't give his own shots I think he was to scared.

I hope this helps some. Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

[twodoor2]

My only caveat with insurance and Omnipod is that if your insurance covers the cost of the PDM and pods initially, they might not cover another type of pump.

The Omnipod costs around $800 to start, and other pumps are around $6,000. Therefore, if your insurance pays for the Omnipod, and it turns out that it doesn't work for you and you cannot return it, your option of getting another pump might be left in the dust since they're so much more expensive. Insurance might deny paying for another pump.

This may or may not apply to everyone, but it's just something to think about.

[CC'sMom]

I'm not sure if our endo really had a waiting time from diagnosis to the pump. My daughter was hugely anti-pump. But once she saw the OmniPod she was all for it. She was diagnosed in January and pumping in June. I love Insulet and they are great, but I felt they were slow in getting insurance approval. But then we were pretty excited to get started on it...so maybe it was us.:p

Anyhow, we love it. The freedom is great. The automatic insertion is wonderful. Not having to unhook for sports or swimming has been great because my daughter runs high from adrenaline, so we have insulin running all the time. It really has worked out wonderfully for her.

If you have any other questions, just post or PM. There are a lot of us here that use the OmniPod and we're happy to help.

[realsweety]

right now we are in the process of getting things started.allison was diagnosed in oct of 07.in our area they say your supposed to wait till a yr after dx.but I did enough research and this place enough questions and proved to them I was ready to put her on the pump.she just tried one on for 2 days to see how she felt about it.honestly she forgot about it most of the time.now we are waiting to see what the ins.is going to cover.we have bc/bs ppo of pennsylvania.if they don't cover enough ,we will have to go with another pump.found out that other pump is covered 100%.but we want the pod due to no tubing and auto insertion.there are other reasons ,but the main reason is to give her more freedom and quality of life.sorry that I ramble,I do that alot .lol

[andeefig]

kids are pumping earlier now than ever before (from the way it sounds!). This is fantastc!! Max was put on the pump right at diagnosis. We were told our hospital had been wanting to try that for some time but were "waiting for he right family". We were thrilled and don't regret pumping for one second! You'll love it. Max has done very, very well pumping from the start, and so now pump starts happen quicker where we are (again, that's what we've been told). Good luck!

[mom2one]

My only caveat with insurance and Omnipod is that if your insurance covers the cost of the PDM and pods initially, they might not cover another type of pump.

The Omnipod costs around $800 to start, and other pumps are around $6,000. Therefore, if your insurance pays for the Omnipod, and it turns out that it doesn't work for you and you cannot return it, your option of getting another pump might be left in the dust since they're so much more expensive. Insurance might deny paying for another pump.

This may or may not apply to everyone, but it's just something to think about.

Wow I had no clue the omnipod was so much cheaper, wonder why?!?!!

Your signature says:MM522 Pump with sure-t's
Untethered Pump Method - Lantus and Novolog

What does it mean to pump with sure-t's - Untethered pump method?

I am glad to hear the majority of clinics left in your own hands to decide, I like that.

I know pumping is "work" as well, but do you all find it "easier" than MDI?

[saxmaniac]

The omnipod is cheaper to start but more expensive in the long run. Replacement pods (the consumable item) cost more than infusion sets.

A traditional pump is:

Computer+Pump+Reservior (on belt or in pocket) ----> tubing ----> infusion set on skin

The pod is:

Computer (wireless connection to: ) Infusion Set+Pump+Reservoir on skin

[CC'sMom]

Wow I had no clue the omnipod was so much cheaper, wonder why?!?!!


I know pumping is "work" as well, but do you all find it "easier" than MDI?

Well, you pay less up front, but the pods are about $30 each. (We change ours every other day. Some kids can go every three days.) So I think overall they come out close to the same cost.

YES!!! Much, much easier them MDI!! Easier to correct when high and much easier to correct when low then using Lantus (at least for us). When she's low we can reduce the basal insulin. With Lantus its in the system already. Eating is easier for us. She can eat a small amount and bolus, then eat again in a half hour and bolus again. If she did that on MDI she'd have to have a shot each time...

[mom2one]

The omnipod is cheaper to start but more expensive in the long run. Replacement pods (the consumable item) cost more than infusion sets.

A traditional pump is:

Computer+Pump+Reservior (on belt or in pocket) ----> tubing ----> infusion set on skin

The pod is:

Computer (wireless connection to: ) Infusion Set+Pump+Reservoir on skin

I am going to figure out the exact cost this week hopefully.

[Rick]

Therefore, if your insurance pays for the Omnipod, and it turns out that it doesn't work for you and you cannot return it, your option of getting another pump might be left in the dust since they're so much more expensive. Insurance might deny paying for another pump.

This may or may not apply to everyone, but it's just something to think about.

Have any of you switched from the Omnipod to another pump, or know someone who has? If so were there problems with insurance covering the replacement pump?
One of my concerns when we chose the Omnipod was will Insulet still be in business 2 or 3 years from now.

[hawkeyegirl]

Your signature says:MM522 Pump with sure-t's
Untethered Pump Method - Lantus and Novolog

What does it mean to pump with sure-t's - Untethered pump method?

I'm not Marsha, but I think I can answer this. Sure-t's are a kind of infusion set. They are straight-in (as opposed to angled), and there is a steel needle that stays in the skin, as opposed to a cannula. (Some people really like the sure-t's, because you don't have the occasional kinking problem that you can have with a cannula.)

Untethered, in Marsha's situation, means that her daughter still gets a shot of Lantus as part of her basal insulin, and some of it from the pump. It is good, because even if there is a pump failure, there is still some long-acting in the child's system to hopefully slow or prevent DKA. I also think that Marsha lets Elizabeth sleep without her pump on occasionally, so she gets a break from it. Some people aren't as fond of this method because it still requires at least one shot, and, especially in kids with very low basal rates, it is hard or impossible to reduce that rate much if you need to, once you've given the Lantus.

Sorry for speaking for you, Marsha, but I wasn't sure if you would see the question! Hope I was at least semi-accurate! ;)

[coni1523]

[QUOTE=mom2one;144732]Wow I had no clue the omnipod was so much cheaper, wonder why?!?!!

Then omnipod is cheaper, but the pod's are higher.
MM infusion's are like 130.00, where the pods are 350.00, both are a box of ten.
I only pay 30.00 a month for the pods, My insurance covers the rest.

Connie

[coni1523]

Have any of you switched from the Omnipod to another pump, or know someone who has? If so were there problems with insurance covering the replacement pump?
One of my concerns when we chose the Omnipod was will Insulet still be in business 2 or 3 years from now.

I have changed from MM to the omnipod. My insurance covered it. You have to wait until the old pump is out of warranty.

Connie

[Kirsten]

Hi Jenny! I have a Cooper, too.:) Griffin started on the Omnipod at age 2.5. There are some drawbacks to using the pod for younger kids. You cannot program a basal rate of zero with the pod, so if his TDD is very low this might be a problem. You can set a temp basal of zero or suspend insulin, but you can't program it into your everyday basal program. Also, sites are a little harder to find on a little body and the pod requires more space than another infusion set.

We LOVE the pod and worked through these issues. I just thought that I would bring them up since your son is so young. Feel free to PM me. I have BTDT on the whole toddler/pod thing.

GL!

Kirsten

[vettechmomof2]

My only caveat with insurance and Omnipod is that if your insurance covers the cost of the PDM and pods initially, they might not cover another type of pump.

The Omnipod costs around $800 to start, and other pumps are around $6,000. Therefore, if your insurance pays for the Omnipod, and it turns out that it doesn't work for you and you cannot return it, your option of getting another pump might be left in the dust since they're so much more expensive. Insurance might deny paying for another pump.

This may or may not apply to everyone, but it's just something to think about.

THat also works the other way around as well. Just so that others are aware.
Allene

[vettechmomof2]

We had to wait for my daughters endo to get back into the country after our trial. Schedule mess up on their part but otherwise we really were not told we had to wait. SO a few months on mdi just due to scheduling.
We find it much simpler than mdi, plus my daughter wanted only the pod no other choices for her. She had put her little foot down about that.
Allene

[Lizzy731]

Bethany was dx. in March '07 and was put on NPH/humalog therapy. After 3months we decided that we had to go to MDI or pump and we chose pump because she hates shots. We asked our endo/CDE for the omnipod and they dragged their feet for about 1 week trying to get us to consider other pumps first. To tell you the truth, it seemed like they were getting kickbacks from other companies as they were a little overzealous, especially about the animas. They also wanted to make sure we "were doing it for the right reasons". We got the pump at the end of June and left that endo/team.

But, keep in mind...insurance has a lot to do with it as well. I had contacted my insurance company first to make sure that they covered the omnipod and the amount of insulin that it used (85-100 units just to activate it). As they did, I was one up on the CDE who said and I quote, "you don't even know if your insurance company covers it!" So I smiled and said "yes, I do!". As you can see, I hated her.

Good luck!

[Lizzy731]

My only caveat with insurance and Omnipod is that if your insurance covers the cost of the PDM and pods initially, they might not cover another type of pump.

The Omnipod costs around $800 to start, and other pumps are around $6,000. Therefore, if your insurance pays for the Omnipod, and it turns out that it doesn't work for you and you cannot return it, your option of getting another pump might be left in the dust since they're so much more expensive. Insurance might deny paying for another pump.

This may or may not apply to everyone, but it's just something to think about.

There is a period of time (I forget how long) that you can return the omnipod if you don't like it or it just doesn't work for you. I would assume that they return the money to your insurance company as they would return it to you if you paid for it. So, if the insurance co. is reinbursed, there should be no reason why they wouldn't let you try another pump.

[Bensmom]

We were given the go immediately when we decided, about 10 months.

They started suggesting to us that we consider pumping after about 3 months. I suppose they wanted to see if we were able to follow the intensive MDI+carbcount regimen well enough, before suggesting it.

Go ahead and call Insulet and get an in-house demo. Research is great, but I wish I scheduled the demos earlier. It's a lot more time-efficient to see things in person.

We're thinking about the omnipod as well and I got a sample pod from insulet along with the demo cd. We haven't put the pod on our son (4yrs) yet to see how he tolerates it...I'm actually not quite sure if it inserts or just attaches. I e-mailed the rep but haven't heard back yet. Anyone have any advice? Also, we have a beginning pump class scheduled at the endo in April, where they'll hook him up to a pump with saline infusion. Did you get to do this at the in-house demo that you mentioned? I read in any of the info that you could do that-I would love to see it working in person.

[vettechmomof2]

You can put that pod onto him with no insertian just the adhesive to see how the unit itself feels, then when you have your demo they can actually put one on him that will insert.
Good luck,
Allene
p.s. I also put one on to see how it feels, not a bad pain. Finger sticks hur worse in my opinion.

[mom2one]

You can put that pod onto him with no insertian just the adhesive to see how the unit itself feels, then when you have your demo they can actually put one on him that will insert.
Good luck,
Allene
p.s. I also put one on to see how it feels, not a bad pain. Finger sticks hur worse in my opinion.
that's what I was thinkning of doing just to see what he thinks of it. I am assuming we need something special to get it off right?

[mom2one]

Hi Jenny! I have a Cooper, too.:) Griffin started on the Omnipod at age 2.5. There are some drawbacks to using the pod for younger kids. You cannot program a basal rate of zero with the pod, so if his TDD is very low this might be a problem. You can set a temp basal of zero or suspend insulin, but you can't program it into your everyday basal program. Also, sites are a little harder to find on a little body and the pod requires more space than another infusion set.

We LOVE the pod and worked through these issues. I just thought that I would bring them up since your son is so young. Feel free to PM me. I have BTDT on the whole toddler/pod thing.

GL!

Kirsten

Adorable name isn't it :D The whole basal rate confuses me! Right now we are on 2.5 units of lantus, I would love to stay on lantus and just to the pod for bolus, wonder if thats possible? I love lantus it works so well for us! I don't know how to PM:confused:

[saxmaniac]

The whole basal rate confuses me! Right now we are on 2.5 units of lantus, I would love to stay on lantus and just to the pod for bolus, wonder if thats possible? I love lantus it works so well for us! I don't know how to PM:confused:

The pod's lowest basal rate is .05/hr which is 1.2u per day, half your basal rate. That's some good wiggle room there.

The pod isn't really ideal for untethered, since you can't disconnect the pod from the site temporarily, like a pump. Pulling off the pod means pulling off the site. You can suspend the basal completely when needed.

[mom2one]

The pod's lowest basal rate is .05/hr which is 1.2u per day, half your basal rate. That's some good wiggle room there.

The pod isn't really ideal for untethered, since you can't disconnect the pod from the site temporarily, like a pump. Pulling off the pod means pulling off the site. You can suspend the basal completely when needed.

Ok that makes sense, so whatever you use for bolus will also be used as the basal so in our case humalog.

[vettechmomof2]

that's what I was thinkning of doing just to see what he thinks of it. I am assuming we need something special to get it off right?

A good bath with soften it up enough for us or you can also use baby oil to help, some use special products called detachol and other adhesive removes like that. Rubbing alcohol will work but very drying for the skin.
Allene

[miss_behave]

Ok that makes sense, so whatever you use for bolus will also be used as the basal so in our case humalog.

Thats how a pump works. 100% of your insulin is fast acting (unless you do untethered of course) :cwds:

[coni1523]

Mom2one,

You can PM by clicking on the users name and it will say send a PM, email, ect.. You click on send a Private message. I didn't know how either for a while.

[saxmaniac]

Ok that makes sense, so whatever you use for bolus will also be used as the basal so in our case humalog.

We started at 80% of the old Lantus dose (4.25 day = .17u/h), but it quickly went up to 100% and then well over the old Lantus dose. Everything I read said the basal needs would go down, but many people here said their kids went up.

[Kirsten]

Adorable name isn't it :D The whole basal rate confuses me! Right now we are on 2.5 units of lantus, I would love to stay on lantus and just to the pod for bolus, wonder if thats possible? I love lantus it works so well for us! I don't know how to PM:confused:

Saxmaniac got it right. If Lantus is working well for you then the no zero basal thing shouldn't be a big problem, since there is obviously no portion of the day when he's getting zero basal right now. I also would not recommend the pod for going untethered.

To PM (private message) someone, click on their name above their post. It will give you the option of sending a PM. On the upper right hand corner of the screen is info on PM's you have received and a link to go check them.

Kirsten