Alicia: UnLeashed! November 2017 monthly article: Attack of the Pod People! My In-Depth Review of Omnipod.
One of the spiffy side benefits of working at Integrated Diabetes Services is getting access to all the diabetes tech a person could ever try.
In the last couple of months I’ve been on three different pumps, used a couple different sensors and swapped infusion sets. This isn’t for my fun and benefit, but so I can better relate to my clients, assess their needs and meet them with real world knowledge, not just what is printed in the corporate FDA approved literature. I’m a person with type 1 diabetes, helping people with type 1 diabetes, it is that real world and firsthand experience that makes a big difference. So, with that in mind I am also honest about my experiences. When I find something that works for me, I let others know. When I find something that does not work for me I let others know. The common thread here is FOR ME! But put that information into the world and people come unglued like I’d told them I’m going to come and take their favorite products away from them!
My In-Depth Review of the Omnipod:
My In-Depth Review of the Omnipod:Most recently I’ve been trying the Omnipod for the second time. I had tried the “pod” briefly when I first started pumping about 10 years ago. It was an unmitigated disaster back then. The higher profile pod ended up getting ripped off daily, I had one beep at me at 3 am until I threw it in the freezer so I wouldn’t have to hear it, and I lost the PDM for a day and a half. So I went for a “tubed” pump. But here I am, older, wiser, and a lot less prone to tears when my blood sugar takes a sudden and unexpected left turn. (Ah the peace that comes with knowledge) So I wanted to give the Omnipod another try, to see if the advancements, reduced size and my life now would be a good fit.
I’m finding that the Omnipod is an amazing product!
The PDM is flexible, gives TONS of really useful presets and even has carb listings built in!! I have sincerely enjoyed not catching myself on door knobs or having to pry my tubing from the gummy grip of my 6 month old son. And I am really looking forward to the DASH controller that will be touch screen and also serve as a Dexcom receiver. I gave myself two weeks to put the Omnipod through its paces. It’s been mashed under a corset at the renaissance faire, it’s been to the gym, it’s been a foot hold for my son’s attempts to climb me like a tree, and held tight through my endless tossing and turning at night. I’m quite happy with the lower profile. My sensitive skin has gotten a little itchy, but with mild adhesive allergies, it’s part of the price I pay for pumping.
That said, I cannot WAIT for the two week mark so I can rip this thing off for the last time and never look back!!!
My blood sugar starts to creep up at the end of day two, so I have to basal and bolus more so the pod doesn’t last the full 3 days, I seem to keep putting it in places that are comfortable everywhere except in the car, and I have close to 3 hours of commute time every weekday! I lose my PDM daily and walk the length of my house twice before I can finally bolus, and there goes my prebolus time. It also won’t let me set an extended basal until after it delivers my bolus, so when I ate Chinese food yesterday at a meeting I looked like a noob checking my PDM every couple of minutes to be done delivering, because if I don’t keep looking I will forget to enter the extended basal and that Chinese food will leave me high all afternoon! OH! and that temp basal, it’s going to beep at me to remind me that it’s temp basaling, but I forget that and go running to the PDM to see what’s wrong. Ok, rant over.
Woah! Did you feel that?! It was the feeling of hundreds of people preparing to throw their PDMs at me! Attack of the pod people!!! HOLD YOUR FIRE! I just said the Omnipod is amazing. And, goodness knows, I love my brothers and sisters in arms in this battle that is diabetes. I know you’re not alien pod people out to dominate mankind. But say that someone else’s therapy choice doesn’t work for you and people are ready to get not only defensive, but downright belligerent! I have had people question my education because I switch from Medtronic, I have had people question my politics because I ever used a Medtronic! We really need to stop judging people based on their therapy choices. I know we can get a bit tribal about our brand loyalty in the USA (which is a brand unto itself these days!). My phone has a picture of a fruit on it, as does most the tech in my house. But, I’m typing this on a PC. Why? Because, it is a better fit for where I work. Why have options if we don’t use the one that fits best? We just lost a pump company, we just lost an option. As our options get fewer and fewer the rules of capitalism dictate that we will have fewer and fewer really meaningful innovations. Remember when smart phones first came out? Every new generation had amazing new features that changed how we interacted. This year we are getting facial recognition……yeah that’s about it. Companies know that if you only have a few options they do not have to wow you to win you, they just have to show up and be slightly different. Omnipod is pretty different in the market. It is the only tubeless, real-time programmable insulin infusion pump. I am so glad we have that option. I recommend it all the time for young people who want to keep their diabetes treatment less intrusive. I recommend it for people who swim a lot, and who like to be able to bolus their kids at night without a tangle of tubes. I am also really glad I can go to a different pump that fits my life, my body and my goals a little better. I’ve used Medtronic pumps and have things I like and dislike about them. I’ve used Tandem pumps and have things I like and dislike about them. I’m pretty sure if AliciaDownsRN Medical Inc designed, engineered, styled, and produced an insulin pump, I’d figure out something to complain about and something else that would make me never give it up.
Find what works for you, find the features you don’t want to live without, and the irritations that will drive you batty. And when you’ve found those things, make the best choice for you, and be glad you have choices! Then find someone who made a different choice and give them a high five for supporting diversity and help them find what they love about pens, or pills, or pumps, or therapy modes that don’t even begin with “P”!
If you need help sorting through the multitude of therapy options out there, check out our blogs and newsletters and schedule an appointment with Integrated Diabetes Services. We will listen to your needs and goals, your limitations and expectations and help you find the right pump for you. We will be honest; we don’t subscribe to brand loyalty. In something as frivolous as a phone it’s fine, but this is your LIFE. And that is far too important to be a question of brand loyalty or sales.
Alicia
Glad I found your review of the Omnipod. I switched to pods about six weeks ago after a friend shared his positive experience. I had used a Dexcom G6 for 3 months and was planning on pairing it with Tandem when my warranty was up in November. For three months on Dexcom I had a sensor failure of one out of every three, routinely and almost automatically replaced by Dexcom as if failures were routine. I researched options and learned of my friends experience with pods.
It has been the BEST change I’ve made in 61 years with T1.
My issue at age 76 and 61 years of injection/insertion was concerns about running out of body geography. Dexcom was “approved” only for abdomen and not accurate enough to trust any “auto” function with Tandem.
I’m now able to attach the pod on arms and legs. Efficiency of absorption is greatly improved and daily insulin dosage has even decreased a bit. My recent A1C was 6.0, my all time best result.
I have experienced little or no skin irritation at new sites compared to Medtronic adhesives which always were irritating.
Thanks for your review. I’m glad that I read it after having used the pod for a few weeks and could more easily consider your comments on the pros and cons.
As far as someday pairing with the Dexcom goes I’ve concluded that the CGMs are a great concept but not yet trustworthy for auto function of any kind. I wish the manufacturers would stop trying to be first to
to produce aN artificial pancreas. Better to be right instead of first.
Compared to standard treatments when I started in 1959 everything today is remarkable. For me Omnipod and finger sticks are right for now.
Bill Stenzel
Hi Bill,
I myself have been using Dexcom for 2 years now and yes I have had problems with sensors myself. I have been on insulin for 63 years myself.
On the omnipod how does it work with mixing insulins?
You are the 1st person I know of having this disease for many years. Are you on Facebook?
Cindy
I have not heard of mixing insulin types with any version of pump technology. I used Lantus and regular before pump therapy. You should discuss pump therapy with Endo if not using it.
I have found Omnipod very effective. The most important benefit to me is the multiple options for site locations. I am using less insulin since switching to the pod. My team credits that to using new sites that do not have scar tissue from injections and pump insertions.
My Aic has always been under 7. Since I started Pods I am at 6.0, best ever.
Give it some thought.
I’m not a face book user.
Alicia, thx so much for all your info on insulin pumps and for sharing all the reviews. So helpful. I’ve been a diabetic for 59 yrs and on pumps for about 15 yrs. I’m on the Medtronic 530G plus the Enlite sensor and my warranty is up so am looking for new pump. I like what I hear about Omnipod and NO tubing! I’ve also looked at Tandem tslim. I’m 72 so not sure I want mega tech and hard to see or feel buttons. Still learning tho. Thx again.
It is always our privilege to be of assistance Shari, I have also reviewed the Tandem X2 with control IQ recently if you’d like more info there. I am so glad we have options I wish there was more diversity in our technologies offerings!
I know this is an old thread but I’m hoping someone can help. I had to go from Dash to Eros system because Insurance and Omnipod “stuff”. Anyway my sugars are running significantly higher on Eros than they did on the dash and nothing else has changed. I stay around 150 instead of in the 80s. I don’t understand why it would be such a big change on the Eros and it’s all day long. It’s so hard to come back down if it creeps up too high also. Any suggestions?
HI Autumn, you would need to schedule a consultation for us to be able to dive deeper to really help. BUT there is one setting int he EROS that can cause higher blood sugars.
first make sure your target blood sugars for calculations are set properly. It is easy to mix up the graphed target range with the target BG for calculation. pumps always work better with an exact number to target rather than a wide range. Also make sure that your “threshold” is at or below your target or it will not recommend a correction unless blood sugars are substantially higher.
second is a setting int he bolus calcs and ratios section called Min BG for calc. having a BG below this number will cause the bolus calculator to not recommend a bolus if BG is below that number which can often lead to elevated blood sugars.
I’m a 75 year active athletic who was diagnosed as Type1 LADA three years ago after an intense episode of DKA. Started then with Humalog & Lentis pens and switched to Fiasp & Tresiba pens a year later along with Freestyle Libre 14-day CGM. Despite being brittle diabetic with sudden variations in BG, I managed reasonably well. A month back,, on advice of my endo I switched to Tandem T-Slim tubed pump with Humalog and DexcomG6 CGM. Experienced a huge daily variability in BG despite several adjustments in basal and bolus dosage rates. Now switching from Humalog to Fiasp because of positive previous experience with it. While awaiting self-assessment based on experience with Fiasp delivery through T-Slim, I’ve also begun looking into Omnipod because (1)I dislike the tubed delivery system, (2) I’m encouraged by reading positive experiences of others with Omnipod Dash, and (3) recent approvals of insurance/Medicare. Appreciate any advice from you or folks on your network on switching so soon from tubed to tubeless system. Thank you in advance.
HI Hassan,
I would recommend reaching out to schedule a consultation. you can reach our office manager Nancy (Nancy@integrateddiabetes.com) without a history etc we can’t comment on much. We work with a lot of patients who have been deemed “brittle” and find that some attentio to setting adjustment and education on some key areas of management often greatly reduce variability of blood sugars.
as for switching form tubed to tubeless pumping there really is very little difference in pumping itself. the management concepts are all the same. the biggest difference is the technology behind it as the Omnipod with Dash has no automated features like Basal or control IQ found with the Tandem pump, which can make for some difference in management strategies.
I’ve had Type I diabetes for sixty years, and have used Medtronic pumps for the past twenty years. I began to lose my vision way back when laser treatments were still experimental. Fortunately, I’ve had none of diabetes’s other complications, and I know the Medtronic pump has extended my life. Now, here’s the kicker: Medtronic’s 630G and 670G pumps are totally inaccessible to blind/visually impaired people with diabetes. Medicare will no longer pay for rebuilt Paradigm pumps; the pump I’m now wearing was rebuilt, but has reached its five-year life expectancy. Since Medtronic is no longer manufacturing new Paradigm (the accessible) pumps, and since Medicare will not pay for rebuilt Paradigm pumps, My only option is to pay around $2000 out of pocket for a rebuilt Paradigm. I feel as if Medtronic is holding a gun to my head. Thanks loads, you horses’s patoots in the corporate office.
Hi William,
we are seeing a LOT of long time paradigm users really struggling right now. From visibility, to the complete change in menu setups, not everyone is able to transition to the 630 and the 670 is even worse!
You may find the new Omnipod’s new DASH controller easier to view, text is larger and you can change the screen brightness to improve visibility and reduce some glare.
Hi Alicia,
I can appreciate that Omnipod now has improved the brightness and text size for those with limited vision. However, for those of us that are completely blind these improvements are of no help.
Since Animas is no longer an option I have attempted to use the Medtronic paradime 530 and found it extremely frustrating. My Animas warrantee transferred to Medtronic and expires January 2020. As a result I have made the decision to use the insulin pens.
I became totally blind in 1995 and began using a pump in 2000. No longer being able to have an accessible insulin pump has for me been what I would equate to that of having a long time loving pet die.
I try to be grateful the pens exist and are accessible. Yet I do acknowledge that I am extremely disappointed that the manufactures of the insulin pumps have not taken into consideration that many diabetics are blind and desire to better control their glucose levels to prevent further damage to their health.
If the insulin pumps could provide tactile markings, audio and/or vibration output and at least a 30 second delay before timing out I believe hundreds of blind insulin dependent diabetics would be forever grateful.
I agree so profoundly Lyn! It breaks my heart that we are abandoned by our pump technology manufacturers if we have limitations in vision, dexterity etc.
it is vital that we have a functional insulin pumping option that includes larger viewing, auditory read out of screen information, and tactile interfaces. These are not technologies that will corner the market, but that are of vital importance to those who will use them.
I moved from Medtronics to try Omnipod for last 4 months since I thought tubeless is a great feature. That is a big mistake as omnipod is rudimentary compared to medtronics in every aspect. The biggest issue is every 1 out of 3 pods hit occlusion issue (I never hit this in my 4 years use of Medtronics), and the pain is more when I remove the pod after 2 or 3 days as I suspect the pod is heavier with insulin compared to Medtronics one and also, the pod adhesive covers bigger area and very itchy. Because of the transfer I lost money too. Please analyze every aspect before selecting ominpod.
HI Bala,
sorry to hear about your experience,
i had skin issues with Pods too.
I am glad there are different options for everyone, though we do wish that the companies would make it easier to try a system out before being locked in. At least with Omnipod we are not locked into a 4 year warranty program.
great article. I wore Medtronics Revel for 4 years awesome little pump. then tried Ominpod loved being wireless but alleric to the adhesive no matter what i tried. now wearing Tandem Tslim x2. great great pump . It has basal IQ. just wish he had NO wires. they say they are working on it. Just for the hell of it i put the pod back on its been almost 24 hrs and i can feel the itch starting to come. I hate that is so big and heavy on my arm meaning it sticks out but I do love NO wire.It reads to my phone which is good and bad because i do not like having to carry my phone just to see what my blood sugar is. i am hoping that will integrate with the Dexcom g6. i am not sure what the heck i want to do.. i just might switch on/off for the summer.
it is so great to have options!
Wow.
I am Type1. Diagnosed at age 16, now 65. Have become “brittke”. No longer feel deadly lows of 30 or highs of 400.
My Endo is trying to figure out what dosing of Humalog and Levamir will keep mb e in range. First CGM test showed just how erradit my blood sugars are. Eventhough I watch my diet.
No mention yet of an insulin pump.
How should I make suggestion?
I myself am totally newbie to these.
Diabetes has taken its toll. I am now on hemo dialysis and have congestive heart failure. But I still got a lot of life to live.
Hi Julia,
i would recommend printing out info on the pump you’re interested in and making an appointment with your doctor specifically to discuss this topic and let your prescriber know that you are interested in exploring more technology to help you manage your diabetes. doctors often assume that patients are not interested in pumps due to age, or activities, or their own biases.
We work with a lot of patients on incorporating technology into their management. You can contact our office for a consultation to help you find the right pump for you and how to use your technology more effectively to manage your diabetes for better control with less risk.
Hello,
I am a tpye 1 diabetic, diagnosed in October 1961, back then there were no electronic testers, pens, pumps or dexcom units, but I have been fortunate with this illness and hopefully it will contnue. I started with the Animas Ping, do not use Dexcom, it would wake me up 1 or 2 in the morning telling me my sugar was in the 50’s, I would check and it would be 115. After a week, ripped that off and have never went back. I have been with Animas since July, 2011, so my current pump will need to be changed, wish it could last longer, but like I stated I have been very fortunate. I’m thinking about the Omnipod, met someone a couple of years ago and she loved it, she had a Ping, but her sugars were not in control, me my ping is great, I’m pround that my A1C has been between 5.4 and 5.8 for the past 4 years. The encrinologist feels my sugars drop too often, but I am stubborn and keep on ticking. Afraid to say I do not get the usual signs for low sugars, so I test myself between 5 to 7 times daily. That might be a pain, but it works for me. I think when I get a new pump I will look into the Freestyle Libre, at least that doesn’t need to be changed for almost 14 days. Now I will be 64 this year, I still work, so I am on a company health plan. I have to use Novolog, that keeps my sugars more manageable, than Humalog was only on that for six months. Now me and my son go to Disney in Orlando every year, so I take the pump off and take the insulin pen in the parks with me and I have been able to go on rides, swim, slides, Diabetes has not stopped me and the Physician who brought me into this world, always told me you can do everything anyone else does you just have to know how to handle the ups and downs. When I was first diagnosed, people feared me and at the age of 6, I just kept going, played sports with my dad, maded cookies with my mom and when my son was in school, practiced soccer with him. Now he is 28, and he and I work in the same hospital just different shifts and I can say Diabetes has never stopped me from living, I think it has made me stronger. With your reviews, I am hoping to make the best transition with a new pump.
Thank you
Connie H
Thanks for sharing your experience Connie!
good for you connie, very positive lady
Thank you so much for your honesty! My daughter is 9 and a newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic who uses Omnipod and I must say we loved it at first, and still do, but once we started diving into the advanced options such as extended bolus, temp bolus etc things just kind of went haywire. We are actually going to go back to the basics of the Omnipod because well quite frankly it just seemed like it was so much easier for all of us and her blood glucose was a heck of a lot more stable before we tried all the advanced options. I literally am researching trends etc on the Pod because her blood glucose levels the past few days have been getting lower more frequently and well that just was not the case when we just used it basically. My version or idea of basic meaning using it 15 minutes before meals for bolus and just giving her the set reccomendations on her basal dosing. All the other extended temp etc just threw us all off. She also has a dexcom G6 and Hates it and refuses to put it back on. She said between me,her dad, and the school nurse she feels like we are checking it way too much and trying to correct her way too often whereas when she uses her “pricker” (her name for it) we aren’t all over her like “white in rice”. So overall, we love Omnipod and are stuck with it for four years, and I’m hoping we will have figured out all the kinks just in time for her to use the integrated Omnipod/Dexcom option when our insurance allows us to get a new updated one. Luckily, I am a newly licensed RN in Texas and I understand all the snazzy terms associated with the beast of diabetes type 1 but even for me I can still get thrown from time to time. I can’t even imagine what it would be like for my baby girl and the rest of my family if I wasn’t there explaining it to them in understandable ways. Ok. Comment done. Thank you again for your feedback. It is helpful and useful!
Sincerely,
Mom of a PodGirl
PS. Diabetes does Bite! But we all will fight!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience as well!
Advanced feature usage can be a real brier patch without the right education and guidance. It is actually my favorite thing to teach here at IDS! We would love to work with you to unlock and master these features! From foods that digest differently, to high fat meals, to take out, these features often help us combat some of those times that leave us scratching our head wondering how it all went sideways.
Thank you so much for your expertise. It is great to be able to read options available. I, too, have an Animas One Touch Ping. I am not sure what I will do when I need to get a new pump after we cannot get supplies this year. Medtronic has purchased Animas and is pushing their pumps which I do not want. I am on Medicare and my Ping has warranty on it until next year…another hassle to figure out. Would like Omnipod or T-Slim x2. I have been wearing Dexcom G5 and it certainly has made life so much easier. Diagnosed with Type 1 at age 47…local medical professionals originally diagnosed and treated me for Type 2 for 10 years… until I was passing out from too much insulin (I’m insulin sensitive..found different doctor out of town who basically saved my life). Suggestion…if your doctor is not helping you seek a new one with a good diabetes educator. I learned the hard way.
Thanks so much Lu, we strive to share knowledge to help everyone make the best choices they can!
Feel free to call our office to make an appointment to discuss your needs and how to match the right pump and CGM technologies to meet them.
Wow.
I am Type1. Diagnosed at age 16, now 65. Have become “brittke”. No longer feel deadly lows of 30 or highs of 400.
My Endo is trying to figure out what dosing of Humalog and Levamir will keep mb e in range. First CGM test showed just how erradit my blood sugars are. Eventhough I watch my diet.
No mention yet of an insulin pump.
How should I make suggestion?
I myself am totally newbie to these.
Diabetes has taken its toll. I am now on hemo dialysis and have congestive heart failure. But I still got a lot of life to live.
I have to switch because on Animas but have been told only Medtronic is covered by Medicare. I have read so many negative comments also on other type 1 websites. Has anyone tried to get other pumps covered. I am 75 and don’t want something so complicated I can’t figure out. A friend has the tandems slim and loves it. But is not on Medicare.
Hi Susan,
all three FDA insulin pumps are currently covered by medicare. One possible issue with Omnipod may be HOW it is covered, Whether it is under medical benefits, or pharmacy benefits.
We have many users of the Tandem X2 who are on medicare. The new Basal IQ feature is not yet available for medicare users as Medicare covers the Dexcom G5 but not yet the Dexcom G6 (Approval is actually through, logistics of billing and shipping just have not been worked out yet, we anticipate this to roll out in the spring of 2019)
But Medicare users can get the x2 pump and use it with the G5, then upgrade to the G6 and upgrade their pump software when able.
Omnipod is playing a strange, new game with the DASH system. The pods are now being coded strictly as a Pharmacy benefit, which will screw over any users who were receiving them as Durable Medical Equipment. Your insurer no longer has an option.
I’m a loyal pod user since 2012 and my only complaint has been the clunky controller, whose design is a throwback to the days of 3-pound cell phones. I’d like to upgrade to DASH, but because of the new billing system, I’m seriously considering switching to the new Tandem system; I am not sure I can handle the tubes. I also use Dexcom 6, which integrates with Tandem quite nicely, I’m told. But the Pods, being tubeless, are a mere afterthought; the only time I’m aware of it is when I bolus.
My only other complaint re Omnipod is the demeaning treatment received when passing through security at airports, ballparks, anywhere. For that reason I have stopped traveling by air and don’t attend many sports events.
I’m a Type 2/Type 1 (Totally insulin dependent with insulin resistance). Double whammy. So my insulin consumption is through the roof.
The Pahramacy coverage plan is supposed to stream line things eventually and helps users with high deductible plans who often have a much lower pharmacy deductable. IF your insurance does not have omnipod on their pharmacy formulary reach out to Insulet. They have a team working on establishing these contracts. It may take some time to get it covered but they’ve been successful with many patients we’ve worked with.
I’m sorry to hear about your travel and security experiences, these are definitely factors of the locations you’ve been rather than the pod itself as most users dont have issues. I recommend being very upfront with security from the start, when podding I point to the pod and let them know I have an insulin pump attatched at that point. they make me touch it to swab my hand, but no further issue.
I think that if you wore it longer—as in a more realistic test period, rather than a limited period—you would become used to carrying your PDM around with you. Thank you for trying it. Try again one day, perhaps for four to six weeks, and I bet you’ll be hooked.
Thanks. I am currently using an Animas/One-TouchPing/DexCom G6 set-up. And because Animas has gone out of business I have begun looking for an option that will serve me for at least the next 4 years. Your review helps me in my search.
Well now four years ago I was diagnosed with LADA Laten Autoimmune diabetes adult which turns out to be a 1.5 diabetic I trend just like a type one diabetic
I started with the med Tronic pump which of course made my life easier Then Medicare finally approved The OMNIPOD ??. I’m 75 years old and never in my lifetime did I expect this …… but this is my second day on the Omni pod and already I’m in love with it. May I also say I have a Dexcon 5GMS which is my first miracle. Truthfully I would walk across hot coals to get my Dexcon 5GMS ??. Things can only get better and better combination Dexcon five and an Omni pod and your life will be easier once you could actually have a life once again!
I’ve tried Minimed, Animas (several versions), and Omnipod. I can’t say I like any of them, really. But I like shots less. Since Animas is no longer an option, and I refuse to use Minimed, I guess that leaves going back to Omnipod for me. The biggest issue with them wasn’t the pod placement or their wonky bolus calculations, but the fact that it nearly killed me when trying to travel by plane (twice). There is no way to safely fly when wearing a pod, because you can’t detach it to allow for expansion. I’d love to see a pod version that detaches at the site like a typical infusion set, but leaves a “landing pad” or something similar to be able to reattach later. A two piece pod that has a base would be my ideal setup. That way my insulin wouldn’t cook in the shower, I wouldn’t have a super hypo after flying, I could just take it off if I feel like it without wasting so much insulin, etc. But sadly, I’m not a pump designer either. :D
Tandem is the other pump option available at this time, a tubed pump available, complete with the ability to fully detach.
Great insights Amber. I’ve got an Aminos One Touch Ping and I’m hoping something as good will be available by the time I have to switch over to something else.
Is there still a problem when travelling by air using the Omnipod?
Omnipod is safe for air travel, no need for special prep, special security clearances or removal during air travel.
There isn’t a “problem”. The PDM and the pod simply cannot be exposed to the magnetic devices that are used by the TSA Security. My endo has written a letter explaining such which I carry with me. I provide that at the TSA desk along with my ID and boarding pass. Most likely they will respond that you wish to “opt out” and have a pat down by a guard of your gender which takes about 3 minutes. Some airports are much more lenient. I simply point to the protruding pod, provide them the PDM and they send me on my way. Orlando is the worst.
Your comparisons and thoughtful insights are greatly appreciated. I was on Medtronic for about 20 years before switching to Omnipod. I love being tubeless and look forward to future innovations in the diabetes world.