Another Lesson I've Learned Recently about the Omnipod 5 | She's Diabetic

A very small change that I've made recently with my Omnipod 5 & the huge difference it's made for me ◉ Subscribe: goo.gl/ZfjYfu
Other Content I've Made about the Omnipod 5:
My First Week On the Omnipod 5
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My First 3 Months On the Omnipod 5
• 3 Month Rollercoaster ...
TSlim to Omnipod 5: Why I Switched
• Why I Switched From Th...
Omnipod 5 vs. TSlim x2
• Omnipod 5 V Tslim x2
My Omnipod 5 Tips, Tricks & Hacks
• Omnipod 5 Tips, Tricks...
DISCLAIMER
All settings are for example purposes only. All information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional advice.
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[@SherryGentry-r6e]

I’ve done the same aggressive behavior to correct BGL, especially highs over 200, I did find when I reduced that behavior the system did respond much better! Since I’ve been on OP5, about 2.5 yrs I’ve yet to have any nightime lows, which is much better than in the past. This system is great, but would love the pump to last longer, maybe 4 - 6 days ! Regards

[@lindaspencer6547]

This has been my experience as well. For those of us who have been used to managing our diabetes (and doing a great job, thank you very much 😉), it is super hard to back off and let an algorithm manage it for us. Obviously people with a working pancreas don’t give it much thought, but we’ve had to. Now that the pumps are getting better and better at anticipation (sure there is some argument to be had there), we have to learn how to let the system work. Some days I’m thrilled that the O5 manages things so well and then there are the days (weeks even…like this one) where I wonder if the system has gone to sleep and isn’t paying any attention at all. Thank you for the encouragement you give all of us to press on and keep learning how to stay healthy with T1D.

[@worthybookjourney3231]

You are so well informed so I cannot compare my adult son to you. I remember when you started that you were running 300's and got I think you said 30% less insulin by the Omnipod deciding what you needed. I could be remembering wrong. I know there is no way my son would run 300's and not correct because he would feel so lousy. So the question is would you correct still if that was the case as it was in the beginning for you? That is if I am even remembering this correctly. The alarms alone would be maddening.

[@MASTIFFKB]

I totally understand this mind set and issue. I, like you 20+ years T1, tried a couple of other pumps before the O5. We want to be in control and turning over this control to an algorithm that we know next to nothing about is very hard! The corrections we choose are based on our knowledge and history with injections but the algorithm is such an unknown that it leads to stacking and hypo’s and then the hyper to follow. The struggle to relinquish control is real everyday.

[@ShakiraSmylie]

You are very amazing and making people feel less alone on their diabetes journey thank you Andrea ❤ you are not alone on the Diabetes journey ❤ and thank you for making me feel less alone on the Diabetes journey

[@ShesDiabetic]

Well, I could just cry reading this! Thank you so so so much!!!!! And you should know that your comment has made me feel less alone on my diabetes journey too!! I am so so grateful for this!!!! 💙

[@rayray24601]

I really needed to hear this! First time pump user with the Omnipod and I'm a teacher so started it in June when school got out, so have lots of spare time to watch what it does all day. I've been stepping in a lot to do corrections....and I've really struggled with the mental health side of diabetes since starting so I'll take the advice to just let it do its thing. Thanks for the vid! 😄

[@edouardbeauvais]

T1D never gets easier...you just get better.

[@ShesDiabetic]

Good point!!! Actually the more I sit here and think about this...VERY GOOD POINT!!

[@Brian-vn4xb]

What a great surprise to see a new video from you on my birthday!

[@ShesDiabetic]

OHHH YAYYYY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Brian-vn4xb]

@@ShesDiabetic Thank you Andrea!

[@insatiable0610]

I am new to insulin and I am new to Omnipod (within a month I had both, I was so sick) and I was told to correct and correct just like you. I was so mad because my basal rate wasn’t giving me enough. It took me talking to a different diabetic educator in my Endo’s office. We made a few aggressive changes (I had only been on any insulin 3 week prior to going on the Omnipod and I had no clue about insulin or even what an insulin pump was) now I only bonus for meals. It’s been great the last 3 weeks. I love it now.

[@pamspicer97]

My endocrinologist told me the very same thing. Let the pump do its job and don’t be correcting it all the time. I was having the same problem highs then lows! It drives you crazy and it’s hard to wait for it to gradually come down. I pre-bolus more and wait longer to eat. That has helped me a lot.

[@glenngardin3561]

Greetings, again from Ontario, Canada, Andrea! Thank you for the info! I'm considering moving to a pump, but am overwhelmed with all the info. I don't find daily dosing with pens to be a mayor inconvenience. Any advice? Awesome shirt, by the way!

[@care018]

In all honesty, diabetics ARE the strongest people EVER, why? Because we Have to be in order to get through all of these lows and highs, very consistently juggling them all constantly while being resilient enough to come back from each one, we really need to give ourselves due credit everybody, WE ARE SOME THE STRONGEST PEOPLE, IF WE ARE ABLE TO GET THROUGH ALL OF THESE HIGHS AND LOWS, AND LOWS AND HIGHS WE ARE RESILIENT ENOUGH TO GET THROUGH ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING!!!! HALLEUJAH!!!! GO TEAM!!!!🎉🎉🎉

[@g0ssage]

Last O5 video was all about how the algorithm kept you high and that you had to find ways to let the O5 know you needed more insulin. You made your settings more aggressive, you corrected often and you even dripped some insulin when replacing your pod. And you were extremely happy with the results. Now, that seems to not have worked and you’re letting the algorithm do its thing again. What are we missing? Thank you.

[@FrankG-i4k]

Indeed. I am also slightly confused. Your last Video is the complete opposite of this one. How come that the result is the same?

[@jane8760]

my endo told me to be more hands off as well but I am not happy being at an average of 150!

[@jennifertomlinson7726]

Hey. Please advise us on what to eat. I'm suffering very badly from highs every day. Please share exercise too and whatever helps you stay sane and healthy nowadays. God bless 🙏

[@ShesDiabetic]

I’m working on a video as I type this about the different diets I’ve tried and how they’ve affected my type 1 diabetes. I will absolutely work to make more content about diet and exercise - I really really appreciate the feedback and recommendations 💙

[@kristywhited8857]

I was given the same "hands off, let the system work" for TSlim Control IQ. But I'm not convinced (yet, anyway) that it responds accurately and quickly enough for me. If the system can see how much IOB and it knows what my target number is, why/how in the world do I ever get to 236 or some such number? Why can't it see I'm climbing and I'm going to get myself into trouble and do something about it before I actually go too high? Speaking of "too high" maybe that describes my expectations as well. I came here today looking for an update on how you're liking the Omnipod 5 after using it for a while. I want to go tubeless, but I need to know a lot more before I take that leap. Thanks for the update!

[@AlienGenotype]

Rumours about Alien Isolation 2 are surfacing again. Supposed to be 3 years in development already! If they are true, i REALLY hope they picked you to do Amanda's voice again! You did such an amazing job and i would be disappointed if they pick someone else...

[@thorritz8520]

You are correct. I have t- slim and at night I wake up frequently and would see a spike in bld sugar so would bolus small amounts. My endocrinologist told me same thing, just let system adjust blood sugars. I set my pump to sleep mode so would be more aggressive and just let it be. Worked beautifully.

[@dwightl5863]

That was my question about the t-slim as well. I'll give it a try. Thanks.

[@beckymastache]

Thank you for the reminder. Sometimes I find myself getting into that habit of correcting & sending myself on that low/high roller-coaster sometimes. Overall I think Omnipod 5 algorithm handles things well. Of course nothing will be perfect with T1D. I have 2 main gripes with Omnipod. 1) I desperately wish I could set my target glucose lower than 110. 2) I wish Omnipod were more aggressive at treating or avoiding highs. I intervene when I see the high coming or wake up to it because I can't stand waiting 3, 4, 5 hours for Omnipod to SLOWLY bring it down. It's super good at avoiding lows. In fact, almost all of my lows are self-induced. There are 2 times of every day that I run high for an hour or so, for no discernible reason. So I switch to manual mode & set a temp basal. Rather than risk the high & slow return to normal. One other thing I've noticed is if I just do a correction, it seems Omnipod adjusts basal because of that IOB. So when I correct now, it's often by saying I had "this many" carbs when I really didn't eat anything. Then Omnipod delivers insulin without interfering with its basal delivery. If that makes sense.

[@user-nr5he3ic9o]

You don’t have to make up fake carbs from my understanding. The algorithm will deliver the same amount whether you put in the carbs or just manually bolus the amount you want to deliver.

[@Sean-uz1lt]

It is good to know but I wonder how you have your pod set up to allow our to automatically correct? I know that the Pod doesn’t automatically correct, no automatic correction bolus. But it will increase basal to make some corrections. The issue I have is the Pod never maxes out the basal rate. The first two pods it might. But after learning my basal rate it doesn’t. If I don’t step in I run high for hours. What I have learned and like is if I get my carb count close enough the pod does perfect. If I mess up my carb count no amount of basal changes work. A early correction is needed.

[@priyabansal9983]

I didn't know you were Canadian!!!

[@ShesDiabetic]

My Mom was raised in Canada (but was born in the Netherlands) and my Dad is American, but now I’m also a British Citizen - so it’s a melting pot of sorts! 😂

[@raygiordano1045]

I just have nothing but trouble with my omnipod5, but it's more related to constant loss of signals and new pods that failed either immediately, or within minutes. I hate the omnipod5 and I am going back on the pen. My last omnipod5 failed this morning, so I can't lower my blood sugar. If you like wasting insulin, time, and money omnipod5 worked for me.

[@deborahglauss1957]

Same here!!! I am in almost one month in ominipod system, and same happened with me

[@ShesDiabetic]

Oh that’s so awesome and interesting to hear!!! I’m over a year on the Omnipod 5 so you’ve learned wayyyyy quicker than I!!! This is most excellent - and affirming to hear that you’ve had the same experience!!

[@packyak3284]

i would've assumed in the beginning u might want to dose slightly above actual carbs eaten to have a strong algorithm, but after a week or 2 you'd ease off.

[@alliemay6076]

My biggest frustration with the Tslim is relying on my dexcom to get that feedback of what my blood sugar is doing. Sometimes when I start a new sensor my readings are all over the place, and it really messes with my pump. But my endocrinologist said she doesn’t want me going on manual mode, and that can mess with the algorithm? I’m not sure about that but I try to just leave my pump alone as much as possible, and do extra finger pokes on days when I don’t trust my sensor

[@dwightl5863]

You must be using the G7. Having the same issue with erratic reading for the first day or so. I do calibrate it when it is 20% off either high or low.

[@JSW42]

What do you mean by "corrections"? Do you mean addding a bolus or altering basil?

[@Dennis-lp7xe]

What is considered often out of that context? Everything around 1,5 h for correction I see as normal, independent if your Insulinsource is a pen or pump.

[@DutchCarnivore]

How did you make the corrections? Using the pump or using an insulin pen? I take almost all of my corrections as intramuscular pen injections (they are corrections in the end, so the faster, the better). Maybe quick corrections like intramuscular injections interfere less with the algorithm. I never tried it though. I stopped with looping because I didn't like the low standards of the algorithm of the Ypsopump. Following an untethered approach now, basal insulin 50/50% from long acting insulin and pump.

[@user-nr5he3ic9o]

Taking corrections with a syringe would lower your TDD and would eventually lead to the system giving less basal insulin than needed.

[@DutchCarnivore]

@@user-nr5he3ic9o if that's true, and I totally believe what you're saying is true, then that's quite unfortunate. Would be nice to somehow be able to tell the pump that you made a correction. No doubt they have their design reasons for not making it possible (although it wouldn't surprise me if it's the usual exaggerated "hypophobia" of the medical industry).

[@user-nr5he3ic9o]

@@DutchCarnivore I agree it would be nice. I would like to use Afrezza but for the reason I mentioned I haven’t yet. It’s quite a different sort of algorithm but it does have some major advantages which is the reason I’ve stayed with it.

[@DutchCarnivore]

@@user-nr5he3ic9o maybe solutions for this can be found in the DIY looping community, it would no doubt require a lot of research, manual setup and trial and error ☹️

[@thekevindentonroadshowlive9454]

Me too !!!! It’s the truth

[@genitusritus]

Remember to set max basal per hour high enough to not stop the system out.

[@ShesDiabetic]

Great point! I just did this! Thank you!!!

[@magnusb1486]

@@ShesDiabeticDoes that setting help at all in automatic mode? Let’s say you put it at 6E/h, will the system ever give you microbolus of 0,5E per 5 minutes when you go really high?

[@stef1866]

For our teenage I very much prefer the manual mode. In automatic he would get 40 percent less basal then he would need and constantly had to correct. I am not willing to let him stay at 150 hours on end. 😮

[@Sean-uz1lt]

I had a similar issue. Sounds like the bolus values for carbs and correction might be to weak. If you don’t take enough bolus the pod won’t deliver enough basal. It likes the 50/50 or 60/40 split between bolus and basal.

[@babytigtig3795]

Are you considering pregnancy?

[@ShesDiabetic]

Not at the moment 💕

[@babytigtig3795]

Not trying to be too personal, but this is a tough decision as a female T1D.

[@THE-michaelmyers]

I need to be clear. I am NOT a diabetic. I am however actively involved with a man who is. He is currently wearing the Omnipod 5 and the Dexcom G-6. I was waiting at the VA a while back while he was with his Endocrinologist. I got called by her nurse and asked to go to the exam room. One thing they discussed was changing from Novolog to Lyumjev because it works better, especially as a basal insulin. We got him changed over using his Medicare coverage because Lyumjev is not in the VA formulary. His A1Cs are better and the system seems to work better. In all honesty, just based on my very limited knowledge of insulins and the Omnipod 5. I think if you are going to use Novolog why not just use a once-a-day Basal insulin along with it? Just seems like the system would work better.

[@grumpyinbrooklyn6347]

I'm so not convinced! Also, the target is set up too high! If at least they gave you options, down to 90, 85 or so, I would be more open to it.

[@ShesDiabetic]

I totally hear you - I so so so wish I could set the target lower! Completely and utterly hear you on this one!