Hello. I’m new to Omnipod but not to pumps. Omni insisted they are immune to the impacts of pressure in the cabin but I’ve taken 3 flights and all 3 flights had exactly the same unusual issues. Severe unexplained lows then after landing a rise. As if the internal pump is altered. Has anyone else had the same occur? I’ve suspended insulin to offset which has its own set of issues…. Thanks!
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Hi @Sqduarte . Some of us “more experienced” pumpers (cough cough 
) may recall a pump from back in the 90s(?) whose claim to fame was that it was water resistant but over time that turned out not to be the case. I hope this is simply a case of a bad batch of pods and not a deeper issue, and that you get some feedback from other pod users soon (I’m on Tandem). Other than that, how do you like the pod in comparison with your other pump/s?
Good morning! I’ve been on original diseteonics which is now dead, minimed, T slim. I loved T slim but insurance changed with a new job. Due to an SAE from the vaccine, I lost significant weight and was already thin. Daily shots wasn’t working as couldn’t get to tenth of a unit. Endo said Omnipod works best with super thin so tried. Not a fan of size. Waste insulin as req 80u fill and I use maybe 7/day so waste. Plus thus pressure problem. When I return home I’ll be asking my endo for other options….I travel often and can’t have this happen.
You may have tried this already but is there any chance of getting an override with your insurance? If your doctor can document your issues and reasons for needing a different pump they may approve it.
Hello Susie, I fly quite a bit for work. I go high (not low) about every 2 or 3 trips, the cabin pressure on a plane is typically slightly less than atmospheric pressure at ground level. Anyway,
not that this information matters that much, but often times I find that my blood sugar depends on my reaction to the stress of flying, and not a mechanical issue with a pump due to pressure. I use a Medtronic with an open bottom reservoir, which could potentially be affected by external pressure. I cant think of how any pump could be immune to pressurization, I think what they are saying is that “under normal circumstances” it shouldn’t matter. I just bolus more (sometimes a lot more) to deal with my blood sugar. good luck.
Here’s how I know it’s the Omni. I too fly often for work. Prior to recently starting the Omni, I never ever had these issues even on the exact same flights. It’s happened every flight since. That’s 100%. I’d say pretty solid. Yea they say it’s not possible but as someone in research who’s worked with DME, no medical product works 100%. Safety adjudication letters are something they try to avoid so not a shock.
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@Sqduarte Fair enough. You’re making me want to take one apart to see inside it. I guess the big problem is you can’t disconnect a pod the way you can disconnect a tube pump. if it’s pressure or other phenomena related, and it’s causing an unintentional insulin delivery, you’d get more insulin even if you set it to zero basal. This is a tough one.
I tried to break things down to confirm and my coworker reminded me I had flown back and forth to FL immediately before starting pump. (2x). This didn’t occur. Rather stressful when you have to fly.
So did an experiment this flight. Let myself go to 161 as didn’t run didn’t correct. I still crashed by landing. 2.5 hr flight. Didn’t bolus. Dropped below 40. It’s the Omni. I can send you one of you don’t have someone local who has one. Just DM me.
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Hi! I’m a podder and have no issues. For me altitude in general affects me different every time. Last time I flew, I went low before I even left, treated accordingly but then was 190 and going up on the actual fil light. I put a temp basal on which I needed the rest of the day and then took a correction. Same trip but on the flight back I went low right before jumping on the plane, was steady, and then went low after landing because I didn’t calculate the activity of briskly walking to my car after landing. 
Not saying it’s not a pump issue because it totally could be just saying I notice wonkier sugars in general when I fly because it’s not a normal routine for me by any means.
Thanks Taylor. In general I’d agree but I flew several times same flights etc prior to starting pod and this started and repeats every flight since using pod. I’m looking at direct cause & effect in my case. Maybe it’s due to low volume I use or something or potentially minuscule “leak” but I’m very sensitive to insulin so implants me. But def never happened like this prior. I’m frustrated!!!
Do you happen to remember how the pods were oriented on your body? When I used pods, I had some issues that seemed to be fixed by always pointing the bottom right corner down and leaving the pod upside down while filling and going through the priming step. Those were the older eros pods and the insulin was drawn from that bottom right corner. The thinking, from whoever suggested it to me, was to always have insulin at the reservoir exit and if there is an air bubble, try to make sure it is on the opposite end of the reservoir.
No idea if this really worked. Maybe it was just a manufacturing issue or a “my body issue”. After that I did always use this procedure though.
They were interesting to look inside if you’ve never taken one apart…
Hi again. I’m thinking about trying Omnipod 5 to see if I like it, and was reading the manual. I found this in the warnings:
Warning: DONOTusetheOmnipod 5 System at low atmospheric pressure (below 700hPA). You could encounter such low atmospheric pressures at high elevations, such as when mountain climbing or living at elevations above 10,000 feet (3,000 meters). Change
in atmospheric pressure can also occur during take-off with air travel. Unintended insulin delivery can occur if there is expansion of tiny air bubbles that may exist inside the Pod. This can result in hypoglycemia. It is important to check your glucose frequently when flying to avoid prolonged hypoglycemia.
I have been unable to access the site for weeks not sure why. Just trying this avenue. Thanks for info. There’s def a pressure issue. You’re spot on. I was going to send used pods to an engineer on here but unable to get back on to get his address. Very frustrating!!!
Thanks again
Susie
“Humor can get in under the door while seriousness is still fumbling at the handle.” ― G.K. Chesterton
| wadawabbit Dorie Member with T1D
July 22 |
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Hi again. I’m thinking about trying Omnipod 5 to see if I like it, and was reading the manual. I found this in the warnings:
Warning: DONOTusetheOmnipod 5 System at low atmospheric pressure (below 700hPA). You could encounter such low atmospheric pressures at high elevations, such as when mountain climbing or living at elevations above 10,000 feet (3,000 meters). Change
in atmospheric pressure can also occur during take-off with air travel. Unintended insulin delivery can occur if there is expansion of tiny air bubbles that may exist inside the Pod. This can result in hypoglycemia. It is important to check your glucose frequently when flying to avoid prolonged hypoglycemia.
Just a quick note: 700hpa is equivalent to 10,000 feel elevation. Commercial pressurized aircraft are designed to subject the occupants to no greater than 8,000 feet (well below omnipod spec). So under normal circumstances omnipod is telling you to test more to avoid going low. Some of us are very sensitive to insulin so when you know it’s going to happen @Sqduarte it’s probably better to get your bs to 200+ with no iob and no basal before a flight. (Adjusting as necessary so you do t die).
By the way @Sqduarte , that was me you were going to send pods to. I guess omnipod is admitting they emit insulin at low pressure.
Hi joe! I’ve been unable to log back in. I’m not sure why. Trisd safari and brave. Very frustrating it does some goofy things and I can read or reply to anything!!!
“Humor can get in under the door while seriousness is still fumbling at the handle.” ― G.K. Chesterton
| joe Member with T1D
July 28 |
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Just a quick note: 700hpa is equivalent to 10,000 feel elevation. Commercial pressurized aircraft are designed to subject the occupants to no greater than 8,000 feet (well below omnipod spec). So under normal circumstances omnipod is telling you to test more to avoid going low. Some of us are very sensitive to insulin so when you know it’s going to happen @Sqduarte it’s probably better to get your bs to 200+ with no iob and no basal before a flight. (Adjusting as necessary so you do t die).
By the way @Sqduarte , that was me you were going to send pods to. I guess omnipod is admitting they emit insulin at low pressure.
@Sqduarte the site is having issues. The admins are aware but I haven’t heard back in over a week. I’ll nudge them a little bit.
Thanks joe!!! I know I wrote your info down so just in the midst of post vaxx AE fun, unable to relocate and send.
Susie
“Humor can get in under the door while seriousness is still fumbling at the handle.” ― G.K. Chesterton
July 29 |
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@Sqduarte the site is having issues. The admins are aware but I haven’t heard back in over a week. I’ll nudge them a little bit.
Hey Joe
Do you still want my used Omni or does this prove my theory? It’s infuriating the co lied to me as with this pump my complaints have always been can’t see if bubbles and can’t see insertion site. Often the site is inflamed or blood and all I know is insulin isn’t working. Remove the Omni and then I know why. If they’d make it with w/least a site window that would help (some).
“Humor can get in under the door while seriousness is still fumbling at the handle.” ― G.K. Chesterton
July 28 |
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Just a quick note: 700hpa is equivalent to 10,000 feel elevation. Commercial pressurized aircraft are designed to subject the occupants to no greater than 8,000 feet (well below omnipod spec). So under normal circumstances omnipod is telling you to test more to avoid going low. Some of us are very sensitive to insulin so when you know it’s going to happen @Sqduarte it’s probably better to get your bs to 200+ with no iob and no basal before a flight. (Adjusting as necessary so you do t die).
By the way @Sqduarte , that was me you were going to send pods to. I guess omnipod is admitting they emit insulin at low pressure.
@Sqduarte in my opinion, it proves your theory!