My 3 favourite things about the Omnipod DASH® System
A friend of mine: “Is that your new phone?” My grandmother: “Is that what young people call a phone?” My mum: “Can you text with it?” Me: “No, this is my insulin pump!” Three months ago, I started using the Omnipod DASH® System. It is a tubeless insulin pump with a controller handset that looks more like a phone than a medical device. I wear a Pod (the insulin pump) on my leg, arm or abdomen. With the Omnipod DASH® PDM (Personal Diabetes Manager) I manage my insulin needs. In this blog, I will share my 3 favourite things about my insulin pump. Here we go!
1. The design
It was the first thing that caught my attention when I saw the Omnipod DASH® System. The design of the Omnipod DASH® PDM. Like I mentioned before, it looks just like a phone. It is black, it has no buttons because it has a touchscreen and it is comfortable to hold in your hand. The design on the inside of the Omnipod DASH® PDM is just as amazing. When I unlock my Omnipod DASH™ PDM, I see the (coloured) background I chose myself. I chose pretty pink clouds, but you can also choose a kitten, a puppy, tulips, a car, books, food, mountains or even a football. On the homescreen I see all the information I need, such as Insulin On Board (IOB), my last blood glucose (BG) and my last bolus. With one swipe to the left I can see my basal rate. One more swipe to the left and I see when my current Pod ends.
2. Easy to use
I can do a bolus as quickly as I send a short text message on my phone. Call me crazy, but I actually counted how many times I have to tap the screen to do a bolus: 10 times. And within those 10 taps, you let the Omnipod DASH® PDM know the amount of carbs you eat, what your current BG is, and you do the bolus. It is quicker than texting your boyfriend ‘Can you please feed the cats’ since that requires to tap the screen 23 times. (Ok, you can call me crazy now!)
Before I started using the Omnipod DASH® System, I had been on a different insulin management system for almost 10 years. I was so used to that system; I could do a bolus blindly. To be honest, I was a bit anxious to start using a new insulin pump. As soon as I held the Omnipod DASH® System in my hand and did my first bolus, I knew I did not have to be nervous at all. I experienced that the insulin pumps explains itself. Using the Omnipod DASH® System for the first time, felt the same as using a new phone for the first time. Although everything is new and it takes a few seconds to find the right functions, you are comfortable using it within a few minutes.
3. The Omnipod DASH™ System is tubeless
I think the Omnipod DASH® System combines the benefits of injections and an insulin pump. It has the freedom of injections and the advanced technology of an insulin pump. The first time I disconnected my previous tubed pump and used a Pod instead for my insulin delivery, I danced through my living room. I seriously could not stop dancing. I felt so free! One more thing I enjoy is being able to shower without disconnecting my insulin pump.
And yes, a tubeless insulin pump means you do not have your Omnipod DASH® PDM attached to you. You can put your Omnipod DASH® PDM in your bag or pocket before you leave the house. Although I am quite a chaotic and messy person, that only happened to me once in the past three months. Putting my Omnipod DASH® PDM in my bag is just something I had to get used to. But after forgetting my Omnipod DASH® PDM once, it never happened again. It was a good learning experience. Luckily, if I do somehow forget my Omnipod DASH™ PDM, I don’t have to worry about my basal insulin. The pod continues to deliver my basal, but I won’t be able to do a bolus without my Omnipod DASH® PDM.
The only downside
Long story short, I love my insulin pump! It suits the lifestyle I have right now. There is only one thing that I like a little bit less about this insulin management system… The amount of times I had to explain I was not being rude because I was using ‘my phone’ was a little bit annoying. Luckily, everyone now knows it’s the controller handset for my (awesome) insulin pump. I guess it is part of having such a cool insulin pump.
Love,
Myrthe
This Omnipod DASH® System user testimonial relates to an account of an individual’s response to treatment with the Omnipod DASH® System, user experience may vary, please speak with your healthcare professional.
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