My Experience Switching from MDI to Omnipod® 5

Insulet paid a fee to engage Ariana as a content creator and has an ongoing commercial relationship with Ariana as a Sponsored Omnipod user however the views expressed in this testimonial are solely those of Ariana.

In July of 2023, I made a change in my diabetes management. I went from using insulin pens with MDI (multiple daily insulin injections) to an insulin pump — a change I previously never thought that I would ever make. Over the past 20 years of living with type 1 diabetes, I’ve been on an insulin pump only once (prior to starting on Omnipod this year), and never thought that method of diabetes management was for me. However, based on where I am in my life currently, making the switch to an insulin pump made the most sense, which is why I am now on the Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System.

Over the past 20 years living with type 1 diabetes, I’ve spent 19 of them doing MDI (multiple daily insulin injections) as my preferred method of diabetes management. In high school, my doctor convinced me to try an insulin pump.

For one year I wore a tubed insulin pump and truly disliked the feeling of being attached to this uncomfortable machine. Beyond the common feeling of not wanting to feel like I was attached to something in my active, adolescent life, I was also met with the insecurity of a device that made me feel different from my peers. So, after that year, my doctor suggested I try insulin pens if I didn’t prefer a pump, and the rest was history.

My Anxieties Switching to an Insulin Pump

For the next 15 years, I held strong to my belief that insulin pumps were not for me. I felt confident in my ability to manage my diabetes into adulthood while using insulin pens, and even held onto an A1C of under 7 for the past 4 years. I was comfortable with my management, my ratios, and my corrections, and was scared of the inevitable learning curve that would come with switching to an entirely new management tool.

Beyond the fear of the unknown, I was nervous that wearing a pump would lead to faster diabetes burnout, increased scar tissue, and take up more space in my brain at any given time.

Why I Decided to Make the Switch from MDI to an Insulin Pump

I could have very easily continued to manage my diabetes with MDI for the foreseeable future, however, I am now at a time in my life where my health could use some fine tuning. My husband, Adam, and I are getting ready to start a family, and as someone with type 1 diabetes, that requires a bit more planning on my end. My A1C was 6.6 before (switching to an automated insulin pump) and my doctor would prefer it be below 6 before we start trying for kids.

Although many people have had successful and healthy pregnancies on MDI, I know myself and my diabetes management habits, and having an automated insulin delivery system in place to help get me to where I need to be was going to be the best option.

Why I Chose Omnipod 5

When looking into insulin pump options, I knew almost immediately that I wanted the Omnipod 5. As mentioned, switching to an insulin pump was a big deal for me, and if I can cut down on the negative experiences I felt as a kid surrounding the pump, the better. Which meant I was 100% going to prefer a tubeless option. I was also very interested in Automated Mode, which allows the pump to communicate with my Dexcom G6 CGM and adjust insulin delivery based on my Target Glucose.

How I am Feeling After 5 Months on Omnipod 5

I have officially been using the Omnipod 5 for five months now and don’t know why it took me so long to make the switch. This pump has led to less diabetes burnout and takes up far less brain space than I originally feared it would. My A1C went from 6.6 (July 2023) to 6.2 (October 2023) and my overnight glucose levels have been the most stable they have ever been.

Being on a pump takes a bit more planning, especially travel wise since you’re bringing supplies with you, but the peace of mind it’s brought me has been alarmingly apparent. 

Learn more about Omnipod by visiting www.omnipod.com/Ariana. Please note, information posted on my account shouldn’t be considered medical advice. For safety information, visit www.omnipod.com/safety.