# Failing Omnipod: slow leak
**URL:** https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794
**Category:** Pump
**Tags:** omnipod
**Created:** [December 7, 2017, 9:59pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794 "2017-12-07T21:59:05Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@CatLady](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CatLady)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2017, 10:23pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/23 "2017-12-08T22:23:29Z")
> [@Eric](#):
>
> Just try to find a spot that is not stressed too much with movement or stretching. I have put them in a lot of places that are not shown in the book. Be creative.
Another excellent suggestion! šš¼
ETA: Yoga is all about stretching in addition to flexibility and core strength. This will take some thought!
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### Author:  [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2017, 11:29pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/24 "2017-12-08T23:29:06Z")
> [@CatLady](#):
>
> I am about to bail on my second pump in 3 days
@Catlady, are you using SkinTac?
We have had to develop quick a routine to keep our Dexcom attached through all the swimming. We have reused some of it with our pods. We wash and dry the skin, sanitize it with alcohol, let it dry, then apply one to three layers of SkinTac (waiting for the next one that the previous one is just tacky) depending upon the intensity of upcoming swim practices. We have only lost one so far due to a physical issue: it was a collision.
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### Author:  [@CatLady](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CatLady)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2017, 12:13am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/25 "2017-12-09T00:13:46Z")
I will have to get some and try it. Thanks!
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### Author:  [@Aaron](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Aaron)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2017, 12:31am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/26 "2017-12-09T00:31:39Z")
When I was having problems I tried SkinTac - It worked well but I find I no longer need it for pods. I use SkinTac for my dexcom sensors - They last 2+ weeks with SkinTac.
Also - if there is a lot of movement I had thought about gettting somehting like this to prevent pod movement - [http://www.bands4life.net/faqs.htm](http://www.bands4life.net/faqs.htm)
I never did though.
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### Author:  [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2017, 1:23am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/27 "2017-12-09T01:23:32Z")
> [@CatLady](#):
>
> Yoga is all about stretching in addition to flexibility and core strength. This will take some thought!
It might help to be stretching the area as you apply it.
I think if you put it on when the area is compressed, but later stretch it, it would be more likely to fall off. But if you put it on when the area is currently stretched, it would help.
BTW, I have had good success wearing it between ribs 6 and 7. Parallel to the ribs, right in the gap between them.
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### Author:  [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2017, 1:33am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/28 "2017-12-09T01:33:04Z")
> [@Aaron](#):
>
> Also - if there is a lot of movement I had thought about gettting somehting like this to prevent pod movement
We actually use a band similar to this from time to time, in situation when bumping is likely (volleyball etc.)
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### Author:  [@TravelingOn](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/TravelingOn)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2017, 1:50am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/29 "2017-12-09T01:50:05Z")
> [@Beacher](#):
>
> And once a site starts leaking, you can keep the pod on, since the trickle of basal still seems to get through all right, and give boluses by injection. Or, of course, put on a new pod.
This is fascinating. I will try it on the next failure.
We didnāt find it to be the case during the last failure, but that one was very painful when it was inserted and never became comfortable until it went bad and started leaking. It didnāt give basal properly.
The other leaks seemed to be related to moving his arms and the cannula coming out.
So maybe weāve yet to experience the same slow leak type issues. It does seem like the large bolus is an issue though, even if we canāt continue to use the site for basal delivery.
> [@Eric](#):
>
> It might help to be stretching the area as you apply it.
Interestingly, we did try one on the back, and Eric really didnāt like it ā I think that he was not stretching the area when we applied it, so when he did stretch ā bend over, he found that it was really uncomfortable. Certainly takes a little bit of work to figure out where to put these things! @Eric is doing a great job! Love the diagrams.
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### Author:  [@Beacher](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Beacher)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2017, 2:56pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/30 "2017-12-09T14:56:46Z")
> [@TravelingOn](#):
>
> but that one was very painful when it was inserted
For me thatās a sign that a pod will definitely not work out. If I hardly notice the insertion, Iām guaranteed pretty nice numbers for the duration. If I wince, suck in air, and/or say āyouch,ā we are not going to get along well at all.
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### Author:  [@CatLady](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CatLady)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2017, 4:12pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/31 "2017-12-09T16:12:02Z")
That has often been my experience, too. As for now, I placed the newest one on my upper thigh (with tape) and so far, so good. Paws crossed!
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### Author:  [@TravelingOn](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/TravelingOn)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2017, 5:56pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/32 "2017-12-09T17:56:35Z")
> [@CatLady](#):
>
> That has often been my experience, too. As for now, I placed the newest one on my upper thigh (with tape) and so far, so good. Paws crossed!
Not to make any assumptions, but I assume that lady thighs are a little bit less hairy than man thighs. We have discussed the thigh as a future location, and I was wondering if men ever had a problem with adhesion due to body hair?
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### Author:  [@Aaron](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Aaron)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2017, 7:22pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/33 "2017-12-09T19:22:02Z")
I always just shave the hair off where the pod goes onā¦
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### Author:  [@Beacher](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Beacher)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2017, 8:10pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/34 "2017-12-09T20:10:41Z")
> [@Aaron](#):
>
> I always just shave the hair off where the pod goes onā¦
Me, too. Iām glad Iām not dating.
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### Author:  [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/35 "2017-12-11T19:43:11Z")
2 posts were split to a new topic: [How often/ much to rotate pump sites?](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-often-much-to-rotate-pump-sites/2826)
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### Author:  [@TravelingOn](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/TravelingOn)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/36 "2017-12-11T19:43:43Z")
Good to know regarding shaving.
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### Author:  [@Beacher](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Beacher)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2017, 12:53am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/37 "2017-12-12T00:53:37Z")
> [@Aaron](#):
>
> As I have said elsewhere - once I figured out how to stick on the pod so that the cannula does not move at all, I have stopped having tunneling issues.
@Aaron, sorry, Iāve poked around and I canāt find where you describe your technique. Would you mind linking or repeating? Thanks in advance.
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### Author:  [@Aaron](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Aaron)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2017, 12:25am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/38 "2017-12-13T00:25:56Z")
@beacher - I do this āholdā during the cannula insertion:
I squeeze up the skin on either side of the pod with my thumb and middle finger. The fingers are on either side of the adhesive.
I use my pointer finger (? index finger?) to push down on the cannula end of the pod.
I let go once the insertion is complete.
I tried to take a picture but my pod is on my back and I canāt exactly hold the camera there š
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### Author:  [@Beacher](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Beacher)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/39 "2017-12-13T17:41:31Z")
Thank you! I do much the same, but cup my hand over the pod and apply pressure rather than use the fingers as you do. I thought perhaps you had some extra adhesive or something. I wonder why that solved the tunneling for you but hasnāt (on its own) for me.
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### Author:  [@Aaron](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Aaron)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2017, 9:36pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/40 "2017-12-13T21:36:56Z")
> [@Beacher](#):
>
> I thought perhaps you had some extra adhesive or something. I wonder why that solved the tunneling for you but hasnāt (on its own) for me.
The pods I have been using lately are really sticky compared to previous ones I used. I find that the little area around the cannula is a really tight seal and it leaves a mark on my skin when I pull the pod off. I also now have to use either alcohol or Remove to get the pods off these days where I used to just peel them off after three days.
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### Author:  [@Beacher](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Beacher)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/41 "2017-12-17T15:30:37Z")
> [@Eric](#):
>
> BTW, I have had good success wearing it between ribs 6 and 7. Parallel to the ribs, right in the gap between them.
I just tried inserting between ribs 6 and 7.
It was the most excruciating 60 seconds of my life.
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### Author:  [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2017, 5:34pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/failing-omnipod-slow-leak/2794/42 "2017-12-17T17:34:43Z")
> [@Beacher](#):
>
> excruciating
Really? Did you hit the rib?
I just pinch up the skin and donāt have any pain. The ribs give it a good solid surface to hold it in place. To me it just seems more stable there.
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