# "New" to Omnipod and Pumping: 4 years in and I feel like I'm missing something **URL:** \ **Category:** Pump\ **Created:** [April 11, 2018, 8:12pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879 "2018-04-11T20:12:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![T1Allison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c77e96/32.png) [@T1Allison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/T1Allison)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2018, 12:23pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/306 "2018-07-29T12:23:16Z")
> [@Chris](#): > > We also got the requisite colonoscopy… It was after the colonoscopy that I learned that I should not be allowed to talk after waking up from anesthesia. I was very chatty. It was apparently epic. I found this out from my husband and also from the gastro at my follow-up appointment. Apparently it’s poor form to say to your gastro, “You’ve seen a lot of butts. How did mine rank? Did I make the top ten?” ---
**Author:** ![Chris](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/chris/32/382_2.png) [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2018, 3:33pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/307 "2018-07-29T15:33:25Z")
The other really funny thing, was the feeling of needing to “fluff” after the procedure. They told my wife to just let it go, she wouldn’t and made them put her in the bathroom, then ripped an epic 45 second “fluff” that left me and nurse on the floor with laughter after she exclaimed “nothing came out” which is what they had been telling her for the last 30 minutes ---
**Author:** ![T1Allison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c77e96/32.png) [@T1Allison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/T1Allison)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2018, 3:46pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/308 "2018-07-29T15:46:05Z")
The charge nurse, whom I had named “Big Dog” after my procedure since I was watching her direct all of the nurses in our pod after my procedure, told me that I should come out for the next Girls’ Night. I thought she was asking me on a date. I very seriously informed her, “Big Dog, I am married. To a man. But I am SO flattered that you would want to date me.” ---
**Author:** ![T1Allison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c77e96/32.png) [@T1Allison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/T1Allison)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2018, 5:10pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/309 "2018-07-31T17:10:41Z")
I bought a Faraday wallet and just tried the snazzy Dexcom restart trick from the link below: > [@Dexcom sensor restarts: microwave trick and 2-hour restart](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/microwave-trick-and-2-hour-restart/3975): > > Saw this video and was very interested in trying this: Worked really well! I’m in a very short window in which I can do my basal testing and this restart trick is helping me immensely. ---
**Author:** ![T1Allison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c77e96/32.png) [@T1Allison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/T1Allison)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 4:57pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/310 "2018-08-05T16:57:23Z")
Thanks to @Eric and @daisymae and @Nickyghaleb, I was able to do four hours of outdoor work (trail maintenance) in the heat of summer without going low and without being anxious about lows. I’ve never been that comfortable before. Thanks for your exercise experiments on display for all our benefit! This is a game changer for me. ---
**Author:** ![Chris](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/chris/32/382_2.png) [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 5:37pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/311 "2018-08-05T17:37:03Z")
Thanks for your help fixing the trails. My family just got back from a 3-day backpacking trip and we are really glad that people volunteer to do the trail maintenance that allowed us to do our 20 miles on the PCT without issue. Gotta love waterfalls, vista’s and volcano’s. ---
**Author:** ![daisymae](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/daisymae/32/1199_2.png) [@daisymae](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/daisymae)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 8:02pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/313 "2018-08-05T20:02:09Z")
> [@T1Allison](#): > > without being anxious about lows. I’ve never been that comfortable before. > [@T1Allison](#): > > This is a game changer for me. isnt it awesome not worrying about going low!!! its been a game changer for me as well. i use to not go swimming if i was under 160. now i can jump in at 80 (with the help of some pre-swim carbs 😉) ---
**Author:** ![Nickyghaleb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nickyghaleb](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Nickyghaleb)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/314 "2018-08-05T22:14:20Z")
> [@T1Allison](#): > > I was able to do four hours of outdoor work (trail maintenance) in the heat of summer without going low and without being anxious about lows. I’ve never been that comfortable before. I’m learning right along with you. I haven’t quite mastered it… obviously. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Nickyghaleb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nickyghaleb](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Nickyghaleb)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 10:21pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/315 "2018-08-05T22:21:52Z")
I spend my LIFE looking for the “other cause” in things. They’re very sneaky. @T1Allison, I need to head back to the start of this thread and follow it from the beginning, but if you’re still wanting fellow FUDers to kee an eye on post-shower numbers, I can volunteer. I don’t shower as often as I should, but there should be weekly reports at the minimum. 😁 Just a joke… I’m a regular-showerer. ---
**Author:** ![T1Allison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c77e96/32.png) [@T1Allison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/T1Allison)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 10:37pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/316 "2018-08-05T22:37:52Z")
Currently I’m seeing my CGM get confused by the shower (up/down/up/down)…then it figures itself out afterward…and then I am definitely on the downward trend. I really watch proximity to last bolus before showering these days. That makes a big difference. I should also point out that I take nuclear showers. If it doesn’t sting, why shower in the first place? So that might be part of the problem, too. 5 million degree showers might have more effect on insulin acceleration than normal people shower temps. ---
**Author:** ![Nickyghaleb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nickyghaleb](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Nickyghaleb)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 10:44pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/317 "2018-08-05T22:44:44Z")
So I wear my pump in the shower and can watch my number while I’m in. I also take showers that are ridiculously hot. The rest of my family draws back at the temperature, but for me that’s a sign it’s almost warm enough. Like Eric, I tend to shower right after a workout though, so I’ll have to take that into consideration… ---
**Author:** ![T1Allison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c77e96/32.png) [@T1Allison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/T1Allison)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2018, 12:38pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/318 "2018-08-06T12:38:59Z")
I joined FUD in April '18. Here we are in August. A lot has changed. -Skin issues with adhesive have gone away, knock on wood. I’m not using Flonase under my pods anymore. -Insulin pooling and site leaks have gone away, knock on wood. I had tried doing meal injections to take pressure off of each pod site and that helped for a while. Now I’m meal bolusing through my pods again. I do extend boluses over 4 units (which is pretty much all of them except for corrections) to a 30 minute extended bolus. -I’m religious about tracking my pod rotation patterns to make sure every spot gets a minimum two month rest. -I had started logging every little detail in April to get back on top of things. That helped a lot. Now I don’t feel the need to log everything so closely. -I Basal Surf through medium-high hormone times. -I’m back to religiously pre-bolusing. I had gotten away from long pre-bolus times while I had little kids because too many distractions inevitably happen every 2 minutes with babies and toddlers. Now that my kids are older, I’m doing what feels like eternal pre-bolusing. I need a 40 minute pre-bolus for breakfast. I’m still figuring out lunch/dinner but it seems to be in the 30 minute ballpark. -I have to take enough meal insulin to result in a dip down the road so that I can feed the tail. If I’m not feeding the tail after most meals, I won’t get enough calories each day based on my meal sizes (which are pretty textbook). -I have to ignore other people’s I:C ratios. I just seem to need way more bolus and way less basal than most people. It shouldn’t matter so long as my bg is working for me. That’s pretty much it for now. Thanks for helping me along this ride! ---
**Author:** ![Chris](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/chris/32/382_2.png) [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2018, 3:15pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/319 "2018-08-14T15:15:54Z")
I am so happy that you have found a good place after feeling out of control. Wow, and in such a short time! This site has meant so much to my family as we have been thrust into the diabetes world in a way no one wants to be. Thank you for sharing! ---
**Author:** ![T1Allison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c77e96/32.png) [@T1Allison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/T1Allison)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 2:42am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/320 "2018-08-16T02:42:21Z")
Testing out using slightly too much basal (+10%) has dropped my total daily dose by 8-10 units each day while making it a lot easier to consume enough calories each day. Pretty nice results when handled with care. I was using about 40 units per day, and am down to 30-32 units per day this week. ---
**Author:** ![T1Allison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c77e96/32.png) [@T1Allison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/T1Allison)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2018, 11:28pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/321 "2018-08-19T23:28:38Z")
Found my endo’s starting instructions for podding. 14 units of Lantus equates to 20+ units of basal HOW?? Note that the patient started on .5 units per hour of her own planning against his advice… ![IMG_9470](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/fudiabetes/original/2X/8/80b41962bfe67487ec716a6d1bc43444700c38a0.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![T1Allison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c77e96/32.png) [@T1Allison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/T1Allison)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2018, 11:31pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/322 "2018-08-19T23:31:28Z")
And also this…I saw this today… ![IMG_9471](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/fudiabetes/original/2X/e/ef2836211440aa8e6b5ab187737fc1eecc5cae43.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Chris](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/chris/32/382_2.png) [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 3:35am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/323 "2018-08-20T03:35:41Z")
Your endo’s starting advice sound reasonable and cautious. Now that you have ignored all of that, he should know who he is dealing with. They always want you to start cautiously, and dial it down slowly. ---
**Author:** ![T1Allison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c77e96/32.png) [@T1Allison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/T1Allison)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 10:42am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/324 "2018-08-20T10:42:04Z")
> [@Chris](#): > > Your endo’s starting advice sound reasonable and cautious. I don’t understand. He gave me a basal plan with 154% of the Lantus that I had been taking. Why does that appear reasonable or cautious? Just curious of your thinking. His plan blows all of the pump starting rules of thumb (that I’m aware of) out of the water by a huge margin. ---
**Author:** ![Chris](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/chris/32/382_2.png) [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 1:55pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/325 "2018-08-20T13:55:09Z")
Ooops, I was tired and misread it. I thought you were taking 20 and he suggested 14. You are right, I am wrong…I am going to the blackboard now. ---
**Author:** ![Katers87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a9adbd/32.png) [@Katers87](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Katers87)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 2:27pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879/326 "2018-08-20T14:27:29Z")
There’s this stupid rule that some doctors try to force of basal as 50% of your total daily dose (meaning bolus is the other 50%). > [@T1Allison](#): > > I just seem to need way more bolus and way less basal than most people. It shouldn’t matter so long as my bg is working for me. I wonder if he was trying to shift things back to 50/50. Not saying that was the right approach. I’m just trying to understand if there was some (any at all) logic behind increasing the basal by that much. [Previous page](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879.md?page=15) [Next page](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/new-to-omnipod-and-pumping-4-years-in-and-i-feel-like-im-missing-something/3879.md?page=17)