This article is written by a sponsored Omnipod user. This article is informational only and is not a
substitute for medical advice and/or services from a healthcare provider. This article may not be
relied upon in any way in connection with your personal health care related decisions and treatment.
All such decisions and treatment should be discussed with a healthcare provider who is familiar with
your individual needs.
In July of 2023, I made a change in my diabetes management. I went from using insulin pens with MDI
(multiple daily injections) to an insulin pump — a change I previously never thought I would make. Over
the past 20 years of living with type 1 diabetes, I’ve been on an insulin pump only once (before starting
on Omnipod this year), and never thought that particular 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.
My Experience Switching from MDI to Omnipod
Why I Choose Originally Chose MDI
Over the past 20 years living with type 1 diabetes, I’ve spent 19 of them using MDI (multiple daily
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 soon, and as a type 1 diabetic, 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 system in place to help get me to where I need
to be was going to be the best option.
Why I Chose the 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 the automated mode, which allows the pump to
communicate with my Dexcom CGM and adjust settings based on my glucose.
How I am Feeling After 11 Months on Omnipod 5
I have officially been using the Omnipod 5 for almost a year now and truly 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 5.4 (June 2023) and my overnight blood sugars 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 more 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 omnipod.com/safety.
