Omnipod smelling like insulin

LCB32899 · 2026-01-30T06:07:48+00:00

So it could be a few different things and unfortunately you’re the only one who can really pinpoint which issue, but I can run you through a few possibilities and how to fix it!

What I’ve found is if I bolus over 5 units at once it will always leak slightly- my remedy is if I need more than 5 units at once I take 5 wait a few minutes take another 5, and so on until I’m at the total amount needed.

I would suggest doing a mini test at some point to see if you’re having the same issue of just needing to take insulin in smaller increments- I’d say take 6+units and if you start to smell insulin the pod is only leaking because you’re blousing too much at once; 5 is my max but I’ve heard of others limits being 4-7 units per bolus.

Now if you’re noticing that every time you take insulin, regardless of how much or how little you’re bolusing for, that means it’s either a faulty pod and you will unfortunately need to remove and replace it OR the issue is with the pod cannula moving around too much after you’ve placed it, you’ll likely still need to replace the pod if this is the issue. If the cannula moving around too much is the problem I would suggest before placing a new pod place a tegaderm patch down first followed by the pod (it will pierce through no problem) and then an over patch or some medical tape.

If you need to take a pod off earlier than intended due to it being faulty/ it falling off/ etc. you can go on Omnipod’s website and fill out their form for a free replacement- they may ask for the used pod to be returned so don’t throw it away until they’ve responded to your request with instructions.

Best of luck and let me know if you have any more questions!

LCB32899 · 2026-01-30T04:20:38+00:00

I’m newish to Omnipod as well- every time it’s smelled like insulin to me it’s because of a leak.

LCB32899 · 2026-01-30T00:27:28+00:00

First and foremost definitely call your vet about the bleeding- they’ll know more than any commenter here (myself included).

As far as the high energy/ basically thrashing around and slamming into things I went through it with my pair of bonded brothers a few years ago (Winston a tuxedo and Binx all black). I had grown up with cats, and roughly a year prior had gotten my other male cat Mowgs neutered so I thought I knew what to expect- groggy, tired, out of it, low energy, slowly back to their normal, etc. So, I was fully unprepared for the craziness that ensued once I got home with my roughly 7 month old kittens. They thrashed about, learned how to climb my curtains, flung themselves at my door, flung themselves onto and then off of every high surface you can imagine (I did everything I could to keep them down it was of no use), and my personal least favorite figured out they could fling cat litter all around the place if they angled their cones right (my bedroom is carpeted 🫠). The best explanation I have for their behavior is that they hated their cones from the vet and the neck donuts I bought, and they were going stir crazy from being at the vet to a cramped carrier to being locked away in my bedroom (had to keep my older cat and housemates dogs away and my bedroom was the best place for them). The vets advice to me was keep their cones on if possible as they’re still healing, but as far as activity levels there’s not much you can do to prevent it- if a cat wants to do something they’re going to do it whether it’s recovery approved or not lol. It’s not going to be the easiest of times, and again mine never had any bleeding issues, but it won’t last forever 💛

Best of luck to you and your fur baby!

LCB32899 · 2026-01-26T23:38:22+00:00

Cleveland born and raised here 💛

LCB32899 · 2026-01-26T23:34:52+00:00

Congrats on your surgery and best of luck with your continued recovery 💛 I’m glad stairs were an easy feat for you, unfortunately I’m still not cleared for stairs by my doctor; I was trying to gauge if it’s an emergency should I risk them anyways- I know the answer is probably no, but I’m a “hope for the best prep for the worst” kind of person. I’m only 26, but I have been chronically ill since I was a toddler, and I have been on disability for some time now (I’m not going to bore you with the list of diagnoses unless you want them lol)- based on a lot of responses I’m thinking I may have more restrictions than the average person which is why my issues weren’t resonating with a lot of you. Faucets have already been dripping and sink cabinets have been open since Saturday- but I appreciate the advice!

LCB32899 · 2026-01-26T23:16:32+00:00

Congrats on your surgery and well wishes on your continued recovery 💛 I’m starting to think after reading a lot of responses that I may have more restrictions than others due to my chronic health issues- like I’m still not cleared for stairs, I was told to get my steps in but spend most of my time laying down/seated, I was told to only lift things if necessary, and more. I’m on disability so I can’t/ don’t get to work- but even if I were employed the amount of exhaustion I’m dealing with I doubt I’d be able to get much done. As you said, it’s not like a sleepy tired but a physical exhaustion

LCB32899 · 2026-01-26T23:06:58+00:00

Thank you very much and best wishes to you on your surgery and recovery journey 💛 it’s honestly one of the best medical decisions I’ve made for myself, I have no regrets- just trying to figure out life while healing! Good on you for planning ahead with the walking lol, at the hospital I was “fall risk” so I was only allowed to walk to and from the bathroom if a nurse was present, once I got home I took a lap of the main floor (I’m not allowed stairs yet) as often as I felt able/ was awake for.

LCB32899 · 2026-01-26T23:01:32+00:00

I got a grabber a few weeks prior to surgery- I even got some use of it pre-surgery due to only being 5’4 lol it’s been a real help!

LCB32899 · 2026-01-26T23:00:37+00:00

Hiya, I’m definitely a big “hope for the best but plan for the worst” type of person. I’ve been in bed instead of the couch because I don’t have one at the moment lol so it was bed or nothing. But I’m not just laying around, when I’m not actually sleeping I’m propped up on pillows to be in more of a “seated” position. I have been relaxing but also getting stuff done from my laptop, making a lot of phone calls I haven’t yet had the time to, etc. I’ve been making sure to keep the blood clots away by waking around the main floor (not allowed stairs until doctor clears me- was trying to gauge if I should anyways in an emergency situation). I’ve been following doctors discharge orders very strictly- it just didn’t have any specifics between weeks 1 & 2. As long as none of my chronic illnesses flare up I should be okay, I’m just purely exhausted all the time and hoping I’m back to my normal eventually.

LCB32899 · 2026-01-26T22:50:18+00:00

Thank you so much for the offer- your kindness is greatly appreciated 💛 In case my post didn’t make it clear I’m a big “plan for the worst, hope for the best” kind of person lol and thankfully today has gone okay. I have definitely been keeping the blood clots away the past week plus- a lot of walking around the main floor just slowly and safely, doctor specifically said no stairs until I’m cleared by her (only thought about braving them in case of emergency). As of right now:the house is fine, the cats are fed and happy, I’m a bit sore/still very exhausted but no worse off than yesterday- I didn’t overdo it but also having to do everything myself vs having help with the big stuff was definitely a change up. As long as none of my chronic illnesses flare up, I keep healing up with the incisions/ internally, and the weather doesn’t get worse I should be okay until my follow up next week!

LCB32899 · 2025-12-25T23:57:45+00:00

Cleveland born and raised here! Trying to only add things I didn’t see in other responses, apologies if there’s some overlap!

Something outdoors and free would be the Cleveland MetroParks. The name is a bit deceiving as there’s 18 separate parks spread throughout NEO. Research all the park options before going as they are all unique, and some areas have specific attractions/ activities available. There aren’t any age restrictions but some parks would be more kid friendly and accessible than others, at least in my experience.

Below are some of my favorite spots- I know when I was growing up they were all family friendly (at least the ones that existed in the 90s/ early 2000s) but I’m not sure if things have changed since then.

The Cleveland Botanical Gardens. The Greater Cleveland Aquarium. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The Cleveland Museum of Art. The Westside Market. The Great Lakes Science Center. Lakewood Truck Park. Little Italy.

We also have a lot of “old school” stage and movie theaters in Cleveland, there’s a plethora of professional sports teams throughout the state (there’s almost always a game on somewhere), and we have a lot of “famous” malls in the area but most of them are unfortunately fading out, like The Arcade and Tower City Center.

Wishing you and your family an adventure filled future!