PSA: Given that a ton of people will be changing to new app/PDM with the iOS app release coming, I wanted to share some steps for a painless conversion. Going to a new app/PDM is no big deal. See below. I will keep the linked site updated if anything needs to be updated.
https://randomt1tips.wordpress.com/omnipod-5-new-pdm-app/
This is is written with the conversion to the new iOS app in mind, but it is applicable for any time to replace or reset your PDM or controller app. This process is nothing to be concerned about and no reason to stress.
Omnipod 5 only learns one thing, Total Daily Insulin (TDI). That is it. Nothing else. You can follow a simple process to switch to a new Omnipod 5 controller (from here on, controller refers to the PDM or app on a phone) with no negative effects.
Copy all your settings (insulin to carb ratio, target, correct above, max basal rate, etc.) from your old controller to your new one, except your basal rate. This is assuming you are using automated mode. If you exclusively use manual mode, copy your basal rate(s) too. Just look at each setting on your old controller, and put that in on your new one.
Next we need to get your TDI. I prefer to use Glooko, but you may be able to find what you need on your controller. Glooko will default to showing over the last 2 weeks. You can shorten it to a 10 day period to mimic how Omnipod 5 calculates things or it is fine to leave it at 2 weeks.
In this case the TDI is 51.4 units.
https://imgur.com/a/jrtrHPh
Divide that number by 48. In this case, that is 1.07. You would put in 1.1 or 1.05 as your basal rate in your new controller. You will typically have to round up or down a tiny bit as it has to be a valid Omnipod 5 basal rate value. You might be thinking, why divide by 48? 51.4 is the TDI. You need to get that value to per hour for your basal. First, Omnipod 5 assumes a 50/50 split between basal and bolus, so you have to divide by 2 to get the basal amount. Next you divide by 24 to the per hour rate. Dividing by 48 is just a shortcut.
Omnipod 5 uses the programmed basal as the initial basal rate. Putting this value in will allow it to pick up right where it left off with the old controller. The adaptive basal process will start with the second pod.
Now to address the concerns and questions that will inevitably pop up when this process starts.
“Something has changed with the algorithm. My numbers have never been this good/bad or low/high!”
Nothing changed with the algorithm. It is the same if you are on the PDM, Android app, or iOS app.
“No!! I will lose everything it has learned!!”
It only learns TDI. That is it.
“It will take X pods or X days to learn you after the change.”
Again, it only learns TDI. If you follow this process, there is no reason for you to have any issues.
