Pumping Advice
Lately I've been having major issues with my Medtronic Minimed pump. It seems that more times than not, the cannula that goes into my stomach will bend or kink resulting in me not getting the insulin I need. Before, the rare event would cause my pump to give me a "No Delivery" warning, so I would know to change my infusion set right away. Now, it doesn't give me a warning, so I go about my day, eating what I normally eat, only to start feeling sick a couple hours later because of a blood sugar of 350+.
I'm getting very frustrated for many reasons:
1. The pump is supposed to be convenient and supposed to give you better control of your blood sugar. Since my cannulas are kinking and my pump is not giving me a warning, my blood sugar control is worse now than it was before going on the pump. It's also become an inconvenience since I get so sick from high blood sugars that I've been having to leave work early, waste tubes, call Medtronic, etc...
2. I work very hard to eat healthy and eat the right foods for my blood sugar control, but when this happens, I feel like there's no point in trying so hard when my pump and it's supplies malfunction and I have high blood sugars anyway.
3. These supplies are not cheap! I've wasted so many in the past month because of this problem...
On Friday, I had to change my infusion set 4 times because of it bending and kinking and spent all night and early morning fighting highs. I've called Medtronic and according to them, I'm doing everything right in the way I insert it, so I don't know what else to do.
I'm looking for advice, options... anything. Would you suggest a different pump? Should I go back to giving myself shots? What would you do? Have you had a similar experience? HELP!!
I'm getting very frustrated for many reasons:
1. The pump is supposed to be convenient and supposed to give you better control of your blood sugar. Since my cannulas are kinking and my pump is not giving me a warning, my blood sugar control is worse now than it was before going on the pump. It's also become an inconvenience since I get so sick from high blood sugars that I've been having to leave work early, waste tubes, call Medtronic, etc...
2. I work very hard to eat healthy and eat the right foods for my blood sugar control, but when this happens, I feel like there's no point in trying so hard when my pump and it's supplies malfunction and I have high blood sugars anyway.
3. These supplies are not cheap! I've wasted so many in the past month because of this problem...
On Friday, I had to change my infusion set 4 times because of it bending and kinking and spent all night and early morning fighting highs. I've called Medtronic and according to them, I'm doing everything right in the way I insert it, so I don't know what else to do.
I'm looking for advice, options... anything. Would you suggest a different pump? Should I go back to giving myself shots? What would you do? Have you had a similar experience? HELP!!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lex on -
What infusion set are you using? Do it have an inserter? i know certain sets have more of those type of problems than others....
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Permalink Reply by ilana on -
Hi Lizard,
I had the exact same problems and after about 4 months, I decided to go back to shots. I tried every type of infusion set Medtronic has to offer and couldn't get anything that would work consistently. Going back to shots felt like a huge relief and my control got much better. I figured that I can always go back on the pump if I miss it. I know most people never want to go back to shots once they get a pump, but that is what worked for me and I'm very happy with my decision. I don't see any harm in going on a pump vacation to help you decide which method works best for you.
Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Mike on -
Hi Lizard,
What infusion set are you using? Is it a teflon catheter? If so, you might want to try the Sure-T infusion set. It has a metal catheter, Lots of people here, who've had trouble with teflon sets have seen big improvements when they switch to the Sure-T.
Cheers and good luck,
Mike
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Permalink Reply by Trudy on -
Hi. Have you ever tried a Sure-T? It's a slim metal needle that doesn't bend. I like it because if it begins to hurt for some reason, you can just pull the needle out and move it close by; just use a little cloth tape to hold it down after you've moved it. Sometimes Medtronics will send samples; once when I was having a lot of trouble, my pharmacy gave me some samples. I can only use any needle or cannula in the same spot for 2 days before it starts to fill with blood -- by moving the Sure-T needle, I can get another 12 hours from the same infulsion set. Must be frustrating for you, best luck.
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Permalink Reply by Capin101 on
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I have had similar experiences with the cannula bending and no alarms from the pump. I seem to get some insulin through the kink, but the major problems arose when I bolused. A bolus seam to have "absorption issues" (slower than expected insulin activation) that I could not figure out until I pulled out the set and saw the kinked cannula. If you are using the 9 mm cannula then you may want to try the 6 mm one and see if that helps?
My other thought would be scar tissue. You may want to try other sites (leg, back, butt) to see if the problem corrects itself.
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Permalink Reply by lizard on -
I just tried the 6mm cannula, with the first one I put in kinking and the second one I tried giving me a No Delivery warning, but when I pulled it out, it wasn't bent. So I'm not sure if the 6mm will work for me. I've only had Diabetes for just under 5 years and been on the pump for just under 4. Would I have that much scar tissue already?
As far as the metal ones go... can you feel them when they are in? What happens if something hits you in that spot accidentally? I'm just imagining it going in deeper and causing a lot of pain... Is it pretty much the same set up, just a metal cannula?
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Permalink Reply by Trudy on
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Hi lizard. No, I don't feel the Sure-T needle either going in or after it's in. I think that at night I sometimes dislodge it a bit, because sometimes when I wake up, I do feel it. That's when I change it's location. I think it's most unlikely that it would be pushed in deeper, as it has the adhesive, etc. on the top, just like the quick-set. I like to use cloth tape over the adhesive making it as secure as possible -- when I move it of course, but also when I first insert it. If I think it's in a place that my dogs might dislodge it (unlikely as that is!), I put a band-aid over it as well.
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Permalink Reply by Debi Henson on -
I can empathize with you. I switched from the 43" to the 23" because of that very reason: kinking, knotting, etc. Having a shorter tube actually made it easier to manage.
What caused your pump to suddenly stop giving you a "no delivery" warning? That is a bigger issue.
I recommend you test more often while you are experiencing this problem. I am required by my doctor to test 6-8 times/day. That means an occasional middle of the night test. I only do those when I happen to wake up. I don't set an alarm to do so, because inadequate or interrupted sleep can raise my blood sugar all on its own.
Also, once or twice a day I detach the cannula (not pull off, just 'unscrew' it) straighten it out manually, and reconnect it. (Kinda like straightening a Slinky!)
Are you a very active person?
I think it's all in when I take my pump off my bra, test, then return it. When I handle it, I unconsciously turn it, making it a little bit curlier. So try uncurling it once in a while, and see if that helps.
Best of luck to you!
Debi
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Permalink Reply by jupton on -
I have the same problem from time to time. Since I am rather thin and exercise with heave weights, the problem is compounded. It there is a simple answer, I'd like it too. I've NEVER received a "no delivery" alarm?
If I use a hard needle, they tend to do damage when I lift weights.
Not only are supplies expensive, Medicare will only supply "just enough" for one every three days.
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Permalink Reply by Gerry on -
It sounds like you're using the Quickset. Are you being very careful to position the inserter with the ENTIRE circumference firmly contacting your skin? If the inserter is slightly cocked, it will bend the cannula when the triggers are released. I have trouble occasionally when I get in a hurry and forget to check positioning.
Actually, I use the 6mm Quickest and I am very pleased ....
Gerry
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Permalink Reply by Richard P Cosgrove on -
You may want to use the Sure T's as others have said. The Sils come in too long a length for you as you are using the 6mm now.
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Permalink Reply by Jackie on -
I started with Quicksets but very quickly switched to Silhouettes, mostly due to No Delivery Alarms. Ask if you can try a few of the 13mm ones. They look long and scary, but I'm pretty thin, so inserting them at an angle gives me more places where I can use them.
My CDE always says that you can't rely on the No Delivery alarm to know if you are getting enough insulin. Since it is set off by increased pressure in the tubing, if the insulin is making its way into the canula, it won't go off. Some times the kinks will be just enough to ensure that its getting into your canula and making its way into your body, but just not enough that it is enough to cover all of your needs.
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