Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on May 30, 2010 at 3:26am

Sharon - 18 months ago was exactly when my bubble troubles first appeared. It was the first week we were on the pump so it would have been reasonable to assume it was patient error in my case... but the tech I talked to walked me through a set change and concluded from my description (and the fact that I was doing almost everything right) that it was a defect in the reservoirs. Haven't had any issues since I learned to be religious about de-gassing the vial, but I sort of doubt that's the solution to everyone's troubles. It does seem like some techs at Medtronic are better than others at problem-solving.

Permalink Reply by mary on October 13, 2012 at 7:59pm

Has anyone noticed that the chamber in which the reservoir sits smells like insulin even though it is dry?I keep mentioning it to the reps, but they discount that it might have anything to do with the problem and keep implying I'm doing something wrong.

I've spent almost all of today troubleshooting the bubbles in my line and reservoir with Medtronic. The rep on the phone walked me through filling my reservoir. I've had bubbles twice since then. My total daily use is around 20 so a 1/2" gap will send me into the 300s. Most of this week I have been flushing out the bubbles at least once or twice a day. And yes, I've been through the checklist and I'm carefully doing everything right. They offered to replace the pump again, but #4 is only 3 days old.

I've been pumping since 2006, but didn't have anything but occasional bubble problems until with the Revel, although I have always noticed that the chamber smells of insulin.

Permalink Reply by Lizbrei on October 24, 2012 at 9:35am

The same thing has been happening with my pump/tubing! I have always had issues with bubbles in the tubing, and the associated higher bgs. Too many calls to Medtronics and the usual "patient error" is absolutely frustrating given I have been pumping for six years.

Last April I had been having two days with really high bgs (300+ consistently), I changed everything out and the numbers stayed elevated so I started correcting with injections. My bgs would come down but within hours they would rise again. Having changed everything out already I couldn't figure it out.

I ended up having to go to the hospital in DKA. While in the ER I happened to feel around where I had my pump clipped and it was wet...and smelled like insulin! It turned out that the insulin was being pushed out of the reservoir!! There were no alarms and no "occlusion" warning from the pump so I was unaware!!! This problem was actually becoming life threatening. Again, patient error????

Now, I check for bubbles, leakage and the smell of insulin several times a day. I would feel better about Medtronic if they took the approach where they wanted to know about these issues so they could actually research the cause for it happening so changes could be made! Have some respect for the patients who use the pump everyday, they are the true voice of pump's ability. To be able to trust a "closed loop system" I would have to trust that Medtronic would be pro-active in addressing issues...because my LIFE depends on it!!

Permalink Reply by Trish on June 20, 2010 at 6:16am

I used to have this same problem with my sugars creeping up higher as i got to the low resevoir alarm also, but i have found if i do not wait to change my pump till the alarm goes off and make sure i change it every 3 days i do not have this problem. the longer the site is used the less absorption of insulin.

Permalink Reply by Dlrdon on June 20, 2010 at 6:21am

It also may indicate that the insulin is being effected by the higher temps of summer. I think 85 degrees is the top temperature for insulin.

Permalink Reply by packrat on July 14, 2010 at 4:34pm

like has been said, keep the bottle of Insulin you are using at room temp...
it helps...regards packrat

Permalink Reply by lisa c on July 16, 2010 at 3:17pm

dan,

I woke up high and took a correction. Still high hour later. Took shot. Started checking the line and it took 4 untris before insulin came out. I had a huge air space in my line. This has happened 4-5 times in last year. minimed was gracious on first call and gave some pointers that were useless b/c I already was aware.. when it happened last week , my CDE said let mini med know. the girl was impatient, made me feel stupid and that was after 25 minute wait. I think we need to let them know at the top of our oft time frustations.

Did you ever get an anser to this problem?

Hope all is well.
Lisa

Permalink Reply by Dan W. on July 22, 2010 at 8:54pm

Hi Lisa -

I found a working solution forth problems in was having, but never a really super clear answer from minimed as to why it would happen with one pump but not the other. Basically, anytime I disconnect the pump from the site (for a quick shower, even just to rearrange things, new sites, etc...) anytime at all, I ALWAYS prime the pump again until there is no air in the line, even if it looks good, I'll still prime .6 units, incase there is air just before the needle. Now people always say, oh, a 1/4 inch or half inch bubble is hardly any insulin, but it can still mess up your numbers very quickly... Now why is pump seems to need a prime, ie the liquid starts to recede back towards the pump, even after ply a few minutes of being disconnected I don't know, but this seems ton have solved the problem as 8 was experiencing it, at least. Good luck, and call minimed back if it happens again!

Permalink Reply by lisa c on July 23, 2010 at 3:35am

Dan

this is a great idea. No one at MM affered this thought. You made my day!

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