Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Trudy on February 5, 2011 at 9:37am

When I used Humalog, it clogged my MM pump at the point that it enters the cartridge. Then I used Novalog, which had no problems except that for me, Novolog works too slowly. I've been using Apidra in my pump for years (I'm on MDI part time) with no problem with clogging.

Permalink Reply by Jennifer on February 5, 2011 at 9:42am

I don't think it is an issue specific to MM pumps with Apidra. Some people who use Apidra have to change out their reservoirs every 2 days. Consider that the Amimas and MM pumps have the same infusion site manufacturer for the most part (the insets/Mios, Sils etc). I think the issue with the Apidra has to do with the preservative they use, not the sets. YDMV.

Permalink Reply by AndyRozman on February 5, 2011 at 10:14am

I used MM for a while with Apidra. Worked fine... I have Combo pump now, with Apidra, and it works quite good... I don't think that Apidra has any problems with pumps...

Permalink Reply by Mark on February 5, 2011 at 11:18am

I've used Apidra in my MM pump for almost 2 years with no problems of clogging.

Permalink Reply by Justin Berry on February 5, 2011 at 1:10pm

You shouldn't have any issues with Apidra with any pump, MM or other. It was specifically designed to work in pumps. Works great for me!

Permalink Reply by stacey on February 5, 2011 at 8:07pm

i use Apidra in my pump never had any problems i have used it for the last 5 years and i change it about every 4 days

Permalink Reply by wdcats on February 5, 2011 at 10:41pm

The problems I've had with Apidra in my pump:

1) longer than 2 days reduces effectiveness
2) last 2 draws from bottle are less effective
3) warm to hot temperatures have caused gelling (whether against body or extreme heat of desert)

Considering asking the dr., on Tues appt, whether to change back to different insulin, have been using Apidra since Apr '10.

Permalink Reply by Trudy on February 6, 2011 at 5:18am

wdcats, I have also found Apidra is more temperature sensitive than Novolog. It will last in my pump cartridge only 3 1/2 days. Sometimes I just put in enough insulin for the two days. If I'm short of cartridges, I'll change out the needle part and use the cartridge for the 3 1/2 days, supplementing with syringes if necessary. (The Humalog clogged so quickly that it was a total loss.) I like the way Apidra works so well that I just find ways to deal with the temperature.

Permalink Reply by jimt1cgms on February 7, 2011 at 7:00am

Thanks for all the posts!

Just want to mention, I've never had a problem with clogging with Humalog.
I usually don't go more than 3 days on an infusion site. Well now I don't, started seeing some less effectiveness creep in toward the end.

Concerned about heat with it. Not that I live in Warm climate mind you, just during the summer, me and the kid get outside and well, kid kicks my butt. So I am concerned about the effect of heat on it.

Heard that Apidra can crystallize after 3 days causing clogging.

Not sure if I want to swap out the possibility of changing the infusion site every 2 days instead of 3 for the comfort it might be able to give me, i.e. less spikes, a wee bit more control.

Having some issues that might be scar tissue (5 years on the pump). I would like to consider Apidra, but....

Permalink Reply by Ursela on February 10, 2011 at 5:37pm

Apidra is actually the best insulin to use as it does not clog as often as the others. That is what I have heard from both Minimed, CDE, and the Apidra reps. We have been pumping with Apidra for almost a year now and have never had issues with the insulin. This includes camping in 100 degree weather and not an issue at all. We actually had more problems with the test strips than we did with the insulin. :)

In Apidra's information, I remember reading that it should be changed every 2 days instead of every 3 like other insulins, but we are able to go 3 days without seeing significant changes in her numbers.

Permalink Reply by jimt1cgms on February 11, 2011 at 8:15am

Well my Endo gave me a vial to try. So maybe with the next infusion site change I'll give it a go. Its that darn CHANGE thing though. But I believe the quote from MAD MEN is, "Change is neither good nor bad, it just is" (Something like that). Also I keep going back to Lorraine's post over at http://thisiscaleb.wordpress.com/2010/12/15/apidra%C2%AE-v-140-sano...

To quote from her: "..Change plus diabetes often equates to hell on earth.."

But I think I will try a walk through hell, just to get to the other side.

Permalink Reply by jimt1cgms on February 12, 2011 at 8:01am

FYI: I just created an Apidra Users group for any one interested. I have found things talking about Apidra all around the place and thought having a group to consolidate some of this would be nice.