Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Diego on June 22, 2011 at 8:20am

I am glad to hear you are OK. I haven't had an ER visit due to Diabetes so all these experiences help me for my eventual one.

Permalink Reply by Mark on June 22, 2011 at 1:53pm

I'm glad your ok. Today I had to throw out 2 reservoirs because they were leaking after I unscrewed the plunger. Over the last couple of years the reservoirs seem to be cheaper. It must be cost cutting measures by Medtronic at our expense.

Permalink Reply by mattingermany on June 23, 2011 at 4:28am

In my Medtronic training I was told to push the plunger up and down a bit so that it doesn't get stuck, but I've discovered you really shouldn't overdo it - otherwise air gets in from the bottom and there are lots of bubbles. I've never had a leak like what you describe, but it doesn't surprise me. Medtronic and the other pump manufacturers and the insulin manufacturers should really get together and design a prefilled reservoir - it would save everybody costs, save us time and hassle.

Permalink Reply by lchase on June 24, 2011 at 8:58am

I agree! My biggest problem since starting on the pump has been unexpected highs due to air bubbles. I am extremely careful when it comes to my health so it is sooooooo frustrating to have `equipement` malfunctions. I haven`t quite figured out a technique to completely eliminate all bubbles but it`s become somewhat of a part time job now! Since my leaking resevoir, I have found that in addition the pumping the plunger a couple of times, it also helps to turn the plunger for a better seal.

Permalink Reply by katzz1 on June 24, 2011 at 9:02am

faulty pump huh? ouch. i am on my 4th pump in 2 years. seems that i've had some bad luck. this one i am wearing now is a brand new one. not refurbished.. on another note.. i wish that medtronic would make 10 inch tubing. i am getting tired of getting caught on doorknobs!!!!.

Permalink Reply by wdcats on June 25, 2011 at 2:22am

There is some sort of a silicon gasket on the plunger, and if you reuse the reservoir (I do) then you have to be careful that the gasket hasn't outlived its usefulness.

Permalink Reply by yank on June 25, 2011 at 3:50am

I've just read a couple of things in this thread that have me a bit concerned. First, the purpose of pushing the plunger in and out a few times (be gentle here, it is plastic..) you should also twist the plunger just a bit to insure the rubber gasket (o ring) seals and lubes the inside of the reservoir. Then, inject the air into the bottle, while the bottle is upright. Then flip it upside down and withdraw some insulin and check for bubbles. Generally you will find some. While holding the bottle so that the bubbles gather at the neck gently tap the bottle with your finger, and then push the air and some insulin back into the bottle. Now finish withdrawing your insulin to fill your reservoir. I generally then fill my tubing by hand using the plunger, but many let the pump do this. I believe that this is your choice. Now, I'm not saying Medtronics has no blame here, but they are required to insure that the product you receive functions properly. I've used the MM pump for the last 8 years or so, and never had a leaky reservoir. My first pump was a Desitronics, with glass reservoirs and I did have some trouble with them. (glass necks were fragile) Secondly, you will probably never see pre-filled reservoirs as it's my understanding that due to the composition of the reservoirs (the plastic ones anyway) that insulin will DECOMPOSE after a period of time in them. Bet you didn't know that one, eh? (got this from a Medtronics tech services guy several years ago. ) So don't pre-fill your reservoirs and save them in the fridge, not a good idea. Third, for basically the same reason, you should NOT re-use your reservoirs. I know it's a money saving thing (I use only one lance per day in my glucometer) but there are some risks involved. Finally, just so you know, I AM NOT a Medtronics rep., I'm a retired person, who happens to be an RN, and I've lived with the "D" for 56 years now

Permalink Reply by mattingermany on June 25, 2011 at 7:26am

Agree with all you say, and heard all of this from my Medtronic Rep at the beginning. Technically, I see no problem with glass, prefilled reservoirs(?) Unfortunately the seal is sometimes not good enough so that air rushes in at the bottom. That I can get rid of before using the reservoir, but it means that more air gets in whilst its in there (if I change needle half way through a reservoir I have to work again to get the bubbles out. Fortunately I live somewhere where the health insurance doesn't make any distinction (or indeed any charge at all) for the amount of pump supplies I need, except that if I run out within a 3 month period, I can't get any to the next quarter, which brought me close to having to reuse a reservoir once...

Permalink Reply by yank on June 25, 2011 at 11:11am

Hmmm.. I change my site (new opsite) every 3 days, sometimes 2 if it gets irritated. But I do keep the same tubing for the whole time I have the reservoir in the pump. I do believe this is against Medtronics advice, but it's worked well for me for 8-9 years now, and even when I had my first pump (Desitronics). My understanding is that the tubing is double walled (a tube within a tube) but not sure I've got that correct. The rep. was very much against my doing this, but I've had no problems so far (I do have quite a collection of spare tubing sets though...lol) This is a wonderful place, with many bits of advice and people who do things a bit different than we individually are used to doing. As a manager of my own diabetes, I always make the final decisions on what I'll do is all. If you can convince yourself that it's OK, try just replacing the opsite without changing the tubing. You'll definitely have less or no trouble with bubbles. And yes, glass reservoirs could be pre-filled I believe...

Permalink Reply by jupton on July 12, 2011 at 8:04am

I noticed last week (while on vacation and away from home, of course) that my reservoir kept getting air bubbles, so delivery was disrupted. Perhaps a leaky reservoir was the culprit?

Permalink Reply by mattingermany on July 30, 2011 at 7:48am

Just as an update, I've found rotating the plunger a bit does indeed improve the seal against air bubbles. But I do wonder if its a quality control issue. Some seem so much more secure than others!