Upgrading the 640g to 670g

Peter03

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Messages
264
Type of diabetes
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So sorry to hear all your problems, hope you get sorted with a new type pump and cgm soon, have a good few weeks off and hope you feel better in yourself soon
 

Gary61

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Messages
68
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Insulin
Really sorry to hear about your troubles with the pump. I totally understand where you are coming from with the incessant alarms and all I can advise is to switch them all off except for the high and low blood sugar alarms. That helped a lot with me. I also think that what this pump proves is that our control is by no means a straight line which causes the majority of the alarms. Unfortunately as well, is that the stress you are experiencing adds to the difficulty in obtaining a reasonable level of control. I to have suffered with stress and totally understand how hard it can make staying in control each day. Just hang on in there pal
 

dancer

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@aphex2k I'm sorry you're having such an awful time. To have problems with the sensor/transmitter is bad enough but the problem with infusion sets is too much. You've had such bad luck, no wonder you're so exhausted.

Medtronic replaced my transmitter, as I was having to test and calibrate so often (every 3 or 6 hours) on the first day of a new sensor and then, after 6 months, also on the last 2days of a sensor. They wouldn't admit the transmitter was faulty, but said this happens with some people, though they couldn't explain why.

During the first week of new transmitter, I was on manual mode and only had alerts for heading low. It was bliss. No unnecessary alerts to calibrate, no false lows, I slept like a baby. I dreaded going back on auto mode, in case it all started up again. On Monday I started a new sensor and switched on auto. Everything has been great in comparison to the first transmitter. It's not perfect. On the first day I didn't get 12 hours between calibrations, till after I'd calibrated 5 times. I asked my consultant if the fact I have eczema means I have less interstitial fluid than normal. He said it didn't. I still don't know why I still have to calibrate a lot on the first day but the new transmitter is certainly an improvement.

Maybe when you see your endo they can suggest what could be happening. If it's not your sites or technique, it could be the equipment. I had someone fighting for me in the background, otherwise I don't think Medtronic would have changed my transmitter. Maybe, if necessary, your endo could fight for you too.

Take care of yourself (on manual mode??) and rest. Everything feels better if you can get a decent sleep!
 

aphex2k

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Sorry for such a long message but its really helping to talk /type my feelings down

I managed to get an apt with an endo next fri. ive never met him and i doubt he'll truly get it. the gp letter said i "didnt think the pump was working properly" for some reason my gp referred my to an endo thats a good hour away. i found three that are 8 mins from my house. i just needed the gp to change the address and resend it, which she did.

i hate having to take meds to calm me down but im taking 2.5mg diazepam prn because anxiety ******* sucks.


i really think the pump is ok. i had bloods done this morning. i just cant stand the beeps, the lack of full good quality sleep and maybe tge dexcon cgm and smartphone app ./ smart watch app could be a game changer if the pump is in manual mode. with the 640g i felt like i was in control. now its the other way round, will chase my bloods and see if the prediction from tidepool/carelink is accurate but good hba1c is just a fraction of the picture of the whole person.

dont worry for me, i will share my experience as even bad things can help others

catch up soon everyone.

OX

oh - dancer this is a brand new transmitter - on my third of fourth sensor and the old one was barely 5 months old!
 

MeiChanski

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,992
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Insulin
OK guys sorry for the slow down in replies.

A couple of weeks ago I had a panic attack at work. I assumed it was work related, signed off for the week. Worried about missing work, pressure on colleagues to carry my caseload etc. Anyway I felt OK and planned to go back the following Monday. But, walking to work, thinking about catching up and the week ahead, another panic attack. (I've worked in acute mental health for 15 years, dealt with serious self harm, suicide, 6'7'" psychotic Mauri's, weapons, single person home visits. No drama, that's what I do). Felt like it was work stressing me out all of a sudden so had another week signed off.

Went back to work on Monday, albeit with 2.5mg of diazepam in me, and managed the day despite having to attend a MH tribunal about someones community treatment order. Stressful, but again, this is what I do.

Tuesday was great. Laughing, smiling, joking etc. But got to 4pm and looked at my desk. The paperwork, notes, clinical updates, risk assessments. Meltdown. It's nearly 40c here. My boss was in meeting. The clinic co-ord was off (He's a Kiwi and the volcano / earthquake meant he was unnavailable). The next senior was out at a meeting. I walked into one of the registrars office in panic mode and said I needed some air, to go to the shops. By the time I got there my light blue shirt was dark blue with sweat. Heart was going 1 million beats and I just kept thinking "I"m ******" why me. I bought some cigarettes. Sat on a wall by work. Lit one. Put my head in my hands, then felt the burn of the cigarette on my fingers. It had burnt down and I hadn't noticed.

I walked back into work, saw a colleague who smilingly said how are you? "****" and burst into tears.

I've figured out that since I've been on the 670g, although my levels are great and predicted a1c has dropped from 7,7 to 6.9, the constant input this thing needs is making me so anxious. New sensors, calibration, warm up, beeping and vibrating through the night. Tuesday night 3 failed cannula inserts with unknown amounts of insulin delivered. 2am massive hypo 2.2 - obviously some insulin had got in but I don't know how much. I had a banana and went back to bed. Only to be woken by my wife with the alarms going off and another hypo. Up, cereal bar, back to bed. Then another hypo, big glass of milk.

Woke next day, got my clothes ready for work but I knew I couldn't go in. So tired - too risky to drive. Work are super supportive.

Went to GP who said need to see my endo. I've always self managed since being in Oz (ten years) and no chance of seeing an endo in public system this side of Christmas. So she did a referral to a private endo, except I'm chasing this but she gave me a copy and I was supposed to hand it to reception to fax (yeah, it's 2020... still faxing!). Anyway called them, no refertal obviously and no appts until at least Feb.

Found another place locally that has private endos but I can't self refer, my GP has to change the name and address and they MIGHT be able to see me next Friday.

I've realised that all this stress and anxiety is the pump and CGM. While it works for some, it's the constant inputs and requests for enter BG, sensors signal lost, new sensors, high levels and slow recovery. My overall picture is good, I'm just burnt out. Sleep deprived, and signed off work for another week, which obviously makes me feel guilty for adding pressure on my already busy colleagues, and the "catch up" when I get back to work.

I have this week and next week signed off. Then I'm on 2 weeks annual leave and due back in New Year.

I eat so healthily. Rarely eat bread bar some sourdough. I love kimchee, saurkraut etc. A friend who's a dietician said it's my gut bacteria but it's not, I don't think I could eat much healthier, nuts, seeds, greens etc. I exercise - mountain bike and thai boxing but I'm hving a break due to the heat here at the moment - 40c and it's only just started summer.

It's the beeps and pump. It's the sleep deprivation. It's being snappy and angry at people when I'm normally the calmest most chilled.

I have found that talking does help to some extent. My work colleagues are clin psychs, I'm not suicidal in any way. I'm not drinking to cope, and only reluctantly taking a diazepam when I feel I really need it.

This ladies and gents is 25 years of diabetes. Burnout.

I have considered the Dexcom G6 and using the pumo in manual mode during the day, but for some reason the G6 is not available in Aus yet and they can't tell me when. Perhaps the G5 and a Smartwatch combined with manual mode might work better. I just need to see an endo ASAP

Sorry for the super long message. I've found it's great to listen to people's opinion here. And I hope people can relate and identify to some of these issues. As a community I know I can work through this, I'm just admitting to really being super anxious and struggling at the moment.

I'm going to have a freezer-pop to cool down. I don't care if it's full of sugar! It's 39c now.

PS. Panic attacks SUCK!!!!!!!!

Hello I’m so sorry, sending you a huge hug! As hot as it sounds in Australia, could you share some sun please. Some of us need it during winter I’m very sad about the pump, I’ve been considered for the same pump and I’m worried that I will go through what everyone else and you went through - multiple calibrations, lack of sleep etc. The pump is demanding a lot from you and I feel that shouldn’t be the case. Let us know what the outcome is :)
 

aphex2k

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People that talk with their mouths full of food.
will do. update next fri!
 

aphex2k

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People that talk with their mouths full of food.
Just a quickie as I only was made aware of this last night. I had 2 pieces of plastic break off the pump on separate occasions. I assumed that the plastic pieces were coming off part of the reservoir. I had one night when the reservoir came unscrewed while I was asleep - so the pump thought I was getting insulin, but I wasn't. Hence super high BSL on waking.

A member of a 670g user group pointed this warning:
https://www.massdevice.com/medtroni...grfbIp-_yjVlAtO3Yx2-gjrZXsILhSFGP-gGhMijTcp2o

And last night I saw this:
http://www.startribune.com/medtroni...n-pumps-have-potential-safety-risk/565302702/

I've just gone to change reservoir and 2 bits of plastic broke off but I think still it's the reservoir.

I'll upload a pic in a minute. But to me, looking at the reservoir and the connector to the reservoir from the tubing, it looks like this is my particular issue. Whether this helps secure the tubing/reservoir into the pump, or some aesthetic reason, I'm not sure.

What I'm furious about is seeing significant warning messages on websites and user groups, with absolutely no email, letter or phonecall from Medtronic. Both articles cite risk of hypo/hyper and even says someone died. It's not clear if this was in direct response to a faulty pump, but the warnings are there. I'm just curious as to if anyone in the UK has seen or heard the warnings or had any contact from Medtronic, of even if their care teams are aware?

I will take a pic of the 2 pieces that have just broken off, and try to do a close shot of the new tubing I'm about to connect for reference.

I don't wish to panic anyone, but I consider this a serious safety issue that people using the pumps should be aware of sooner, rather than a letter from Medtronic which may, or may not arrive.
 

aphex2k

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OK.

On close inspection it seems the bits that are snapping off simply through normal everyday use in my case are the little tabs on the connector, not the pump. These tabs I would assume put some pressure on the reservoir and connector when in place and stop it from accidentally unscrewing. Obviously these are breaking off. It could be due to the temps and sun here in Oz.

The batch number of the current infusion sets I'm using is LOT 5200064 but this has happened with previous ones too from different LOTS.

I hope the pics are clear and explain. Just to confirm, the pic shows a NEW SureT infusion set connector and the two pieces that broke off the old one I was in the process of changing and adding a newly filled reservoir.

Ro2NY8T.jpg


Ro2NY8T.jpg
 
Last edited:

dancer

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1,360
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Type 1
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On Saturday I received a letter from Medtronic which had to be signed for. It show pictures of a faulty pump retainer ring. This can cause over or under dosing of insulin.

@aphex2k for many years I have had bits of plastic fall off reservoirs when I remove them from the pump. This is different from the possible problem Medtronic has pointed out.

When you receive your letter you will see the difference between a normal and faulty pump. To me, it would be quite obvious if there was such a problem with my pump, judging from the photos. Don't worry too much, I'm sure you would realise there were bits broken from the retainer ring, if it happened to your pump, and you could go back to using your 640G.
 

aphex2k

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Well that's the big q..... When? No-one on the user group (over 700 people) have had any info from medtronic. A few have had info from their teams but it's very hit and miss.

Was advised by one of the care team specialists at MT that once the reservoir is in, you're not mean to remove it until you replace it. This I find odd, as I used to check my Accu-Chek res didn't have bubbles in, or the insulin had gone cloudy or spoiled - it's averaging 34c here at the moment and insulin doesn't last long so I feel I need to check it. But apparently advice is don't.

I've changed some alarms on my pump and told to just leave it be for 4 weeks. I have been phantom bolusing carefully when high ranges don't come down quick enough. It's counter intuititve for me to leave myself high, but on their advice I will do so, and see what happens over the next 4 weeks.

Got an endo appointment on Friday. Chasing bloods too so I can compare my last a1c to my predicted new one. Althought it's not just about a1c looking at the big picture, it's about quality of life / sleep / stress etc.
 

andyginn32

Member
Messages
12
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I’m on the 640G and haven’t had many issues if i’m honest.

I use Medtronic MIO infusion sets to insert my cannulas and last night i had a high of 14 before dinner. I had dinner, injected waiting another 2 hours and was still 14..

I went to bed and didn’t feel rough so no ketones were produced but the 14 still stuck so i thought it was my spaghetti long lasting.

I woke up this morning at 18.2 and thought okay definitely something wrong, i check my site for my needle and the problem was the glue was coming off slightly, this meant when i layed down the needle had bent so barely any insulin was getting through.

Waiting now to see if the new infusion set which alter my sugars! Stressful to say the least lol .
 

aphex2k

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I definitely had more issues with the cannula working loose on the Mio hence the switch to SureT which generally area great, just 25 years of scar tissue and sometimes I hit an awkward spot and insulin flow is either slow or blocked. Unfortunately this takes an hour to really noticed when your sugars keep rising and your basal adjustments aren't working.

Still - huge improvement for me over the Mio. I've never tried the Silhouette.
 

andyginn32

Member
Messages
12
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Pump
I definitely had more issues with the cannula working loose on the Mio hence the switch to SureT which generally area great, just 25 years of scar tissue and sometimes I hit an awkward spot and insulin flow is either slow or blocked. Unfortunately this takes an hour to really noticed when your sugars keep rising and your basal adjustments aren't working.

Still - huge improvement for me over the Mio. I've never tried the Silhouette.

Is this the SureT with the butterfly wings? If not can you specify? I’ve always had the sureT with the butterfly wings and self insert methods and the Mio sets. If there is better out there and more reliable to stay in me i would love to hear about it :)
 
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aphex2k

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People that talk with their mouths full of food.
Is this the SureT with the butterfly wings? If not can you specify? I’ve always had the sureT with the butterfly wings and self insert methods and the Mio sets. If there is better out there and more reliable to stay in me i would love to hear about it :)

Yup Paradigm Sure-T infusion set 6mm / 60mm tubing. Just need to space my insertion sites but often it takes 2 or 3 attempts to get it spot on. I try not to administer any significant amounts of insulin until it's been in for a good 60 mins to the initial swelling / soreness of a new site has settled. Most times it's OK first go, but there's times that yeah, 3 or 4 goes gets it comfortable and working. The success rate compared to the Mio is much better, but rolling around playing with kids under 8 who want to jump and wrestle with Daddy - they know the kit is there just sometimes they're too playful and the Mio's didn't stand up to that kind of jiggling around.

Again, never had issues of cannula coming out at all with Accu-chek. Just an observation.
 
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andyginn32

Member
Messages
12
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Pump
Yup Paradigm Sure-T infusion set 6mm / 60mm tubing. Just need to space my insertion sites but often it takes 2 or 3 attempts to get it spot on. I try not to administer any significant amounts of insulin until it's been in for a good 60 mins to the initial swelling / soreness of a new site has settled. Most times it's OK first go, but there's times that yeah, 3 or 4 goes gets it comfortable and working. The success rate compared to the Mio is much better, but rolling around playing with kids under 8 who want to jump and wrestle with Daddy - they know the kit is there just sometimes they're too playful and the Mio's didn't stand up to that kind of jiggling around.

Again, never had issues of cannula coming out at all with Accu-chek. Just an observation.

Oh wow brilliant, i changed to the mio because the SureT set would get tugged out despite the second sticker to help prevent it whilst i played football.

I would train 5 times a week as i was in an academy and if the plastic tube came out i would know but the sureT would come out but instead of knowing i would have to stop because the needle would just keep stabbing me.
 

aphex2k

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Messages
216
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Type 1
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People that talk with their mouths full of food.
Oh wow brilliant, i changed to the mio because the SureT set would get tugged out despite the second sticker to help prevent it whilst i played football.

I would train 5 times a week as i was in an academy and if the plastic tube came out i would know but the sureT would come out but instead of knowing i would have to stop because the needle would just keep stabbing me.

I got mountain biking, 2 small kids, thai boxing. I leave the cannula in when training but the pump near by so I can keep the cgm in place. It's all about finding the right spots for the right sport/situation. I know a guy who trains BJJ and he has his CGM on the top of his butt, no dramas.
 

Peter03

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264
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I hope you are feeling better and your 670g is not giving you too many problems, so relax enjoy christmas and put 6 white boomers on you music system, Merry Christmas to you and all Australians
 

ronialive

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ignorant people
did you not have it insured as in uk we have to do this
 

aphex2k

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You "have" to? Who says?

Home insurance is a little different here. I'd have to have my pump as an "extra" on my policy. For example, I have a $4000 mountain bike which is covered as an extra for loss or damage and that costs me about $45 extra a month on top of my building and contents insurance. It's not a pre-requisite that we have the pump insured and as well as paying for private medical insurance for me and the family, I really didn't plan to lose my 640g.... Or will lose another one.

I've been a bit quiet over the last few months as the transition from 640 to 670 has been a difficult one. Constant alarms going off, pump wanting BG's in the middle of the night, alerts on high, alerts on low, battery low, cannula needs changing. It affected me hugely and left me sleep deprived and highly anxious. I've had three periods signed off work and my GP tried to get me an urgent endo appointment. Urgent being "we can see you in Feb". I organised my own appointment and changed a heap of alerts and alarms and which has helped, but the endo also started me on Lexapro to help with my anxiety which I initialy thought was work related stress, but combined with me panicking every time the pump beeped and really broken and poor sleep left me a bit of a mess.

Things are looking a bit better but in the midst of this on Dec 1 I got a speeding ticket and have to go to court, with it looking very likely I'll lose my license. This happened at the end of one med cert and the plan was to go back to work on the Monday. A **** night meant I called in sick and got another med cert but I was stressing out about letting my colleagues down at a busy time of the year and worried about going back to work. I lost concentration as I tend to over think at the best of times, and got caught going over the limit by a covert speed camera. I've admitted the charge so wil just see how things go. Big fine and loss of license for 6 months, which hasn't helped my mood or anxiety one bit.

I've been playing around with Tidepool, xdrip+ and Nightscout just to keep busy.

Oh, in three months my a1c has gone from 7.7 to 7.2. I was expecting sub 6 but my endo says he's perfectly happy and I'd be "top of the class" re my current management. He also said that blood tests would vary from going to different collection centres - kind of like when you do a BG on one finger and it says 6.6 and another finger says 6.9. He told me to look at the big picture and to try try not to worry about "alarms" and just reframe my thinking as to them being gentle nudges of advice.
 

aphex2k

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216
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Made it to Feb (yay)

Having a little stint using the Mio's again as I ran out of Sure-T and the pharmacy had some Mio's in stock. First one was fine. Second one worked for a couple of days but seemed to have worked lose. Replaced one this morning and BSL creeping up for no reason. Just changed to a new one at work but noticed the "pin" wasn't straight after I took off the tape protector. It went in painlessly so maybe it went in OK, will find out in an hour or two.

Having a few issues with the pump wanting me to enter BG at odd times. Seems to be something that happens every now and then. Bumped me out of auto a couple of times. Also had a "max delivery, please enter BG" a few times - I've not changed anything settings wise for some time.

Might have a little spike tomorrow as it's my birthday and I'm going out for a meal. Which will include desert. Sod it! Happy 44 earth years to me! Sending sugar free / GF / lactose free / dairy free / carb free e-cake to everyone here.