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Blood from canula

Spiker

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,685
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I'm new to pumps so apologies for the newby question:

I can see a bloodstain on the underside of the canula plaster, spreading out from the point of insertion. It covers most of the plaster. The blood is dry (sorry for the gory details). I think it has appeared overnight.

Should I worry and remove the infusion set now? Or is this a normal common occurrence, and should I just change the site at the normal time?

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I've had that 2, but I deal with it,. Mines happened on a day that I change everything.
 
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I've had this a few times lately too I usually change it when i notice it, didn't notice it today till pump started beeping saying occlusion warning so I'm guessing the tubing was blocked with dry blood. Not really sure why it happens or whether it's normal as I've only been on a pump for 2 months myself. I seem to think its because the sticker is slightly moving though for me as every time I notice it I can see the sticky mark from the plaster, not really sure how to stop it though hope someone more experienced can help
 
It is a sign that blood is coming back up.. You should change the set immediately if ever you see this.


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Donnelly, I've had twice once on my bum and once on my tummy, it has been dried blood, but my bloods have stayed in range. And I haven't noticed till I changed the set and my pump hasn't occluded either. It's only when I've removed them. I would post a pic of the last one but telling me file to big :-(.
 
My BG was also staying perfectly in range. But I've changed the set anyway now just in case.
 
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It shouldnt be a regular occurence to have blood seepage to the sticky stuff. I dont exactly know why it happens, i think with me ut happens about once every 9 months or longer..thats why I would say change the set as soon as you see it.

Sometimes you could actually see blood up the tube, and this would definitely show higher bgs... This too is very, very rare, but can occur. And again needs change in set.


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Gosh yes if I saw fresh blood or blood in the tube I think that would definitely be a case to change it right away.
 
The blood that was on my sticky bit, didn't go right through so I couldn't see it, so didn't know that it should be changed. I know one was caused by where it was placed and that it was caused by sitting etc. but the other one no idea why.
 
Hi

Ive used Inset II sets myself as the are luer and will fit the Combo. Comparing the Inset with the Flexlink, the Inset wobbles a tiny bit where the tube clip joins so you have to be a bit careful where the set is inserted so that the tube clip connection doesn't catch in pants etc. If it catches a tiny bit, then that might make a small amount of blood start mzking its way on to the adhesive and the possibility of clogging the cannula which then causes problems. The problem is sortable by inserting the set so that the tube joins at the side or at the bottom and the tube clip wont wobble and catch in clothes.

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That's a great tip, thanks. I had noticed the wobbling and catching in clothing.
 
I hadn't noticed the wobble either. But this was my last that I had a problem. And I'm so surprised that a wobble could cause this as it had me concerned about what had happened.
 
If you both feel the set with yr fingers where the clip joins, you'll be able to feel a slight wobble to the set and then you'll appreciate how easy it would be for it to catch in underwear. The Flexlink is completely flat and doesnt wobble at all

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Thanks for that iHs, have an app at Kings tomorrow to see my DSN and I have a photo as well to show her, what happened, I'm also going to ask about testing and possibility of cgm as my fingers,ears and toes are now taking 2 attempts, to get blood from. And I'm getting fed up.
 
@Julie1471 that is discouraging. Have you tried lancing the sides of the fingers rather than the pads of the fingertips? It hurts less too.

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Hi Spiker, yes I do use the sides of my fingers as well, but I also have a slight problem as well as I only have 5 fingers to test from, which is a bit of a ******( but so what). So yesterday my DSN, gave an ast finger pricker and I tried it last night, with the help of hubby , and that was fun 3 attempts to get one small pin prick sized sample. But on using it I'm thinking I may not be able to use it on the base of my thumb, but I'll play around with it and see what I can do.
 
Julie

Try if u can to get hold of a onetouch Delica finger pricker as the lancets are thin and sharp so dont need too much of a depth setting on the pricker. I can get away with a depth of just 1 on my lower arm and 2 on my fingers. Also, try the palm of yr hand at base of thumb and fingers as that works as well

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Julie, is the problem that your fingers are too sore, or that they are refusing to bleed?

Refusal to bleed is why I deliberately blunt my lancets. I fire them about ten times through a piece of printer paper and then never change them. Only when they are that blunt to they make a wide enough hole for me to bleed. (Sorry that's a bit gross isn't it?)

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I think it's a bit of both Spiker, it's not gross as I use mine more than once. The ast is working better than it did last night but only because I up'd the setting.
 
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