Hi guys
First time posting here, I appreciate any input.
I have been type 1 diabetic since 2015, been on an insulin pump since 2018 (medtronic 640g), now my warranty has expired and I am due an upgrade.
I currently use novorapid in medtronic 640g pump with minimed mio advance cannulas and use dexcom G6 CGM.
Since the start I have had tons of insulin cannula issues. The minimed mios would get blocked atleast 33% of the insertions. I tried the T sure steel cannulas but they caused pain and my sugars stayed high. I switched to medtronic minimed mio 30s and used them for a long time until about 6-8 months ago. I used to be quite lean in 2018 with BMI around 19, so I think that was the issue, now I at least have a fat abdomen (thin legs and arms). I only use my abdomen so of course sites became an issue (I am experimenting again this week with thighs), and I got the minimed mio advance which is easier to put into love handles/loin on abdomen and is working great.
All the cannulas leave darker marks at insertion site on my skin, so I generally feel I struggle a lot with cannulas. I think it relates to me being south asian and having lots of weirdly protruding shaped abdominal fat regardless of my normal weight at BMI 22, but not much fat else where.
My Hba1c is not the worst, usually 7.4-7.5%. Struggle to stay in range more than 60% of the time, averaging 9.8-10.5mmol on dexcom. That's why I am super keen to get tandem t slim and make a closed loop with my dexcom. One of my main issues is I am a doctor and my sleep and lifestyle can be hectic emotionally and physically, also for some reason my sugars often stay high ish as soon as i go to sleep which i cannot control.
But tandem doesnt have an equivalent minimed mio advance cannula, they have the same minimed mio + minimed mio 30s + steel cannulas only. I tried a medtronic steel cannula to see if they work 1 week ago, on my first bolus my insulin flow was blocked at 4 units (is it because I inject on "quick bolus" speed?). I tried a minimed mio 30 on my love handle site, but it takes up lots of space and I won't manage it in the long term to avoid overusing one site. I have tried my legs but the cannula area gets red and painful after 24 hours probably because of movement (or because I have hairy legs? im unsure) so they last max 2 days with me pushing myself.
I am also worried that tandem t slim apparently loses the wireless link with dexcom easily, especially if the cannula and dexcom are on opposite sides of body - My dexcom is always on my arms and I cannot always put a cannula on the same side of my abdomen just for the pump.
So my question is what do you guys think I should do?
Does anyone else get absolutely frustrated with every single infusion set, and overall hate insulin cannulas? Pumps keep getting ugpraded but the same insulni infusion sets are being used since forever with minimal variety.
Should I upgrade to tandem t slim and try to get used to the steel cannulas or the 30 degree cannulas?
Should I consider the guardian sensor 4 and medtronic 780g pump which is also available, and continue using minimed mio advance cannulas? (I heard the sensors are awful and inaccurate. Calibrating doesnt worry me, i check my BMs 3-4 times a day for meals and pre bed)
Thank you for reading my post
First time posting here, I appreciate any input.
I have been type 1 diabetic since 2015, been on an insulin pump since 2018 (medtronic 640g), now my warranty has expired and I am due an upgrade.
I currently use novorapid in medtronic 640g pump with minimed mio advance cannulas and use dexcom G6 CGM.
Since the start I have had tons of insulin cannula issues. The minimed mios would get blocked atleast 33% of the insertions. I tried the T sure steel cannulas but they caused pain and my sugars stayed high. I switched to medtronic minimed mio 30s and used them for a long time until about 6-8 months ago. I used to be quite lean in 2018 with BMI around 19, so I think that was the issue, now I at least have a fat abdomen (thin legs and arms). I only use my abdomen so of course sites became an issue (I am experimenting again this week with thighs), and I got the minimed mio advance which is easier to put into love handles/loin on abdomen and is working great.
All the cannulas leave darker marks at insertion site on my skin, so I generally feel I struggle a lot with cannulas. I think it relates to me being south asian and having lots of weirdly protruding shaped abdominal fat regardless of my normal weight at BMI 22, but not much fat else where.
My Hba1c is not the worst, usually 7.4-7.5%. Struggle to stay in range more than 60% of the time, averaging 9.8-10.5mmol on dexcom. That's why I am super keen to get tandem t slim and make a closed loop with my dexcom. One of my main issues is I am a doctor and my sleep and lifestyle can be hectic emotionally and physically, also for some reason my sugars often stay high ish as soon as i go to sleep which i cannot control.
But tandem doesnt have an equivalent minimed mio advance cannula, they have the same minimed mio + minimed mio 30s + steel cannulas only. I tried a medtronic steel cannula to see if they work 1 week ago, on my first bolus my insulin flow was blocked at 4 units (is it because I inject on "quick bolus" speed?). I tried a minimed mio 30 on my love handle site, but it takes up lots of space and I won't manage it in the long term to avoid overusing one site. I have tried my legs but the cannula area gets red and painful after 24 hours probably because of movement (or because I have hairy legs? im unsure) so they last max 2 days with me pushing myself.
I am also worried that tandem t slim apparently loses the wireless link with dexcom easily, especially if the cannula and dexcom are on opposite sides of body - My dexcom is always on my arms and I cannot always put a cannula on the same side of my abdomen just for the pump.
So my question is what do you guys think I should do?
Does anyone else get absolutely frustrated with every single infusion set, and overall hate insulin cannulas? Pumps keep getting ugpraded but the same insulni infusion sets are being used since forever with minimal variety.
Should I upgrade to tandem t slim and try to get used to the steel cannulas or the 30 degree cannulas?
Should I consider the guardian sensor 4 and medtronic 780g pump which is also available, and continue using minimed mio advance cannulas? (I heard the sensors are awful and inaccurate. Calibrating doesnt worry me, i check my BMs 3-4 times a day for meals and pre bed)
Thank you for reading my post
