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Occlusions

B

Burn

Newbie
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4
Things seem to be going well with my pump (accu chek combo) but the thing that is causing me problems is, the pump keeps getting occlusion. They normally happen on the 2nd day of putting in a new cannula. Also if I just ignore it the pump, it carry’s on so pumping away like normal, so I’m unsure as to why it is saying there is an occlusion when there is not. I have told my DNS about this. It doesn’t help much that on the pen I was using 4mm needle but on the pump I have to use 8mm ouch. I’m using the Flex Link sets. I’m hoping when the Flex Link Plus are back out it will help.

I should also add I have no air bubbles in my insulin syringes or tubing, the only thing I can think of that it could be is the fact that I’m using 8mm needle and they cause a lot of tissue damage when they have been in for 2-3 days. They really hurt and they are sore, I have literally no fat. I’m 5ft 11 and 58kg the only places I’m able to put the cannula are in my bottom and my lower back. My stomach has too much scaring on it for cannulas to be inserted. Could the lack of fat and having to put the cannula in muscle be causing these occlusions?
 
Hi Burn

I found I had this issue in some areas after I had lost a lot of weight. I was only using the 6mm so I expect 8mm is even worse! Are you able to try some 6mm sets from another manufacturer?

Also you might find changing the 8mm more often helps, like every other day. I get occulsion alarms if my cannula is kinked (sometimes happens when I hit muscle) or if I am too near muscle and the site gets inflamed. Have you thought about angles sets too?
 
The one thing I liked about the flex link is that it comes with a needle inserter so it was really easy to put it. I don’t think I would be able to change the needle every other day because I’m very limited to where I can put them, and it takes a while for that are to heal.
 
Hi Burn

Like yourself, I too have the Combo.

What may possibly help with your scar tissue problem is if you insert a 6mm steel needle set in your backside (Rapid D). These are very easy to use and go in more or less like a 6mm insulin pen needle. You don't feel the needle at all once it's been inserted and the tube joins the set via a swivel type connector.

Regarding the occlusions, every now and again I also get them which mess up my bg levels. :evil: Sometimes, I can track the cause of the occlusion but sometimes not. :? Pumps can be 'temperamental' at times can't they? I hate it when the occlusion alarm sounds in the middle of the night waking me up and I see if I can prime insulin through the tube. If I can prime about 4u then I go back to bed but then I've had times when the alarm has gone off again and so out of bed again and try to do another prime. Usually, I can't prime anything so then I know that the tube is blocked and then unscrew the cartridge to have a look for air. If nothing looks to be wrong with the cartridge, I attach a new tube and do a fresh re prime again. I don't like wasting insulin especially if there's about 20u left in the cartridge. I could replace the set but usually occlusions seem to happen approx 12 to 20hrs after a cartridge change and I doubt the occlusion is the set as a steel needle can't kink.

My latest occlusion resulted in me burying the pump in my bathroom washbin so not to hear the STOP warning and giving myself some bolus by pen and going back to bed for a few hours kip :lol:
 
If you getting onclussions and you find that you can turn the pump back on, and deliver the insulin that wasn't delivered then it is likely that you have put pressure on the actual infusion set, or you've put pulled the tubing back on its self at point were it joins the cannula the other reason is the position that you've insert the set.. So when sat you've bent the cannula and restricted the flow enough to kick the alarm..

I alwasy check if I can reset the missing bolus before checking anything else, I don't suffer occusions often and most times it's due to pressure of my infusion set
 
Hi,

I used to like the Flex Link because of the needle inserter but then one went in bent and i got an abyss the size of your fist in my belly. I then swapped to the Rapid D which is the steel cannula ones.

If you phone Roche for your supplies then expalin to them the problem and order a box of smaller cannulas and see how you go.

Josie
 
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