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problems with the pump

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onlytwintip

Active Member
Messages
41
Location
Guildford
Hi everyone,
I went on the pump about 4 years ago now of which the first 3 went absolutely fine. Recently though i have been having major issues with the infusion sets not working and this week end a problem with leaking wires that led to DKA and hospital. I m just starting to wonder whether the advantages of the pump over regular injections are still there for me as when something goes wrong with the pump the pump it does go very wrong very fast. Is there anybody else out there which often have issues like these?

Harry
 
onlytwintip said:
Hi everyone,
I went on the pump about 4 years ago now of which the first 3 went absolutely fine. Recently though i have been having major issues with the infusion sets not working and this week end a problem with leaking wires that led to DKA and hospital. I m just starting to wonder whether the advantages of the pump over regular injections are still there for me as when something goes wrong with the pump the pump it does go very wrong very fast. Is there anybody else out there which often have issues like these?

Harry
Click to expand...

Hi,

i'm yet to go onto the pump (21st feb) but i've been thinking about the possibility of the things you've mentioned, have you tried a different infusion set? or maybe you could have gotten a faulty batch?

do you have a 'back up plan' for when the pump malfuctions?, i've been reading up on these things and have been advised to prepare to carry around an 'emergency kit' so you can temporarily go back to MDI if this happens to prevent DKA.

i've been warned that because the pump is only rapid insulin, that when you stop getting insulin your BG's can climb pretty fast and your at greater risk of developing ketones.

i'm sure you'll know all this as you've been pumping for years!

Maybe you could have a break from the pump and go back to MDI and you may get back to thinking to whatever made you decide the pump was worth it and your own reasons as to why it was better than MDI?

I'm sorry i can't be of more help and that your having problems with your sets & pump.

:)
 
As well as a possible faulty batch of sets or perhaps it's time to change to another type, I do wonder if you have Tissue Scaring issue, have you tried a completely different location to site your infusion sets?

Leaving in your infusions set longer than they should (72 hours for teflon and 48 hours for steel) can cause the underlying Tissue being scared causing all sorts of problems raised or unstable BG's etc..

Another problem with tubing could be a touch of 'clutch lazy' where you've become so used to changing tubes etc on the pump, you get a bit lazy with ensuring it's tight and regular checks to ensure no bubbles in the tubing etc.. Same has car drivers who after a while driving, don't depress the clutch probably when driving...
 
Thanks for the replies.
Ebony I do have a back up plan in case the pump goes wrong but i did the stupid thing of keep hoping my patch would work and put an extra bolus, i will now resort straight to injections to get the level back to normal.
Jopar I think you've nailed my problem, I am becoming slacky with my pump, especially with changing the patch every 3 days, i had no idea it could cause tissue scaring. I also never put the patch anywhere else than the stomach as i put it once in the leg and it didn't work, where do you put it?

Cheers,

Harry
 
YES...

I have been on the pump 1 year now and have been hospitalized twice. Never was hospitalized before. About 3 times a month I have malfunctioning catheters and tubing. I am seriously considering swtiching back to MDI.
 
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