Pump recommendations

[Nomi]

Hi everyone,

Hoping I can pick your brains for a possible new insulin pump!

My current pump, the accuchek insight, is up for renewal and I don’t know what to do. I like the pump but I have issues with the canulas. It may be me rather than the pump canulas themselves that is the problem so please share your experiences.

I’m not skinny, i’m squidgy (spare tyre but not really overweight) but the 90deg canulas kept blocking up/ leaking/ bleeding after about two years of being on the pump. I rotate sites but get v variable results.
I have switched to the tender canulas, they’re better but i’m Still struggling at times to find a site that will absorb properly.

My stomach is fairly consistent. My arms are ok too. My sides and bum just pool, and then I end up hypo as soon as I walk anywhere 5 minutes away. Unfortunately my cgm is on one arm and my stomach is suffering and not absorbing properly either.

There must be a solution out there. A different canula type? I’m sat here with my BG in the high teens because my insulin is stuck somewhere and not working properly and if I put a new infusion set in it will be set #4 today and i’m Running out of space ...

Starting to tear my hair out.

I tried the omnipod and hated it. It was so painful to do boluses I actually cried every time I had to do it.

I’m willing to try anything, my clinic has told me they will consider any type of pump but I don’t know what to ask for.

Any similar experiences and recommendations?

I tried mdi but I need the adjustable basal that a pump provides. Plus I had absorption issues / site breakdown with that too.

Thanks,

Nomi

 

[Juicyj]

Hello @Nomi

Sounds like your having a rough time, I'd be really frustrated too with that.. I can tell you what I do and it works for me.. I use the 640g Medtronic, started out on mio sets which are 90 degree soft, the tubing would kink on insertion and also get blocked, I also suffered allergic reactions to the tubing so switched to the sure t which is steel tipped, since using sure t I have had very little issues, normally any issue I have is around the site and absorption from picking a bad site, but the infusion sets are bomb proof in comparison to the mio.

 

[Nomi]

Thanks for replying I was looking at the sure t last night wondering if it would be any better. I might speak to Medtronic and see if I can try one.

Can you feel it when it’s in?

I do find my canulas kink so it might be the solution. I think the main problem is the sites and I don’t really know what to do about them.

 

[Juicyj]

Thanks for replying I was looking at the sure t last night wondering if it would be any better. I might speak to Medtronic and see if I can try one.

Can you feel it when it’s in?

I do find my canulas kink so it might be the solution. I think the main problem is the sites and I don’t really know what to do about them.

You manually insert the sure t - so simply push the steel tip into the skin, ok there is slight discomfort I won't lie but once in you shouldn't feel a thing, unless you have a bad site and then it's best to change asap, it's rare to get a bad site and of course you'll know when you get one, i've inserted these into my chest and not felt it once in, I wouldn't go back to soft sets now though particularly as you've had kinked sets, the only way you will know for sure is to try them

 

[Nomi]

You manually insert the sure t - so simply push the steel tip into the skin, ok there is slight discomfort I won't lie but once in you shouldn't feel a thing, unless you have a bad site and then it's best to change asap, it's rare to get a bad site and of course you'll know when you get one, i've inserted these into my chest and not felt it once in, I wouldn't go back to soft sets now though particularly as you've had kinked sets, the only way you will know for sure is to try them

I’ve just spoken with Medtronic and they are getting the rep to set me up with a trial

 

[Juicyj]

I’ve just spoken with Medtronic and they are getting the rep to set me up with a trial

That's good news, I think it would work well for you based on what you've said, Medtronic make around 6 different sets so plenty to choose from and the reps are well trained and really helpful, let me know how you get on ?

 

[masonbason63]

Hi there I had this trouble when first using the Insight I changed onto the Flex Cannula and tubing and use their inserter which I swore I’d never use, but it’s O so simple nowadays I don’t get any problems. The cannula is Teflon, the inserter is plastic and noisy but it does the job