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Second cannula change

Indiana91

Indiana91

Well-Known Member
Messages
706
Location
UK
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
So as some of you've read, I'm trailing a saline pump this week to see how I get on.

My first change bled, a lot! I thought that maybe I had gone into an existing bruise from my injections or something.

Not the case! Put the second one in to the other side of my stomach, took it out today and again, blood came pouring out! :/

Will have to speak to the nurse about it next week I guess.

I really want a pump (and need one because of really bad injection sites!) but I can't be bleeding like this every time!

Deflated Indiana x


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Hi Indiana, please don't be deflated, although I know how easily things like this can get you down. There are lots of different cannulas that you can try and you will find one that suits you. Until you are able to get hold of others, perhaps change to a completely different area such as your leg, lower back or arm? I've had my pump since December and I'm still trying new sites with my sets to see which is most comfortable. You're not alone and I'm sure it will get sorted out soon - keep us posted.

Btw, which pump and cannulas are you using?
 
Thank you for your reply. I just really need this to work! The doctor said that if the pump doesn't work for me then it'll have to be surgery. I don't even know what they'll operate on!

It's an accu-check pump, no idea what the cannula is!

It'll just be trial and error I think. It'll have to go into my back next as my legs and arms are too damaged by my injections and I think it'll hurt!

Indiana x


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Unfortunately I have no experience of the accu-check pump, perhaps someone will come along who uses one? I imagine all the pumps have different cannulas as they need to suit everyone's skin type. There are different length soft cannulas, as well as steel cannulas and also ones that go straight in or go in at an angle. You never know, you might just be hitting blood vessels and have just been unlucky hitting two consecutively.

My stomach is too damaged to use so I tend to use my lower back (which actually works really well for me), and my legs - although the set tends to hurt in my leg if I'm too close to muscle. I've also tried my arms but although it works fine and is not painful at all, I find I'm limited with my movement if the tube isn't long enough.

Keep going, 3rd time lucky right?
 
I didn't know there was that many types, that's made me feel better and more hopeful!
I like injecting in my lower back and haven't been going in there for that long so that may be better!
I'm a bit worried about taking it out of there though, it's a bit hard to reach isn't it? And if it bleed again I won't be able to stop it as easily, as soon as I took the past two out it was bleeding loads, enough to make me feel faint, and I work in a vets so I'm quite used to blood!

I don't know, I'm sure something will work :)

I'm giving it a miss tonight and will put it back on tomorrow!

Fingers crossed for third time yeah!!

Indiana x


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Hi
I use the Combo pump and have an assortment of sets.
For backside I use either a Flexlink as they are easy to put in the body using the inserter, or a Rapid D. Rapid Ds are also very easy to insert but a bit more difficult to remove due to the adhesive sticking around the steel needle but with plenty of Liftplus spray or another brand, the adhesive can be carefully removed by peeling it back around all the edges towards the centre where the needle is. Usually, a mirror helps or getting a partner to do it, depending on where on the backside the set is.
Flexlinks are easy to remove without any spray.
I play safe and put some clear transpore tape over the Rapid D and along the edges of the Flexlink and that prevents the adhesive from coming loose due to pulling pants up and down and also sleeping on the set in bed.
Another set to consider for backside is the Tenderlink as that has very good adhesive and doesnt tend to come loose but some don't like the look of the introducer.

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Don't give up (although easier said than done I know). This is the first cannula so don't worry. Is there a name on the box you can see? Then have a look on-line and normally it will tell you the different types of cannulas you can have and with mine, Medtronic, they offer advise on which one may be best for each individual e.g. Children, active people, thin people etc. At least you've got some info to take to the hosp with you then. I dominos it's awful though but just to let you know they gave me quicksets to begin with and they used to alarm 'non delivery' every few hours and I though 'that was it'. As soon as I tried a different one its worked fine ever since.
 
Thanks for your advice guys, I'll look into that then.

Was just on a downer yesterday I think!

Indiana x


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