something dumb I did this morning [Archive]

poodlebone

08-21-2006, 05:20 AM

I had to change my set this morning, as well as my reservoir. I decided to use a Sure-T and try the top of my butt, a site that never worked for me with Quick-Sets. It was a little awkward inserting, but since the Sure-T has a tail with the connection at the end of the tail I knew I wouldn't have to keep twisting around to disconnect/reconnect, since the connection would be in a more accessible place.

So, I get the set in and go to hook up the main length of tubing. It's empty, because I forgot to prime it. Aarrrggh! Even though I get my sets through my insurance, I hate wasting anything. Plus, I only got one box of the Sure-T's and didn't want to just toss one in the trash. So I pulled the needle out, primed the tubing, and slapped it back in. I cut out a square of Hypafix and taped it back down.

I did this once with a Sof-Set and had to trash it. I love these Sure-T's because even when you mess up the insertion, it can still be fixed! And since the disconnect isn't at the site, you can tape right over the cannula portion.

Funnygrl

08-21-2006, 06:35 AM

You can't prime a sure-t after it's in?

poodlebone

08-21-2006, 06:48 AM

You can't prime a sure-t after it's in?
You can prime the main tubing, but I wouldn't know how much to prime to fill the remianing tubing (between the cannula and the connection) as well as the cannula. The tubing doesn't disconnect right at the site, there's another length of tubing left attached. So, priming while it's inserted could be dangerous if you give too much, or you could end up high if you don't prime enough.

Funnygrl

08-21-2006, 06:50 AM

You can prime the main tubing, but I wouldn't know how much to prime to fill the remianing tubing (between the cannula and the connection) as well as the cannula. The tubing doesn't disconnect right at the site, there's another length of tubing left attached. So, priming while it's inserted could be dangerous if you give too much, or you could end up high if you don't prime enough.
Ah, I figured that would be included in the fixed prime somewhere.

spike

08-21-2006, 08:10 AM

You can't prime a sure-t after it's in?

Priming a set while installed isn't exactly a safe procedure, as you could end up pumping in so much insulin that you give yourself a nasty hypo. ALL types of sets should be primed BEFORE insertion. Your suggestion that a set could be primed is scary! I'm hoping you asked the question just to get an answer, rather than your question being a roundabout way of declaring that it is ok to prime with the set installed.

Funnygrl

08-21-2006, 08:52 AM

Priming a set while installed isn't exactly a safe procedure, as you could end up pumping in so much insulin that you give yourself a nasty hypo. ALL types of sets should be primed BEFORE insertion. Your suggestion that a set could be primed is scary! I'm hoping you asked the question just to get an answer, rather than your question being a roundabout way of declaring that it is ok to prime with the set installed.

I put the set in, disconnect the tubing, do the prime, then plug back in for the fixed prime. I figured any set that had a disconnect could be primed after putting it in, as long as you disconnected the tubing.

I use the Insets usually, and when you put them in, the tubing is connected to the set, so you have to disconnect to prime.

spike

08-21-2006, 08:54 AM

I put the set in, disconnect the tubing, do the prime, then plug back in for the fixed prime. I figured any set that had a disconnect could be primed after putting it in, as long as you disconnected the tubing.

I use the Insets usually, and when you put them in, the tubing is connected to the set, so you have to disconnect to prime.
THAT'S WRONG!!! You are supposed to prime all the way through the set (UNATTACHED!!!), THEN put the set in and do a fixed prime to fill the cannula, if the set has one. needle type sets do NOT get a fixed prime because the insulin is already at the tip of the needle. YOU SCARE THE H*LL OUT OF ME!

June91

08-21-2006, 09:10 AM

You can't prime a sure-t after it's in?
You should't prime ANY SET once it's in! Very very very bad idea, Spike is right.

Moonlitknight

08-21-2006, 10:54 AM

I do exactly as funnygrl does. I prime until 4 or 5 drips come out, then plug it in and do my fixed prime. I don't understand what the problem with that could be.
Please explain

spike

08-21-2006, 12:03 PM

I do exactly as funnygrl does. I prime until 4 or 5 drips come out, then plug it in and do my fixed prime. I don't understand what the problem with that could be.
Please explain

The ONLY prime you do AFTER the set is installed is the tiny .3, .5, .8, etc prime to prime the length of the cannula. But you DON'T put in the set and then prime from the tubing, because there is no specification for the proper amount to fill the top portion of the set, plus the cannula. What she is doing is violating the instructions given with the sets, and with safe procedure, UNLESS she just isn't doing what I think she is doing, in which case she might want to jump back on this thread and clarify. If I misunderstood her...fine...then there's no argument, but so far it sounds like she is doing it incorrectly. A thousand pardons if my inference was wrong.
IF you read her post again, she said she is doing the "prime" with the set in her, but NOT hooked up to the tubing. THAT, IN AND OF ITSELF IS WRONG!

notme

08-21-2006, 12:06 PM

I have done the exact same thing with a quickset. The set is ruined once you do that. You can leave the canula in, but have to do a prime with a new set and then attach it so the already inserted canula. Waste! bleck

spike

08-21-2006, 12:09 PM

Funnygrl

08-21-2006, 12:52 PM

THAT'S WRONG!!! You are supposed to prime all the way through the set (UNATTACHED!!!), THEN put the set in and do a fixed prime to fill the cannula, if the set has one. needle type sets do NOT get a fixed prime because the insulin is already at the tip of the needle. YOU SCARE THE H*LL OUT OF ME!
I'm doing it how the pump trainer told me to do it. I'm not priming the site while it's connected, I'm putting the set in, disconnecting the tubing, priming the tubing, then connecting the tubing to the set, and doing the fixed prime. So the site is in when I prime, but the tubing isn't connected to it.

I do think you are misunderstanding what I am saying, because I see nothing wrong with what I am doing. Put set in, prime, connect tubing. The only difference with the insets is when you put the set in, the tubing is connected, so you have to disconnect the tubing first.

I'm not saying prime the tuning with it connected to the site, I'm saying disconnect, then do the prime. I figured minimed would list some kind of fixed prime for the tail of the tubing in case what happend in the OP happened.

spike

08-21-2006, 02:05 PM

I'm doing it how the pump trainer told me to do it. I'm not priming the site while it's connected, I'm putting the set in, disconnecting the tubing, priming the tubing, then connecting the tubing to the set, and doing the fixed prime. So the site is in when I prime, but the tubing isn't connected to it.

I do think you are misunderstanding what I am saying, because I see nothing wrong with what I am doing. Put set in, prime, connect tubing. The only difference with the insets is when you put the set in, the tubing is connected, so you have to disconnect the tubing first.

I'm not saying prime the tuning with it connected to the site, I'm saying disconnect, then do the prime. I figured minimed would list some kind of fixed prime for the tail of the tubing in case what happend in the OP happened.

Thanks for the clarification. MM only lists the amount to prime the cannula, not the entire Quick Set.

Funnygrl

08-21-2006, 02:57 PM

Thanks for the clarification. MM only lists the amount to prime the cannula, not the entire Quick Set.
So were you misunderstanding me, or do you still think what I am doing isn't safe? Not a trick question...a serious one.

Cyborg

08-21-2006, 03:27 PM

The only difference with the insets is when you put the set in, the tubing is connected, so you have to disconnect the tubing first.

Huh??? Now you got me thinking you are doing the Insets wrong!

I was taught to prime the Insets before attaching the set. Once the entire set (tubing and inserter) is primed, then attach. After attaching, prime the cannula. No disconnect required...

Funnygrl

08-21-2006, 03:45 PM

Huh??? Now you got me thinking you are doing the Insets wrong!

I was taught to prime the Insets before attaching the set. Once the entire set (tubing and inserter) is primed, then attach. After attaching, prime the cannula. No disconnect required...
Yeah, that is how unomedical's website shows it too, but I always did it putting site in, then disconnecting to prime and educator said that was fine. I have done it the other way a few times, but as much as I hate to admit it, I like to get the needle stick over early in a site change, cause I still dread it.

spike

08-21-2006, 04:49 PM

notme

08-21-2006, 05:31 PM

who are you responding to, Nancy?

I was responding to poodle's original post. Did I miss something?

poodlebone

08-21-2006, 06:37 PM

spike

08-21-2006, 07:53 PM

I was responding to poodle's original post. Did I miss something?

ah, no, I was just trying to match your comments to who you were responding to. I always keep the thread mode set to "linear" because I prefer it that way. I don't like picking posts out of the threaded mode with all the nesting and "see more posts below" etc. It's just a PITA for me that way.

spike

08-21-2006, 07:57 PM

It's been awhile since I used a Quick-Set and don't remember what I did. I don't see anything wrong with inserting the cannula, disconnecting the tubing to prime it, then reconnecting for the fixed prime.

Actually, when you insert a Silhouette the tubing comes already disconnected. You just insert the cannula, prime the tubing, then click the tubing on for a fixed prime.

Well, that Sure-T I put in this morning screwed with me all day. I went high, went low after lunch during my walk, went high again later. I removed it when I got home. I really don't think the upper butt area works for me, which is too bad.

I put another Sure-T in my abdomen when I got home with a BG of 267 (I think). It hurt a bit but I ignored it and did my correction. Then it really started hurting so I took it out, moved it and taped it down with Hypafix. OUCH! That hurt even more. Moved it one more time, taped it down, no pain so I hope it's going to last. I had a good experience with my first Sure-T inserted in my upper abdomen, so maybe I just have to keep them in the leaner areas.

Was the Sure-T in the abdomen in an area with enough fat for the 6mm needle? I'm still getting great comfort from the Sure-T's relative to the Quick Sets. Most of the time they are totally painless. In fact, yesterday, for the umpteeth time, I found I was wearing 2 sets. I think it was my wife who noticed when I took of my shirt. another laugh at my expense! :) Once in a while a sure-t will cause a slight pain when push on, but no more so than a Quick Set. After my experience with other steel needle sets, I'm still shocked that I can tolerate them.

butterflykisses

08-21-2006, 09:21 PM

spike

08-21-2006, 10:43 PM

Hmmm...here's what I do...I insert my Quickset, fill the reservoir with enough insulin to last 4-5 days, attach the tubing to the reservoir, detach the tubing from my body, Prime the tubing by pushing the plunger until insulin comes out the end, reconnect to cannula, prime the cannula, done. sometimes I still have insulin and need to change out the set so I will just insert a new QS, disconnct the tubing from it, disconnect from the old set and attach to the new one then prime the cannula. I've never had a problem...well, not over this anyway.

Sure it works (you are still alive and kickin'), but why don't you attach the QS to the tubing when you prime it with the plunger before installing the QS? That way the insulin has filled the QS and when you pull the introducer needle out, you'd do a fixed prime as listed in the set's instructions (based on cannula length). I know what you are doing is safe, but I don't know WHY you aren't following the instructions. Can you explain your rationale?

gettingby

08-22-2006, 04:39 AM

I think it was my wife who noticed when I took off my shirt. another laugh at my expense! :)
Did you actually think that I was gonna let this one go by? LOL. :rofl: ;):hahaha: j/k.

butterflykisses

08-22-2006, 09:59 AM

Sure it works (you are still alive and kickin'), but why don't you attach the QS to the tubing when you prime it with the plunger before installing the QS? That way the insulin has filled the QS and when you pull the introducer needle out, you'd do a fixed prime as listed in the set's instructions (based on cannula length). I know what you are doing is safe, but I don't know WHY you aren't following the instructions. Can you explain your rationale?
My rationale? It works for me, it's easierfor some reason that may not make sense for others but it does for me....left out a step though...gotta put the reservoir in and do a prime before reattaching and priming the cannula. When I started the pump the first QS I put in failed (a sign of things to come!). The trainer had me put in a new infusion set, disconnect the tubing from it, disconnect from the old one and attach it to the new set...prime the cannula, done. I'm sure that's where the idea came from.

spike

08-22-2006, 11:00 AM

My rationale? It works for me, it's easierfor some reason that may not make sense for others but it does for me....left out a step though...gotta put the reservoir in and do a prime before reattaching and priming the cannula. When I started the pump the first QS I put in failed (a sign of things to come!). The trainer had me put in a new infusion set, disconnect the tubing from it, disconnect from the old one and attach it to the new set...prime the cannula, done. I'm sure that's where the idea came from.

aha! Makes sense now, why you started doing it the way you explained. (Not that I'd recommend it to others, but at least it seems safe, if not a bit convoluted. <g> )

Here's what I do (condensed version):

1. Draw insulin into reservoir & tap out bubbles

2. Connect Sure-T to tubing and tubing to reservoir

3. Hold reservoir vertically, push plunger to fill either part or all of tubing (I'm not fussy at this point, as the pump will quickly fill the tubing also when doing the prime)

4. Insert reservoir and prime to get a few drops out of the end of the set and watch for any large bubbles (usually I have none if step 1 is done correctly). Hit "Escape" to clear prime feature.

5. Insert set. (no fixed prime needed with Sure-T sets)

6. Clip pump to waistband and get on with my day. :)

Time to do the whole set change: about 2 minutes, sometimes about a minute and a half when I'm on my "game". <g>

butterflykisses

08-22-2006, 12:20 PM

aha! Makes sense now, why you started doing it the way you explained. (Not that I'd recommend it to others, but at least it seems safe, if not a bit convoluted. <g> )

Here's what I do (condensed version):

1. Draw insulin into reservoir & tap out bubbles

2. Connect Sure-T to tubing and tubing to reservoir

3. Hold reservoir vertically, push plunger to fill either part or all of tubing (I'm not fussy at this point, as the pump will quickly fill the tubing also when doing the prime)

4. Insert reservoir and prime to get a few drops out of the end of the set and watch for any large bubbles (usually I have none if step 1 is done correctly). Hit "Escape" to clear prime feature.

5. Insert set. (no fixed prime needed with Sure-T sets)

6. Clip pump to waistband and get on with my day. :)

Time to do the whole set change: about 2 minutes, sometimes about a minute and a half when I'm on my "game". <g>
Ah come on, isn't convoluted way too big a word for my tiny added step. ;-) I should add that I use a mm508, I've never timed how long it takes me to change out my set...but the priming of the pump takes at least more than two minutes all on it's own!

spike

08-22-2006, 12:24 PM

Ah come on, isn't convoluted way too big a word for my tiny added step. ;-)

Maybe, but it's the first word that popped into my brain and I'm too lazy to consider synonyms. <g>

June91

08-22-2006, 01:28 PM

spike

08-22-2006, 02:57 PM

Spike, you did a fabulous job of explaining the correct procedure in easy to understand steps. Now could you give us tips to achieve your lightning speed of under two minutes? :vroam: Seriously, please do.

Well, let me start off by saying for a long time I was in the 10 minute set-change camp. :) I've been pumping for 10 years, so it's from repetition and good manual dexterity that I can do these sorts of things quickly. Anyway, I'm not the only one on the planet with good dexterity, so I'll try to explain how I go about changing a set.

First off: everything is one drawer, except for the insulin, which sits in a medicine cabinet (NOT in a bathroom--the vanity is in the bedroom, so there's no issue with heat or moisture).

I pull out these things: set, reservoir, IV3000, and sometimes a Skin Prep pad, and set them on the counter.

(The MM pumps rewind very quickly, but I try to get that out of the way first...it rewinds at light speed compared to an Animas.)

I strip the paper off the set package and dump the set on the counter and then remove the reservoir from it's packaging.

Two or three twisting moves with the plunger to free up/lube the orings (they are lubricated lightly at the factory) and then make sure the plunger isn't too tightly bound to the reservoir.

Plunge the reservoir needle into the insulin and inject air, withdraw about 3/4 the way and tap out bubbles and then withdraw insulin again to fill completely.

Grab the set and attach to the tubing and then attach to the reservoir and prime.

Install reservoir and do the pump prime.

Strip the protective paper off the set, remove the needle guard and insert set & put pump on waistband.

Throw all the junk in the garbage.

If I forget anything, I apologize in advance, but I think I got it all covered. When I first started pumping, everything was both new and intimidating--I didn't want to screw up something that could harm me. One time I almost squeezed an old style reservoir (well--"old" to MM users, but CURRENT to Animas users,which is another reason I don't like Animas pumps) full of insulin, while I was attached. Once you've primed a Paradigm-style system, the plunger is discarded, so if you ever remove the reservoir from the pump (I do that all the time to check how much insulin is left when it's near empty) you don't risk a huge insulin overdose if you have a reservoir out of the pump while you are still hooked up. A gentle squeeze on the luer lock type resorvoirs could send a killer amount of insulin into the pumper. Like I just said, I remove mine from the pump for a visual check of how much insulin remains because it's safe to do that with that style reservoir.

June91

08-23-2006, 01:23 PM

That was useful and thorough. If I can have the copyright, I'll print and use in my future pumping classes, thank you Spike. :deal:

PeterL

08-23-2006, 02:06 PM

What about a fixed prime to fill up the cannula once the set has been inserted?

spike

08-23-2006, 06:09 PM

What about a fixed prime to fill up the cannula once the set has been inserted?

If your question is for me...you do NOT do a fixed prime on a steel needle set like a Sure-T that I use currently.

Of course, if you are using a cannula-type set, prime the cannula after removal of the introducer needle (the specs should be included with the instructions and the amount to fill is directly related to the length of the cannula. Hence the official fixed prime is greater for a 9 MM set than for a 6 MM, etc.

PeterL

08-23-2006, 08:31 PM

Yes. I thought about this driving home from work and realized that i only know about Quick Sets which have the teflon cannula because that is all I have used. They have the inserter needle inside which needs to be replaced with insulin. I now remember from your earlier posts that you use a different set. I suppose I was also thinking about the earlier poster who hopes to be a CBE and was talking about using your text when she starts training people. I get concerned about all the variations in our equipment and how I have been struck by reading posts here for several months on how YMMV. Using specific text for more generic training has to be very thoughtfully done. I guess that is the reason I have been reading this forum every day for months but have only had a few posts. I worry about saying something that works for me and is not right for someone else. Maybe I will start a new Thread on confidence of non - MD's giving opinions. Having said that please do not misunderstand me. I have read this site for months and think it is great. I found it when I started pumping and it has helped me enormously. 9 to 6.8 and it is mainly due to this site. Who else worries that a great description of what they do might be used by someone else who is new to this game and is not quite into the differences between the variuos types of insertion sets, for example, and then the advice is not quite accurate?

spike

08-23-2006, 11:22 PM

Who else worries that a great description of what they do might be used by someone else who is new to this game and is not quite into the differences between the variuos types of insertion sets, for example, and then the advice is not quite accurate?

I never thought I was providing a replacement for the instructions given by MM literature, or one's pump trainer. :)

Cyborg

08-24-2006, 04:45 AM

One time I almost squeezed an old style reservoir (well--"old" to MM users, but CURRENT to Animas users,which is another reason I don't like Animas pumps) full of insulin, while I was attached. Once you've primed a Paradigm-style system, the plunger is discarded, so if you ever remove the reservoir from the pump (I do that all the time to check how much insulin is left when it's near empty) you don't risk a huge insulin overdose if you have a reservoir out of the pump while you are still hooked up. A gentle squeeze on the luer lock type resorvoirs could send a killer amount of insulin into the pumper. Like I just said, I remove mine from the pump for a visual check of how much insulin remains because it's safe to do that with that style reservoir.

The current Animas pump tells you how much insulin is left without being required to open it and touch the reservoir.

JediSkipdogg

08-24-2006, 04:57 AM

spike

08-24-2006, 09:03 AM

The current Animas pump tells you how much insulin is left without being required to open it and touch the reservoir.

so does my Paradigm. There is an icon in the upper left hand corner 24/7. It has only 4 segments, like the battery icon, so when I want a more precise idea, I just look. It's faster than scrolling to the entry in the "Escape" screen. I can remove and reinsert the reservoir faster AND I can see it better than the data displayed on the "Escape" screen when I don't have my reading glasses on. Make sense now?

Cyborg

08-24-2006, 09:05 AM

Clear as the remaining units value displayed on Animas ;)

spike

08-24-2006, 09:08 AM

Clear as the remaining units value displayed on Animas ;)

Looks like you glossed over the reasons I just stated for looking at the reservoir...

Remaining units on a Paradigm, like I said, is hard for me to read without the correct glasses, and also, the remaining units displayed includes a fudge factor, so when it says zero units, there's still about 8U left.

Cyborg

08-24-2006, 09:09 AM

Gotcha... :)

Funnygrl

08-24-2006, 09:16 AM

spike

08-24-2006, 09:22 AM

Wow, so the Animas pump leaves the plunger on the reservoir when it is in the pump? And the minimed pumps you need to push the plunger to prime the tubing? Wow, learn something new everyday.

The Cozmo you use the plunger only to fill the reservoir, than throw it out, and prime it using the prime option from the "Load" menu. If I want to know how much is left, I can look in the window on the side, or on the screen.

Yup, you got it. once the tubing is primed outside the pump, you discard the plunger. Therefore, if you ever make the mistake of handling the reservoir outside the pump, with the set still in you, you can't get an accidental possible life threatening overdose by having a brain f*rt and squeezing the reservoir plunger, because it is internal on the Paradigm reservoir.

My pre-Paradigm pump had the same luer lock style reservoirs. One day I got careless and had the reservoir in my hand while the set was installed. Gripping it a bit tighter than I had would have injected me with a whopping overdose. I can't stress this issue enough for potential pumpers! You can do youself in suring a moment of inattention while working with your sets. Never remove a reservoir from your pump while the set is still attached to you (exception--the Paradigm design precludes you from accidental infusion).

Funnygrl

08-24-2006, 09:28 AM

Yup, you got it. once the tubing is primed outside the pump, you discard the plunger. Therefore, if you ever make the mistake of handling the reservoir outside the pump, with the set still in you, you can't get an accidental possible life threatening overdose by having a brain f*rt and squeezing the reservoir plunger, because it is internal on the Paradigm reservoir.

My pre-Paradigm pump had the same luer lock style reservoirs. One day I got careless and had the reservoir in my hand while the set was installed. Gripping it a bit tighter than I had would have injected me with a whopping overdose. I can't stress this issue enough for potential pumpers! You can do youself in suring a moment of inattention while working with your sets. Never remove a reservoir from your pump while the set is still attached to you (exception--the Paradigm design precludes you from accidental infusion).
So do Minimed's only do the fixed prime with the reservoir in the pump? My Cozmo has the fill tubing, which you just press "start" then "stop" when you see the drop, and the fill cannula, which is .3 units for a short inset. I suppose I could use the plunger and prime out the pump if I wanted, it just never occurred to me to do it that way. Do you have the choice on Minimeds, or do they not even have that fill tubing option?

spike

08-24-2006, 09:58 AM

So do Minimed's only do the fixed prime with the reservoir in the pump? My Cozmo has the fill tubing, which you just press "start" then "stop" when you see the drop, and the fill cannula, which is .3 units for a short inset. I suppose I could use the plunger and prime out the pump if I wanted, it just never occurred to me to do it that way. Do you have the choice on Minimeds, or do they not even have that fill tubing option?

There are 2 primes on the MM, so I presume it's identical in function to yours. Insert the reservoir and do the prime, letting insulin drip out of the set. Then insert the set and do the fixed prime if you have a cannula-style set. No fixed prime for steel needles...

The Prime screen has 3 options: Fixed Prime, Rewind, and Prime History. When changing sets, of course you do Rewind first. then you just press Activate because the pump is automatically in the "Prime" mode. When done with the prime feature, it puts you on the Fixed Prime option. If you do nothing because you have a steel cannula, it will time out and return you to the home screen.

poodlebone

08-24-2006, 10:25 PM

Was the Sure-T in the abdomen in an area with enough fat for the 6mm needle? I'm still getting great comfort from the Sure-T's relative to the Quick Sets. Most of the time they are totally painless. In fact, yesterday, for the umpteeth time, I found I was wearing 2 sets. I think it was my wife who noticed when I took of my shirt. another laugh at my expense! :) Once in a while a sure-t will cause a slight pain when push on, but no more so than a Quick Set. After my experience with other steel needle sets, I'm still shocked that I can tolerate them.

I initially put it in near the side of my abdomen and when it hurt, I moved it up/over a little but that still hurt. So then I pulled out out and jabbed it into the most padded part and it was fine after that. Didn't feel it at all. I changed it this morning and I'm away from home, visiting my mother. I wasn't sure what to do with the used set, since it has a pointy metal needle, but I had an empty candy tin in my bag, from something called Icebreakers or something like that. It's perfect for putting used sharps in while away from home. I had an Altoids tin but lost it recently. I transfer the sharps to my BD conatiner when I get home.

I also managed to jab the very tip of my thumb on the needle when I was cutting the tubing off, to put the needle part in the tin. It bled like crazy and of course I had already checked my BG, so the blood was wasted. I've managed to poke myself with all 3 Sure-T sets I've used! I only brought Sils with me to my mother's since they're pretty much a no-fail set for me. The candy tin is great for holding the intro needles from Sils too.

poodlebone

08-24-2006, 10:33 PM

I NEVER remove the reservoir still attached. Personally, that is the dumbest and deadliest thing one can do with a pump besides hitting the prime buttom while still attached. I know the IR 1000 had how much insulin was remaining so the only Animas pump that I know that might have not said how much insulin was the original Animas 1000.

I pull the reservoir out of my pump all the time. Sometimes to check the remaining insulin, which like Spike said it really fast and actually easier to do than looking at the screen. I also pull it out to look for air bubbles. There is a clear window on the pump so you can see the reservoir/insulin level but it's much easier to be able to see it completely and hold it up to the light. The remaining insulin shown on the pump screen is always slightly lower than what you can visually see in the reservoir, too. If the screen tells me I have 8 units, I know I probably have 18-20 left.

There's no way to accidentally manually push insulin into your body by removing a Paradigm's reservoir while connected. You'd have to grab a pencil or another small object, jab it into the barrel and push. And unless you leave the reservoir out of the pump for a long time you don't have to worry about the piston moving up and pushing insulin into you when the reservoir is reinserted. It takes me about 3 seconds to twist it out, look at it and twist it back in. My CDE also removes the reservoir and checks it sometimes, while I'm still connected.

JediSkipdogg

08-25-2006, 03:40 AM

The remaining insulin shown on the pump screen is always slightly lower than what you can visually see in the reservoir, too. If the screen tells me I have 8 units, I know I probably have 18-20 left.

That is true for all pumps. But when the pump says 0 units and your cartridge still has 20 units in it, what can you do? You can't get that final 12 units out, so knowing exactly how much is left in the cartridge is pointless. Or do you have some magical way to get the final little bit of insulin out?

spike

08-25-2006, 08:07 AM

I initially put it in near the side of my abdomen and when it hurt, I moved it up/over a little but that still hurt. So then I pulled out out and jabbed it into the most padded part and it was fine after that. Didn't feel it at all. I changed it this morning and I'm away from home, visiting my mother. I wasn't sure what to do with the used set, since it has a pointy metal needle, but I had an empty candy tin in my bag, from something called Icebreakers or something like that. It's perfect for putting used sharps in while away from home. I had an Altoids tin but lost it recently. I transfer the sharps to my BD conatiner when I get home.

I also managed to jab the very tip of my thumb on the needle when I was cutting the tubing off, to put the needle part in the tin. It bled like crazy and of course I had already checked my BG, so the blood was wasted. I've managed to poke myself with all 3 Sure-T sets I've used! I only brought Sils with me to my mother's since they're pretty much a no-fail set for me. The candy tin is great for holding the intro needles from Sils too.

So far, IIRC, I've poked myself twice. Steel isn't QUITE as soft as the Teflon cannulas is it? <g>

jenet

08-28-2006, 07:26 PM

Wow, so the Animas pump leaves the plunger on the reservoir when it is in the pump? And the minimed pumps you need to push the plunger to prime the tubing? Wow, learn something new everyday.

The Cozmo you use the plunger only to fill the reservoir, than throw it out, and prime it using the prime option from the "Load" menu. If I want to know how much is left, I can look in the window on the side, or on the screen.
With the Animas 1250 and Insets, the blue plunger is only attached while filling the reservoir. The plunger is unclipped and tossed out before putting the reservoir in the pump. (I have removed my reservoir and tried to load extra insulin without the plunger when my pump was running low and the moveable "piston" part of the reservoir is not easy to move without a plunger attached to push or pull it with.)

The Animas 1250 also has a "Load Cartridge" for the new filled cartridge, a "Prime" to fill the tubeing, and a "Fill Cannula" for the teflon sets' "fixed prime" (.3, .6, whatever that set needs).

cheers,
j

poodlebone

08-28-2006, 09:43 PM

That is true for all pumps. But when the pump says 0 units and your cartridge still has 20 units in it, what can you do? You can't get that final 12 units out, so knowing exactly how much is left in the cartridge is pointless. Or do you have some magical way to get the final little bit of insulin out?
Actually, I think it will continue pumping it out until the reservoir is actually empty, or as empty as it can get. I have never let it reach zero but I've come close. I know other pumpers with Paradigms who have had the screen read zero, but continued to receive their basal until they were able to fill & insert a new reservoir.

spike

08-28-2006, 10:45 PM

Actually, I think it will continue pumping it out until the reservoir is actually empty, or as empty as it can get. I have never let it reach zero but I've come close. I know other pumpers with Paradigms who have had the screen read zero, but continued to receive their basal until they were able to fill & insert a new reservoir.
Even when a MM pump reads zero, the pump continues to provide approx another 8 or so units.

statdeac

08-29-2006, 07:31 AM

Even when a MM pump reads zero, the pump continues to provide approx another 8 or so units.Sounds like the gas guage in my Toyota...:whistling

ThuntDon

08-29-2006, 01:06 PM

I'm new to the pump, and I had a similar experence with my set. I was on a long road trip and it seems that the location that I had chosen for the set was in the area of my seat belt. After getting in and out of the car several times, apparenly I caught the set on the belt, and pulled it out. I didn't have any emergency insulin with me, so I went back home. Luckly, it was only two hours back and I made it with a BG of 123. Do we need to carry insulin and syringes with us at all times, for this type of situation? In my hot car, I don't think any insulin would last for very long. What do you long term pumpers do? Thanks for any info, and it's been a real good education reading the comments here. Don

condensr

08-29-2006, 01:55 PM

At least carry syringes. If you do rip your set out/have set issues or have a pump failure, and don't have a spare, you can use the syringes to draw insulin out of your pump reservoir to get you by in a pinch.

If you are traveling though, it is advisable to carry spare sets, reservoirs, batteries, and insulin. If you are going to be away for any long period of time, or a long way away from home/outside the country/etc you should also carry fresh long acting insulin with you as well.

Some pumpers also get a spare pump loaned to them from their pump company when they go on vacation as a backup. I'll be trying that the next time I go on vacation.