Having issues...

[silverfrost]

Hi all. I just started pumping about two weeks ago. So far, it has been awful... My numbers are running so high, and I feel so upset and tired and thirsty. I was so excited to have the pump and thought it would make my life easier, but it's only made things so much harder.

I thought maybe it was just my being inexperienced with the pump that was causing problems, but now I don't know... I keep having problems with sets, as in they're not letting me have any insulin. I constantly get the "NO DELIVERY" sign when trying to bolus for meals, and I have no clue why, seeing as most of the time, it's a new set, new spot, etc. Then, sometimes, I bolus, and the pump acts like it's doing its job, but I am sky-high two hours after meals. (Clearly not getting any insulin.)

I am also constantly changing sets, because they're just NOT working. I know I'm not putting the sets in wrong either... I have changed sets today THREE TIMES! A couple days ago it was two, and another day I had to change it four times until one of them worked. Because of bad sets, I have also had to leave school and go home just to change sets. I know this cannot be normal... even for someone that is new to pumping.

I honestly can't believe how inconvenient this has been when all I have heard in the past was how great the pump is. I feel so bad for investing all this time and money into the pump now. :( It works sometimes, but that's not often enough. I wonder... Should I just go back to pens?

[xMenace]

What type of sets do you use and where?

Many have issues with quicksets. I use Silhouettes and still have occaisional problems.

Some areas don't absrob well, years of injections and associated scar tissue. Find a fresh, new spot that's not too fat. I like the sides of my hips.

I now put an IV3000 under my sets. It provides better surface to stick too and doesn't fail so easily. Dunno if this would help you. I'm likely much hairier ;)

Also get into basal testing to ensure your basals are working correctly and are set right.

[Shotokan]

Check in with your diabetes educator. You might be getting air in the line. Also, I used to get a blockage nearly every time I bolused and found that if I slowed down the delivery (from 1 minute to 2 minutes), the problem went away. Most of us have difficulty in the beginning. Don't deal with the problems on your own, get some help from your health care team. They probably want this to work as much as you do.

[silverfrost]

Thanks a lot for the replies. I do use Quick-sets. As far as places on my body, I tend to alternate things pretty well. I also like the side of my hip, then my tummy too.

And I think I will call my doctors. They should be able to help a little too. It's comforting to know I'm not the only one to have troubles in the beginning.

Thanks a lot :)

[Lilly164]

My pump is a clear minimed 522 also. First of all, are you lean? The Quicksets MUST go into an area that has sufficient fatty/connective tissue over the muscle. The trainer said only put into a spot that could "pinch an inch". If a Quickset is in too shallow area, it kinks over and won't deliver.
Asking for help from your doctor is a good idea. The Minimed help line is good too.
I use silhouettes. Never had one fail. I like the control with guiding in the introducer by hand.

Beth

[palefacegirl03]

I would call the MM helpline. They can send you out samples of different sets, maybe a different set will work better for you. Once the kinks are worked out I think you will really like your pump. I have been pumping for 6 months now and I love it, so much better then 4 or more shots a day.

[jerryn]

Awe man.. maybe air in the lines?

[mortis505]

Do your sets have the 9mm or 6mm canula(tube)? as Lilly said, you need a bit of a spare tire about the middle to use the Quicks. Have you looked at the Sils? They may be a better option for you if you are lean.

[barbarac]

I agree with much of what you said. Thought pump would help me get better control and all, but I have not found that it has. I know before everyone says it--my basals aren't right. Well I fax every 3 days, we adjust again, I fax, we adjust. It has been 2 years and still can't get it. Lunch and dinner are better now, but breakfast still out of control. I also have found a problem with weight gain (I know all that talk about you can't gain if you don't eat, but I really don't eat that much--especially listening to most of the people on here). Nothing that is suppose to work seems to with me. I go back in a couple weeks for my A1C and know it will be up before I even do it. Last visit was up and 8.9, her appointment was made for 6 months instead of 3. Why? Seems like if things weren't going well she would have wanted me back sooner. Maybe she had a vacation going during the 3 month time--who knows. I just know I am very tired of all of it--but what can you do. I could switch endocrinologists, but already did that several times. My plain ole GP and shots seemed to do a better job than this pump. I like not having to be on such a tight eating schedule as I have a hard time eating the same time every day, but that is the only advantage I can see so far. Am at a loss as to what to do. OK I vented!!

[silverfrost]

Hey Lilly, I am lean actually, and I do tend to have trouble finding fatty spots. What seems to work best so far is the side of my hips, but those spots are tired out from all the set changing I've been doing.

I am really thinking about tryings the silhouettes. They might be a better option for someone my size. (I weigh around 105 and am relatively petite.)

The pump seems to be magically working since yesterday or so, actually. The lady that trained me on the pump suggested I pinch and insert the quickset manually and see if that works out okay. I tried that and it definitely worked much better. Perhaps the cannula was just kinking when I used the Quick-serter or something.

I think you guys are right... I just have to get over the initial problems, and THEN things will get easier.

Barbarac, I'm sorry to hear you're having troubles with the pump. It really IS frustrating when you're told it's supposed to make things easier and then doesn't. I hope you find a way to figure out your basals!

[pegasus]

The pump seems to be magically working since yesterday or so, actually. The lady that trained me on the pump suggested I pinch and insert the quickset manually and see if that works out okay. I tried that and it definitely worked much better. Perhaps the cannula was just kinking when I used the Quick-serter or something.

Silverfrost--
Glad to hear things are starting to work. I've been on the pump for ~2 months, and it's been very uneven, so I completely understand the frustration you're experiencing. There are so many variables, it's hard to figure out just which one is throwing things off. What I've been learning here is that there are more things to try than my trainer ever told me, so I am *so* relieved to have found these folks!:)

Barbarac:
Have you tried altering your carb or insulin sensitivity ratios also? It's not only the basals that might be out of wack. Now that you've got--congrats!--lunch and dinner down ok, maybe your carb or insulin sensitivity ratio needs to be changed for breakfast. Might be worth asking the trainer about.

Good luck!

[octoberlily]

So glad i'm not the only one...sorry....

I'v been pumping now since feb and no basels are not sorted and still not aware of my lows, but they are getting less now. Very disheartened at moment even tho my DSN keeps telling me it will take time.

I also using quick sets and having a lot of problems and having to change a lot, so phoned mm on thursday and they are going to send me sills to try as i'm very slim. Just hope i have better luck with them.

Sorry find it very difficult explaining myself like this, hence why i don't post much. Face to face conversations i have no problems with.

Julie

[Funnygrl]

It seems very few people are able to get the quicksets to work for them.

[Subby]

sliverfrost I understand your discouragement I really do. I had a rocky time getting started. For me a few months on, it's still not smooth, but getting better.

I experienced problems with the quicksets and have had much better luck with the silhouettes. I recommend trying them or others: they have proven to me how much a difference the sets can make.

You should NOT be getting no delivery signals often. I have had 2 in three months. Until you sort out the delivery problems one way or another, sets or sites, it really isn't going the real deal! I hope you find the answers...

Also, I have found that it doesn't suddenly get easier, but you do progress. But certain things have to be working before the benefits are felt. In my mind the order things HAVE to be "good" before overall control is going better and you can really assess the pump are:

1. Absorption good. (sets, sites) (how to know: do boluses act in a timely manner, consistently? Should be comparable or faster than an injection IMO)
2. Basals reasonably tailored to your variable needs. (how to test: both general observation and the wonderful "fasting protocols" found around here)
3. I:C and Sensitivity ratios correct. (with 1 and 2 correct, your post meal and post correction tests should now be useful to determine these)

I have found that only when those 3 issues are well catered for, (and they can only be concentrated on in that order by necessity), can you get to the plateau where things are "ok" and you can step back and really see what pumping is about!

[thomasb]

Im pretty skinny too, and have not had any problem with the quicksets so far. I do however only use them on the sides of my hips/lower back. If using the quickserter, make sure your press down the mechanism after insertion, so that it goes all the way down/in. also, i have to gather up the fat i have in that area with my other hand to make a little bump to insert in.
Im using the insets i got with my animas 2020 now, 6mm 90 degrees and am happy with them too. virtually painfree, awesome.

[belyro]

Add me to the list of "people who had a hard time starting on the pump because Quicksets weren't working". I'm using Silhouettes now and they're working SO much better for me.

[barbarac]

Just found this reply. Yes, and that did help. It seems the overnight is going crazy. Sorry it took a while to reply, but I must do something wrong--when I ask something I can't find the answer except by going to member list and going from there. Not sure on what is going wrong.

[octoberlily]

Well have been using the sils now for a few weeks now and must say they are so much better, no problems so far and i insert them manually.

So feeling a little more optimistic now especially as i'm also getting there with my basals.

Julie
Type 1 diagnosed dec 1974
MDI for many years
Pumping minimed 522 since early feb

[mortis505]

MM must be really trying to push the quicks now. When I was going through the process of getting my pump, my MM rep warned me that quicks were best for people with a bit of fat around there stomachs. Since is was a bit skinny after having just dropped 40+ pounds from running a 14+A1C, I opted for the Sils, I have since switched to the quicks. Does MM no longer warn people about the problems that some may face while using certain types of sets?

[pegasus]

MM must be really trying to push the quicks now. When I was going through the process of getting my pump, my MM rep warned me that quicks were best for people with a bit of fat around there stomachs. Since is was a bit skinny after having just dropped 40+ pounds from running a 14+A1C, I opted for the Sils, I have since switched to the quicks. Does MM no longer warn people about the problems that some may face while using certain types of sets?

Certainly not me. When I first received my pump (back in Nov, tho I didn't start using it for a couple of months--long story) the MM guy only asked "could I pinch an inch around my waist?" Since I can do that even if I'm 5 lbs. underweight :embarasse I said yes, and he automatically sent me the Quicks. I had a lot of trouble getting started, but my issues had more to do with my trainer and assorted other things than, I think, with the Quicks. Things are getting a bit better.

One thing for me that the trainer can't really help with is how scarey the change is. I think once I found that nothing grotesque happened within the first month or so and I was able to calm down, I could take in j(absorb, so to speak ;) ) more of the specifics of what I have to do. Still not as even as I'd like, but definite progress.

[gettingby]

I've been using the Cleo 90's and love them. I was given some Sof-Set Ultimate QR sets to try (no serter). I'm not so sure that I like those. Either the sets don't like me or my thigh area is a bad absorption site. I wore one for 3 days and have a few "higher than normal with no known reason" highs. Tried a second one in my other thigh but pulled it out within 2 hrs. It just didn't "feel" right.

[Weyersberg]

Chalk up another person who has problems with the quick sets. MM started me off with the 9mm quick sets and after the first week or so of trying to use them and found them terribly uncomfortable, I finally contacted them. The 6mm worked a lot better but I still have problems with " No Delivery". I am not sure if the insulin I am using (Apidra) doesn't work as well as others with the pump or if there is something I'm missing. My pump has been a thorn in my side since day one. Hopefuly the advice I have gotten from this site will help to get things on track for me.

[squidsdc]

I've been using the 6mm 90 degree insets with my Animas 1250, but just ordered the inset 30's to give a try. After 1/2 a box, I am having problems. First of all, they barely last 48 hours before the site gets very red. Now maybe the 90 degree inset does as well, and I'm just not able to see it, but I'm doubtful of that because I don't feel any irritation with the 90 degree sets. Today, as I'm working at my PC, I start to feel a little "high" I test and bs is 162. (after lunch) Not bad, but I still check to see if I should correct or not, how much IOB and what bolus amount is suggested. I went ahead and did a correction bolus and just happened to be watching the site and noticed it leaking.

I really find these sets more comfortable, but if I have to change more often, and find out that I have to be a watchdog to make sure they don't leak when it's only been a day and a half, I'm going back to the other sets. I can easily see how someone can be turned off to the pumping process if the tools they are using are not the right ones for them. My suggestion is to keep trying different ones, since there really is a difference. (I also noticed my blood sugars are more responsive to the insulin when using the inset 30, so I'm hoping I can work this out...)

[notme]

Chalk up another person who has problems with the quick sets. MM started me off with the 9mm quick sets and after the first week or so of trying to use them and found them terribly uncomfortable, I finally contacted them. The 6mm worked a lot better but I still have problems with " No Delivery". I am not sure if the insulin I am using (Apidra) doesn't work as well as others with the pump or if there is something I'm missing. My pump has been a thorn in my side since day one. Hopefuly the advice I have gotten from this site will help to get things on track for me.


I also had problems with Quicksets until someone suggested using IV3000 under the set. Put down a piece of IV3000 on your skin and put the canula throught it. The pain stopped, the scaring was much less and I have not had a clogged canula since. Just give it a try and see if it works for you.

[Subby]

I'm a little miffed that my pump team did not even tell me that there were set options... I had to discover that here. I understand trying to simplify getting a handle on pump therapy but I should have been told that if "down the track" I was up to trying different sets, they were available to try.

Likewise, I was not told that you could manually insert. I was just told to hand over $60 for a quickserter and that was treated as the only way. This meant when I lost mine, I thought I had to wait some days for a replacement (another $60) in order to use the pump again, causing much hardship and stress as I tried to transition back to MDI for a few days.

It turns out I think quicksets work a little better when I manually insert, and I am more than happy manually inserting silhouettes.

This lack of transparent information turns me off my pump team and gives me a sour feeling I am being "pumped" for cash and directed towards whatever the powers that be would prefer me to be using, not giving me the choice to find appropriate, available solutions.

[HelenM]

Interesting, I have just got back this afternoon from 3 days in hospital in France for pump training. After reading as much as I could on here, I chose to use silhouettes but I was the only one to have chosen them. The quickset was definitely advised and all the others( 4 others) used quicksets They had more initial problems than I had. (although after the first attempt with the silserter I inserted manually, again because I'd read on here that it was possible)
Its early days and I've yet to do it without 2 doctors and several nurses present but no problems with insertion so far.