Pump teflon tube bent, so 400

[evapatty]

Hi everyone, It's my 1st time in a forum, but I 'd like to share a bad experience, just in case it may help.

I was using Minimed 722 with Quick-set infusion set.Being in Puerto Rico on holidays in August, one morning I started having 400- 450; then I started throwing up and feeling really dizzy and sick- and was taken to hospital. They didn't understand insulin pumps so I was asked to continue using the pump myself.Labs, and even X-rays were made to me, there I stayed for the night since I continued having 400; so the next morning it was me the one who removed the pump to see the teflon tube bent!!!-I had not been getting any insulin, and I had been so dizzy I hadn't realized!!! And even though I had insisted to be seen by an specialist in diabetes, no way. They just phoned one specialist in the evening who suggested calling a Medtronic representative (who was never called!). I had to pay 1,200 dollars though since I have no plan outside Europe (I'm trying to get some money back, though). I was terrified for the whole night and had a terrible experience I do not desire to anybody.

[shutterbug]

That's sad. If you don't have Medtronic customer support where you live, you should probably not use the product (in my opinion). I'd probably go on old fashion way of injecting if I have to.

Hope you are feeling better now.

[Keezheekoni]

One would think that you'd have remembered your training and that you'd realize that one of the first things you check is your set when things aren't exactly "right"... However, calling the 800 number on the pump might have been something to try also.

[evapatty]

Now I've stopped using the paradigm quick set- I'm using now the paradigm silhouette since you can see the tube inside your skin.
Here in Spain lots of people use the quick set which I do not recomend now.

[notme]

If you ever find yourself going high, disconnect your pump and do a prime and look for insulin coming out through the cannula. If you see insulin bubbling out, remove your set and put in a new set. Bring your blood sugar down by needle until you can figure out what is wrong. I always correct with needles if I am over 300. I am wondering why you didn't get a no delivery alarm. I would definitely talk to MiniMed about that.

Pinched tubing can happen with quicksets or sils. Don't see how that could fix your problem unless it was a bent cannula.


Sorry for your bad experience. Guess hindsight really is 20/20.

[evapatty]

yes, a bent cannula must be- I said teflon tube meaning the short piece of transparent teflon tube going into the skin.

[notme]

If you like the Quicksets, you might think about trying the 6mm cannulas. I had a couple of bent cannulas with the 9mm. Not had the problem since I went to the 6's. Sorry for your troubles.

Remember to use a needle next time your blood sugar is running high and don't know the cause. :(

[evapatty]

Yes I was told that having a cannula bent was not very unusual- what I didn't know was the thing with the 6's and 9's. It's good to know.
Anyway I've come back to using the silhouette set since you can always see the cannula.
Thanks a lot for all your ideas, comments and help.

[Lizzy]

[QUOTE=notme;371814] I am wondering why you didn't get a no delivery alarm. QUOTE]

Maybe just enough insulin was getting thru so the no delivery alarm didn't pick up on it and go off?

[SueM]

In all honesty, I have to say you didn't follow the basic rules of pumping. So you brought the problem on yourself.
Unexpected highs = check your tubing - disconect make sure you have insulin running through.
Next change your canula if all seems well with the tubing.
Also correct with pen/syringe.
Glad you came to no harm though.

[Funnygrl]

Silhouettes can still kink, and you can't see the whole cannula. Over 250 for 3hrs or a high that's just not coming down, always change the set.

I'm truly amazed you didn't consider doing that before going to the hospital.

Kinked cannulas are fairly common.

[Erin]

Guys let's relax a little with the "you brought this on yourself" and "you should have known betters." The OP had a bad experience while on vacation, and is sharing with us so we wouldn't have to go through the same thing. This thread is a good reminder to us all.

And really the doctors in the hospital should have known better. diabetic patient has really high blood sugar and you don't give insulin? Yourself? Immediately? You don't call the endo? You don't check for ketones? You finally call the endo and endo tells you to call medtronic, so you DON'T call medtronic???

A lot of people dropped the ball on this one. And I bet it would have been a different story if the OP had been home when this happened. A quick call to endo, endo reminds you to check site, and bam, no hospital visit.

[evapatty]

Thanks a lot for your comprehension. last night I fall asleep.
Especially Thanks to you Erin.
You're very right- if I had been home nothing would have happened. I phoned Spain quite a few times to talk to my endo, but the time difference made it worse , so I couldn't get through. As I started throwing up once and again, my family insisted and insisted and I had no chance since I was so dizzy I could not clearly think.
Even though I should have known best, and act appropriatelly checking the pump set, but....don't know. I don't think it'll happen to me again!!!. And hope it's a reminder.
Thanks again to everybody for your comments. "See" you soon.

[fgummett]

Let's also not forget that none us would be thinking too clearly with a BS of 400+ mg/dl (22+ mmol/l );) I'm glad it all worked out for you in the end.

[Funnygrl]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come across as judgemental. I'm sure you'll handle it better next time. I had a terrible time with kinked quicksets. Silhouettes worked way better. I'm a huge proponent of always having a syringe and extra insulin on you.