Pump Alarm Question...

AJ21 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 09:40 PM

Hi Guys,
I have a random question... On my Medtronic pump there's the alarm that goes off when you're high or low and when you have it set on a 'temporary basal' at the hour, right?

Now, when I put mine to a 'temp basal' when I go to bed, i always have to remember to switch it from 'vibrate' to 'low alert'
Now my question is, there's this item in my pump called Auto Off... What is that?
Is there any way to get this pump to stop alerting me on the hours... especially when I'm trying to sleep?

I hope this makes some form of sense....

Thanks

AJ

JediSkipdogg · #2 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 11:11 PM

Without pulling up the manual I would assume the Auto Off of the MM is similar to that of the Animas. What it does is after a set period of time with no buttons being pushed on the pump the pump will shut off completely. This is a great safetyl feature for those living alone. If you have it set for say 10 hours and you dip so low you don't wake up, then there is a possibility that once you stop getting insulin that your BG will rise and you will wake. I have no idea if that's possible, but that's the theory behind it.

So you say it beeps every hour during a temp basal? Wow, that'd get annoying fast.

AJ21 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 09:20 PM

it does and it drives me crazy...
i'm going to try emailing my nurse and asking her

thanks for that information on the auto off!

Subby · #4 (**permalink**) 04-24-2008, 08:03 AM

Hi Aj21,

Yes I think think beeping every hour for temp basaling is annoying too. I can see the point of it (being aware of it, etc) but it should be strictly optional in my book. Setting the whole alert system to off or vibrate is not an option in my opinion, becuase there are other important alarms, notably a particular beep if there is no delivery (and need for immediate set change).

Also, annoyingly the per hour alarm goes off when using a basal pattern (alternative daily profile). This is also ridiculous in my book. All up, I understand the "black cloud / white cloud" notification system of the MMs, but more info could be used instead of those beeps... such as "Using Pattern 2" on the front screen would suffice.

Amazingly I never worked out if there is a way to turn these hourly beeps of but I suspect there just isn't. Have you checked the MM manual? I will check mine when I can.

Jedi is right... that is the auto off pump function. As he said it's in case you go low etc... it could also apply for any accident where you are knocked unconscious and alone, etc. I have mine set for 13 hours, as I can go to bed not touching the pump for a couple of hours, then sleep up to 10. I don't think there is any need to have it set so low it ever bothers you, in your normal routine.

By the way, it raises **** when auto off gets set off. I just wish the pump raised a bit more fuss when you get to 0 units in your reservoir... sure it warns you a few times from where you set the low reservoir threshold, but if somehow you hit 0 units, it seems nothing happens further out of the ordinary. I think it warrants a different beep, myself.

PepsiLvr · #5 (**permalink**) 04-24-2008, 08:29 AM

Yes, what others have said about the aut off is correct.

I don't know if this is what you want or not, but instead of setting a temp basil rate, you can just have your pump change basil rates automatically throughout the day at set times (no alarms or reminders).

JediSkipdogg · #6 (**permalink**) 04-24-2008, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subby

By the way, it raises **** when auto off gets set off. I just wish the pump raised a bit more fuss when you get to 0 units in your reservoir... sure it warns you a few times from where you set the low reservoir threshold, but if somehow you hit 0 units, it seems nothing happens further out of the ordinary. I think it warrants a different beep, myself.

That annoys me as well with the Animas. What I hate is the Animas allows you to set at 10 unit increments up to 50 units what level you want it to tell you a low cartridge. I have mine set at 20. What annoys me though is there is NO alarm from 20 to 0 units. I think the alarm should happen at every push of a button on the pump from 20-0 units that way it reminds you. I can go 3 hours or 20 hours on that 20 units and then be without my insulin till I get home. Drives me nuts.

AJ21 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-27-2008, 08:58 PM

thanks to everyone for answering me on this!
i emailed my nurse regarding the alarm issue and as you guys said, there's NO way of turning it off *sighs*
thanks for the auto off information!

solox316 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-28-2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subby

I just wish the pump raised a bit more fuss when you get to 0 units in your reservoir... sure it warns you a few times from where you set the low reservoir threshold, but if somehow you hit 0 units, it seems nothing happens further out of the ordinary. I think it warrants a different beep, myself.

Switching from Cozmo to 722, this bothered me severely. You get the initial low reservoir alert, but it does not a darn thing when you hit zero, oversight of the century.

I know someone wants to say "well maybe you should change it before zero..." well, sometimes we forget, a nice annoying reminder would be nice!

RobiJo · #9 (**permalink**) 04-28-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solox316

Switching from Cozmo to 722, this bothered me severely. You get the initial low reservoir alert, but it does not a darn thing when you hit zero, oversight of the century.

I know someone wants to say "well maybe you should change it before zero..." well, sometimes we forget, a nice annoying reminder would be nice!

Sometimes I'd like to use that last 20 units. Why waste 10-20 units every few days??? Though even when it gets to 0 it still is pumping insulin. I don't usually actually change mine until I get the No Delivery alarm.

AJ---Why are you putting it on a temp basal at night? If this is regular, change your basal rates. And what do you mean by an alarm goes off when you are high or low? Are you using CGMS?

I've never really noticed the beeps during a temp basal to tell you the truth. My pump is always in vibrate. (the important alarms such as No Delivery and Auto Off will still beep loudly if the vibrating alarm is not recognized) I do use a temp basal of 0% for 30min rather than Suspend mode when I need to suspend for a low or something. I find I forget to Resume after it was suspended and this way is starts back up on its own.

Auto Off is a good idea, its a nice safety feature.

Subby · #10 (**permalink**) 04-30-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobiJo

I find I forget to Resume after it was suspended and this way is starts back up on its own.

Good idea. I stopped suspending at all because I would forget to resume, so now I just let it keep dribbling. I'd prefer to stop the flow, so I'll try a 0% temp.

solox316 · #11 (**permalink**) 04-30-2008, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobiJo

Sometimes I'd like to use that last 20 units. Why waste 10-20 units every few days???

Agreed. I use nearly every last drop now. Only problem is sometimes the last 10 units is where the remaining air bubbles remain... I used to not care about remaining units... then I started paying for my own