[Subby]

Last night something occurred that has happened once before (about 2 months ago). It was one of the more unpleasant things I've experienced in a long time.

I primarily use my butt for sets. In the middle of the night, I suddenly experienced extreme pain-or more like extreme pressure and discomfort, exactly like I would imagine a snake bite to be. It woke me up all in a sudden in a fright and I was suddenly pulling my pump off in a frenzy. In the fright and pain I yanked and snapped the line, and the pump hit the opposite wall. (Thankfully undamaged). I think I gave my GF a heart attack with the yelling and screaming though - it really felt like a snake or a huge spider biting.

The site still felt a little sore but it was no longer biting, once I'd thrown the pump.

Not to mention how disturbing it is to be woken up like this, still half asleep I just had no idea what had happened, if some of it was a dream, or what to do, and finally just replaced the line and went back to sleep.

Half an hour later it happened again - this time it jolted me undoubtedly awake so I knew it wasn't a dream effect. I resisted snapping the line and tried to screw it off instead.

Somehow what seemed to be happening was extreme suction or pressure was pulling the canulla and line back into my body. I pulled on the pump/line, which seemed to ease it off a little, and actually spent about a whole minute trying to turn the quickset connector. It was almost impossible to screw off (completely uncharacteristic) but finally I got it.

What the **** was going on? Anyone else had this? Anyone have any intelligent suggestions?

Some things to know:
-I didn't get any alarms or warnings from the pump, and it usually seems pretty good about blockages. Doesn't mean it wasn't related to some kind of blockage I suppose.
-Lines I think can be ruled out, seeing as it occurred with two, and an old and new one.
-I put a new set in in the morning as a backup, expecting the old one to be packing up after this trauma. I need to prime new sets for a while, up to half a day, and in the meantime the old set has been working just fine. I'll switch over in a few hours.

[Subby]

I just pulled off that set, and had a heart attack because when I looked down i thought the actual cannula was gone (ie, still inside me). Then I realised I was looking at the back of the set. I'm an idiot But it goes to show how jumpy I feel about this.

But as a side note, no sign of blood which was what I was half expecting. Feels like a permanent imprint on my bum, though.

[Gary_W]

Sorry to hear about this one

I have no experience of it, but it sounds like an occlusion (blockage) that the pump hasn't picked up on.

I am fortunate that my only experience of occlusion alarms is years ago when I used to fix infusion pumps in hospitals (amongst other things). Back in the bad old days, there were some pumps that could go up to 25PSI back pressure before they would consider an 'occlusion'. This could mean pain and bruising for the patient well before the pump considered there to be anything wrong.

I am guessing it is also possible in an insulin pump to have blockage problems that give symptoms before an alarm goes.

Perhaps consider calling Minimed and telling them what has happended. They may wish to send out a loaner and check out the occlusions sensor on your pump just to be on the safe side.

Gary

[Subby]

Thanks Gary. So I guess you are talking of an occlusion right at the exit point? When I think of blockage I usually think of a kinked line or canulla, (line blockages have been common for me, just lately) which I assume wouldn't put pressure in the remaining line/cannula and body. Or, if the blockage is at the exit point, I think I assumed that it could block somewhat but not THAT much. Good old assuming, eh?

It does make sense what you say. it is strange that it is giving me occlusion alarms, but not for those. I guess the error could be intermittent. I think your idea to get it checked out may be very wise, before it blows my *** up.

[HollyB]

Originally Posted by Subby

I think your idea to get it checked out may be very wise, before it blows my *** up.

I'm sorry, that does sound like a horrible experience and I hope you get it fixed -- but still that image made me burst out laughing.

[fgummett]

Ouch!

I've had insulin injections that stung like the blazes but I don't think that is what you are describing. Did you run the Menu->Utilities->Selftest on your pump? I agree to check with MM.

I'm still trying to picture how you snapped the line... what kind of infusion sets do you use... I find the Silhouette comes out long before there is even much stretch in the line?

[Subby]

Great suggestion, I just tried the Selftest. No bad result though.

I currently use quicksets. I have used Sils so I know what you mean, but quicksets can be stuck like the devil for me (which is good, by and large).

It snapped off at the pump end. It takes quite a bit of force. I had plenty of "fight or flight" strength to burn: that tends to happen when you wake up thinking a snake is biting your backside.

I tested this again the next day (not connected to me, though). I found I could slowly stretch the line out to about twice it's usual length before it broke at the same place. But in the night I think that brute force overrode it's stretchiness.

[poodlebone]

I've experienced pain from a set after it had been inserted but mine felt like the end of the cannula was poking a nerve. Not pressure, but sharp, stabbing lightning bolts of pain. The few times it happened the set was fine when I inserted it and the pain started later. I believe that the cannula must have shifted slightly and touched a nerve or something. I think it was with a Silhouette every time but one may have been with a Quick-Set or Sof-Set.

I just pulled the cannula out and changed it as soon as I could.

[notme]

I put a set in two days ago that I knew immediately was bad. It absolutely felt like a snake had just taken a bite. I tried to let it sit for a few minutes to see if the stinging stopped, but if I pushed on it at all it "bit" me again. I finally just pulled it and put in a new set. At that point, my lower abdomen was sore. The new set was fine, but I was sore for awhile.

I wonder if you were just close to a nerve and while you were sleeping, you laid on it in a way that you hit that nerve. Once you jumped up and pulled on the site, you pulled the cannula away from the angry nerve.

Just a guess. But I know I have had a few bites also.


I use Quicksets also.

[Subby]

Yep, Jan and poodlebone, I know what you are talking about, I've had times I hit nerves too. Very painful.

This was on a different level... and to be honest I've never been bite by a snake so it might be nothing like it . there was sudden intense pressure downwards into the skin relentlessly, and the time I was more awake and managed not to panic, as I said it took me over a minute to pry the line loose (turning the quickset release was like fighting against a pressure valve). I expect they will recall it, as it is exactly what would happen if the pump didn't stop pumping on an occlusion at the body end - intense pressure (think of a running garden hose into a sealed mouth!) which surely can't be good n healthy!

[fgummett]

Well if you're going to get bit by a snake you are in the right continent for it... am I right in saying that Australia is home to some of the World's deadliest snakes, spiders, jellyfish etc...

[Subby]

Maybe my pump should be put on the top ten list...

[IrishJoe]

sounds scary. I can only imagine how you feel my closest experience would be a bad reaction to a dextrose/potassium drip which felt like cold burning in my vein. I guess in your side at night without actually knowing it would be weird.

But ... and heres the weird thing...

did you dream of the snakebite BEFORE it actually happened. Because sometimes when you are dreaming and something goes bang.. but its actually you alalrm... how do you know that the alarm was going to go off to dream of the other event in synch with it.

(I hope that distracts you from the trauma!)

[Subby]

I've been getting by with putting my sets in my stomach where the problem doesn't occur, but the insulin just isn't near as consistent from that area and I'm getting grouchy and run down by loosely unstable BGs. Ironically these unstable BG's also sap my motivation and initiative, leading to most things going in the "too hard" basket - like calling about my pump.

So I finally kicked my own backside into gear and got around to calling Medtronic about my biting pump - after waiting over a week for a reply from them via email (to other users, I recommend you don't bother with email correspondence).

The lady on the helpline was really quite cagey about the whole thing. She kept suggesting I just hit a nerve but I kept referring her back to the fact there was a huge amount of pressure, born out by the fact the line was almost impossible to screw off. After debating for a while I got a fuller picture of what she thought was going on:

- The cannula was hitting nerve/muscle and getting blockage, however not enough to provide feedback to the pump, as the scenario meant forward pressure (but not quite blocked enough to create backwards pressure)

- Therefore it was just an unfortunate circumstance but the pump is working fine.

- She's sending out a crimper or some such to do a line block test over the phone, to check the blockage awareness, anyway.

I'm happy with this explanation as far as it goes - I think it makes sense that there is a small window there where there is a lot of resistance at the body end, but not quite enough to block off the flow, create back pressure and therefore not set off an alarm or cutoff. It's just a really unfortunate and painful occurrence.

I wrote all that to see what others with pump/occlusion experience might think. Does that sound like a fair and reasonable assessment, or is it a bit of a fob off? Should I have somehow gotten occlusion warnings by the time it's pushing insulin at a very strong (and painful) rate? I just am not quite technically minded enough to be sure.

[w5wjp]

Just don't expect me to suck the venom out or kiss it better.......lol