Second bent cannula this week--none in previous 10 years!

spike · #1 (**permalink**) 02-10-2006, 12:28 PM

Been pumping for 10 years. never had a bent cannula until 2 set changes ago. got a SECOND bent cannula and pulled it out about 3 hours after insertion when my bg's hit 272. Now it's 327. Called MM to ask WHY have I gotten 2 bent cannulas out of the last 2 sets when I've pumped for 10 years with no problems? I asked could a lot number have defective cannulas? they said no and would send me an inserter. I put today's set in my love handle area that would have no scar tissue because it's "virgin".

they will also send a couple samples of a different type of set. This sort of problem almost makes me want to try lantus and Humalog shots!@

anyone have a handle on what SPECIFIALLY causes the tips of the cannulas to bend over, sending all the bolus insulin out the hole and collecting under the tape? 10 years is over 3,600 days of pumping with only loosened from sweat related set problems. Now it's the sets themselves.

AAARGH!!

spike · #2 (**permalink**) 02-10-2006, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike

Been pumping for 10 years. never had a bent cannula until 2 set changes ago. got a SECOND bent cannula and pulled it out about 3 hours after insertion when my bg's hit 272. Now it's 327. Called MM to ask WHY have I gotten 2 bent cannulas out of the last 2 sets when I've pumped for 10 years with no problems? I asked could a lot number have defective cannulas? they said no and would send me an inserter. I put today's set in my love handle area that would have no scar tissue because it's "virgin".

they will also send a couple samples of a different type of set. This sort of problem almost makes me want to try lantus and Humalog shots!@

anyone have a handle on what SPECIFIALLY causes the tips of the cannulas to bend over, sending all the bolus insulin out the hole and collecting under the tape? 10 years is over 3,600 days of pumping with only loosened from sweat related set problems. Now it's the sets themselves.

AAARGH!!

To top it all off, I just inserted another set and got a "no delivery" alarm when bolusing a couple units. I NEVER get "no delivery" alarms with the 515 and Quick sets. So I remove the set, see that it looks perfect, and bolus into the air. It works fine. This is the pumping day from ****!

spike · #3 (**permalink**) 02-10-2006, 12:55 PM

I just remembered the type of sets MM will send samples of: Silhouette. anyone like them?

lelggren · #4 (**permalink**) 02-10-2006, 01:55 PM

I use the quicksets too. I've only had one incidence of a bent cannula. But, I know that since I started working for a diabetes supply company, I've gotten to see what is out there as far as sets are concerned. There are a lot of different kinds to try! I have heard a lot about the silhouetts, but I've never used them myself. So, will minimed send you some samples just for the sake of sending you a sample to try it? or do you have to have had a problem with one of their products or something? I would be very interested in trying them out, just to see because I've only used the quicksets.

spike · #5 (**permalink**) 02-10-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lelggren

I use the quicksets too. I've only had one incidence of a bent cannula. But, I know that since I started working for a diabetes supply company, I've gotten to see what is out there as far as sets are concerned. There are a lot of different kinds to try! I have heard a lot about the silhouetts, but I've never used them myself. So, will minimed send you some samples just for the sake of sending you a sample to try it? or do you have to have had a problem with one of their products or something? I would be very interested in trying them out, just to see because I've only used the quicksets.

They are sending out 4 because I'm having trouble, but IIRC, when I first heard about different sets available from MM, they sent samples of the various types. The "bent needle" type was horrible for me. the Soft Sets were "ok" but for them working loose in hot weather and became a serious issue in the middle of summer when I'd work outside. I could lose a new set in less than a couple of hours. Using IV3000 and SKin Prep helped quite a bit but I still like the stickiness of the Quick Sets a 1000% better.

Cinnabon · #6 (**permalink**) 02-10-2006, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike

I asked could a lot number have defective cannulas?

I honestly think this is very true!

spike · #7 (**permalink**) 02-10-2006, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinnabon

I honestly think this is very true!

Seems to be the only logical explanation. I suspect that the material is either too thin and/or too flimsy and so it's bending over. I mean, just imagine that for approximately 400 days, I've never had this problem. And with the previous pump and sets (about 3,200 days) all the issues were with Soft Sets coming unstuck from my skin, or many years back I'd get leakage at the connector because the elastomer was loose; but never a bent cannula.