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Another strange reading

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AJLang

AJLang

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Had lunch BG was 5.2 I had 4.2 units for 30g carb - 3 hours later 15.3 and ketones. I've had exactly the same lunch before and had really good levels. I had been trying to use my cannulas for longer ie two days but looks like I will need to revert back to daily changing as this seems to minimise problems. Did a 3 unit correction at 3pm but hardly any difference so far when normally my corrections work very well - but this is the third time in 10 days that I've had problems which coincides with not changing the cannulas as much😡
 
1.5 hours after a 3 unit correction 14.5 I.e hardly any difference from the 15.2 when I originally tested - I changed the cannula 40 minutes ago but haven't corrected since the cannula change - guess I will have to do this if BG doesn't change soon:(
 
Sorry to hear this Amanda :( It seems most of the time pumps are so much better, but occasionally so much trickier! Hope the change of cannula does the trick if you need a new correction 🙂
 
Thanks Alan just glad that I now get symptoms of a high sugar when it's around 15 prompting me to test - would be awful if didn't know until I was in my 20s. Despite these problems the pump has still made a world of difference to me
 
Aaghhh gone up to 16😱 correction dose just been given. I feel lousy
 
AJLang said:
Aaghhh gone up to 16😱 correction dose just been given. I feel lousy
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Hi Amanda, if you change a cannula you do need to bolus after doing so.
That's probably why you have gone higher.
That high a number I would have correct by syringe rather than the pump.
I know when I kept getting numbers that were far to high for me with no reason it was very frustrating and at one stage I did get to the point of saying I was going to dump the pump as sick of it.
It took months of research and frustration plus listening to what I was told by fellow pumpers.
The solution was a different cannula. I went through a lot to find one that suited me. I had used one cannula type for almost 4 years with no problems at all, it then all changed.
So try different cannulas your pump has a luer lock so can use cannulas from other pumps except for the Medtronic.
 
Thanks Sue. I did bolus one unit for the cannula change which normally keeps the level steady when I change cannula. I've discussed different cannulas with both my pump nurse and rep and they suggested changing once a day - I hadn't been changing it so much recently because I've been feeling depressed, but usually have great results when I change daily. However I may need to go back to the drawing board it's so frustrating.
 
AJLang said:
Thanks Sue. I did bolus one unit for the cannula change which normally keeps the level steady when I change cannula. I've discussed different cannulas with both my pump nurse and rep and they suggested changing once a day - I hadn't been changing it so much recently because I've been feeling depressed, but usually have great results when I change daily. However I may need to go back to the drawing board it's so frustrating.
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The rep would say change daily he gets commission on the sales.🙄
Speaking as a long term pumper and standing back from your problem I can see as clear as day the cannula does not suit you.
No idea what one you use or what length but sometimes just a change of length will fix the problem.
I always used to use a 90 degree tethlon with very good results but suspect due to scar tissue that started to give inconsistent results. So I went through metal cannulas found they worked but I didn't feel comfy using them, I then tried a 30 degree tethlon 13mm and bingo I have the best consistent results without having to put so much time and effort into things now.
Personally I think you have got yourself in on big rut and it's time to kick yourself up the bum and sort yourself out. Once you have sorted the cannula problem your mood will lift as you will feel better in yourself. 🙂
 
Sorry you are having such a rotten time Amanda :(

Not sure what to suggest, but FWIW having had 8 weeks of some of the very best levels ever, I've just had 7-10 days of really chaotic levels (and no cannula timing change to blame). I've been firefighting with altered basal/ratios but very hard to catch up.

Sometimes I find it very hard to work out what the reasons for control going out the window but when it coincides with a change I've made it's easy to conclude the its that. Sometimes though... It is nothing to do with anything I'm doing (or not!). So frustrating!

Could you cope with returning to changing daily for a few days to see if you get an improvement?
 
Thanks Mike. Yes I'm going to change the cannula daily and if that sorts out the problems I will be a very happy bunny. I'm going to get my OH to nag me each morning to make sure that I do the cannula change at the beginning of the day - he's being really supportive about everything which really helps 🙂
 
Will be interesting to find out. At least you will know one way or the other 🙂

If daily changing is troublesome/wearing is there a midpoint you could try -how long have you been leaving them in over recent days?

Keep going... You'll get there 🙂
 
Thanks Mike this one had been in for less than 48 hours before the problems began. I just need to discipline myself to change each morning, I have no excuse - as you know it takes less than five minutes for a new cannula🙂
 
Hiya. Sorry to hear you're struggling. Could it be the location of the cannula causing their failure? I seem to have problems when I insert in moving parts like thighs, side and bottom.
 
Thanks PGcity I do all of them in my tummy and rotate them but I think that there may be a build up of scar tissue in some areas - that wouldn't surprise me after 42 years of injections and in recent years, because of the gastroparesis 7 or 8 injections a day contributing to this. My thighs are full of lumps despite stopping injections in them three years ago and I can't reach my bum🙄 I seemed to have very few problems when I moved to changing the cannula daily so I will see if that works, fingers crossed🙂
 
The 3 unit correction before the cannula change had no effect. The 3.5 unit correction at 4.45, after the cannula change, has brought me down to 6.8, thank goodness🙂
 
Sounds like you're getting on top of it, glad you're getting there. 🙂
 
AJLang said:
The 3 unit correction before the cannula change had no effect. The 3.5 unit correction at 4.45, after the cannula change, has brought me down to 6.8, thank goodness🙂
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Hurrah! 🙂 Hope things stay steady for you now 🙂
 
Thank you LeeLee and Northener 🙂
 
same food as yesterday and back to normal levels - I'm very happy:D
 
AJLang said:
same food as yesterday and back to normal levels - I'm very happy:D
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That's good to hear and I'm glad things are back to normal. Sometimes, my numbers go nuts for no discernible reason, perhaps it was 'just one of those things' for you too.
 
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