Anyone want to play pump roulette?

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helli

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
My insulin pump comes in two parts: the base which contains the "brains" and is used again and again and the patch which contains the battery and insulin and is replaced every 3 days.

I recently went through a week of 3 patch failures so I contacted the manufacturer thinking it may be a batch problem as that was 3 out 5 from the same box that had failed. They were very helpful and replaced the box but said it could be a problem with the base "wearing out" instead so replaced that too.

Now I have a new base, the remainder of the box of "dubious" patches and the new patches.
I hate waste so I am currently trying out the new base with the old patches.

I am not going anywhere for the next 3 days and, if it fails, I can change the patch whilst working from home (I just turn the camera off on a zoom call and keep talking) so I thought it was a good time for the experiment.

If this works, I have saved the NHS money (the patches are not cheap).
If it fails, I have wasted the insulin in the patch because, unlike other pumps, I cannot get it out with a syringe.

Anyone want to take bets on whether this patch will fail and, if so, when?
 
The first 24 hours have passed without event.
Only 48 hours to go before I decree these dubious patches "safe for a trip out."
 
Last edited:
You use the Medtrum pump don't you Helli? I had a horrible time at the start of using that - went through 4 pump bases before I found one that seemed to work (actually on the 5th base now!). I get far more failures with the Medtrum (even now) than I ever did when using my old Medtronic pumps/infusion sets. My skin also reacts awfully to the adhesive used (but I seem to have conquered that through using an underpatch). Hopefully this new base works out for you.

One thing - have you not tried to suck the insulin out of the reservoir using the supplied needles? That's worked for me when the failure has happened soon after application.
 
@RichardS I have been using Medtrum pumps for two and a half years now.
The A6 was definitely more stable than the Nano although I had more occlusions than my previous pump. I think part of that was due to the size and location for me so the Nano has helped in that regard.

I too get a reaction from the glue they use in the Nano. The underpatch was mentioned but somehow the offer of sending me a sample was lost. But I have been using Hypafix tape for nearly a year (I was one of the first in the UK to use the Nano and am aware I have been a bit of a guinea pig because I like trying out new things). The pump does not stick as well to Hypafix but I just put a thin strip across the top of it to hold it in place and it has never come off.

I tried a few times to suck the insulin out of the pump and failed.
Thinking about it, I am not sure I have tried since starting the Nano. I asked when I had the A6 pump start because that is what I used to do with my last pump. Medtrum (and my DSN) had never heard of it.
I will try it again when I change my current pump.

Despite quality issues with the pump, I have a great relationship with Medtrum which I maintain to keep them on my side (in the past, I have got a few freebies from them). They are always willing to help and possibly more open than their HQ would like wrt problems.
 
I started out using Hypafix but unfortunately it didn't prevent a reaction altogether so I am experimenting with DuoDerm Hydrocolloid dressings which are showing some improvement. I also use an overpatch!

I definitely don't feel as confident with this Nano pump as I did with the Medtronic (in terms of each pump/infusion lasting for its expected time) but I like the patch format much better (I didn't realise how much I would enjoy not having a tube!).
 
helli said:
My insulin pump comes in two parts: the base which contains the "brains" and is used again and again and the patch which contains the battery and insulin and is replaced every 3 days.

I recently went through a week of 3 patch failures so I contacted the manufacturer thinking it may be a batch problem as that was 3 out 5 from the same box that had failed. They were very helpful and replaced the box but said it could be a problem with the base "wearing out" instead so replaced that too.

Now I have a new base, the remainder of the box of "dubious" patches and the new patches.
I hate waste so I am currently trying out the new base with the old patches.

I am not going anywhere for the next 3 days and, if it fails, I can change the patch whilst working from home (I just turn the camera off on a zoom call and keep talking) so I thought it was a good time for the experiment.

If this works, I have saved the NHS money (the patches are not cheap).
If it fails, I have wasted the insulin in the patch because, unlike other pumps, I cannot get it out with a syringe.

Anyone want to take bets on whether this patch will fail and, if so, when?
Click to expand...
Glad it is not just me I carry loads of the patches with me in case it fails
 
christine.h said:
Glad it is not just me I carry loads of the patches with me in case it fails
Click to expand...
I only carry one patch with me when I am out for a day.
I carry extra if I am away overnight.
If I am out for a few hours, I just carry a syringe.
 
I have now got the Omnipod DASH at the weekend I was in a lovely Chinese Restaurant and it came up patch error shortly after the bolus I had a few carb bits to eat not alot so then stuck to veg which I like anyway went to Macdonalds for a coffee and changed patch on the cruise I changed it three days running hopefully DASH will be better had Omnipod before chose Medtrum to save NHS money but I think it has worked out dearer for them due to the constant replacement of the pump and an excessive amount of patches
 
christine.h said:
I have now got the Omnipod DASH at the weekend I was in a lovely Chinese Restaurant and it came up patch error shortly after the bolus I had a few carb bits to eat not alot so then stuck to veg which I like anyway went to Macdonalds for a coffee and changed patch on the cruise I changed it three days running hopefully DASH will be better had Omnipod before chose Medtrum to save NHS money but I think it has worked out dearer for them due to the constant replacement of the pump and an excessive amount of patches
Click to expand...
I find Medtrum will replace faulty patches so it is not costing the NHS extra.
 
christine.h said:
I have now got the Omnipod DASH at the weekend I was in a lovely Chinese Restaurant and it came up patch error shortly after the bolus I had a few carb bits to eat not alot so then stuck to veg which I like anyway went to Macdonalds for a coffee and changed patch on the cruise I changed it three days running hopefully DASH will be better had Omnipod before chose Medtrum to save NHS money but I think it has worked out dearer for them due to the constant replacement of the pump and an excessive amount of patches
Click to expand...

Basically pods are near enough same except Dash handset connects via Bluetooth & doesnt have integrated bg meter included unlike old handset..
 
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