Blocked cannulas

[Shelagh]

I was not well for a week or so, and still on Amoxycillin. My sugar's are just slowly settling down. I have noticed that for the past few times changing my cannula, that they looked blocked and a bit yellowy. I am wondering why?

 

[Inka]

I was not well for a week or so, and still on Amoxycillin. My sugar's are just slowly settling down. I have noticed that for the past few times changing my cannula, that they looked blocked and a bit yellowy. I am wondering why?

Sometimes fatty stuff can block them and that looks a kind of clearish yellowy liquid. I asked about it once and was told it was just a small amount of fat.

However, that’s liquid and thin. It’s a bit concerning if you say that your cannulas looked blocked. Can you explain a little more? Have you had any occlusion alarms? Could you be dehydrated?

Oh, and welcome - I see you’re new 🙂

 

[helli]

If my cannula is blocked, my pump will alarm so I know to change it.
Either yours are not actually blocked or your pump,is unable to detect occlusions which would be concerning.

 

[Lily123]

If my cannula is blocked, my pump will alarm so I know to change it.
Either yours are not actually blocked or your pump,is unable to detect occlusions which would be concerning.

Sorry to derail the thread a bit but how do pumps know if the cannula is blocked?

 

[helli]

Sorry to derail the thread a bit but how do pumps know if the cannula is blocked?

I always assumed it was because it cannot "pump". It will detect a build up of pressure when it attempts to dose insulin.

 

[Lily123]

I always assumed it was because it cannot "pump". It will detect a build up of pressure when it attempts to dose insulin.

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks

 

[Shelagh]

Sometimes fatty stuff can block them and that looks a kind of clearish yellowy liquid. I asked about it once and was told it was just a small amount of fat.

However, that’s liquid and thin. It’s a bit concerning if you say that your cannulas looked blocked. Can you explain a little more? Have you had any occlusion alarms? Could you be dehydrated?

Oh, and welcome - I see you’re new 🙂

Thankyou for your reply, the cannula's were like you described, so it must be fat. I change set's at least every 3 day's so perhaps I should change every 2 day's. There were no alarms at all. I probably was dehydrated, although strangely, I don't get thirsty when my sugar's are high (even in the 20.0's). I am now trying to drink my 2 litre's a day🙂.

 

[trophywench]

I have to change cannulas every 2 days and it's a pain - because I have so many areas that don't absorb very well (no idea why except two overused patches) and I don't want to have any more.

 

[Shelagh]

I think I may have to start doing that, I weigh approx 7st 8, and finding new places is a problem. the nurse suggested using my "muffin" on my back, I replied "I don't have one!"

 

[helli]

If your sugars are “settling down” and your pump is not reporting an occlusion, is it the unsightliness that you are concerned about?
If your cannula was blocked, you would not be getting any insulin and your sugars would be going higher and higher.

 

[Shelagh]

I am getting great fluctuations in my sugars, I was wondering why the cannula's had the yellowy tinge to them.

 

[Inka]

I think I may have to start doing that, I weigh approx 7st 8, and finding new places is a problem. the nurse suggested using my "muffin" on my back, I replied "I don't have one!"

I have the same problem. Short of growing an extra couple of legs, I don’t think there’s an easy answer. I have used the top of my bum before. My arms were rubbish 9 times out of 10. My tummy is dodgy and infuriating. Only my thighs are relatively stress-free.

BTW, the yellowy fat isn’t bad. It’s just something that happens occasionally (and doesn’t have anything to do with your weight). I shouldn’t have used the word “blocked” above @helli The cannula isn’t blocked by the fatty liquidy stuff, it just looks different. It has no effect on the site reliability as far as I know.

 

[Shelagh]

Thankyou for all your replies, it is good to know that everyone has the same issues.