New Ypsopump

[Inka]

That wouldn’t count as stacking. You’re just splitting your bolus in a short time.

 

[Natalie123]

That wouldn’t count as stacking. You’re just splitting your bolus in a short time.

Thanks, that reassuring

 

[Lauren]

Another new issue (or issues)... I'm having cannula issues. I'm using the micro orbit 2.0 steel cannulas which are the closest to the Medtronic ones that I was using before.

I'm only managing to get them through the skin 1 in 3 attempts and I can't tell if they are in properly because they have a piece of rigid plastic in the way. I'm not using the inserter, I really hate those things.

The rate that the insulin is given is so fast that it's painful.

When I take my cannulas out after 2 days they are red and swollen. My last one blocked after less than 24 hours and when I took it out the site was bruised, reddish purple and lumpy. I think this is because the pump is trying to give me so much insulin in one go (about 9 units in less than 30s in this case). I've decided to start splitting my meals into small amounts to spread the insulin out.

I feel like the cannulas are much less flexible and I am limited to 2 very small areas either side of my belly button where they will go in comfortably. This isn't going to be good for me long term. I've tried the usual areas that I could put the Medtronic ones but the needle won't pierce the skin or, if it does, it's really painful especially if I move, sit down or bend over.

Sorry for the long rant, I just feel really disappointed and miserable. I've had no contact with the diabetes nurses since I got my pump despite the rep who did my training saying that they will call me after 2 days. I know they are busy and short staffed so I don't want to waste their time.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd really appreciate them. I probably should add that I have a needle phobia / anxiety and changing the cannulas has really thrown me. I tried an inserter for a cannula once and immediately sick from the shock / anxiety!

Natalie I also struggled with this cannula as I have a needle anxiety which makes my hands sweat and shake. The rep gave me a different cannula which has less of an exposed needle and comes with a self-inserter which removes the needle for you when you lift it off. I can't remember what it's called sorry but it is the same as the Medtronic Mio cannulas. The only thing with these is they are not steel cannulas, they are the soft silicone ones.
It sounds as if you are really miserable, have you got your rep's details? It might be worth contacting them directly. Or keep trying your nurse. Do keep trying, they would want to know you are having these issues.
Hope it all works ok for you x

 

[Natalie123]

Natalie I also struggled with this cannula as I have a needle anxiety which makes my hands sweat and shake. The rep gave me a different cannula which has less of an exposed needle and comes with a self-inserter which removes the needle for you when you lift it off. I can't remember what it's called sorry but it is the same as the Medtronic Mio cannulas. The only thing with these is they are not steel cannulas, they are the soft silicone ones.
It sounds as if you are really miserable, have you got your rep's details? It might be worth contacting them directly. Or keep trying your nurse. Do keep trying, they would want to know you are having these issues.
Hope it all works ok for you x

Thanks. I think I might have to try some other cannulas. I wanted the steel ones because I reacted badly to the soft ones when I got my first pump (probably about 15 years ago), they got infected quiet a lot. It's possible that they have improved the design and materials since then though.

I'm not sure how much of my miserableness is due to the pump and how much of it is my anxiety which is really bad at the moment. I don't want to contact anyone only to be told I'm making a fuss over nothing.

 

[trophywench]

Natalie - the Ypso Helpline is precisely that - ie sincerely helpful. Try em, is my advice. Nobody in a medical setting these days should ever say to us that we're making a fuss over nothing or even infer it by emitting an audible sigh. If that is their reaction then they are in the wrong line of work!

The cannula inserter - to me - I stress, since I was formerly using the Roche Combo one and that, being older technology, was more 'sudden' and also more noisy - is gentler, kinder and quieter. I wonder whether by not using the inserter you are not getting sufficient penetration through your skin, hence the lumps etc.?

 

[Natalie123]

Natalie - the Ypso Helpline is precisely that - ie sincerely helpful. Try em, is my advice. Nobody in a medical setting these days should ever say to us that we're making a fuss over nothing or even infer it by emitting an audible sigh. If that is their reaction then they are in the wrong line of work!

The cannula inserter - to me - I stress, since I was formerly using the Roche Combo one and that, being older technology, was more 'sudden' and also more noisy - is gentler, kinder and quieter. I wonder whether by not using the inserter you are not getting sufficient penetration through your skin, hence the lumps etc.?

Thank you. I will contact them tomorrow. I'm sure they wouldn't say anything but it's my anxiety than makes me feel that way I think. You might be right about the need to use the inserters, I just get anxious when I try to use them! How much insulin is considered normal for one meal? I tried 9 units last night and it was really painful. Maybe they are designed for people on lower doses of 1 or 2 units. I think it's just so fast that it's not giving the insulin enough time to disperse before giving more hence the lumps but that could also happen if the cannula isn't inserted deep enough.

 

[Inka]

I don’t use any inserters either @Natalie123 I know we’re not alone in putting the cannulas in manually. As long as you’re doing it properly, which is usually very obvious to see, then there shouldn’t be a problem.

I think you should try the Teflon cannulas. They vary from pump to pump, and it could be that you find them ok.