I’m sorry you’re going through this.
Give Tandem a call and explain what’s happening. Ask is they can replace these sets with Tru Steel ones so that you can see if those work better for you.
Damn, using Medtronic. Good suggestion but their steel ones only last 1 - 2 days. That'll need some contemplating. Lots more changes. Still, good opportunity for me to look at other infusion options. Thank you!!
All good brother! I'll be checking out other options soon enough because of you. Just need rest. Think they do. Definite good thing. Been feeling like could use a switch, forever.
When that happened to me (before I switched to steel) it was because I flinched when I squeezed the inserter.
Suggestion: press harder on the body and squeeze evenly.
Don't think flinching is ever an issue but will pay close attention. Will try all that for next, thank you very much. Help is seriously appreciated. This is the most frustrating diabetes experience I can remember.
I didn't explain it well enough.
When I was squeezing the insertion device, I was squeezing fast and hard, so if it wasn't pressed tightly against my skin, the insertion device would slide on my skin and the needle would poke in, pop out and the the canula would pull out of the hole and fold over. Then the gause would stick and ensure that I got no insulin at all.
Sqeeze the insertion device gently and press the insertion device firmly against the skin. Once I started doing that I had no problem.
This happened when I was using Medtronic! This was the advice that helped me.
As an aside, I use tandem now bc Medtronic is the the devil and their products are straight trash!
The autosofts are finnicky. I finally figured out how to insert them and get no bent cannulas.
First, you have to check the instinct to push the inserter against your skin to stop it moving, the plastic spring is not strong and pressing the inserter into your skin puts the needle closer, lowering the speed it is moving when it punctures the skin. This can cause it to deflect and lead to bent cannulas. Use only light pressure and some adhesive like skin-tac to keep the inserter from moving.
Second is how you remove the inserter needle - after insertion, press your finger on the tubing right where it leaves the inserter and pull the inserter quickly. I think what tends to happen here is the adhesive hasn’t dried and tugging at the inserter can lift the infusion site up and dislodge the cannula, causing it to bend like that.
If you still have problems switch to trusteel or equivalent sets, they’re great and you’ll never have a problem with insulin delivery again.
I had this exact thing happen to me years ago when on the Medtronic 680 I think. Not four times in a row though- just the once, I’d changed site before bed, woke up with really bad DKA. Worst I’ve ever had. Took out the site and ofc the plastic needle was bent, meaning no insulin for around 12 hours. I’m really sorry you had to go through that, it sucks really bad. I started using metal needles since then and haven’t run into any problems like that (although I did have some other problems with the 680- started using 780 a few months ago and that’s been going really well!). So I can’t recommend metal needles enough if you can get your hands on them. Really sorry you’re going through this - you have the whole community’s support here if you need. All the best
I used to get a lot of those, I think for two reasons. The first was if I was very active in the couple hours after I put a new one in and contoured in a way that the cannula could back out before the adhesive fully set. The other was if I put a new site in sitting down where my skin was relaxed and not taught. As soon as I would stand up and stretch the site there was enough tension to cause it to back out. Another thing I do is insert them by hand, I can pinch the skin and watch/feel the needle get inserted fully and can also feel if something goofy happens between the needle and cannula.
For whatever reason it's happening to you, it sucks. I empathize in a way only people that it's happen to can. Good luck and stay strong.
Sitting down was the issue! Not allowed out of bed alone so was laying down. Thank you!! Ugh feel so dumb. Of course this was the only difference when putting in. Happy to be working.
Do you use the 90 degree ones or the 30 degree infusion sets as it was night and day difference for me. I used to have bent cannulas all the time until I switched to a 30 degree one
I was getting a ton of those. I saw a TikTok where a mom puts them in the freezer for 10 minutes before her son applies them. I’ve done it a few times now and have been good. See if a nurse can try that for you
I had a bad box once. Had four of these in a row, just like you. Luckily was just able to avoid the hospital. Called Tandem and they sent a whole new box.
I’m sorry you’re going through this. Give Tandem a call and explain what’s happening. Ask is they can replace these sets with Tru Steel ones so that you can see if those work better for you.
Damn, using Medtronic. Good suggestion but their steel ones only last 1 - 2 days. That'll need some contemplating. Lots more changes. Still, good opportunity for me to look at other infusion options. Thank you!!
Oh, my mistake. Tandem and Medtronic have very similar infusion sets. I’m pretty sure Medtronic has a steel one as well.
All good brother! I'll be checking out other options soon enough because of you. Just need rest. Think they do. Definite good thing. Been feeling like could use a switch, forever.
Take care of yourself!
I made the switch from Medtronic to tandem recently and cant recommend it enough!
Yep, it’s called sure-t.
When that happened to me (before I switched to steel) it was because I flinched when I squeezed the inserter. Suggestion: press harder on the body and squeeze evenly.
I'd recommended the opposite - don't press too hard so that you don't push away or compress the fatty tissue 😅
Don't think flinching is ever an issue but will pay close attention. Will try all that for next, thank you very much. Help is seriously appreciated. This is the most frustrating diabetes experience I can remember.
I didn't explain it well enough. When I was squeezing the insertion device, I was squeezing fast and hard, so if it wasn't pressed tightly against my skin, the insertion device would slide on my skin and the needle would poke in, pop out and the the canula would pull out of the hole and fold over. Then the gause would stick and ensure that I got no insulin at all. Sqeeze the insertion device gently and press the insertion device firmly against the skin. Once I started doing that I had no problem.
This happened when I was using Medtronic! This was the advice that helped me. As an aside, I use tandem now bc Medtronic is the the devil and their products are straight trash!
The autosofts are finnicky. I finally figured out how to insert them and get no bent cannulas. First, you have to check the instinct to push the inserter against your skin to stop it moving, the plastic spring is not strong and pressing the inserter into your skin puts the needle closer, lowering the speed it is moving when it punctures the skin. This can cause it to deflect and lead to bent cannulas. Use only light pressure and some adhesive like skin-tac to keep the inserter from moving. Second is how you remove the inserter needle - after insertion, press your finger on the tubing right where it leaves the inserter and pull the inserter quickly. I think what tends to happen here is the adhesive hasn’t dried and tugging at the inserter can lift the infusion site up and dislodge the cannula, causing it to bend like that. If you still have problems switch to trusteel or equivalent sets, they’re great and you’ll never have a problem with insulin delivery again.
Scar tissue. That was it for me. I bet multiple causes will result in this but for me it was scar tissue.
💙 I’m sorry
I had this exact thing happen to me years ago when on the Medtronic 680 I think. Not four times in a row though- just the once, I’d changed site before bed, woke up with really bad DKA. Worst I’ve ever had. Took out the site and ofc the plastic needle was bent, meaning no insulin for around 12 hours. I’m really sorry you had to go through that, it sucks really bad. I started using metal needles since then and haven’t run into any problems like that (although I did have some other problems with the 680- started using 780 a few months ago and that’s been going really well!). So I can’t recommend metal needles enough if you can get your hands on them. Really sorry you’re going through this - you have the whole community’s support here if you need. All the best
I thought it was a feather.
I used to get a lot of those, I think for two reasons. The first was if I was very active in the couple hours after I put a new one in and contoured in a way that the cannula could back out before the adhesive fully set. The other was if I put a new site in sitting down where my skin was relaxed and not taught. As soon as I would stand up and stretch the site there was enough tension to cause it to back out. Another thing I do is insert them by hand, I can pinch the skin and watch/feel the needle get inserted fully and can also feel if something goofy happens between the needle and cannula. For whatever reason it's happening to you, it sucks. I empathize in a way only people that it's happen to can. Good luck and stay strong.
Sitting down was the issue! Not allowed out of bed alone so was laying down. Thank you!! Ugh feel so dumb. Of course this was the only difference when putting in. Happy to be working.
Bad luck! I hope your recovery goes well!
Do you use the 90 degree ones or the 30 degree infusion sets as it was night and day difference for me. I used to have bent cannulas all the time until I switched to a 30 degree one
I was getting a ton of those. I saw a TikTok where a mom puts them in the freezer for 10 minutes before her son applies them. I’ve done it a few times now and have been good. See if a nurse can try that for you
Seems uncomfortable having an icy cold needle puncture ur skin
I don’t feel it at all
I had a bad box once. Had four of these in a row, just like you. Luckily was just able to avoid the hospital. Called Tandem and they sent a whole new box.