I’m having the same exact problem! The Tandem infusion sets are just not working like they used to. It’s bizzarre. More and more site failures. I’m seriously considering going back to MDI after being a pump user for over two decades because these site failures are seriously stressing me out.
You may have one problem amplifying another. Stress can cause your BG to become harder to control even when the sites/sets are good.
I have more problems with my G6 CGM sensors stablizing than I do with my infusion sites and steel cannulas.
This still continues to be an issue for me. I haven’t tried Lyumjev yet, but i am curious if it would make any difference. Beyond that my sites are pretty much 99% guaranteed to only last 2 days tops before failing. The craziest part is that they will be working great up to the point of failure, which usually is very sudden, not a slow progression. I’ve had times where it was working so well it caused lows and then an hour later it stopped working completely. It is mind boggling.
I used Disetronic/Rouch/Accuchek for a long time and never had issues with the sets failing. They would pretty much last as long as you kept them in. I miss that security, knowing I can trust it to last and don’t need to take a syringe with me when I go places on the second day.
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I would think about changing pumps. If the hardware is bad, there’s nothing you can do about that.
I’m sorry to hear you continue to have this issue. I can totally relate to this sudden failure of sites. It’s the most bizzare thing! They work great and suddently they fail completely. I’m wondering if Tandem has changed how they make the infusion sets, because they didn’t used to fail so frequently. Perhaps you could get your doc to write a script to change the site every 2 days instead of 3? Changing pumps might be an option. I’ve had people suggest Omnipod to me. Or you could go to MDI. I’m currently on MDI because of the stress of frequent site failures. It’s not ideal, but it’s working pretty well overall, and I feel good knowing when I inject, the insulin will work.
I like many have experienced this problem. The Medtronic sure t steel I have tried as well. I have started giving my stomach a rest and use my legs / quads for the infusion set location. Having less failures. I wish there was a way to restore older locations. started on the new Medtronic extended infusion set as well. Switching back and forth. I’m somewhat muscular I imagine if I had more areas legs would be even better. I find that after eating if I start a brisk wad or run there is a drop drive in bg because of the circulation in my legs. Conversely, doing nothing I have better absorption in abs but I’m giving my stomach a rest.
I rested my abdomen because I had a lot of scar tissue. My endo nurse told me to buy compression tee shirts. One size too small. And it was uncomfortable, but I got used to it, I wore them for 2-3 months most days. All of my hard spots and poor absorption spots cleared up. I had moved to my hips and butt and I still favor those places over my abdomen, but I use my belly on and off now.
When I was very lean, I couldn’t use the steel sets because they would poke into muscle and bruise and cause more issues with absorption in those spots.
I started using the manual sets that go in on an angle varisoft or silhouette depending on your pump.
I insert them on a steep angle almost parallel to my skin and it prevents clogging and bending of the cannula.
You can also look in the little window to see that it’s in there correctly unlike most other sets, you can’t see the site because it’s covered with tape.
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